Suffocation accidents are unfortunately very common, especially for children under the age of five (5). Each year, approximately 100 children under five die from suffocation accidents that are caused by a number of factors, many of which are common household objects that curious children put into their mouths, especially when they are improperly supervised or using defective products
If your child has been injured or tragically killed due to suffocation, 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.
Dangers Around the Home
Children are naturally curious and often place objects into their mouths to learn more about them. While this is a normal part of development, it also places them in danger of serious and catastrophic injuries.
There are numerous dangers around the home that are a risk for suffocation to small children. These include:
- Plastic bags
- Window blind cords
- Ribbons
- Ill-fitting crib pads
- Uncovered plastic on furniture
- Comforters and large pillows
- Talcum powder
Small household objects can also pose a threat of choking, which can lead to suffocation. These types of items include:
- Balloons
- Batteries
- Small toy parts
- Small, hard, or sticky foods
- Office supplies
- Coins, beads, buttons, marbles, and needles
If your child will be under the direct supervision of another adult, such as a babysitter, nanny, or daycare center, they owe your child a duty of care to keep them safe. Unfortunately, when they breach this duty with negligent supervision, or your child is injured by a defective product, the results can be deadly.
Legal Liability for Suffocation Injuries
Product manufacturers, like childcare providers, owe a duty of care to consumers to provide products that are not dangerous and will not injure them. When a product manufacturer, or anyone else in the chain of distribution of a product fails to provide a safe product, fails to warn of the risks of a product, fails to provide proper use instructions, or their product has a foreseeable risk to children even if it was not specifically designed for their use, they could be held liable if their product causes suffocation injuries under product liability laws.
If a suffocation injury occurs while your child is under the care of another person and their behavior was judged as negligent, they too could be held liable for the damages their actions or inactions caused. Every suffocation case will be unique, but some examples of negligent behavior that can cause suffocation include:
- Improper feeding-If a caregiver gives a child food or beverages, such as a bottle, while they are laying down instead of sitting upright, or the child is given food that is improper for their age, the caregiver could be deemed negligent.
- Improper sleep positioning-Children should never be laid to sleep on their stomach. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all children be placed on their back on any flat surface when sleeping to lessen the chance of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Failure to do so could be found as negligence.
- Leaving plastic bags within reach-Plastic bags pose a strong suffocation risk. Any caregiver that leaves plastic bags within reach of young children could be held liable for damages in the event that the child suffocates.
An experienced personal injury lawyer can review your child’s suffocation case and determine who may be liable for their injuries. 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 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 meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.
