Cleft lip and cleft palate are some of the most common birth defects that are seen today, occurring in about one or two children in every 1,000 births in this country. Although cleft lip and cleft palate are quite prevalent in the United States, birth defects attorneys say that these craniofacial malformations occur even more often in children of Latino and Asian descent. These happen when there is an incomplete development of the lip or roof of the mouth during fetal formation, which leaves an opening. Although these birth defects are quite common, women who take Topamax, the popular migraine and epilepsy drug, during pregnancy may be at an even higher risk.
The Many Forms of Cleft Lip, Cleft Palate, or Both
In the early development of a fetus (the first three months of pregnancy), the lips and palate develop separately. Since the development is not simultaneous, babies may be born with only a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or in some cases both. When parts of the lip or palate do not completely come together, the orofacial problems begin to develop. There can also be many variations in the different types of clefts. A cleft can occur only on one side of the mouth, known as a unilateral cleft, or on both sides of the mouth, known as a bilateral cleft. Young girls are more likely to have a cleft palate that occurs alone. On the other hand, an oral cleft, regardless of whether it is lip or palate, is generally more common in boys.
Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia
Many parents who have children born with a cleft lip or cleft palate are often overwhelmed and, in some instances, confused about their legal rights. They are especially confused about whether or not the services of birth defects attorneys would be needed. In some cases, there have been improper actions that may have led to your child’s birth defect and contacting our professional team is beneficial to your family’s physical and financial health. 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.
Myrna Siegel, a former registered nurse at the Sullivan County Adult Care Facility in Liberty, New York, is being charged with abusing patients. She has surrendered her license to practice as an RN after an investigation by the State Office of Medicaid Inspector General uncovered the abuse. She is being charged with physically and verbally abusing patients. According to a report from the Long Term Care Community Coalition, “In one instance she forcibly held down a resident while giving care, calling the resident an ‘evil witch’.” In another case of abuse, she told a resident who was not ready to receive his medication that “he had a death wish and was going to die if he didn’t take his medicine.”
In a disturbing case of 
According to a study that was published online in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences by Dr. Sarah D. Berry, a scientist at the Institute for Aging Research of Hebrew SeniorLife in Boston, the elderly are at a greater risk of falling the days after they start taking non-SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants, such as bupropion or venlafaxine. The researchers studied information on 1,181 nursing home residents who fell and compared the changes in their antidepressants shortly before the fall. They discovered that a patient’s 
According to the complaint, from 2004 to 2008, many of the facility’s residents suffered injuries, and five patients died during that time. The poor care in question involved failure to follow physicians orders, failure to treat wounds and bed sores, failure to update resident care plans, and failure to monitor the blood sugar levels of diabetic residents.
Wilson strongly argued that these medical malpractice caps are blatantly favoring a special class of society over the general public. This special class includes medical professionals, corporations, insurance companies, and special interests groups. Malpractice victims may suffer many non-economic damages that will no longer be fully compensated for in states such as West Virginia. Someone who is permanently disfigured, maimed, or handicapped will certainty be owed compensation that exceeds mere medical expenses and future costs. An avid golfer or swimmer who can no longer enjoy these activities, a young child who will never walk or talk, or a woman who can never bear a child are only some of the instances where non-economic damages that exceed a cap may be necessary. Medical malpractice attorneys also have fears that were pointed out by Judge Wilson. He stated, 