Angela Leone, Author at New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers - NJ Personal Injury Attorneys

Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Blog to Educate

If you have spent any time at all combing the internet for news and/or advice regarding nursing home abuse, you’ve no doubt stumbled upon Jonathon Rosenfeld’s Nursing Home Abuse Blog. Through his frequent updates and pertinent analysis, Rosenfeld has established a real and dependable source for information and guidance aimed at helping victims and their families attain justice for wrongs perpetrated at nursing homes, by home health aids, or even by other family members.

Nursing Home Abuse Blog References Messa & Mininno

Last week, Jonathon referenced the Messa & Associates Blog in a post about fellow law firms taking into their own hands public education regarding what is and is not considered acceptable treatment in nursing homes and long term care facilities. Blog contributors John Mininno and Joseph Messa have been representing injured nursing home patients for the past 10 years in hopes that their work against nursing homes and negligent caregivers would help the industry raise it’s standards and, in turn, protect our elderly community.

Abuse and negligence in nursing homes can often result in severe physical and emotional injuries and sometimes even death. Bedsores, unexplained bruises, weight loss, depression, and other unexplained symptoms could all be signs of abuse or negligence by the staff at a care facility.

Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is a resident of a nursing home and you suspect that the care they are receiving is negligent and/or abusive, contact the nursing home abuse attorneys from Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call, toll-free, at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.

Let the Philadelphia and New Jersey nursing home abuse attorneys of Messa & Associates earn you and your loved one the compensation you need and deserve.

Philadelphia Attorney Joseph L. Messa, Jr. Addresses Orthopaedic Surgeons at Annual Meeting

Media Contact:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Glorious Hightower
ghightower@messalaw.com
215.568.3500

MESSA & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

Philadelphia Attorney Joseph L. Messa, Jr. Addresses
Orthopaedic Surgeons at their Annual Meeting

PHILADELPHIA (February 10, 2012) – Joseph L. Messa, Jr., founding attorney of Messa & Associates, P.C., presented “Anatomy of a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit” as a guest speaker at the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 2012 Annual Meeting yesterday in San Francisco. Mr. Messa’s presentation focused on patient safety related lawsuits and the process of handling a medical malpractice case from the beginning phases until its conclusion.

“Medical malpractice is a serious issue that accounts for tens of thousands of deaths in this country each year. Patients suffer devastating, life-altering injuries as a result of preventable medical mistakes every day and the victims of these mistakes deserve to be heard and recover damages for their injuries. It is important that medical professionals and trial attorneys continue to engage in a dialogue about this issue so that we can continue to work to reduce the number of people injured as a result of malpractice.”

Messa & Associates has represented individuals in cases against doctors, hospitals, medical practice groups, and nursing homes. The attorneys litigate medical malpractice cases involving birth-related injuries, delayed and failure to diagnose cancer, spinal cord injuries, hospital-acquired infections, brain injury, stroke, and an array of other cases involving medical errors resulting in injury. The firm has secured multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts in medical malpractice cases including a $16.5 million jury verdict for failure to investigate a seven-year-old child’s surgically correctable underlying heart condition; $12.1 million jury verdict a spinal fusion case, involving the insertion of metal screws that became infected, causing irreversible damage, into the man’s spine and a $10 million award for a man whose physician performed an unnecessary surgery, implanting an unapproved medical device in his spine.

AAOS provides musculoskeletal education to orthopaedic surgeons and others in the world. The organization offers continuing medical education activities including its Annual Meeting, multiple CME courses and various medical and scientific publications and electronic media materials.

Mr. Messa is a member of the Bars of the Supreme Courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the U.S. Court for the District of New Jersey, as well as the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, and the First, Third, and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeals. He received his juris doctorate, cum laude, from Temple University School of Law in 1988.

In addition, he is an active member of the American Association for Justice; American Bar Association; Pennsylvania Association for Justice; New Jersey Association for Justice, Philadelphia, Camden, Burlington County New Jersey Bar Associations; and the Justinian Society. He has served on the Board of Directors for the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association since 2006, and currently holds the leadership position of Assistant Secretary.

Mr. Messa is an AV-rated attorney, listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. He is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and was named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers. Mr. Messa is also an advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates. He has been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and has successfully litigated multiple serious injury cases to seven- and eight-figure verdicts and settlements, in medical malpractice, products liability, fire and burn injury and construction/work injury matters.

About Messa & Associates, P.C.
Messa & Associates, P.C. represents individuals and their families in complex personal injury matters, including catastrophic injury, medical malpractice, product liability, motor vehicle accidents, fires and explosions. Our attorneys serve Pennsylvania clients throughout the state, including in Philadelphia and other surrounding communities in Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Bucks County. Messa & Associates is also proud to serve clients throughout the state of New Jersey, and also litigate cases nationwide.

