Attorneys Report on Awful Abuse of Dementia Patient

As New Jersey and Philadelphia attorneys who have become experts on nursing home abuse and neglect cases, we continue to highlight nursing homes in which acts of elder abuse occur. The Delaware County, Pennsylvania nursing home that we will focus on today seems to be an example of horrible abuse by staff at a nursing facility.

Quadrangle Nursing Home Residents Caught on Tape Abusing Dementia Patient

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers report abuse dementia patientThe family of a 78 year old Lois McCallister, a patient at the Quadrangle nursing home in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, placed a “nanny cam” in view of their relative after she complained of being punched, slapped, and otherwise abused by the staff members. McCallister, who suffers from dementia, also showed signs of bruising on her left hand and wrist. The “nanny cam” caught a nursing home employee striking McCallister in the face and head. The hidden camera also caught nursing home employees laughing at and mocking the mental condition of McCallister for over 12 minutes, while she stood naked trying to cover her breasts. This is an especially egregious example of how cruel some staff members at nursing homes treat their residents. As a result of these incidents, several members of the staff at the Quadrangle nursing home have been placed under arrest.

If you suspect similar abuse in any instance, report the activity to authorities and contact an attorney.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is a resident in a nursing home or other long-term care facility and you feel the care they are receiving may be abusive or negligent, 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.
Act as an advocate for the safety of your elderly loved ones.

Cleft Lip: Speech and Hearing Problems are Possible

Topamax is a highly effective consumer medication used for the treatment of migraines and seizures. Although it is necessary for people to seek relief, it is crucial that all potential side effects are known before taking certain pharmaceutical drugs. Topamax has recently been linked to certain birth defects when taken by women during their pregnancy. Cleft lip and cleft palate are potential birth defects associated with Topamax use, and can be very harmful to newborn babies.

Children may Need Medical Treatment for Speech and Hearing Issues

new jersey philadelphia birth injury attorneys Cleft Lip Speech Hearing ProblemsCleft lips and palates have the potential to harmfully affect the ability of children to hear. A tympanostomy tube is usually inserted into a young child’s eardrum in order to aerate the middle ear. This tube often allows for children to have improved hearing and provides other significant benefits. Babies who suffer from cleft palate may have a number of speech problems. Some speech problems develop directly as a result of anatomical differences due to the birth defect. An example of an anatomical difference that could cause trouble is velopharyngeal inadequacy, which is the inability of the soft palate to shut the opening from the throat to the nasal cavity. Velopharyngeal inadequacy makes it difficult for children to make many speech sounds as the soft palate is integral to this function. These types of errors are somewhat common and can be corrected after palate repair.

In other cases, children with cleft lip and cleft palate may have speech errors which result from an attempt to over compensate for the inability to produce the target phoneme. Known as compensatory articulations, these sounds are usually non-existent in normal English phonology. Palate repair is usually not the answer to solving these sorts of issues and it may worsen the speech, making it even harder to understand. Speech pathology can be very helpful in resolving some problems with speech, and parents should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Cleft Lip Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a birth defect, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, it is possible that you have some questions regarding your use of Topamax during pregnancy. 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.

Birth Injury Lawyers – Cleft Lip: Dealing with Defects

Many people turn to the popular pharmaceutical drug Topamax to deal with severe migraine headaches. Although the drug has performed prominently in the industry, it may not be the proper choice for pregnant mothers. Recent reports have shown that Topamax may cause birth defects, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, when it is taken by women during pregnancy. Women should thoroughly investigate all medications, as well as warning labels, before determining the proper migraine relief that suits their needs.

Cleft Lip: Concerns are Normal

new jersey philadelphia birth injuries lawyers cleft lip dealing defectsThe birth of a child is one of the most exciting and proud moments of a mother’s life. Birth defects, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, should not spoil the moment, as these issues can be easily corrected with surgery. It is completely normal for mothers with babies born with a cleft lip to experience concerns and feelings of denial, guilt, anger, and depression.

