Birth Defects Lawyers Win Large verdict for Delivery Room Negligence

A $2.3 million dollar verdict for a birth injury case was awarded to a Virginia attorney and his client. In 2006, the negligence of a midwife hired by a woman’s obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) caused permanent nerve damage to her baby boy’s arm. The attorney for the boy showed that the negligence that occurred during delivery occurred during the birth due to shoulder dystocia.

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects Attorneys negligence Shoulder DystociaShoulder dystocia occurs when a baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind a mother’s pubic bone. In order to avoid injury, certain changes must be made during delivery. Birth injuries arising from the improper delivery of a baby with shoulder dystocia can be permanent. In the case of the Virginia boy, it was shown that the nerve damage caused him permanent disablement of his right arm. He may need assistance for simple tasks for the rest of life, and may not be able to do many of the typical activities of childhood due to the birth injury he received.

The verdict the attorney gained for the boy will help him receive the special assistance and training he needs due to the negligent birth injury he received at birth. The jury also awarded an additional $60,000 to reimburse medical expenses that the mother as acquired. Such birth injuries can be compared to injuries caused by auto accidents, they cause life changing challenges for the baby, just as he or she is entering into the world.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was injured at birth and you now have questions regarding your legal rights, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia. Let the experienced medical malpractice and birth injury attorneys answer any questions you may have.

Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Report on New Laws to End Elder Abuse

new jersey philadelphia nursing home negligence lawyers report elder negligenceNursing home abuse has become such a wide spread problem that some states are looking to crack down on offenders. Citing an increase in abuse of the elderly and vulnerable, some state lawmakers have advocated for adding persons convicted of elder abuse to a registry of offenders similar to the registry of sex offenders. While this new law would not increase penalties or make any new conduct criminal, it could go a long way in deterring and preventing future incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect.
Unfortunately, most states do not have such laws in place and it appears that nursing home abuse is still on the rise. That is why it is important for family members with loved ones in nursing homes to pay attention to how their relatives are being treated.

What are some signs that someone I care about is the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect?

Stay in frequent contact with any relative or loved one in a nursing home. Make time to speak with them and make sure the staff knows you are present and that you care. You presence alone could serve as a valuable deterrent to potential abuse. Furthermore, carefully watch for signs of abuse: Warning sings include bruising, unexplained falls, bed sores (also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers) and incidents of septic shock. If your loved one is a fall risk, proper precautions should be taken. Bed sores should be a rarity and should not ever advance past stage two. Septic shock, which almost always occurs from a lack of proper sanitation, should also be a rare occurrence. If a bed sore or septic shock results in hospitalization and/or extensive treatment, you are right to have serious concerns. If you suspect abuse, contact appropriate state agencies and speak with an attorney experienced in handling such cases.

Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers in NJ and PA

The Nursing home negligence Lawyers at the Mininno Law Firm are experienced in handling nursing home neglect cases. They will fight for you! Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Hypothermia May Serve as Therapy to Prevent Brain Injury

The Mininno Law Office blog posted before about groundbreaking new treatment that can help prevent brain injuryand damage from occurring in newborns who have endured traumatic births. Now, that same treatment is being applied to adults who suffer cardiac arrest, reducing their risk of dying or suffering severe and permanent brain injuries.

Therapeutic Hypothermia

Brain Injury Lawyers in NJ and PA The treatment is called therapeutic hypothermia, and it is relatively new in the medical field. Therapeutic hypothermia involves lowering an unconscious patient’s temperature to between 32 and 34 degrees celsius using a “cooling blanket,” a special cap, or a mattress filled with either air or liquid. The aim of the treatment is to cool the patient’s brain and slow the rate of cell damage, therefore preventing irreversible brain injury or damage.

Because of the uncertainty that has surrounded the therapy for so long, not all practitioners provide it. So, while some hospitals do utilize therapeutic hypothermia to help thwart brain damage, other hospitals have yet to see it’s value. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has advised that health care professionals may consider therapeutic hypothermia for patients at risk of brain injury after cardiac arrest, under the hospital’s usual guidelines for experimental medicine.

