Help keep elders safe with simple acts of kindness that will brighten their day

Together, we can help keep elders safe. If we each chip in and do our part, we can make life better for senior citizens. After all, one small, good deed can change a person’s day. In light of the recent weather, I thought of an easy way we can help.

How can I help keep elders safe?

This winter, a record snowfall has hit the greater Philadelphia region. Some sidewalks are still unshoveled, roads are slushy and driveways are icy. If you see elderly people trying to cross the street, help them out. They’ll surely be grateful you offered.

The slippery slush can be dangerous for anyone walking around, but older people may not have the balance or physical strength that you do. Older people are more susceptible to injury. Put simply, the human body becomes more fragile with age. A slip and fall may not harm you or me, but an older person might wind up in the hospital. More on this tomorrow.

It’s important to help keep elders safe because abuse and neglect are both still problems in our society today. Older people need our guidance more often than not. Unfortunately, even nursing homes aren’t as safe as they could be, and if you have a loved one in a home, there are a number of signs you should be looking for to make sure your relative is safe and sound.

Meanwhile, more snow is coming, so keep elders safe by lending a hand where you can. The snow will soon melt and turn to ice, which will be even more dangerous. Watch out for icicles falling from rooftops. Be careful out there.

Do you have questions or answers about nursing homes?

Add a comment to our blog about how you keep elders safe. At the Mininno Law Office, you can talk to a nursing home abuse lawyer to answer your questions about your loved one. We have experienced NJ attorneys who handle these cases all too often. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Traffic cameras are coming to Cherry Hill to catch violators and make roads safer

Look out Cherry Hill drivers, traffic cameras are coming. After polling residents and taking careful consideration, the township has decided to give the green light to a new traffic program. The intersection of Springdale Road and Route 70 will be the guinea pig.

Why are traffic cameras coming to the state of New Jersey?

Cherry Hill Township is always looking out for the safety of its residents, and the red light project is a clear step in that direction. Officials have noticed a slew of people breaking the law, so they’re taking action. It’s simple cause and effect. Folks have been getting away with it for years. Whether they’re late for work or just trying to make good time, many drivers speed up when they see a yellow light. This practice is dangerous and can cause an accident. Too often, folks underestimate the dangers of speeding and rushing around. Speed limits and traffic laws are there for a reason, and too often we ignore them. If you get a traffic ticket that you believe you didn’t deserve get a traffic ticket attorney, to help you fight the ticket.

Another reason traffic cameras are coming is because the program is a cheaper alternative to adding more patrol cars on the streets. It also frees up policemen to do more important things and take care of any emergency that comes up. The bottom line? The road is the most dangerous place to be, and traffic cameras coming to town might just make our streets just a little safer. At the Mininno Law Office, our philosophy is safety first. Besides, if you always obey the law, then you have nothing to worry about.

Who’s next for the program?

According to the Courier-Post article, traffic cameras are coming to five more towns:

  • Deptford
  • Glassboro
  • Gloucester Township
  • Monroe
  • Stratford

How do you feel about traffic cameras coming to your town? Do you think the pilot program is the best method to cut down on drivers running red lights? Tell us what you think.

Do you have questions or answers about public safety?

Add a comment to our blog. At the Mininno Law Office, you can talk to a New Jersey civil trial lawyer to answer your questions about public safety. We have experienced NJ attorneys who value safety as much as you do. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need.
Contact us or call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Buyer beware: Toy safety for kids not first on jewelry makers’ minds

As we watch our children at play, our main concern is always safety. Some might think that if a toy store sells a product, it must be safe. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. When manufacturers can sacrifice toy safety for kids to save a buck or two, some are willing to do it. A recent article by the Associated Press reminds us that some people lie to parents and deceive children just to pad their bank accounts. In other words, don’t judge a book by its cover.

What do I need to know about toy safety for kids?

In Yiwu, China, a jewelry shop manager said something to the AP that might surprise you. He Huihua, manager of the Suiyuan Jewelry Shop at International Trade City in Yiwu, was asked what he thought about the health risks associated with cadmium and other toxic metals. His response: “I can’t be overly concerned about that.”

Buyer beware. Honestly, that’s like an oily used car salesman who tries to sell you a shiny paint job on a used vehicle with a busted engine and says, “Well, at least it works.” This kind of thing should make you think twice before you buy something again. Stores like the Suiyuan Jewelry Shop have one goal: cash over kids. They’ll do whatever it takes to make more money, and that includes selling poison to kids. The main material called into question is called cadmium. It’s a toxic metal that causes cancer. Why would someone sell a product made with a toxic material? Put simply, money talks, and you know what walks. In a difficult economic time where stores are closing and many others are losing money, some people will push moral standards aside and put out unsafe products. They simply don’t care.

