Tag: birth defects

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Cleft Palate Development

new jersey philadelphia birth defects injuries attorneys cleft palate developmentBirth defects attorneys are often asked by their clients, “what caused my child’s cleft palate?” Unfortunately, there is little known about the actual cause of cleft lips and palates, but some information is known about certain contributing factors. A cleft (lip, palate, or both), which occurs in about 1 out of 700 babies born,is present where the palate does not fuse completely, meaning full development did not occur. Professionals know that there are a wide range of factors that can hinder development, like environmental factors, alcohol use, drug use, and genetics. Additionally, certain prescription medicines have been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lip/palates. So while there is no known exact cause for a cleft lip or palate, there certainly are contributing factors.

One Contributing Factor: Topamax (Topiramate)

One factor that contributes to the development of cleft lips and palates discussed above is prescription medicine. The drug Topamax, commonly used to treat migraine headaches and seizures, has been linked to increased incidents of cleft lips and palates. The FDA has recently announced its findings regarding the drug, and has downgraded it to Pregnancy Category D (meaning the drug has known pregnancy complications). There are legitimate uses for Topamax, but if it was taken prior to or during pregnancy it may be responsible for your child’s cleft lip or palate.

Birth Defects Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one has taken Topamax during or prior to pregnancy and has given birth to a child with a cleft lip or palate you have legal options. Our experienced professionals are willing and able to secure your fair compensation for your child’s birth defect, which will surely make recovery easier. It is important to act quickly as there may be time restrictions on filing a claim. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation and consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Birth Defects Attorneys Talk About The Cost of a Topamax Lawsuit

Whenever you hear someone talk about “their lawyer,” it is natural to wonder what the services of an attorney would cost. In many cases, lawyers’ fees are expensive, and in some instances, cost-prohibitive. When you are dealing with your child’s cleft lip or cleft palate birth defect, additional concerns, like the cost of a lawsuit, really have no place in your life. You are stressed enough as is, and providing care for your child is your number one priority. With this in mind, the caring and experienced birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office want to draw your attention to the true costs of trying your Topamax lawsuit.

Topamax Lawsuits and the Cost

The FDA has recently upgraded their warning to pregnant women about Topamax (Topiramate) to a Pregnancy Category D drug, meaning that there are recorded instances of negative pregnancy effects from the drug. In this case, Topamax has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and palates. Because Topamax can reasonably be assumed to be a contributing cause to these birth defects, the Mininno Law Office is willing to get you the compensation you deserve.

The Mininno Team

What is the cost? There is no upfront cost because the birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office work on what is called a “contingency basis.” This essentially means that the Mininno Law Office pays all the expenses for trying the case upfront, and you do not pay a cent. In exchange, when you recover a judgment or settlement, the birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office receive a percentage of the judgment. Essentially, the Mininno Law Office is paid only when you are, and you owe no money at all if no money is recovered. There really is nothing to lose by speaking with the birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office to discuss your options.

Birth Defects Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

The caring birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office are prepared to get the compensation that you and your family deserve for your child’s birth defect. If you believe that Topamax was a cause of your child’s cleft lip or palate do not hesitate to contact the Mininno Law Office at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia. As always, we do not get paid unless you do, and we offer free case evaluations and consultations.

Birth Defects Attorneys: Oral Clefts Cause Speech and Hearing Issues

Young children who are born with a cleft lip or cleft palate may experience speech and hearing problems as they grow older. Birth defects attorneys believe that speech-language pathology can often times be very beneficial to children with speech issues associated with these birth defects. Children who receive speech assistance at a young age are often times less likely to develop certain speech compensatory error patterns later in development. In dealing with a child’s hearing, a tympanostomy tube is often put into the eardrum in order to aerate the middle ear which should allow the child to improve hearing.

Problems with Speech in Children with Birth Defects

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys cleft lip palateThere are different reasons that children with certain birth defects may begin to develop speech problems. Professionals say that some of these problems are a direct result of the anatomical differences that are seen in people with cleft lip or cleft palate. On the other hand, attorneys say that it is also possible for children with birth defects to develop speech problems in different ways.