Professor Bruce Campbell, Chair of the Interventional Procedures Advisory Committee which produced the guidance for NICE, commented on the potential of the new therapy, saying:

“The evidence shows that controlled cooling of selected patients who have suffered cardiac arrest can increase their chances of survival. The therapy can also reduce the risk of severe brain damage, which can occur when blood flow to the brain is disturbed. While the outcomes of therapeutic hypothermia seem to look promising, we still need to find out more about precisely which patients are most likely to benefit from its use. This is why we are encouraging further research in this area.”

Brain Injury Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Traumatic brain injuries and brain damage can change the course of many lives. And when these injuries occur due to the negligence of another, it is normal to feel cheated and owed. Brain injuries can cause the need for expensive and life long treatments and care, things that very few people are prepared to pay for.

If your loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, and you believe it was caused by the negligence of another, you probably have many questions your regarding your legal rights. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at 856-833-0600 in New Jersey, or 215-567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Birth Defects: Benefits of Bottle Feeding

Because of the tediousness and patience required for breastfeeding for all mothers, not just those whose baby has a cleft lip, many mothers choose alternative means of feeding, such as bottle feeding. If your baby has a birth defects, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, he or she has structural abnormalities that may inhibit his or her feeding abilities. For instance, your child may have difficulty sucking on the bottle, and therefore trouble receiving the milk from the bottle. There are several bottles on the market that are aimed specifically towards children with a cleft lip. These bottles have a soft top, making it more accessible to your baby: your speech language pathologist can recommend the best brands and bottles for your individual baby.

Babies with Birth Defects may Have Trouble

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects attorneys benefits bottle feedingSuckles is a part of the pediatric swallowing process. It is different from swallowing in that it occurs from 8 months of gestation up until 6 months after birth. Suckling also differs from sucking in the tongue and jaw movement. The jaw is stable and the tongue moves back and forth. This works in young babies because of the developmental stage of their laryngeal structures. With a cleft lip, your baby may have difficulty with tongue movement and minor problems with suckling. If suckling is a problem for your baby it is wise to develop a pattern of squeezing the bottle to help the baby adapt for a pattern of suckling. This pattern will help your baby adjust to the proper movements to help obtain the milk.

It is extremely important to maintain your baby’s weight and nutrition. Despite the structural differences, your baby should still develop eating habits (such as receiving solids at 6 months) and should retain a healthy wait. If at any point you have difficulty with feeding you should contact your physician for alternative methods.
Topamax, the popular pharmaceutical drug used to treat epilepsy and migraines, has been shown to cause cleft lip and cleft palate in children when taken by women during pregnancy.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey & Philadelphia

If your child was born with cleft lip it is likely that you have some questions regarding your use of Topamax. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 0833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Cleft Lip: The Importance of Feeding Habits

As with any newborn, feeding habits are extremely important to keep your baby healthy. Diets must contain nutritional value and more importantly, feeding routines need to be safe and dependable. Depending on the feeding style you select, your newborn baby with a cleft lip may have significant challenges. For instance, mothers who choose to breastfeed will have considerable difficulty for a newborn with a cleft lip. The structure of the lip alters the baby’s ability to partake in suckling and sucking, both of which occur in early stages (from 6 months of gestation until 8 months after birth). These difficulties must be noted in order to prevent your baby from choking or aspiration.

Feeding Styles May Differ from Mother to Mother

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys topamax Cleft Lip feeding habitsYoung babies with a cleft lip are often able to receive nutrition through bottle feeding. It is important to keep an eye on your individual child’s particular eating capabilities. For instance, newborn babies with a cleft lip may need more time to eat because of sucking difficulty due to the lack of closure between the lips and nasal cavity. Babies also may need to be bottle fed rather than breastfed because of these closure issues. Liquids, like milk from a bottle, may leak through the nasal cavity. The specific method chosen for your baby depends on your own child’s cleft lip condition. It is important to contact your physician regarding precise techniques that are most beneficial to your baby.

