Category: birth defects

Adding Your Child’s Teacher to the Cleft Palate Care Team

The birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office would like to share with you some advice about preparing your child with a cleft lip/palate for school. There are many things you may want to communicate with your child’s teacher. First and foremost, in as tactful a way as possible, let the teacher know that your child is an individual, not a diagnosis. Other children will naturally be curious, because your child’s appearance may be different, but the teacher can make this a positive experience by respectively educating the other children about the birth defect, as well as making your child feel more welcome.

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects Attorneys school tips children oral cleftsIt is also important to let the teacher know that your child may have hearing issues tied to the cleft palate, which should be considered if the teacher believes the child isn’t listening. Lastly, try to encourage the teacher to maintain an open line of communication, as the first years of school are most likely going to shape your child’s self-image strongly, and it should be as positive as possible. Teachers are generally compassionate people, so adding your child’s teacher to your care-team along side your doctors, birth defects attorneys, and other professionals is a great idea.

Birth Defects Attorneys In New Jersey and Philadelphia

Now that your child is getting ready for school, you may be asking yourself if you need birth defects attorneys. The simple truth is that in a great portion of cases there is no one to blame for the development of the birth defect as it was caused by natural forces. However, in some instances, there are external forces at work which may have affected your child’s development. For instance, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of a cleft lip/palate by 21 times the normal rate.
If you believe that Topamax may have been a factor in the development of your child’s cleft lip/palate please do not hesitate to contact us. Our lawyers are experienced and in many cases can help achieve financial judgments that can help your family.

Contact the Mininno Law Office in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600 and in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380 for a FREE case evaluation and consultation.

Birth Defects Attorneys Give Insurance Advice for Cleft Lip/Palate

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects Attorneys insurance advice cleft lip palateIf your child is suffering from a cleft palate or lip the stress involved can seem, at times, overwhelming. Dealing with your insurance carrier to get the necessary care should not, but often does, add to the stressful burden. In many instances, insurance companies will deny the claim outright initially. This can be frustrating, especially when the person making the initial denial does not have a medical background, and therefore is not intimately familiar with the issues associated with a cleft lip/palate. The attorneys at the Mininno Law Office have some practical advice to help cope with this problem.

It is important to prepare yourself for the possibility of spending considerable amounts of time on the phone speaking with various representatives from the insurance company. It is important to document every phone call, with the date, time, name of who you spoke with, and the content of the call. This serves to protect you. Essentially, you are looking for that one sympathetic person at the company that will make your life easier and help get your child the treatment that he/she deserves. In the case that your claim is denied, as a paying customer, you should consider the appeals process to have the claim looked at again.

Birth Defects Attorneys In New Jersey and Philadelphia

Many times people who have a child with a cleft palate/lip birth defect ask if they need to contact birth defects attorneys. The answer is complicated. In many instances, the birth defect was caused by natural forces and there is no one to blame. In these instances you may find yourself fighting the insurance battle described above. However, in other cases, external forces may have been in play, like Topamax (Topiramate), a drug that the FDA has recently announced increases the likelihood of cleft palate/lip by 21 times.

If you believe Topamax may have been a factor in your child’s birth defect, the birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office can provide financial remedies that will alleviate the stresses associated with your child’s birth defect. Contact the Mininno Law Office in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600 and in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380 for a FREE case evaluation and consultation.

Assembling the Team to Care for Your Child with a Cleft Lip or Palate

If your child has a cleft lip/palate it should come as no shock that he or she will face numerous medical, psychological, social, and economic issues. The medical needs of the child are complex and care often continues into adulthood. Usually, the care team consists of many different interdisciplinary professionals including geneticists, pediatricians, plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, dentists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and, of course team, coordinators. This list can be daunting to a parent first grappling with the needs of their child born with a cleft lip or palate. However, there is one other group of professionals, often overlooked, who can alleviate the financial stresses involved with caring for your child’s birth defect: birth defects attorneys.

Birth Defects Attorneys as a Member of the Care Team

Birth Defects AttorneysExperienced birth defects attorneys can be invaluable to the cause of a child born with a cleft palate/lip birth defect. It is true that in many cases when a child is born with this tragic birth defect, no one is at fault. Sometimes, however, there may have been external forces working against your child. One major consideration can be found in the FDA’s recent announcement that Topamax (Topiramate) increases the likelihood of cleft palates and lips in newborns by 21 times the normal rate when taken by women who are pregnant or during child bearing years. The experienced birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office can help recover the finances necessary to help your child live a normal free of physical deformities.

