Skip to content

Choking Hazards – Child Injuries & Accidents

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at 844SeeMike.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

 

Children place everything in their mouths as part of their development and a way to learn about their world. However, even though it is a normal learning process, placing things into their mouths can be a choking hazard. Choking hazards are any object that can caught in a child’s throat, blocking their airway, and making it difficult or impossible to breathe. Additional choking hazards can include products with rope-like features, such as window coverings, blind pulls, drawstrings, and toy necklaces, which can cause strangulation when a child is exposed to them.

If your child has been injured in a choking accident due to the negligence of another or a defective product, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

Food Choking Hazards

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), choking is the leading cause of injury in children aged four (4) years old and younger. Food is the most common choking hazard, and among children treated in emergency rooms for non-fatal choking incidents, almost 60% of these were food related. 

Many children do not chew their food properly and attempt to swallow it whole. Foods that are round and hard are the biggest danger to young children and include:

  • Hard, sticky, or gooey candy and gum
  • Hot dogs
  • Raw fruits and vegetables
  • Whole grapes
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Chunks of meat and cheese
  • Popcorn
  • Chunks of peanut butter
  • Raisins
  • Marshmallows

These types of foods should be avoided in children under four (4), or extra safety measures should be followed when feeding them. Food should be cut into pieces no larger than ½ inch and children should not be permitted to walk around or lie down while eating, instead, make sure that they are securely seated and completely supervised while eating anything.

Other Possible Choking Hazards 

When children begin to crawl and walk, other household objects can become choking hazards as well. To ensure that your home is a safe environment, it is helpful to get on your hands and knees and look at the room from the perspective of a small child. Items that pose a choking hazard include:

  • Pen or marker caps
  • Crayons
  • Coins
  • Button cell batteries
  • Hair barrettes and beads
  • Toy parts
  • Board game pieces
  • Latex balloons
  • Magnets
  • Marbles and small balls
  • Buttons and jewelry
  • Office supplies such as tacks, paper clips, and staples

To prevent strangulation, it is important that all cords and strings are kept out of reach of all children. Parents and caregivers should also do the following when caring for young children:

  • Never tie a pacifier or toy to a child with a string
  • Move all furniture, cribs, toys, and beds away from windows with corded window coverings
  • Keep all cords, strings, and ropes out of reach of all children
  • Remove bibs before playtime, nap time, and bedtime
  • Remove scarves, necklaces, bracelets, and drawstrings while a child is playing or sleeping 

Choking Hazard Liability 

If you entrust the care of your child of an individual, such as a babysitter or nanny, or they spend time under the care of a daycare or school, and your child suffers a choking or strangulation incident due to the negligence of the caregiver, the person or entity in charge of your child could be held liable for their injuries.

If your child suffered a choking incident due to a defective or dangerous product, the manufacturer, who had a duty to create a safe product, as well as anyone in the chain of distribution could also be found liable for your child’s damages if it can be shown that the product was defective and the defect was the cause of the injuries.

If your child has suffered a choking injury due to a defective product or the negligence of a caregiver, contact an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and determine who may be liable for the injuries your child sustained.

We at 844 See Mike are proud to serve our fellow citizens in personal injury cases, especially when you or a loved one has been injured, and we are fully committed to protecting your rights and ensuring that the other party is held legally accountable when negligence occurs. We will fight until the very end to ensure that you are fully compensated for all injuries and losses resulting from the accident, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and you won’t owe us a dime for our services.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at the work we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at 844 See Mike, we put People, First.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google.  Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at michael@agrusslawfirm.com, or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.

Submitted Comments

No Comments submitted yet. Sharing your story will help others!

We are listening

We will respond to you at lightning speed. All of your information will be kept confidential.

Form successfully submitted!