Topamax, the popular pharmaceutical drug used to treat epilepsy and migraines, has been shown to cause cleft lip and cleft palate in children when taken by women during pregnancy.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey & Philadelphia

If your child was born with cleft lip it is likely that you have some questions regarding your use of Topamax. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Get Legal Representation: Nursing Home Abuse Still Widespread

Despite continued efforts by nursing home abuse lawyers and various governmental agencies, recent studies have shown that in some northeastern states, as many as one in seven people above the age of sixty have been subject to some form of elder abuse. In some states, as many as over 250,000 senior citizens suffer from incidents of elder abuse in any given year. These statistics are a sobering reminder for anybody who has a loved one currently receiving care in a nursing home facility.

How Do I Know if My Loved One Has Suffered From Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers neglect still widespreadFirst of, if you have any concerns, consult with an experienced attorney as well as appropriate state agencies. Telltale signs of nursing home abuse are the presence of bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers. Bed sores occur when a nursing home patient is left immobile in one position for too long, causing skin in sensitive areas to loose circulation. This causes tissue damage and eventually kills the skin cells. If caught early and treated properly, bed sores can be easily remedied. However, if neglected, a bed sore can progress past stage two, causing serious health problems for affected nursing home residents.

Another indicator of nursing home abuse is septic shock. Nursing home residents who require regular cleanings but fail to receive them are often susceptible to septic shock. This is a serious infection that is almost always preventable with proper daily cleaning. If you have a loved one who has suffered from septic shock more than once or who has been hospitalized for septic shock, there is a good chance they are not being cared for properly. Take action for those who cannot take action for themselves: Contact an attorney and appropriate state agencies to investigate. Often times abuse is not discovered until it has progressed for some time, but it is never to late to take action.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The qualified nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at The Mininno Law Office know how to get results and make a difference in your case. They can get the results your loved one deserves. Contact the Mininno Law Office if you have any questions regarding the health and safety of your loved ones. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Cleft Lip Possible side-Effect of Common Migraine Treatment

Each person may have a different reaction to certain migraine triggers , leading them to seek relief. There are many common factors that could lead to severe migraines. Many people turn to Topamax, a popular prescription drug, because of its effectiveness in fighting off the worst of migraine symptoms. Pregnant women, however, may need to seek an alternative means to fight the pain. Topamax has been shown to cause birth injuries like cleft lip and cleft palate in new born babies when taken during pregnancy.

What Causes Migraines?

new jersey philadelphia birth injury atorneys Cleft Lip side effect migrainesThere is a wide spectrum of migraines causes. Irregular eating patterns, skipping out on meals, eating too many sweets or starchy foods, caffeine in excess, and other dietary factors could lead to these debilitating headaches. Sleeping patterns also play a role in the onset of migraines. Too much or too little sleep could lead to migraines, as well as other varying sleep disturbances. Extreme emotional highs and lows are also dangerous. Excitement, anxiety, fear, anger, and stress all could lead to problems. Food additives and alcohol, such as wine, liquor, and beer could affect the body adversely leading to potential migraine threats.

Strong environmental changes or issues may also be detrimental to people’s health. Sudden weather changes, bright or glaring lights, loud and obnoxious noises, and strong smells could aggravate the human body, inducing a headache. Finally, changes in hormones are a final cause of migraines. Oral contraceptives, estrogen replacements, and menstruation could have adverse affects on the body leading to migraine pain. Although many of these causes will lead to migraines, it is important for women to find a safe medication for relief. Topamax may lead to cleft lip in babies when taken during pregnancy; therefore, women should be extremely cautious when finding a suitable drug.

Birth Injuries Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a birth defect, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, it is likely that you will have some questions regarding your use of Topamax during pregnancy. Please contact the Mininno Law Office with any questions or for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Septic Shock is Number One Indicator of Nursing Home Negligence

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers septic shock indicator negligenceAccording to the Nursing Home Complaint Center, a website sponsored by the consumer advocacy group America’s Watchdog to provide people with a place to report the varying nursing home abuse events they have encountered, sepsis, also know as septic shock, is the number one indicator of intense nursing home abuse or neglect.

These infections are usually preventable with normal and regular cleaning, but when they do develop, they often require trips to the hospital emergency room or even admittance to an intensive care unit. There is no excuse for this level of abuse.
If you know somebody in a nursing home who has been diagnosed with septic shock and has been hospitalized as a result, that person may be a victim of nursing home negligence. If that is the case, you should seriously consider contacting authorities, as well as an attorney.

