Bed Sore – The Fourth and Final Stage: Free Consultation

Bed sore lawyers say that the fourth and final stage of pressure sores brings about a large scale loss of tissue. Some wounds may be so deep that tendons, bones, and muscles can actually become exposed. Within the depths of the wound, slough (dark dead tissue) and significant drainage is likely built up. We know that the fourth stage signifies deep and widespread skin damaged caused by the bed sore. Medical attention is required to preserve the health and life of patients.

The Road to Recovery

new jersey philadelphia bedsore attorneys fourth stage final recoveryPeople need to get in contact with their doctor or health care provider as soon as possible. This stage of bed sores can lead to a serious deterioration of health and even worse, it could cause death. Following a medical consultation, it is imperative that people closely monitor the status of the bed sore. We know that the first sign of recovery will be that the wound will slowly begin to diminish in width and depth. New tissue will begin to form along the edges of the sore, which will generally be a light pinkish color. People may also notice blood at the site of the wound: although most people usually see blood as a bad sign, in the case of bed sore recovery it is actually a positive sign. Bed sore attorneys believe that blood shows that there is good circulation in this region of the bed sore which will help the region begin to heal.

Bed Sore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a pressure sore which you attribute to neglect or mistreatment, it is possible that you would like to speak with our professionals. 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.

Nursing Home Abuse of Alzheimer’s Patient Leads to Arrest

We write about a lot of nursing home abuse cases where the facilities are the cause or enabler of the abuse. The administrators at Wesleyan Nursing Home in Georgetown, Texas, however, acted quickly and appropriately at the first sign of abuse with one of their certified nursing assistants.

Frustrated Nursing Assistant Pushes Patient

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers alzheimer patient arrestElla Jean Moorer is facing a charge of Injury to the elderly, disabled reckless bodily injury for an incident where she injured an 88-year-old patient who has severe Alzheimer’s. According to other staff members of the nursing home, Moorer was trying to change the patient’s clothes when he resisted… “She then became frustrated and grabbed the elderly man’s upper arm, pushed him towards the toilet, put him in a head lock and tried to force him to the toilet with her hand on his chest”. The man later complained of chest pains and had bruising on his upper arm. Moorer denied the incident to the nursing home administrators. She was put on administrative leave and later fired. According to facility administrator Timothy Stuteville:

“This was the first event of its kind with her, so we took it very seriously and we notified the agencies that we needed to notify… We take a lot of pride in the care that we provide for over 200 seniors. And so we won’t tolerate anything but the best for them.”

Caring for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia is not easy, especially because they can often be combative toward caretakers. Since it can at times be frustrating, it is very important for these workers to be knowledgeable of the diseases and very patient. It is good to see a nursing home take the appropriate action at the first sign of abuse with their employees. There are too many facilities that look the other way when it comes to elder abuse and do not report the incidents to the authorities. Moorer was arrested in Williamson County and her bond was set at $7,500.

Nursing Home Abuse 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.

Bed Sore – Stage Three, Signs and Suggestions: Free Consultation

The third stage of the bed sore progression brings about significant changes and a more dramatic wound. Unlike stage two, where the wound only extended into the top layer of the skin, stage three has a much more extended skin break. The breakdown in the skin now extends through the second layer of the skin, known as the dermis, into the fat and subcutaneous tissue. Bed sore lawyers say that the wounds in stage three are noticeably deeper than in prior stages.

How to Care for a Stage Three Bed Sore

new jersey philadelphia Bed Sore lawyers stage three signs suggestionsMany of the general treatment suggestions from previous bed sore phases remain similar in stage three. Once again, it is essential to keep pressure off of the pressure sore. We stress the importance of frequently changing positions and alleviating the pressure between the wound and outer surfaces, such as wheelchairs and beds. Cleaning the sore and maintaining good hygiene is once again crucial to the healing of a pressure sore. Yellow shaded dead tissue, known as slough, may appear within the wound which is a main reason cleanliness carries such importance at this stage. Our professionals also advise that maintaining a healthy diet during stage three is important to strengthen the skin. Wounds that are present in stage three almost always call for additional care and treatment. Special cleaning, antibiotic medication, or specially created beds and mattresses may be suggested by a physician to help limit pressure and promote recovery.