Birth Defects Attorneys In New Jersey and Philadelphia

It is important to note that the birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office operate on a contingency basis, meaning there are no out-of-pocket costs to you when pursuing your case. The Mininno Law Office gets paid when you get paid, and not a moment before.

If you believe that your child’s birth defect may be caused by the use of Topamax (Topiramate), please don’t hesitate to help your child by contacting one of the Mininno Law Office’s experienced birth defects attorneys. Contact the Mininno Law Office’s birth defects attorneys in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600 and in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380 for a FREE case evaluation and consultation.

Birth Defects Attorneys Provide Cleft Palate Speech Info & Remedies

Our birth defects attorneys strive to provide parents of children born with cleft palates and lips with pertinent information about their child’s disorder. Over half of children born with a cleft palate will encounter speech problems at some point during their lives. Regular evaluations by the speech-language pathologist on your child’s care team may be necessary to monitor your child’s speech and language progress and make any changes that are necessary. It is certainly possible for a child born with a cleft palate birth defect to not experience any speech disorders and, if the child has surgery before speech develops, the problem may be avoided completely. However, even if your child is not of speech age, it is important to familiarize yourself with difficulties that they may face in the future.

What Causes Speech Problems

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects Attorneys cleft palate speech info remediesWhen a cleft palate exists, the oral and nasal cavities are not separated, which causes two distinct issues that affect the formation of speech. First, the child has difficulty building the required air pressure in the mouth because it escapes out of the nose. Second, the tongue has less tissue available to touch on the roof of the mouth. Both of these issues make it difficult for a child to make some sounds required for speech. Once the palate is repaired it may be easier for your child to learn the sounds needed for the formation of speech. But remember: development of speech may end up being slower, so do not be frustrated.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Parents often wonder if they require birth defects attorneys because their child was born with a cleft palate. In most cases, the answer is simply no: natural causes lead to the birth defect. However, contacting the Mininno Law Office birth defects attorneys may be one of the most important decisions you can make for your child if Topamax (Topiramate) was used while your child was in the womb. Topamax has been linked to a drastic increase in cleft palate formation when women take the drug while pregnant or during their child bearing years. If you believe that Topamax may have been a cause of your baby’s cleft lip or palate, do not hesitate to contact us.

We offer FREE consultations and case evaluations. There is no upfront cost to meet with the experienced birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office. Please do not hesitate to ask our birth defects attorneys for help for your child. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Cleft Palate Hearing Issues & Remedies

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects Attorneys cleft palate issues remedies topamaxBabies that are born with a cleft palate are more likely than other children to frequently suffer from ear infections. The cleft palate contributes to a buildup of fluid in the middle ear, and if this becomes infected, the baby can develop a fever and an earache. Unfortunately this buildup can also cause moderate hearing loss. This hearing loss, if treated properly, need not be permanent. It is recommended that the child have their ears checked yearly so that if fluid is detected, it can be treated with the appropriate medicine or minor surgical procedures. This may seem daunting on top of all of the other responsibilities a parent of a child with a cleft palate birth defect may face, but it is possible that experienced birth defects attorneys may be able to alleviate the financial burden on your family.

Possible Remedies Available to Prevent Hearing Loss

Often, when a baby suffers from a cleft palate and frequent ear infections, a doctor may insert tubes into the baby’s ear. The desired effect of the tubes is to alleviate fluid build-up in the ears and restore hearing for the baby. If left for too long, it is possible that hearing damage will become permanent. You should have your baby see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) as well as an audiologist for more information. It may also be important to consult with a speech language pathologist to remedy any speech issues that may be caused by the temporary hearing loss.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The mental, emotional, and economic stresses of caring for a child with a cleft palate can be overwhelming. In a large portion of the cases, no one is to blame for the development of the cleft palate. However, the FDA has recently announced that the epilepsy and migraine treatment Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and palates when taken by women during pregnancy. If you believe that Topamax may have been a cause to your baby’s cleft lip or palate, you have legal options with the Mininno Law Office’s birth defects attorneys.