How Do I Know if Septic Shock is a Result of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

If someone you know has been diagnosed with septic shock infection while residing at a nursing home or long term care facility, that person could very well be the victim of nursing home negligence. Septic shock is most often caused by improper and infrequent cleaning of residents that require regular cleanings as part of their normal care. If a resident of a nursing home or long term care facility is diagnosed with septic shock more than once, or requires a trip to the emergency room or admittance to an intensive care unit, this is a major indicator that the resident is not being properly cared for. This is a clear sign of nursing home abuse and neglect. If this is taking place, the nursing home or long term care facility is simply not doing their job.

Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The skilled Pennsylvania and New Jersey nursing home negligence attorneys at The Mininno Law Office have years of experience and are committed to exposing and stopping the unfortunately widespread problem of nursing home abuse and neglect. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0060 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia, if you would like to discuss a nursing home abuse case.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect at Burlington County Nursing Home

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers brandywine senior care moorestownAs NJ and PA nursing home abuse attorneys who are continually trying to expose long term care facilities showing signs of nursing home abuse and neglect, we focus today on a Burlington County nursing home with a well below average rating according to Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare System. Brandywine Senior Care At Moorestown, located in Burlington County, NJ, is a corporately owned, for profit long term care facility with a well below average Medicare rating. Brandywine Senior Care At Moorestown was routinely inspected twice between December 2008 and November 2010. During these two inspections, this long term care facility was cited for 15 separated violations. Among those violations were the failure to prevent the spread of infection, failure to properly store and serve food in a sanitary manner, and the failure to provide snacks for patients.

Although the facility received no specific citations regarding bed sores and/or pressure ulcers, the types of deficiencies cited can lead to the development of these bed sores. As we have mentioned many times, proper nutrition and maintaining general, overall good health is important in the prevention and care of bed sores. Brandywine was also cited for failing to keep a hazardous/accident free environment. This was rated as a widespread issue according to the NJ Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing. All of these citations are signs of nursing home abuse and neglect, and must be taken very seriously!

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Nursing Home abuse attorneys are available to assist you if your loved one has become a victim of nursing home abuse. NJ and PA nursing home abuse attorneys and the Mininno Law Office are dedicated to eradicating the disturbing trends of abuse and neglect in our nation’s nursing homes and long term care facilities.
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, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Cleft Lip a Possible Side Effect of Topamax Use During Pregnancy

Migraine headaches have a drastic effect on many people, including the family and friends of those who suffer from sudden attacks. Daily life and activities can be dramatically altered when people fear the onset of a migraine. Topamax has been a common and effective form of relief for the many people who suffer from frequent and painful migraines. Although Topamax has been highly successful for an extensive customer base, pregnant women should seek alternative medications. The popular pharmaceutical drug has been linked to birth defects, including cleft lip, when taken during pregnancy.

Migraines Can Alter Lives

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys cleft lip migraines side effectsThose who suffer from migraines understand exactly how debilitating they can be. Headaches can be extremely draining, especially when people are constantly awaiting their arrival. It is not uncommon for people to constantly think about when the next migraine will strike and how it will hinder their lifestyle. It is also extremely inconvenient to be forced to change plans at a moments notice . Therefore, it may be in the best interest of those who suffer from migraines to lay out certain contingency plans.

It can also be extremely stressful to be forced to avoid certain foods and enjoyable environments simply due to the fear of potentially bringing about a migraine. This constant cost-benefit analysis regarding potential migraine triggers can significantly alter lifestyles and make easy activities into insurmountable chores. It is important that people seek reliable medical advice and medication to limit the effect that migraines have on their daily lives.

Topamax should not be the first choice of pregnant women who suffer from extreme headaches. Due to the fact that there are many strong alternatives, the threat of birth defects, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, are far too dangerous for women to use Topamax during pregnancy.

Cleft Lip Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you were recently pregnant and your child was born with cleft lip or other oral malformations, it is possible that you have questions regarding your use of Topamax. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.