For more information, please contact Glorious Hightower at (215) 568-3500 or GHightower@messalaw.com.

Philadelphia Attorney Eric H. Weitz Elected to Philadelphia Bar Association Board of Governors

Media Contact:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Glorious Hightower
ghightower@messalaw.com
215.568.3500

MESSA & ASSOCIATES, P.C.

Philadelphia Attorney Eric H. Weitz Elected to
Philadelphia Bar Association Board of Governors

PHILADELPHIA (January 26, 2012) – Attorney Eric H. Weitz, of Messa & Associates, P.C. has been elected to the Board of Governors for the Philadelphia Bar Association. Mr. Weitz will serve a three-year term on the Board of Governors, working with the Chancellor and fellow Governors to establish official policy for the Philadelphia Bar Association and provide guidance to the overall legal system. Attorney Weitz is also a board member a number of other organizations including the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association (PTLA) and the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (PAJ).

“This year, a presidential election year, is an especially exciting time to be joining the Board of Governors for the Philadelphia Bar Association,” said Attorney Weitz today. “Our legal system nationally and our court system locally are constant source of debate and discussion in election years, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to formulate ideas and policies that will continue to protect people’s rights, while adapting to a rapidly changing economy and societal needs.”

Mr. Weitz has successfully litigated dozens of personal injury cases for his clients, including a $28.75 million verdict for a foster child that was rendered a paraplegic in a motor vehicle accident and many multi-million dollar resolutions for victims of medical neglect and other unsafe practices.
The Philadelphia Bar Association is the oldest association of lawyers in the United States. It provides guidance and professional support for attorneys, judges and politicians on legal issues. In addition, the organization offers local Philadelphia community members assistance in addressing legal matters.

Attorney Weitz received his juris doctorate, cum laude, from the Villanova University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in Television, Radio and Film Management. He has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer by Law & Politics magazine and Philadelphia Magazine for five consecutive years, including Top 100 Pennsylvania and Top 100 Philadelphia for 2011. Mr. Weitz is also an active member of the American Trial Lawyers Association in New Jersey.

About Messa & Associates, P.C.
Messa & Associates, P.C. represents individuals and their families in complex personal injury matters, including catastrophic injury, medical malpractice, product liability, motor vehicle accidents, fires and explosions. Our attorneys serve Pennsylvania clients throughout the state, including in Philadelphia and other surrounding communities in Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Bucks County. Messa & Associates is also proud to serve clients throughout the state of New Jersey, and also litigate cases nationwide.

For more information, please contact Glorious Hightower at (215) 568-3500 or GHightower@messalaw.com.

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Medical Malpractice Lawyers Could Bring Class-Action Suit Against Pfizer for Defective Birth Control Pills

new jersey medical malpractice lawyers, philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys, nj medical malpractice, philadelphia personal injury A mass recall of defective birth control pills could result in unwanted pregnancies for the women taking the recalled Pfizer birth control pills. Pfizer recalled 14 lots of Lo/Ovral-28 tablets and 14 lots of generic Norgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol tablets after discovering some of the blister packs may contain either too many or too few active pills and that the pills may be out of sequence. About one million packets of birth control pills are being recalled because of the error that could cause unintended pregnancies. Medical malpractice lawyers intend to bring a class-action suit against Pfizer for this severe negligence.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers Could Recover Millions in Damages for Women As A Result of Unwanted Pregnancies

Experts say wrongful pregnancy cases in the past have been looked at as being similar to medical malpractice cases, such as suing for an unwanted pregnancy after a botched vasectomy. One expert also points out that there has even been a case where a woman successfully sued a pharmacist for medical malpractice when she became pregnant as a result of an error made in filling the woman’s birth control prescriptions.

A class-action lawsuit on behalf of multiple women affected by the recall of the defective Pfizer birth control pills could potentially cost Pfizer millions in court. Thirty-two states recognize Pfizer has said that the defective birth control pills do not pose a health risk to the women that take them, but that they may not prevent pregnancy.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in Philadelphia and New Jersey

The Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers at Messa & Associates are experienced at handling cases resulting from medical and pharmaceutical errors. Our extremely skilled team of medical malpractice lawyers and medical experts is dedicated to ensuring you receive proper compensation for your personal injuries. If you or a loved one have suffered personal injuries as a result of a medical or pharmaceutical error or any other type of negligent care received by a medical provider, contact the medical malpractice lawyers of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll free at 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Support POCT Patient Safety Initiatives

Point-of-care testing is medical testing that produces results near the patient as opposed to in a lab. The benefits to point-of-care testing are almost infinite as necessary treatment can be expedited almost immediately through the use of rapidly returning test results. But with such beneficial and life-saving technology comes a great responsibility to protect patient safety and avoid medical errors. Medical malpractice attorneys support any and all initiatives aimed at protecting patients from POCT related negligence.