Bed Sore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one have recently suffered from a pressure sore which you attribute to neglect or mistreatment, you probably would like to speak with a bed sore attorney. 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.

Nursing Home Neglect Leads to Resident Choking to Death

When the elderly reach the point where they need to be admitted to a nursing home or long term care facility, they are in fragile condition and need to be watched over very carefully by the caregivers of these facilities. It is very important that nursing homes are ready for the multiple life threatening emergencies that can occur with the elderly. Nursing home neglect can be prevented if the facility is prepared.

Nurse Allegedly Left Choking Resident Alone for 20 Minutes

new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyers residen chokingThe Johnson Mathers Nursing Home in Carlisle, Kentucky received a Type A citation from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services’ Office of Inspector General on May 10 for an April 30, 2010 incident of nursing home neglect where a resident’s life or safety was endangered because of violations of state regulations. The incident involved a newly admitted resident who was on a pureed diet and had requested all necessary measures be taken to save her life.

Shortly after the resident was fed her evening meal, a licensed practical nurse heard from the hallway outside of the resident’s room a “gurgling.” The nurse went into the room and asked if she could clear the food from her throat, but the resident shook her head “no.” The LPN then left the choking patient alone without supervision and neglected to inform any other staff member of what was going on for fifteen to twenty minutes while she cleaned a dirty suction machine. She returned to the patient but the suctioning did not alleviate the choking. Fifteen minutes later the LPN went to the nurse’s station where she informed them of the situation and told them “I think she’s gone.” When the other nurses went into the patient’s room they found her with a faint pulse. A nurse who had Toronto first aid training, performed CPR and she was then taken to the emergency room where she died. According to the citation, the death certificate listed the cause of death as aspiration pneumonia.

The citation said that “The facility failed to have an effective system in place to ensure … supervision to residents who are choking and who have requested CPR.” The nursing home also neglected to have proper equipment cleaned and ready in case an emergency occurred. This facility needs to implement standard procedures for when choking or other emergencies occur with their residents. A nurse should never leave a patient alone while choking. If she had to leave the room, she should have found another staff member to help in her absence. Nursing home neglect is becoming more of a problem as budgets and staffing decrease, but this is below standard care and the death of this woman could have been easily avoided.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility, pay attention to the quality of equipment and nursing staff. If 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.

Bed Sores – Stage 2, What to Do: Free Consultation

Bed sore lawyers urge patients to be on the look out for the deterioration of skin as a signal that a bed sore condition is worsening. Stage one of the pressure sore process begins with some slight changes to the skin that may not be easy to notice and therefore may not cause patients to seek medical attention. Stage two is more noticeable due to breaking in the top layer of skin. This should be apparent because a shallow open sore will develop.

How to Cope with the Second Stage of Bed Sores

new jersey philadelphia Bed Sore lawyers explain bedsores stage 2It is essential that people keep pressure off of the open sore in order to limit damage and irritation to the skin. Patients should also maintain good hygiene and a strong and nutritious diet. Although cleanliness is important, it is essential to delicately clean and dry the wound as opposed to a vigorous rubbing motion which could cause further damage. There are many important vitamins and nutrients which contribute to healthy skin. People should be sure to have a sufficient intake of protein, calories, zinc, iron, and vitamins A and C.

After consulting with your doctor, a number of possible treatments may be presented. It is sometimes proposed that patients clean their wound only with saline solution, as opposed to a more conventional soap and water technique. Secondly, patients may be required to check for signs of wound healing with each change of their dressing in order to monitor progress of the bed sore. We believe that most doctors will also be highly concerned with infection during stage two. If a wound seems to be infected, rather than healing, a consultation with a physician is necessary to re-evaluate treatment and possible causes of the problem.

