Nursing Home Neglect Leads to Heat Exhaustion and Death

It is very important to remember how vulnerable the elderly are when it comes to temperature. Now that summer is here and the temperature is rising, it is crucial that you check up on your elderly loved ones to make sure that they do not overheat. Properly working air conditioners and fans are vital to their heath and well being during the summer months.

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are responsible for maintaining the health of their residents. Nursing home neglect is a serious issue, and heat exhaustion is a very easily preventable form of neglect.

Elderly Man Left in Record Heat for Three Hours

new jersey philadelphia Nursing Home Neglect lawyers report Heat Exhaustion Death A 69-year-old nursing home resident died on Tuesday, June 7th after care workers neglected to bring him inside for over three hours. Martin Belkin, who lived at Sunrise Care Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, had a history of medical problems. He asked care workers early Tuesday afternoon to be taken outside in his wheelchair. He was left in the heat for over three hours, from 2:45 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. He was found unresponsive. Tuesday was a record high for Milwaukee, reaching 97 degrees at 3:47 p.m. A staffer at the medical examiner’s office asked for a reading of Belkin’s body temperature just before 8 p.m. That reading relayed that Belkin’s body temp was 101.4 degrees. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting an autopsy this week to determine if Tuesday’s heat was the official cause of Belkin’s death.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

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 Leads to Amputation and Eventual Death

Unfortunately, there are many things that can physically go wrong with the elderly. They are incredibly vulnerable and susceptible to various infections and diseases. Nursing homes are meant to be a safe place for the elderly and a place where their loved ones can feel secure that they are being taken care of and watched over. Unfortunately, however, the reality is different and nursing home neglect is far too common.

Widow Sues for Wrongful Death

new jersey philadelphia Nursing Home Neglect lawyers amputation eventual death Donna Anderson, a widow from Kentucky, filed suit on May 11 in Madison Circuit Court for the neglect and eventual death of her husband, Richard Anderson. She is claiming that Richmond Health and Rehabilitation – Madison Manor failed to care for her husband during his stay. She cites insufficient staffing and continuing deficiencies as the primary reasons for her husband’s physical decline and eventual death. Her main claim is that an infection on his foot was not properly cared for, which led to amputation. According to the suit, she is saying that the nursing home neglect “accelerated the deterioration of her husband’s health and physical condition beyond the normal aging process” and that her husband suffered loss of dignity and “extreme pain and suffering, degradation, mental anguish, disability and disfigurement.”

Richard Anderson was only living in Madison Manor for less than two months, from April 4, 2009 to May 22, 2009. During that time, the home allegedly failed to provide enough staff, maintain proper records, monitor his pain or symptoms, provide adequate hygiene and did not take the proper steps necessary to prevent malnutrition and dehydration. The defendants in this case are accused of negligence, medical negligence, corporate negligence and violating long-term care residents’ rights. Mrs. Anderson is seeking both punitive and compensatory damages and a jury trial.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Nursing Home Neglect Leads to $2 Million Verdict Award in Georgia

new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect attorneys million verdict award georgia bedsores A jury in Georgia recently awarded $2million to Elizabeth Costlow for the wrongful death of her 82 year old mother, Ruby Mae Tyle. Tyler was a patient at the Rockmart Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for a little over 3 months when she passed away. Costlow contended that her mother died due to nursing home neglect. The jury found that the Subacute Services, Inc., based in Florida, was liable and awarded the large verdict in the 2008 death of Tyler. In the short time Tyler was a patient at the nursing home, the neglect in her care lead to the development of bed sores (pressure ulcers). The lawsuit claimed that the nursing home’s negligence led to these bed sores which, in turn, contributed to Tyler’s death.

Elderly Patients Deserve to Live and Die With Dignity

The Defense made a depraved argument that Tyler was sick with numerous illnesses and that she was going to die anyway. The plaintiff’s attorney argued that it wasn’t about whether Tyler was sick or going to die at some point, but that it was about being allowed to “die with dignity.” He argued that the pressure ulcers or bed sores were rooted in neglect at the nursing home and that these directly caused the patient’s death. Just because someone is at their last stages of their life doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to die with dignity!

Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you believe your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, get in touch with our professional nursing home neglect attorneys. We are dedicated to ensuring that all people have the right to live and die with dignity. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-1896 in New Jersey, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Neglect Causes Woman to Fall to her Death

Unfortunately, falls are not uncommon in nursing homes. Patients often fall out of bed, in the shower, or just from lack of balance. Nursing home neglect is a serious issue that can lead to severe injuries or even death. Falls are terrible accidents for the elderly and their families, but there are things nursing homes and long-term care facilities can do to prevent them from happening.