What is the government doing about toy safety for kids?

The Chinese government is looking into the AP report to check the validity of the claim. This could be a big problem for China because the U.S. is a huge market. Think about it: How many toys have you seen with “Made in China” on the bottom? In the U.S., Wal-Mart pulled products off shelves that were mentioned in the report.

Where can I find more information about toy safety for kids?

The Toy Industry Association, Inc. is a great resource on toy safety for kids and other related issues. Click here to visit the TIA website. Another resource is ToyInfo.org.

Always think of toy safety for kids first. When you buy something for your children, we encourage you to get as much information about the product and the manufacturer as possible. Talk to store managers, read the small print. Do whatever is necessary to make sure your children can play safe.

Do you have questions or answers about unsafe products?

Add a comment to our blog. At the Mininno Law Office, you can talk to a defective product attorney to answer your questions about unsafe products. We have experienced NJ trial lawyers who have dealt with these cases all too often. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Helping parents in need can be a major challenge for adult children

Every once in a while, we like to share resources with you that can help in a time of need. In this blog post, I’m going to talk about a great resource for helping aging parents in need. It’s called “Aging Answers,” and it’s for adult children who are helping aging parents in need.

What is “Aging Answers”?

“Aging Answers” is a free book that you can read or download here. The book, written by Valerie VanBooven, offers “secrets to successful long-term care planning, care giving and crisis management.” It’s dedicated to adults who are caring for aging relatives to give them hope and guidance in a most challenging time.

Whether you’ve been helping a parent in need for years or a loved one has recently fallen ill, this book covers 11 issues that you’ll face if you haven’t already. The book is split into two parts: The first part talks about planning for long-term care while the second part discusses caring for an aging family member. Valerie VanBooven does a thorough job of covering a complex issue. She answers common questions that adult children have when caring for a loved one. Plus, she reminds us that we’ll need our loved ones to care for us as we grow old. We’ll want to know who will care for us, how we’ll pay for care and how we can guarantee quality care.

If I’m helping a parent in need, what other resources can I use?

At the end of the book, there’s a great, useful compilation called the “Aging Answers Rolodex.” The rolodex is a list of agencies and websites that provide more information and more resources beyond what the “Aging Answers” book offers.

Do you have questions or answers about helping parents in need?

The “Aging Answers” book is just one resource. I encourage you to download it and share it with your friends and family. You have had experience and can probably help someone else that’s in a similar situation. Tell us all about what you’re going through, what’s working and what’s not. Share your story. At the Mininno Law Office, we have experienced NJ trial attorneys who have dealt with these cases all too often. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Ask for nose spray to lessen infection risk if you're having surgery

Sometimes the simplest solutions are “right under our nose.”
The risk of infection is one of the most common and well-known risks associated with any surgery. For years, doctors and hospitals have cooked up various ways to lessen infection risk and eradicate the bacteria and bugs that seem to thrive in hospitals and operating rooms.

Until now, these efforts have only marginally reduced the rate of infections following surgery. The staph bacterium has been particularly troublesome.

How can the risk of infection be reduced?

Research shows that the staff bacterium is the most common cause of infections following surgery. Now, researchers have discovered a safe and easy method to dramatically reduce surgical site infections by 40 to 60 percent.
These findings, published in the January 7, 2010 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine reveal that bathing patients with an antiseptic followed by squirting a medicated ointment up a patient’s noses can dramatically cut the rate of dangerous staph infections following surgery.

Can we really lessen infection risk?

At last, we have a simple solution for this difficult problem. Please remember, patients should be their own “patient safety advocate”. Speak up for your health. The next time you or a loved one requires surgery, ask your surgeon for the nose spray and bath. Your risk of infection will be reduced dramatically.

If your surgeon won’t agree with your request, you may want to find a new surgeon. That’s your right. Better yet, print out this blog and the article from the New England Journal of Medicine and give it to your surgeon. Chances are, you’ll get the bath and the nose spray.

What if the worst should happen?

We hope your surgery is a success and infection free. But, if something does go wrong during or following a surgery, call a New Jersey medical malpractice attorney who can answer your questions on surgical errors and complications.
You and your loved ones deserve safety and proper care. Our experienced civil trial lawyers are always available to help. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Series on concussions in kids in Star-Ledger teaches us all a very important lesson

All parents are their kids’ biggest fans. We watch, cheer and root for their teams. We worry about them getting hurt, but rarely do we even consider that they could suffer a long-term injury. Until now. With all the recent media attention, it is now beyond dispute: A kid’s concussion can be a lifelong injury.

Athletes are at a high risk simply because of the competitive, physical nature of the sports they play. It’s the reason many athletes have short careers and an unfortunate cause of brain problems later in life.