Bed Sore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a pressure sore which you attribute to neglect or mistreatment, it is possible that you would like to speak with a bed sore attorney. 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.

Nursing Home Neglect – CEO Pockets Money at the Expense of Elderly

A majority of nursing homes and long-term care facilities are owned by for profit corporations. This means that there is an owner, who unfortunately is often in this business only for the money and not for the care of the sick and elderly. When corners are cut and staff is underpaid to add to the wealth of the corporation, nursing home neglect is bound to occur. It is a sad reality that most often the best care is given in the non-profit homes because all of the funding is put towards care and not in the pocket of a greedy corporate owner.

Avery Eisenreich Takes Advantage of Residents and Employees for Profit

Avery Eisenreich is the CEO and owner of Omni, a chain of nursing homes in New Jersey which includes Bristol Manor, Rochelle Park; Castle Hill, Union City; Harbor View, Jersey City; Palisade, Guttenberg; Cedar Hill, Cedar Grove; Chancellor, Irvington; Chateau at Rochelle Park; Hudson Manor, Secaucus; Newport, Jersey City; Pope John Paul/St. Mary’s, Orange; Riverton, Rahway; Riverview, Paterson; Silver Care, Cherry Hill; and St. Cloud, West Orange. Omni nursing homes are some of the worst in the state; 45% of short-stay residents at Rochelle Park will develop bed sores.

new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect CEO pockets monet expense elderlyEisenreich, who bought the nursing homes in 1991, is also misusing Omni funds for his own personal gain. In 2007, Omni made over 20 million dollars in profit while 90% of their funding comes from tax dollars. He was not using the money to improve facility care or increase employee salary. He paid caregivers as little as $7.90 an hour while he paid himself more than $1,500 an hour. He had not invested in training programs in over two years. Eisenreich would intimidate and harass his employees, refused to offer them a reasonable family healthcare plan, and created a hostile work environment. In 2009, 400 Omni workers went on strike that lasted three days to send a message to Eisenreich and the rest of Omni that they wanted fair treatment and pay.

Matt Stanton, a spokesperson for the company, says that they held 32 meetings with the union and in 2008 a final offer was given. Although the union rejected the offer, the terms were enacted that gave employees a pay increase of more than 19% over 5 years and “additional paid time off for many incumbent employees.” This is a start for Omni, but more money needs to be put towards improving the care of the residents. Avery Eisenreich is taking advantage of the elderly, his caregivers and the taxpayers in order to make himself more money.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident at a nursing home and you fear that the care they are receiving may be considered negligent or abusive, you should contact a nursing home neglect lawyer for help. 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.

Bed Sores – Stage 1 and Early Prevention: Free Consultation

We believe that it is essential to notice warning signs of bed sores and pressure ulcers as soon as possible in order to limit potential health issues down the road. Although bed sores are vaguely noticeable on the skin in the early stages, these wounds can quickly intensify and significantly impact the health of individuals. Bed sore attorneys stress the importance of frequently changing positions, especially in hospital beds and wheelchairs, as well as frequent skin examinations to catch bed sores before they develop. The risks are great when dealing with pressure sores and early prevention is the only way to ensure the health of loved ones.

The Beginning Stage of Bed Sores

new jersey philadelphia bed sores lawyers stage one early preventionAs pressure sores begin to develop, the skin will remain intact. This may confuse people into believing that it is simply a skin rash rather than the development of something more severe. People with a lighter complexion will notice that their skin is becoming red. Individuals with darker skin may not notice any significant changes in the coloring of the skin. People will also notice that their skin will not blanch, or briefly lighten, when it is touched or pressure is asserted.