Alzheimer’s Patient Climbs Out Window

new jersey philadelphia Nursing Home Neglect woman falls Springfield Skilled Care Center OzarksFirst.com reported, in Springfield, Missouri, about a woman with Alzheimer’s who fell from a window of the Springfield Skilled Care Center where she was living. Mary Bebee was 81 years old and living in a secured unit of the facility. According to Cpl. Matt Brown of the Springfield Police, “It appears she tried to crawl through the window, attempted that, and at some point expired.” Ms. Bebee fractured her neck and died because of the fall.

The Springfield Skilled Care Center has had previous issues with inspections. The nursing home has been cited for violations in the past year including failure to prevent falls, failure to properly refrigerate some of their medications, safety code violations in the special care unit and fire doors not opening properly when fire alarms were tested. According to the Medicare Nursing Home Compare System, Springfield Skilled Care Center ranks one out of five stars in terms of health inspections, which is well below average.

Accidents like this one can be prevented. Patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia need to be watched more carefully because they can be unpredictable. These residents should not be given the opportunity to hurt themselves in this way. Windows should be securely shut, sharp objects should not be left out and nursing home staff should be present for daily tasks such as bathing and eating. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients are especially vulnerable and need a specialized form of care.

Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you believe your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, please contact our professionals at the Mininno Law Offices. We are dedicated to eradicating the current trends of abuse and neglect found in the nursing homes across the country. 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.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit Blocked by Facility Document

The decision to put your loved one into a nursing home or long-term care facility can be a heartbreaking time. Choosing the right facility, worrying about the quality of care, and making the financial commitments can be very overwhelming. It is important to do your research with every nursing home that you consider. Look into past accusations of nursing home abuse, research the experience of the medical staff, compare facility conditions and make sure to carefully read every document before you sign.

Trinity Mission Does Not Live Up to Expectations

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer NJ PA — Photo by: Tim Pierce

Cindy Farese, a Mississippi woman, was very upset when her mother’s doctor told the family that she needed to be put into a nursing home. They had promised her mother, Virginia Valentine, that she would never be put into a care facility. As hard a decision as it was, Farese and her family chose Trinity Mission Health & Rehab in Holly Springs, Mississippi.

They immediately started to notice a change in their mother; she was always a vibrant, happy 79 year old. Once she entered the nursing home, she started to lose weight, stopped eating, and was no longer herself. The family knew something was wrong and insisted that the facility take her to the hospital. They were appalled with what the doctors at the hospital found. “She had blisters from front to back where she had not been changed,” Farese said.

The hospital also diagnosed Virginia with Clostridium Difficile, or “C-Diff.” The nursing home had been giving Virginia very strong antibiotics to prevent infection, however, when overexposed to antibiotics, bacterias become resistance to their effect. The antibiotics that Trinity Mission gave to Virginia became ineffective, allowing C-Diff to form. If the nursing home had been doing their job and not neglecting Virginia, the strong antibiotics would have not been necessary and the c-diff would not have developed. C-Diff eventually killed Virginia Valentine.

Mississippi Family Urges You to Read All Admission Documents

Cindy Farese wanted to sue Trinity Mission Health & Rehab for killing Virginia, but when her mother was admitted, she signed an ‘Alternative Dispute Resolution Agreement. She unknowingly signed away her right to a jury trial. Luckily, Cindy’s husband, John Booth Farese, is an attorney and was able to find a legal loophole in the document. He deposed nine employees and got the nurses to admit on the record that they knew Virginia’s condition was worsening and recorded it on her medical chart but never informed the doctor.

As nursing home abuse lawyers, we strongly recommend carefully reading over every document a nursing home gives you to sign. If you have any questions about these documents, we urge that you have an attorney look them over before signing. If you are not careful, you may be giving up your right to go to court, despite the wrongfulness of a facilities actions.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Lawyers in NJ and PA

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or long term care facility, or you are considering placing them into one, pay close attention to the facility and every document you are asked to sign. If you are worried that the care they are receiving is 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.

Wrongful Death Suit Filed After Francene Cucinello’s Untimely Death

In January of this year, Francene Cucinello, New Jersey born host of the Lousiville, Kentucky radio program “The Francene Show,” died of a heart attack and brain aneurysm. She was just 43 years old.
This month, her family has filed a wrongful death claim against the Norton Audobon Hospital. They assert that a misdiagnosis led to Francene’s tragic and untimely death.