With concussions in kids, the danger is even bigger. A child’s brain is more fragile than an adult’s, and in the current day and age, youngsters are more competitive and daring. The stakes are higher.
In a three-day series by the New Jersey Star-Ledger, staff writers raised the issue of concussions in kids. The series took a thorough look at a serious problem. Here’s a breakdown.

Kids and Concussions: Part One

In the first part of the series, Mr. Matthew Stanmyre and Ms. Jackie Friedman of the New Jersey Star-Ledger tackled the impact of head injuries on young athletes, what’s being done to protect them and what else can be done to protect them.
Fact: More than 400,000 concussions occurred in high schools nationwide during the 2008-09 academic year.

Why does this happen? Some reasons might be coaches lacking medical experience, athletes playing through pain and parents rushing their children back onto the field too soon after an injury. If your child were injured, how soon would you bring him or her back into play?

Kids and Concussions: Part Two

In the second part, Mr. Stanmyre and Ms. Friedman looked at the dangers of competitive cheerleading. Do you think cheerleading is safe? Think again. It may seem like the safest kind of physical competition, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Cheerleaders undergo a tremendous amount of training to be able to lift each other in the air and land safely, but accidents can happen.

Kids and Concussions: Part Three

In the third article, we learn the answer to the most important question: What is being done to protect our children, especially at the local level? The answer is that doctors and trainers are working endlessly on just that. The article points to a Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. course that gives coaches basic teaching and safety knowledge.
In high schools, a neuropsychological exam called “ImPACT Testing” is given to athletes after a head injury.

Do you have questions? We can help

Although some head injuries are more serious than others, there is no such thing as a “little head injury.” The effects of even a small head injury can be severe, such as memory loss or depression. In some cases, head injuries can even lead to a wrongful death.

New Jersey lawyers can answer your questions about personal injuries and a number of other topics. At the Mininno Law Office, we have experienced NJ trial attorneys who have dealt with these cases all too often.
We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

The link between burnout and surgical errors should be taken seriously

We have all heard the term, “burnout.” It means exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration. It applies to teachers, pilots, coaches, lawyers and doctors.
When it comes to surgeons, burnout is a clear cause of surgical errors and mistakes. That shouldn’t surprise anyone.

A recent study acknowledges what we already know: As a group, surgeons work as hard as any other profession. What’s worse, the hours are often worked under very stressful situations. It’s natural for any human being to be tired from working grueling hours in stressful situations.
Therefore, it’s important for anyone working in those conditions to get the proper rest so they can perform at the highest level they possibly can.

We know burnout and surgical errors are linked, so what’s new?

Since 1885, the Annals of Surgery journal has been doing monthly reviews of medical issues like burnout and surgical errors. The objective of a surgery on burnout and surgical errors conducted by the Annals of Surgery was simple: figure out how burnout and surgical errors are linked.
Sounds pretty simple, right? There were 7,905 participating surgeons in the study to make sure there was a big enough sample size.

Here are the results on burnout and surgical errors: Nearly 9 percent of the survey’s participants said they had made a serious medical mistake during the previous three months. That’s 700 surgeons, and that’s scary.
More than 70 percent of surgeons attributed their mistake to something they personally did wrong or failed to do correctly. In other words, these surgeons took the blame for their own mistakes.

What did we learn about burnout and surgical errors?

If a surgeon is “burned out,” how more likely is it that he or she will make an error? Since the problem is known to exist, the next step is to find a solution.
What is the best way to reduce surgeon distress? Unfortunately, if a patient needs care, cutting back hours may not be the answer, but all options should be considered.

With that said, we’d like to hear from you. How do you think “burnout” should be reduced?

Do you have questions or answers about burnout and surgical errors?

Add a comment to our blog. New Jersey lawyers can answer your questions about surgical errors and complications.
At the Mininno Law Office, we have experienced NJ trial attorneys who have dealt with these cases all too often. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Spend time with loved ones and savor the time you have with them

Happy Holidays!

As we spend time with loved ones, we look back on the past year and look ahead to the next. This past year has been challenging, there’s no doubt about it. The struggling economy and nationwide recession brought us job losses and companies going out of business. It seems that things got harder for many people.

Looking back

While we spend time with loved ones, we think about families who have been through hard times. For families who have lost loved ones or who have faced their own illness, disability or injury because of medical negligence, 2009 has been a very difficult year. We have heard from hundreds of people this year who have suffered some kind of injury, illness or death from medical malpractice or nursing home neglect.
To those families, we again extend our sympathies. I am sure many in our community are glad to see the year end. Many people are looking forward to a new year and an opportunity to start over.