Finally, bed sore attorneys say that the location of the bed sore may bring about many different sensations in patients. The pressure sore could be painful as skin begins to deteriorate. The skin may also begin to feel increasingly firm or soft, which will differ among individuals. The site of the pressure sore may also feel warmer or cooler than the other surrounding skin. All of these different appearances and sensations should be a warning sign that a bed sore is beginning to develop and medical attention is immediately necessary. We firmly believe that this discomfort forces many people to realize that they are not suffering from a normal rash therefore they immediately seek help and hopefully prevent a tragic outcome.

Bed Sore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a bed sore due to improper medical care or neglect, it is possible that you would like to speak with a bed sore attorney. 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.

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 DeathA 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.

Bed Sore Attorneys – CA Lawsuit Shows Typical Medical Center Conduct

Bed Sore AttorneysThe family of Esperanza Garcia has recently filed a complaint in Los Angeles County Superior Court following her death in October, 2010. Garcia’s daughter, Irene, is seeking general and special money damages as compensation for her mother’s pain and suffering, as well as costs and fees associated with the litigation. The complaint alleges that the Los Angeles Medical Center was reckless in their treatment and care of the ill woman. Esperanza was extremely ill when she entered the medical facility but she did not suffer from any bed sores or pressure ulcers at the time she entered the center. The bed sore attorneys said that once the bed sores began developing on the 64 year old woman, the personnel at the center did not report the severity of the ulcers or properly treat them.

Death Resulted Only One Day Following Removal From the Facility

The medical center should have been on notice that the elderly woman was at significant risk to develop bed sores because of the likelihood of skin breakdown. The center failed to follow any means of prevention in order to limit the possibility of bed sores. Not only did Garcia’s open wounds go untreated, she was also forced to continue to lie on them. Even worse, the woman was left uncared for in her own excrement for extended periods of time as the sores intensified. The bed sore attorneys found that rather than show the proper medical records, center officials deliberately covered up the documented pressure sores and attempted to re characterize them as merely a skin rash. Following this neglect, the family removed Garcia from the medical center but her condition had worsened beyond treatment and she passed away only a day later. Bed sore attorneys believe that this type of neglect and failure to understand the seriousness of bed sores is more prevalent than most would believe.

Bed Sore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member has recently suffered from pressure ulcers due to neglect or failed treatment, it is possible that you have some questions for bed sore attorneys. 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.

Nursing Home Abuse Captured on Camera by Neighbor

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are legally obligated to report incidents of neglect and abuse, however, they often go unreported. It is very important that if you have a loved one in a nursing home, that you visit often and pay close attention to any warning signs. It is then your responsibility to report these issues for their safety. One woman in North Carolina took action when she witnessed abuse occurring at a nursing home in her neighborhood.

Neighbors Fear for Residents’ Safety

nursing home abuse NJ PAAccording to a report from ENC Today, Sherri Taylor used her phone to record a video, between the blinds of a window in her home, of a staff member abusing a mentally ill patient at the Edwards Group Home in Hookerton, NC. Sherri and her husband Danny, a commissioner on the Hookerton Town Council, live near the facility. Sherri decided to capture the abuse on camera after Danny told her that he heard screaming coming from the home and witnessed a fist fight in the yard between a staff member and a mentally ill patient.

“He just took off running and shoved the patient, sending her several feet backwards before she fell to the ground… she was violently shaking and crying,” Taylor recalled.

They turned the video over to the authorities on May 17th. Two days following the incident, a dark mesh screen was placed over the fence of the home to block neighbor’s view.

This is not the only incident at the Edwards Group Home; the employees have failed to supervise their patients on numerous occasions. In one incident the neighbors had to call the fire department after a resident of the home set a shrub in the yard on fire. Several times, patients have escaped to roam the neighborhood, laying in the middle of the road, making crude comments, and asking strangers for food and help. This has caused Sherri Taylor and other neighbors to be very nervous, “If they are doing this in front of us in their own yard, who knows what is going on inside.” Sherri said. The video has led to an investigation of the home by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have witnessed your loved one or any nursing home resident being abused, or you fear that the care they are receiving may be considered negligent or abusive, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. 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.