We offer FREE consulations and case evaluations. There is NO upfront cost to meet with the Mininno Law Office’s experienced birth defects attorneys. Please do not hesitate to ask for help from our birth defects attorneys for your child. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

NJ and PA Lawyers: Birth Defect Surgery is a Costly Solution

With the healthcare field constantly changing it is difficult to pinpoint the exact price of surgical procedures. However, it can be assumed that most surgeries will be expensive, whether you or your insurance company is paying the bulk of the fee. Birth defects surgery is no exception. These procedures can be just as costly as others.

Topamax, the popular migraine and epilepsy medication, may increase the risks of cleft lip and cleft palate birth defects. The potential harm to a newborn child may also be accompanied by a major hit to your wallet.

Birth Defect Surgery is Increasingly Costly

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects lawyers surgery costly solutionHealthcare Blue Book states that cleft lip surgery alone can cost an upwards of $1700. If your newborn baby suffers from a birth defect, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, that surgery costs on average more than $4000. These prices can vary depending on anesthesia fees and hospital fees that are not always included in the cost of the birth defect surgery. Other sources have the surgeries varying in price by several $1000 and the exact price of your child’s health will depend according to severity and location of the defect, as well as other external factors.

After learning of a child’s birth defect, parents will understandably be concerned about their little one’s health, providing the best outcomes, and of course, the financial aspect of their health. Some insurance providers include birth defects surgery, but your insurance coverage will determine your medical fees and payment processes. There are several organizations that financially assist families of those with cleft lips or palates. One such organization, Smile Train, helps families who are in poverty or cannot afford the healthcare expenses of a cleft lip or palate.

Your doctor can provide more resources when it comes to the financial dimension of the procedure. Your individual situation is unique and may vary depending on other factors.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was recently born with a birth defect and you believe it may be attributed to your use of Topamax during pregnancy, you probably have a long list of 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.

Feeding Your Baby With a Cleft Lip or Palate.

If you have a child with a cleft lip or cleft palate birth defect, you must be familiar with the difficulties that feeding entails. While it may be extremely upsetting and challenging to see your child suffer with a birth defect, it is important to remain calm and relaxed as it will help the child to also be relaxed during the feeding. If breastfeeding is not an option, remember that it is not your fault, and that there are other options.

Feeding Options for Babies with Cleft Lip/Palate

There are specialized bottles available that were designed with your baby’s cleft palate in mind. These bottles can be outfitted with nipples specifically designed to fit the baby’s mouth containing a cleft. There are also soft bottles that help you to deliver milk to your baby more easily.

Your baby may have trouble creating the suction required because air comes from the nasal cavity to the oral cavity to get milk from the nipple. By consulting with your caregiver, you may discover that more options may be available to you.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia.

birth defects attorneysMany parents ask if they need birth defects attorneys because their child was born with a cleft palate or lip birth defect. There are many internal and external causes of an oral cleft, including genetics, alcohol use, drug use, and infections. It has recently been announced by the FDA that pregnant women who use Topamax (Topiramate), a drug used to treat epilepsy and migraines, increase their likelihood of giving birth to a baby with a cleft palate by up to 21 times the normal rate.

If you believe Topamax may have been the cause of your baby’s cleft lip or palate, you have legal options. Let the experienced birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office answer all of your questions, and work to earn you full and fair compensation.

The Mininno Law Office offers FREE consultations and case evaluations. There is no upfront cost to meet with the experienced birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office. Please do not hesitate to ask our birth defects attorneys for help for your child. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Get Large Settlement for Family

Medical Malpractice AttorneysRan Zhuang and her husband Zhiru Guo settled with their former doctors, nurse practitioner, and genetic counselor for 7 million dollars. The chinese couple’s medical malpractice attorneys brought the lawsuit as a result of their three year old child’s mental and physical disabilities which were the result of a birth defect. The young girl, Annie Guo, suffers from cri-du-chat (also referred to as cat cry syndrome). Frederic N. Halstrom (the plaintiff’s attorney), and many other medical malpractice attorneys in similar cases, look to bring justice to a family who faces many challenges in the years to come.