Medical Journal Calls Medical Providers to Task of Patient Safety

Point-Of-Care: The Journal of Near-Patient Testing & Technology released a special issue last month highlighting the need for increased vigilance to medical errors related to POCT. The issue contains editorials, research studies, and case reports that provide an overview of the policies in place for other medical providers which assist in assuring patient safety.

James H. Nichols, PhD, Professor of pathology at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston and medical director of clinical chemistry for Baystate Health in Springfield, Mass, provided the issues introduction. In it he states:

“While the theme is patient safety, each article is different and the authors were not constrained to one format or question, but free to express their concerns and perceptions around the theme of patient safety and medical errors.”

The issue also features information on some of the most recent technological advances in POCT, including built in quality-controls and security measures which, in themselves, can help prevent errors. Presently, very few formal rules or guidelines exist when it comes to point-of-care-testing, but new standards are continuously being developed and the FDA is in the process of solidifying their own guidelines by performing assessments of POCT devices. Patient safety and identification, operator training, timely results, and system alerts were just a few of the topics mentioned in the journal regarding necessary focuses of error prevention.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Medical errors claim the lives of patients everyday. The medical malpractice attorneys at Messa & Associates are in full supoprt of any steps medical providers take to help prevent those medical errors. If you or a loved one have been injured by any form of medical malpractice or negligence, contact the medical malpractice attorneys of Messa & Associates for a free consultation. Call toll-free 1-877-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry form.

Let the New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Messa & Associates work to earn you the compensation you need and deserve.

Mininno Law Office Merges with Messa & Associates

Messa & Associates, P.C.

Mininno Law Office Merges with Messa & Associates

PHILADELPHIA (January 14, 2012): Center City based law firm Messa & Associates, P.C. has merged with Mininno Law Office effective immediately, the two firms have announced. The firm will continue under the name Messa & Associates, P.C. with John Mininno, Esq. joining as Counsel to the firm.

Joseph L. Messa, Jr., founding partner of Messa & Associates, said: “We are pleased to welcome John and join our resources in order to provide our personal injury clients with an even better experience as they cope with devastating, life-changing injuries and losses. John’s reputation, trial skills and dedication to clients are well known in New Jersey and we look forward to joining with John to serve this community.”

The firm will continue to focus on catastrophic injury cases, including workplace injuries, products liability cases, construction injuries, failure to diagnose matters, birth injuries, brain injuries, and motor vehicle accidents. Mr. Mininno’s Collingswood, N. J. office will remain open to serve clients in the South Jersey area. As a New Jersey Certified Civil Trial attorney, John and the firm will continue to accept referrals of these catastrophic cases from law firms throughout New Jersey who are then permitted to receive a referral fee upon a successful recovery.

In addition to the Collingswood office, Messa & Associates will continue to maintain its other office locations throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey in Northwest Philadelphia; Conshohocken, Pa.; Downingtown, Pa.; Cherry Hill, N.J. and Linwood, N.J.

About Messa & Associates, P.C.

Messa & Associates P.C., represents individuals and their families in complex personal injury matters, including catastrophic injury, medical malpractice, products liability, motor vehicle accidents, fires and explosions. Our attorneys serve Pennsylvania clients throughout the state, including in Philadelphia and other surrounding communities in Montgomery County, Chester County, Delaware County, and Bucks County. Messa & Associates are also proud to serve New Jersey clients throughout that state, and also litigate selected cases throughout the country.

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Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers: Haverford Facility’s Staff Found Not Guilty

nursing home abuse lawyers nj and pa Early last year our nursing home abuse lawyers wrote several blogs about the Quadrangle nursing home facility in Delaware County, PA and the alleged nursing home abuse of one of their residents, 78-year-old Lois McCallister. Officials found out about an incident where three orderlies were allegedly mocking and abusing the dementia patient, forcing her to walk around her room naked while they laughed at her. Lois McAllister’s family caught the abuse on tape, the facility lost their license, and the staff members involved were arrested and charged. The home’s parent company later entered into an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and had their license reinstated.

