Author: John Mininno

Medical Malpractice Attorneys and Doctors Meet at Summit in PA

This past Monday, April 25th, a health care summit was held at the Hyatt on Delaware Ave in Philadelphia, PA that focused on medical malpractice and possible tort reform in Pennsylvania. The summit was put together by Dr. Peter Kowey, a cardiologist at Main Line Health, and attendees included local doctors and attorneys.

Medical Malpractice Summit Brings New Ideas for Reform

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys doctors meet summitAt the summit, doctors maintained that tort reform is necessary because the threat of medical malpractice lawsuits forces them to practice “defensive medicine,” a system of ordering too many unnecessary tests in order to avoid being sued. Attorneys and patient advocacy groups maintained that the real reform needed is of the healthcare system, patient safety, and patient support. Patient advocates also push for reform of insurance companies and the amount of money they are allowed to charge.

Patients advocates and attorneys fear that reform of the tort system regarding medical malpractice will serve to remove the rights of injured patients to compensation. Tort reform has already taken a huge toll on patient rights in Texas as awards for damages in medical malpractice cases in the state have been reduced to almost nothing, preventing attorneys from taking cases. Without representation, patients remain uncompensated. Kowey claimed that doctors do not want to remove a patient’s right to compensation for medical errors, but to repair what they believe is a flawed system for determining liability.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Our attorneys are dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured patients. Medical errors have the potential to ruin lives, and compensation is often necessary to pay for the extra, required medical costs.
If you or a loved one have recently been victimized by medical negligence, 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 Present Parents and Children with Obstacles

Birth defects, such as cleft lip, present many different obstacles for young children and their parents. Depending on the severity of the cleft, your child may have a wide range issues. Along with breathing, eating, and dental problems, communication is often affected. Communication is a vital part of daily living and when affected can cause frustration and distress for the individual. If your child has a cleft lip he or she should be seeing a speech language pathologist.

Babies Should Meet with Speech Professionals

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys cleft lip parents children obstaclesThis trained professional is a source of assistance and alternatives to every day needs. For instance, if your child has a cleft lip he or she will likely have difficulty producing plosives, which include “p”, “b”, “k”, “g”, “t”, and “d”. These plosives are formed by the sealing of the lips and releasing of pressure. Without a full seal of the lips, these words will be problematic in every day speech. A speech language pathologist will work one on one with your child and your family to help develop a stronger labial seal and alternatives to producing these sounds, in order to help your child efficiently communicate. Speech therapy will help your child work on articulation inaccuracies, plosive sounds, and audible speech.

Most insurance companies provide assistance with the financial aspect of therapy and are accessible in most areas of the United States. Your child’s therapy schedule and intervention plan will vary depending on the severity and condition of your child’s cleft lip. Speech therapy can help enhance your child’s language development and communication skills. Cleft lip surgery can help alter the structural abnormalities for your child, if speech therapy alone is not enough. Your physician and speech pathologist will know which option is best for your situation.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

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. 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.