Medical Malpractice Leads to Wrongful Death

wrongful death new jersey philadelphia attorneys francene cucinello norton audobon hospital Francene went to the Norton Audobon Hospital emergency room on January 11, 2010 complaining of headache, neck pain, nausea and vomiting, and shortness of breath. She was diagnosed with pneumonia. On January 13th, doctors noticed one of Francene’s pupils were dilated. The results of a CAT scan revealed medical malpractice.
According to a Neurosurgeon, Francene had suffered a brain aneurysm three days prior. She was never suffering from pneumonia, but instead her brain was bleeding. Francene died on January 15, 2010.

The family’s wrongful death lawsuit alleges that the misdiagnosis played a significant role in Francene’s death. Had a CAT scan been ordered and the aneurysm deteced earlier, Norton Audobon Hospital could have saved her life. Norton Audobon maintains that the treatment Francene received at their facility was in line with the standard of care.

NJ and PA Medical Malpractice and Wrongful Death Attorneys

Francene was in dire straits when she entered the Norton Audobon hospital on January 11, 2010, and if the standard of care dictates that a CAT scan be peformed based on Francene’s condition and symptoms, than Norton Audobon is undoubtedly guilty of medical malpractice and, in turn, wrongful death.
If you or a loved have suffered due to medical malpractice, or you have lost a loved one to wrongful death, 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.

Let the team at the Mininno Law Office earn you the compesation you deserve.

Nursing Home Negligence Ends in Resident Disappearance and Large Verdict

new jersey nursing home negligence abuse attorneys wrongful death ruby larson pheasant point retirement residence — Ruby Larson disappeared in July, 2007 from the Pheasant Point Retirement and Assisted Living Facility in Molalla, Oregon.

The Pheasant Point Retirement and Asisted Living Residence in Molalla, Oregon was home to 75 year old Ruby Larson. Ruby was admitted to the home in May of 2007, suffering from dementia, short-term memory loss, and disorientation. She had no recollection of her own medical needs, and had a history of wandering off.
The staff at Pheasant Point was aware of Ruby’s condition, as well as the inherent risks associated with it. During her stay there, Ruby wandered off 4 seperate times. The fourth time, July 23, 2007, she never returned. Teams from three surrounding counties searched and found nothing. She was declared legally dead by judge’s order in 2008.

Ruby’s son, David Buoy, filed a $2 million dollar wrongful death lawsuit against the Molalla retirement home, accusing the facility of nursing home negligence and improper care towards his mother.
His attorney, Phil Leubbers, named Pheasant Point and it’s parent company, Spectrum Retirement Communities, in the suit. Among it’s many allegations of nursing home neglect, the suit also alleges that Pheasant Point was slow to act on Ruby’s dissappearance, taking their time before reporting her absence to police.

Three Years Later, Her Body is Found

In May 2010, Ruby Larson’s body was discovered amidst blackberry bushes in a field just a quarter mile away from the facility. Her body was fully clothed and found by a 4 year old child who was searching for his missing cat.

On October 4, 2010, Ruby’s family was awarded $821,000 by a Multnomah County jury. They returned an 11-1 verdict for negligence. Attorneys for Pheasant Point and Spectrum Retirement maintain that “. . . no one did anything wrong here. Ruby Larson lived the life she wanted to live.”

NJ and PA Nursing Home Abuse and Wrongful Death Attorneys

Ruby Larson’s death was brought on by continued negligence and repeated failure on the part of Pheasant Point to protect Ruby from herself. The state she was in required caretakers to pay close attention to her and prevent her from disappearing. They failed 4 times to keep her inside the facility, and the last time was deadly.

If you or a loved one have suffered the effects of nursing negligence or abuse, call an experienced New Jersey or Pennsylvania Nursing Home Abuse attorney at the Mininno Law Office. We will work hard to get you to compensation you deserve!
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.

Wrongful Death Suit Gets BP in Trouble Again

new jersey philadelphia wrongful death attorneys suit british petroleum — Julius Provost died at 6 months old for 'undetermined' causes. His mother Sharon believes the cause was the benzene emissions for the BP refinery a mile away from their home.

In the wake of the biggest oil-spill our nation has ever seen, and the most devestating environmental catastrophe most of us will see in a lifetime, BP, who hoped to be out of the spotlight once wells were capped, finds themselves in hot water yet again. BP’s Texas city oil refinery is guilty of a 40 day release of Benzene in April and May that has allegedly claimed the life of 6 month old Julius Provost.
His mother, Sharon, is suing BP for Wrongful Death, explaining that that in his short life, Julius suffered. Doctors couldn’t explain or cure his ongoing symptoms; nausea, runny nose, mucus in his eyes, and difficulty breathing.

Sharon’s lawsuit is just one in a string of lawsuits resulting from the Benzene release. The suits call for BP to pay $10 million in punitive damages. Sharon’s wrongful death suit claims that the case demonstrates “the human suffering caused when the drive for corporate profits is more valued than the safety and lives of people.”