Ayesha Muhammad, 19, Tyrina Griffin, 21, and Samirah Traynham, 22, were charged with simple assault, false imprisonment, harassment, and conspiracy and found not guilty on all counts by Judge Kevin F. Kelly. The Assistant District Attorney Robert Manzi tried to argue that the three caregivers were taunting, mocking, and physically abusing McCallister while they forced her to stand partially naked inside her room, as seen in the video. However, the defendant’s attorney successfully argued that the footage on the video only showed the three women struggling to get a difficult patient dressed.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident at a nursing home or long term care facility, pay close attention to not only their condition, but also the care they are receiving. Your attentiveness is crucial to your loved one’s continued safety at a nursing home. If you are worried that the care they are receiving is indeed negligent or abusive, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Elder Abuse Lawyers Give Update on Disturbing Case

elder abuse lawyers in NJ and PA About a month ago, the elder abuse lawyers of the Mininno Law Office reported on an elderly woman who was being severely neglected by her adult son. Police found Carol Brown, 74, unresponsive in the home of her son James Owens, 52, and rushed her to the hospital but she died just days later. The responders described Brown as “a rotting corpse that was still breathing.” She was found fused to her chair surrounded by her own waste, with a swollen ankle wound containing maggots. It also became clear that Owens had not fed his mother in over a week. Brown’s daughter, Laura Sanders, is incredibly mad at her brother for allowing their mother to die in this way. She told officials “Knowing that she died and it may have been prevented? … I’m so far passed crying. I am just real mad! I’m beyond mad!”

Adult Son Faces Charges For Mother’s Death

James Owens is now facing charges of first-degree involuntary manslaughter for his mother’s death, as well as forgery after attempting to cash her Social Security check two days after her death. The medical examiner’s office reported that the autopsy showed the cause of death to be complications from sepsis due to neglect. Owens is being held on a $100,000, cash-only bond.

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently under the care of an individual or care facility and you have witnessed them being abused, you have noticed strange bruises, scratches or sores, or you fear that the care they are receiving may be considered negligent or abusive, our professional elder abuse lawyers can address your questions and concerns. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Abuse through Theft by Facility Account Manager

Nursing home abuse is not only physical. Financial abuse is becoming more prevalent as the economy worsens. The elderly are a vulnerable and often trusting population and are therefore easy targets for financial abuse. Frequently checking into your loved ones accounts is vital in identity or other theft prevention. Be careful who you grant access to to these accounts. Even nursing home employees can have ill intentions.

Staff Member Steals $28,000 from 94 Residents

nursing home abuse in NJ and PA A Connecticut nursing home is being fined $3,000 after $27,472 was stolen from 94 residents by a staff member. The administrators of the Village Green of Waterbury discovered the theft in October. According to administrator Linda Garcia, the nursing home’s account manager had full access to the resident’s accounts. When a resident requested a withdrawal, she would make the withdrawal for more than the amount requested and keep the difference.

“We asked her for an explanation. When she couldn’t provide one, we terminated her,” said Garcia.

The nursing home is currently in the process of reimbursing all of the residents. According to an inspection report by the state Department of Health, “money was withdrawn from cognitively impaired residents’ accounts without the responsible parties’ consent.”

The facility is also guilty for another incident of nursing home abuse. In June of 2011, a nurse’s aide slapped a resident on the shoulder in order to wake him up and yelled “get out!” The resident happened to be the president of the resident’s council and reported the incident. There was an internal investigation held by the nursing home and the nurse’s aide was fired.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

We recommend that you monitor your elderly loved ones finances closely to avoid financial abuse. If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility and you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers: CNAs Took Unauthorized Photo of Resident

There are many excellent nursing home and long term care facility workers. Unfortunately, the bad ones overshadow the good ones with the abusive and neglectful treatment that they give the elderly residents they are supposed to care for. As nursing home neglect lawyers, we hear all different types of abuse ranging from the horrible cases that end in serious injury and even death to cases where the staff takes advantage of their power or the vulnerable elderly residents through inappropriate behavior.

CNAs Shared Cellphone Photo of Resident with Other Staff Members

nursing home neglect lawyers in NJ and PA The Colonial Hills Nursing Center in Tennessee has undergone an investigation after two certified nursing assistants took an unauthorized photo on a cell phone of a resident and then forwarded the photo to “an undisclosed number of staff members” and one of the CNA’s teenage daughter. On July 22, the shoulders-up, fully clothed photo was taken after a clean brief fell on the resident’s head. They took the photo because they found the incident “humorous” and “endearing.” The picture was said to be blurry and the resident was not clearly identifiable. Both CNAs were fired and the facility was fined $6,000 from the state and $4,550 a day from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services until the violations are corrected. According to the report, the incident was “a violation of dignity” and the facility failed to protect the resident, enforce policies against employees using cellphones in patient areas and taking photos in the home, and to properly investigate the incident. The state suspended admissions to the nursing home after inspections found more violations. The facility submitted a plan for correcting their problems and the state lifted the suspension.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility, pay attention to the quality of the nursing staff. If you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.