In some instances, speech errors develop because children with these craniofacial birth defects try to over compensate for their inability to produce the target phoneme. Although speech problems may develop from a variety of causes, it is essential that children receive treatment early and often from medical professionals to ensure that speech problems do not linger on any longer than necessary

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 an attorney would be needed. In some cases, there have been improper actions that may have led to your child’s birth defect and contacting our professionals 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.

Birth Defects Attorneys Inform about Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

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

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneysIn 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.

Birth Defects Attorneys: Timetable to Follow Up With Doctors After Surgery

After a cleft lip/cleft palate surgery, it is important to listen to your doctor’s guidelines and follow up based on the doctor’s instructions. Just like you regularly would check in with your birth defects attorneys, it is very important to check up with the medical team at the appropriate intervals. Your child is likely going to be in some pain after the surgery, and he or she needs to be given the appropriate time to heal before follow-up work is done. As always, follow your doctor’s instructions for the safest and most optimal recovery.

Follow Up Visits

Once your child is discharged, there are typically two follow up dates that are required. The first visit should be at seven to ten days after surgery. The second appointment should usually be at about three weeks after the surgery. Finally, if there happens to be a wound breakdown, it is usually advisable to wait at least six months after surgery to attempt to close it. This is because blood supply needs to be reestablished to the tissues.

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 birth defects attorneys is beneficial to your family’s physical and financial health. For example, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate), taken during pregnancy or during child-bearing years, has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and cleft palates. We are able to assist parents dealing with these issues. 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.

Birth Defects Attorneys: The Danger of Topamax

Topamax (Topiramate) is a drug produced by two divisions of Johnson & Johnson that is prescribed for two conditions; epilepsy and migraines. For both conditions, the drug is used preventatively. It can not relieve seizures or migraines already happening, but, taken on a regular basis, can help to prevent them from occurring. Off-label uses of the drug, for which Johnson & Johnson and Ortho-McNeil Neurologics were sued and found accountable, include bipolar disorder, alcoholism, obesity, infantile spasms, myoclonic seizures, and absence seizures. Professionals realize that because of the wide disbursement of the medication, many different people have been affected by its side effects, and need to be informed and warned about the dangers of its use.

What are the Dangers of Using Topamax?

new jersey philadelphia topamax topiramate cleft lip palate birth defects attorneysA recent FDA announcement warned that using Topamax has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and palates by over 21 times the normal rate. This side effect manifests in women who have taken Topamax while pregnant, or before becoming pregnant, but during child-bearing years. Topamax has been classified as a Pregnancy Category D drug, meaning there is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but usage of the drug may continue if medically necessary. If your child was born with a cleft lip, palate, or both, and you took Topamax while you were pregnant, or before becoming pregnant, it may be responsible for the development of your child’s birth defect.

Our attorneys caution you to consult your physician immediately, if you have not already done so, to discuss what these new dangers mean to you. Please note, that you should consult your physician before discontinuing usage of Topamax, as there may be complications associated with a rapid discontinuance.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a cleft palate/lip and you were taking Topamax before or during pregnancy you are wondering what are your legal rights. You may also be wondering what the cost will be to have legal representation. Our experienced professionals are here to help. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation and consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia. You and your child deserve compensation, so please do not hesitate.

Birth Defects Attorneys Communicate Cleft Palate Resources

We have been discussing cleft lip and palates in a variety of different topics on this blog, including surgery and medical care. However, it is important to know that there are other resources around the world (and web) that can be beneficial to helping your child overcome his cleft lip/palate birth defect. Our attorneys care about you and your family’s well-being and wish to provide a link to scholarship opportunities for students attending college.

The Cleft Palate Foundation’s College Scholarship

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys cleft palate resourcesOur birth defects attorneys believe that the Cleft Palate Foundation is an invaluable resource of knowledge for families with members who have a cleft lip or palate, of any age. While the website itself is a great resource for knowledge, they also have an annual scholarship fund, and applications for the 2012-2013 school year are being accepted until January 1st, 2012. It is uplifting to see the past recipients of the scholarship as well, because you can see their corrective surgery, as well as the bright future ahead of them. Please submit your application to them and good luck with the selection process.

Birth Defects Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

Our professionals are available for your needs. If your child was born with a birth defect, like a cleft lip or palate, your legal rights may have been affected. For instance, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to the development of cleft lip/palates. If you believe that this drug may have contributed to the development of your child’s birth defect contact the Mininno Law Office at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia for a free case evaluation and consultation.