Chromosomal Abnormality was not properly Detected

Through a diagnostic process called amniocentesis, Annie Guo’s chromosomal abnormality should have been recognized. Had the abnormality been defined, the parents of the child would have been able to reflect and make a decision for their best interests in the future. The mother was not given adequate prenatal genetic counseling during her pregnancy which should be provided to all pregnant women. Had the proper tests been completed and performed properly, the parents would have been told about the potential dangers and hardships that would face the young child throughout her entire life. Armed with this information, the parents would have been in a better position to decide whether or not to terminate the pregnancy before birth, a protected liberty available to pregnant women in this country. Since the dangers were not properly recognized, the seven million dollar settlement will go towards the treatment and care of the young girl who will likely need constant medical attention for life. Medical malpractice lawyers are faced with an important challenge in these types of cases because all expectant mothers deserve to have full knowledge of their child’s health so that they can make informed decisions in everyone’s best interest.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have recently given birth to a child who suffers from birth defects which you believe can be attributed to medical malpractice, 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.

The medical malpractice attorneys at the Mininno Law Office are dedicated to earning victims of medical negligence the compensation they need and deserve.

Topamax Lawsuits, Their Costs, and Possible Remedies.

It has recently been discovered that Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to birth defects in children, increasing the likelihood of cleft lip or cleft palate formation. Topamax is used to help prevent seizures in epileptics and to prevent severe headaches in chronic migraine sufferers. Recently, the FDA released an announcement stating that data has shown an increased risk of craniofacial birth defects (cleft lip or cleft palate) in children born to women who used Topamax during pregnancy. NJ and PA Birth Defects AttorneysIf you believe that your child’s cleft lip/cleft palate may have been affected by your use of the Topamax drug, you probably have questions about what resources and remedies are available to you and what they will cost. Children who are born with a cleft lip/palate have a number of difficulties that will confront them in their lives. However, it is surgically possible to begin remedying the issue within the first two to three months after birth. In many cases, when surgery is undertaken, there can be a full and complete recovery.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

One important remedy is legal action, which will reduce financial stress on your family and provide funding for your child’s health issues. You probably fear that the costs of birth defects attorneys would be too high and only serve to further burden your family financially. However, you couldn’t be more wrong. The Mininno Law Office works on a contingency basis. What does that mean to you? It means that there are no out of pocket costs to you while the birth defects attorneys at The Mininno Law Office pursue your case. The Mininno Law Office only recovers its costs and fees when you get paid. In other words, we don’t make any money unless and until you make money.

It has been shown that the quicker corrective measures are used to remedy the child’s condition, the more effective they are. Please do not hesitate to ask for help for your child. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Let the birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office earn you and your family the compensation that will help your child live a normal, happy, and healthy life.

Traumatic Brain Injuries Are Not Always Visible

Brain damage and traumatic brain injuries in newborns can sometimes be detected by physical appearances, recognized through brain scans, a child’s disposition, or developmental delays. Not all brain damages exhibit physical abnormalities but those that do often have unusually shaped skull structures (quite often a tiny skull size), difficulty focusing the eyes, large forehead, deformed spine, and other facial abnormalities.

Identifying Brain Injuries through Behavioral and Developmental Characteristics

new jersey philadelphia birth defects lawyers Traumatic Brain InjuriesBehavioral differences include excessive fussiness, extended periods of crying, refusal to sleep lying down, or too much or too little sleep. Another common indicator of brain damage is developmental delays. There are typical milestones that are generally expected of young children at specific stages of their life. For instance, there is a general age when most infants begin crawling, rolling over, uttering their first word, and so forth. A child with brain damage may have difficulty reaching these milestones at the typical age. Other symptoms can include body temperature, skin color, breathing patterns, seizures, and other similar indicators.
If your newborn baby suffers from one of the mentioned symptoms, it does not necessarily mean that your baby has brain damage or has suffered a traumatic brain injury. Abnormalities can occur due to wide array of reasons. Brain damage can only be diagnosed by a well-qualified and specialized medical professional. Each individual case varies depending on many factors. Your physician will know your specific situation better than anybody else and he or she will be able to identify any issues your child may be experiencing both externally and internally.

Traumatic Brain Injuries Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Traumatic brain injuries that have caused brain damage can be very detrimental to the health of a young child and it is crucial to identify potential problems as early as possible. If your child has suffered from some sort of brain damage and you believe the problem has been worsened by ineffective medical treatment it is likely 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.