Q: My friend had a tragic thing happen at a an assisted living center. Need advice.
My friends mother was staying at an assisted living center until this past February when she tragically passed away due to lack of oxygen from choking on some food she was eating for lunch. They did not check on her for 40-45 mins after lunch when they located her on the ground in her room. This always puzzled me bc she was not bad ridden or unable to ambulate and she used a walker for fall prevention. Also there are like 2 or 3 places in each apartment where one could pull a string and it sends this call to a dispatcher who would delegate someone to check out what needs checking. I have to assume that Teri, RIP, most definitely made or at least attempted to make them aware that she needed help as soon as she started choking. She is labeled as prone to choking due to alcohol abuse and Hx of smoking so they should have been doubly aware. What should we do? I feel in my heart that her death was preventable and wrongful but we just don't know how to go about finding out. Please advise.
A:
A Utah attorney could advise best, but your post remains open for three weeks. I'm very sorry for you and your friend's loss. You ask for someone to please advise. Your friend's best option would be to consider reaching out to attorneys to discuss in greater detail. Law firms that handle such cases generally offer free initial consults and they work on a contingency basis. After discussing the matter and reviewing available records, a law firm could be in a better position to advise whether they felt there was a valid case. Good luck
Tim Akpinar
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