Just last week, BP agreed to pay a $50 million fine for not correcting safety hazards at the Texes refinery that caused in explosion in 2005 which took the lived of 15 workers. They are contesting another $30 million in additional penalties.

Mininno Law Office Wrongful Death Attorneys in NJ and PA

Sharon lost the joy of being a mother, and Julius lost his life, due to BP’s alleged negligence and indifference towards citizens surrounding their plant. If you are suffering the loss of a loved one, and you believe their death could have been avoided, contact the Mininno Law Office.

Our NJ and PA Wrongful Death Attorneys are here to help you through this difficult time, and to recover any necessary damages. Let us get you the compensation you deserve. 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.

Wrongful Death Suit Filed Against Lancaster Hospital for Patient Suicide

new jersey philadelphia wrongful death attorneys lancaster hospital patient suicide — Lancaster General Hospital

The Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, PA is named in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of 70 year old Fillipo Raia, who, last summer, leapt to his death out of an eighth story window at the facility on Duke Street where he was being treated for mental health problems.

Raia had a history of seizures and anxiety and, upon admittance to the hospital last July, was confused, agitated, and appeared to have an “altered mental status.”According to nurses, two days after his admittance, Raia threatened to jump out of the window. Nurses also noted that he was suffering from hallucinations and paranoia, and thought the hospital staff was trying to kill him. He was given medicine throughout his stay to keep him calm and sedated.

Raia’s two psychiatrists, Dr. Kathleen Dougherty and Dr. Leo Dorozynski, are being named in the suit. It seems that their assesments of Raia differ greatly from those of the nurses who cared for him on a daily basis. On the same day that a nurse documented Raia to be “agitated and uncooperative,” Dr. Dougherty noted that he was “somewhat anxious” but “logical.” Two days before Raia’s death, Dr. Dorozynski wrote that he was “calm, pleasant but confused.” Two hours later, a nurse noted that he was “very confused,” “agitated,” and “psychotic.” Raia’s medical doctor suggested a transfer to the psych unit of the hospital, and Dougherty stated that she “…[did] not see indication for psychiatric admission.”

Andrew Youman, an attorney with Kline and Specter, the Philadelphia Firm handling the case, stated that “Throughout the stay, he was clearly demonstrating that he was not able to keep himself or others safe because of his mental status.” The lawsuit names not only the hospital and the two psychiatrists, but Behavioral Health Specialists, Lancaster General Medical Group, Lancaster General Behavioral Health System, Lancaster General Health and Lancaster General Health Foundation as well.

Wrongful Death at the Mininno Law Office

John Mininno began a law career to help bring justice to those who have been wronged. He has won substantial verdicts for people who have been hurt by negligent doctors, defective product manufacturers, and corporate wrongdoers.
If you are grieving the loss of a loved one, and you believe their death was not inevitable, contact the Wrongful Death Attorneys at the Mininno Law Office. They will be able to help you get the compensation you deserve. You may also call at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Criminal Charges Filed in Bucks County Hyperthermic Death

new jersey philadelphia attorneys wrongful death stacey strauss bucks county — Stacey Strauss turned herself in on Tuesday, August 3rd, for the death of autistic Bryan Nevins.

Yesterday, we posted a wrongful death blog about the tragic, hyperthermic death of Bryan Nevins at the Woods Services care center in Langhorne, PA. At this time yesterday, it was unclear whether charges would be pressed against any person or persons responsibile for the care of 20 year old , severly autisitic Bryan Nevins. Last night, Stacey Strauss turned herself in to Middletown Police, was arraigned, and was charged with fatally neglecting Bryan Nevins. Her bail was set at $50,000.

Strauss’ official charge was “neglect of a care-dependant person,” a first degree felony that carries a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison. She was also charged with misdemeanor accounts of involuntary manslaughter, and recklessly endangering another person.
Strauss’ attorney asserts that the incident was simply a “tragic mistake.” He also states that Strauss has been en employee of Woods Services for 8 years and has had a spotless record.

William Nevins, father of Bryan Nevins and former homicide chief for the NYPD, said in an interview, “Now we will see what a disabled child’s life is worth in Bucks County.”

Wrongful Death in NJ and PA: Mininno Law Office

It is clear that others shared in our sentiment from yesterday; that an occurence like this is more than a mere accident. Bryan Nevins, an autistic young man with the same mind as a 2 year old, should never have been left behind so carelessly. As we also said yesterday, this is clear case of wrongful death.
NJ Wrongful Death Attorneys at the Mininno Law Office are poised to assist anyone who has lost a loved one due to the negligence and carelessness of another.

If you need the help of a wrongful death attorney, contact the Mininno Law Office, or call us at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.