Mothers should not become over consumed with some of these normal feelings and should seek helpful advice from their child’s physician or counselors. Support groups may also be helpful for new mothers because they allow for interaction with similarly situated women who have babies with similar birth defects. Dealing with cleft lip in young babies may require extra patience, time, and energy, but mothers should not overextend themselves because these defects can be treated. It is normal to wonder how family, friends, and other children will react to the appearance of your child, but the central focus for all women should be simply to build the strongest possible bond with their young child. In time, everything else will work itself out.

Cleft Lip Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was recently born with cleft lip or cleft palate and you believe this birth defect may be attributable to your use of Topamax, it is likely that you have some questions. 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.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect in New Grove Manor

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyersAs New Jersey and Pennsylvania nursing home abuse lawyers with a commitment to exposing long term care facilities in which signs of nursing home abuse and neglect have been found, we turn today to an Essex County nursing home. According to Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare System, New Grove Manor located in East Orange, New Jersey, has been rated a below average long term care facility. New Grove Manor was routinely inspected twice between December 2008 and November 2010. During those inspections, this for-profit, corporately owned nursing home was cited for 34 separate deficiencies. New Grove Manor has 185 long term patient beds under its care, and one of the many deficiencies cited was the failure to properly treat bed sores and pressure ulcers. They also failed to utilize proper bedsore prevention methods for bed-ridden or wheelchair-ridden patients.This is a serious sign of the abuse and neglect that can lead to potentially fatal complications in residents.

New Grove Manor was cited on two separate occasions for this same violation regarding bed sores and pressure ulcers. It is very important to prevent and treat bed sores properly, and not doing so is a clear sign of long term care facility abuse and neglect.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home or long term care facility, the first thing you should do is contact the Elder Ombudsman’s Office in your state to report the incident. They will document the complaint, and take further steps to investigate it. Your next step is to contact a nursing home abuse attorney. 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.

We are dedicated to eradicating the disturbing trends of abuse and neglect in our nation’s nursing homes and long term care facilities.

Cherry Hill Rehab and Nursing Facility Falls Below Average

As New Jersey and Philadelphia lawyers who have become experts on nursing home abuse and neglect cases, we continue to highlight those nursing homes with below average ratings according to Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare System on the official Medicare web site. This web site evaluates nursing homes all across the country and gives ratings of one to five stars.
The nursing facility that we will focus on today was given one star, a below average rating under the Medicare rating system.

Cherry Hill Rehab and Nursing Facility

New Jersey Philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyersThe Cherry Hill Rehab and Nursing Facility, located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, is a corporately owned facility. This nursing home has 120 long-term inpatient beds under its care. The New Jersey Division of Health Facilities Evaluation Licensing routinely inspected this nursing home five times from December 2009 until August 2010. During those routine inspections, 14 separate deficiencies were cited. The Cherry Hill Rehab and Nursing Facility was cited for failing to hire only people who have no legal history of abusing, neglecting or mistreating residents, failure to give professional services that met professional standards of quality, failure to have a program to keep infection from spreading, and failure to give residents proper treatment to prevent new bed sores or heal existing bed sores, among many other infractions. A nursing home that receives a below average rating should be watched very carefully for signs of abuse and neglect.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is a resident in a nursing home or other long-term care facility and you feel the care they are receiving may be abusive or negligent, 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.
Don’t let abusive care ruin your loved one’s quality of life.

Cleft Lip and Topamax Migraine Treatment May Be Linked

Migraines bring agony and pain to those who battle with these extreme headaches. It is essential for sufferers to find an effective remedy, and for many, this remedy is Topamax.
Topamax has been among industry leaders in effectiveness as well as customer satisfaction. The problem with the pharmaceutical drug is that it has been linked with birth defects, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, when taken by women throughout their pregnancy.