Moving forward

As we spend time with loved ones, we realize how much we still have. Despite everything we’ve been through, it’s important not to lose hope. No matter what we’ve been through in 2009, we can still look to 2010 to bring us happiness, prosperity and success.

Spend time with loved ones

The people we love the most never really leave us. They’re always in our hearts. But whether it’s your parents, your children, your brothers and sisters, or your best friends, take the time to tell people how much you care. Life is too short. It is in this time of giving and holiday cheer that we send this message to you. We hope you can share the holidays with someone special. If you have questions, we can help.

No matter what you’re going through, there are resources and people out there who can help you get through it. I can be one source of guidance. If you’re dealing with a wrongful death or a personal injury case, I know how hard it can be.

At the Mininno Law Office, our number one priority is our clients. Our New Jersey lawyers would be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help they can give you. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Patient rights protection is getting major help from a new ad campaign

Patient rights protection might not be the first thing you think about when you or a loved one has to go to a hospital. You may not always need it, but when you do, you’re sure glad it’s there.

Why is patient rights protection important?

To explain why patient rights protection is important, let me share what may be a shocking statistic. Fact: Research shows that each year, 98,000 lives will be lost to preventable medical errors. Do you know what the keyword is in that sentence? It’s “preventable” and it means that these medical errors that cause wrongful death can be avoided. These are errors that should not happen and these deaths should not happen.
If we can improve patient rights protection, we can do two things. We can both improve health care and decrease the number of deaths from preventable medical errors.

Is anyone fighting for patient rights protection?

Yes, certified civil trial lawyers are fighting for patient rights protection. The American Association for Justice, formerly called the Association of Trial Lawyers in America, has recently spent its own resources to advocate and fight for patient rights protection. The goal? Make health care more affordable for everyone.

In order to make a difference, 30 public service “billboards” that will be displayed at Union Station Metro in Washington, D.C. during the entire month of December. The campaign has already gotten a ton of positive press coverage. You can read about the effort on Politico and on NationalJournal.com.
Each ad will tell a story of someone who was hurt by medical negligence. This is an investment of $100,000, but it shows how important health care is to medical malpractice attorneys. New Jersey attorneys see cases with surgical errors and medical mistakes all too often. In addition to fighting for their clients, they’re fighting for all Americans to get better health care.

What about tort reform? Will it help with patient rights protection?

Tort reform will not help with patient rights protection. Think about who’s pushing tort reform — insurance lobbyists and corporate nursing homes. Why? They’re trying to make more money. Tort reform takes away rights, it doesn’t support them. It won’t help improve health care; it will just make things worse.

What if I’m not being protected?

Talk to a medical malpractice attorney. At the Mininno Law Office, we have experienced New Jersey attorneys who have dealt with these cases all too often. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

How to find the best medical care for you and your loved ones

Best medical care: How can you find it?

Finding the best medical care is not easy. Why? Because how do you ever know whether you are or are not getting the “best.” Is “best” the most likeable, the most experienced, the best trained? How can you even begin to find the “best” medical care. As a trial lawyer, I have had the experience of seeing and learning about “poor” medical care from the people who call me every day with a potential medical malpractice case.
Usually, I only learn about what “great” medical care should be after I retain a well qualified expert to evaluate a potential medical malpractice case.

But, now there is a great resource that I want to share with you, a book on the best medical care is one great resource. It’s called “The Life You Save: Nine Steps to Finding the Best Medical Care and Avoiding the Worst.”Written by Patrick Malone, this book should be one of the primary resources to help you find the “best” medical care.
This book, written by one of the country’s great trial lawyer is one first reference books of its kind. In 296 pages, Malone answers the basic questions: what, when, where, why, and how. What questions should you ask your doctor? When do you have symptoms that need immediate attention? Where can you find the most experienced surgeons and safest hospitals? Malone answers all of these questions and more. Find out more about the book or purchase it by clicking here.

Another great guide is here. The site’s patient section covers all of the ways you can use the Internet to get the help you need. The guide covers search engines, online doctors, chat sessions, newsgroups, mailing lists and more.

If I don’t find the best medical care, what could happen?

That’s simple. You could become the victim of medical malpractice. The quality of medical care increases with the quality of the doctor or hospital giving that care. The risk of a bad outcome increases with the degree of inexperience of a doctor. So, the consequences of not having the most experienced doctor or the highest quality attention can be very severe.
A surgical error, for example, could lead to personal injury or death. There’s nothing more important than your health and the health of your loved ones, so getting the help you need isn’t an option. It’s a necessity.

What if I’ve been a victim of medical malpractice?

Talk to a medical malpractice attorney. At the Mininno Law Office, we have experienced New Jersey lawyers who have dealt with these cases all too often. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.