Migraine Troubles Last beyond the Headache

new jersey philadelphia birth injury attorneys Cleft Lip migraineAfter the excruciating pain that accompanies a migraines, victims wish to get back to their normal daily activities. Migraine symptoms, however, are not that understanding. The symptoms following a migraine headache can last a full twenty four hours after the migraine has subsided. A mild form of the headache can linger on for this time period, making it difficult to function. Many people also deal with extreme fatigue.

Migraines formulate with the excitement of nerve cells in the brain. These cells then release impulses to the brain’s blood vessels. Released from these nerves are substances causing inflammation and swelling of the vessels. As the blood vessels become enlarged, the pain and throbbing of a migraine begins. This is only the start of migraine symptoms which can remain for an entire day following the end of the headache, causing people to search for a viable solution. Many people find relief through Topamax, but with recent data showing the potential for birth defects, such as cleft lip, pregnant women should beware.

Birth Injuries Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a birth defect, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, and you believe the defect may be attributed to your use of Topamax, you probably have some questions. 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.

Nursing Home Abuse at Avista Healthcare in Cherry Hill, New Jersey

As attorneys representing clients from New Jersey and Philadelphia that have been victims of nursing home abuse and neglect, it is important that we continue to expose those nursing homes that are not performing to the average nationwide standards according to Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare System.
Today we will discuss a nursing home that is located in Camden County, New Jersey. Although this nursing home has not been cited for neglect in the form of bed sore acquirement and treatment issues, like many others, it has many of its own deficiencies according to the New Jersey Division of Health Facilities Evaluation and Licensing.

Avista Healthcare Offers Less Than Adequate Care

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers Avista Healthcare Cherry HillThe Avista Healthcare nursing home, located in Cherry Hill, New Jersey was routinely inspected twice between December 2008 and November 2010. During this time period, 10 separate deficiencies were cited. The nursing home was cited for failing to properly procure and serve food in a sanitary manner. As we have often highlighted in our previous posts, proper nutrition is imperative for good health and bedsore prevention in nursing home patients.

Avista Healthcare nursing home was also inspected seven times for complaints, and cited for five additional deficiencies during these inspections. Failure to be free from hazards and failure to properly implement abuse/neglect policies were among other citations imposed during these inspections. According to the Medicare inspectors, Avista Healthcare nursing home, a for-profit, corporately owned nursing home, was given an overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars. This indicates that the 146 long term bed facility is considered to function in a well below average capacity. A nursing home with this type of overall rating is ripe for cases of abuse and neglect, from accidents to bedsores. It is important that anyone with a loved one in a nursing home with this reputation be watched carefully!

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is a resident at a nursing home or similar type facility, and you believe that the care they are receiving may actually be detrimental to their health and quality of life, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also with any questions for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.
Let the nursing home abuse attorneys at the Mininno Law Office help you protect the best interests of your loved one.

Bed Sore Lawyers: Nutrition is Important to Bed Sore Prevention

As New Jersey and Philadelphia bed sore lawyers that are experts in nursing home abuse and neglect cases, it is important for us to remind readers of the dangers of bedsores and how nursing home abuse and neglect can lead to their formation. A patient being given appropriate nursing home care should not be one that acquires bed sores or pressure ulcers. We have already discussed the importance of proper repositioning and skin treatment to help prevent bed sores from forming. Today, we are going to remind everyone how important proper nutrition is to bedsore prevention.

Proper Nutrition Can Help Prevent Bedsores

new jersey philadelphia bed sores attorneys nutrition important preventionIt is much easier to prevent bed sores and pressure ulcers from forming than it is to treat them once they occur. Therefore, it is important for nursing homes and caregivers to be vigilant in their care. One important strategy as this nootropics blog explains, is for nursing homes to make sure their patients are being given the proper nutrition. The patient’s diet should be assessed and changes made, if necessary, to make sure the nursing home is providing the proper nutrition. Based on the patient’s current nutrition needs, it may be necessary to raise the patient’s caloric intake. Having the proper amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals is also imperative. Sometimes, supplements are necessary.

Often, vitamin C and Zinc supplements are necessary. For those patients that are unable to properly feed themselves due to decreased mobility, physical assistance with feeding may also be needed. A plan of proper nutrition should be put in place by the nursing home staff for each individual patient. In many nursing homes with hundreds of beds, this can be overlooked. Improper nutrition being available is itself tantamount to nursing home abuse and neglect, and it can also lead to the acquirement of painful and sometimes deadly bed sores and pressure ulcers. As we always indicate, prevention is the best treatment for bed sores. Nursing homes and loved ones must do what is necessary to prevent the formation of bed sores so that treatment is never necessary!

Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident at a nursing home and you believe the care they are receiving may be considered abusive or negligent, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call with any questions for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Cleft lip: a potential side effect of the popular drug Topamax

Anyone who has experienced a severe migraine headache understands how painful and disruptive they can be. Topamax, a widely heralded consumer drug, is among the industry leaders in fighting off the detrimental effects of migraines. With the use of Topamax, there also may be further danger for women who used the drug during pregnancy. Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects which have been linked to the use of the pharmaceutical drug during pregnancy.

Symptoms during Migraines Can Last up to 72 Hours!

new jersey philadelphia birth injury attorneys Cleft Lip palata topamaxPregnant women should be cautious about the use of Topamax during pregnancy even though the drug has a strong success rate in treating migraines. The harsh symptoms of migraines can last for extended periods of time and women should understand the potential effects. Headaches bring with them throbbing pain which makes it extremely difficult to function never mind complete regular daily activities. Nausea and vomiting are also common experiences of people during a migraine and can make for extreme discomfort and additional pain. Finally, strong sensitivity to sounds and light generally accompany migraine headaches which makes it very difficult to move. Many people choose to remain in dark and quiet rooms during these extreme headaches in an effort to reduce the persistence of discomfort. Over ninety percent of patients experiencing migraines reported functional impairment. This statistic shows that when a migraine strikes, it may be very difficult to carry on with activities normally. Although migraines can be agonizing and traumatic, women should carefully choose medication during pregnancy to avoid potential dangers, such as cleft lip, to their baby.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with cleft lip or other similar birth defects, it is possible that you have questions regarding your use of Topamax during pregnancy. 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.

Cleft Lip: Severe Migraines Call for Topamax

The Food and Drug Administration has recently shown its concern for patients taking Topamax for severe migraine pain. The widely used drug has shown it may cause birth defects, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, when the medication is used during the first trimester of pregnancy. Migraines can be extremely painful and research has shown that women are more prone to them than men. It is important that pregnant women monitor the types of medications they intake during pregnancy, especially if they are suffering from migraines, to avoid potential harm to their unborn child.

Severe Migraine Symptoms: Leading up to a Headache

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys Cleft Lip cleft palate topamax migrainesMigraines can be detrimental to many people, especially when they strike suddenly. A recent study on headaches had staggering results; more than half of the people surveyed reported that their functionality was cut in half with regards to school and work productivity. Topamax is a popular and effective drug in treating migraines, but it should not be taken by women during pregnancy. Symptoms leading up to a migraine may last up to ten hours. Sudden mood changes may be a sign that a migraine is on the horizon and medication, such as Topamax, may be necessary. Repeated yawning and tiredness are more signals of a future migraine. When on your feet, a lack of balance, stability, and unsteadiness are likely to occur. Finally, an unexpected craving for sweets may seem natural, but also may foreshadow a migraine to come. The exact cause of migraines is not known, but once warning signs begin to arise, it is important that people are prepared. Topamax is a leading medication used to treat migraines, but this may not be the optimal choice for expectant mothers.

Cleft Lip Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you were recently pregnant and your newborn suffers from a birth defect, it is likely that you may have some questions. If you believe that your use of Topamax during pregnancy may have led to cleft lip or cleft palate in your child, 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.