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Non-Surgical Speech Options

The idea of having a surgery to correct a cleft palate or cleft lip has been discussed in a previous blog post and, in many cases, it is the correct decision for your child’s health. However, in cases where surgery may not be the best option due to health concerns or fears that the surgery will not be successful, there are other non-surgical treatment options. Our birth defects attorneys would like to highlight some effective, nonsurgical treatment options specifically targeted to help your child develop better speech.

Speech Bulbs and Palatal Lifts

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys non surgical speech optionsOnce your child starts to grow, your doctor may want to discuss appliances that can be put in his or her mouth, to make speech easier. The speech bulb may be suggested, which is a plastic ball that fits into the velopharyngeal space, which is then attached to a plastic plate fitted to the roof of the mouth and held in place by wire clasps. The size of the bulb will vary depending on the size of the velopharyngeal space. The bulbs function is to stop air and sound from escaping the nose during speech. It is removed at night before bed.

Another appliance that may be suggested is a palatal lift. This is similar to a speech bulb, but is a wider, plastic paddle that extends back into the mouth and lifts the soft palate up, closing the velopharyngeal space. Your child’s care team should be consulted to see which, if any, of these appliances is appropriate.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Many parents who have children with a cleft lip or cleft palate are often overwhelmed and, in some instances, confused about their legal rights and whether or not birth defects attorneys would even be needed. In some cases, there have been improper actions that may have lead to your child’s birth defect and contacting birth defects attorneys is beneficial to your family’s physical and financial health. For example, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate), taken during pregnancy or during child-bearing years, has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and cleft palates. We are able to assist parents dealing with these issues. 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.

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Velopharyngeal Dysfunction

After your child has a palate repair surgery, most people would think that they are out of the woods and nothing else will have to be done. Unfortunately, approximately 15-25% of children born with a cleft palate will develop Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). Our birth defects attorneys think that parents should be informed about the possibilities that may affect their child, and be able to react in a well-informed manner.

What is Velopharyngeal dysfunction?

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Velopharyngeal DysfunctionVelopharyngeal dysfunction occurs when the open space between the back wall of the throat and the soft palate cannot be properly closed during speech. Unfortunately, this results in an unwanted escape of air or sound through the nose during speech. Essentially, this dysfunction may result in what is called hyper-nasal speech. The sounds that create speech come from both the nose and the mouth. When we speak, the majority of those sounds should come from the mouth alone. Closing the velopharyngeal space allows people to build pressure in the mouth and make the appropriate speech sounds. When a VPD is present, air comes through the nose that should not, and speech becomes too nasal.

In many cases, after surgery has been completed, or if surgery is not going to be undertaken, there are other options that can be explore. There are appliances that your doctor may recommend that can help alleviate these issues and eliminate the hyper-nasal speech problem.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Giving birth to a child with a cleft lip or cleft palate begs the question,”Do I need the assistance of birth defects attorneys?” They are necessary when a birth defect is caused by a deviation in the standard of care. For example, contacting our experienced professionals would be beneficial to you and your child if Topamax (Topiramate) was taken during pregnancy. The FDA has recently announced that Topamax has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and palates. 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.

Birth Defects Attorneys Give Anti-Bullying Advice

new jersey philadephia birth defects attorneys anti bullying adviceYour child has a cleft lip and is about to start school and you are nervous that he or she may be the victim of a school bully. Our caring birth defects attorneys want to help you get ready for this. It is in any parent’s nature to want to nurture their child for as long as possible and shield them from the cruel outside world. Now that your child is school aged, this is less and less an option and you should be focusing and preparing your child for school and the social interactions that comes with it. As we all know from our school experiences, children can be cruel (although we are not suggesting that all children are). It is not to say that bullying will happen, just that it can happen, and you should take steps to prepare your child to deal with it in a positive way. We wish you and your child a happy school year and want it be as successful as possible.

Helping Your Child Understand Their Situation

It is important for your child to understand his or her condition in a way that helps them communicate to others what is different about them, as curious children may ask. Explaining this in a way that children can understand will be beneficial to your child and expose other children to the differences in people. Take the opportunity to make your child feel special and help him or her understand what is different (and special) about them.

It may go without saying, but taking photographs as your child matures is helpful so they can see their physical history and see it as “normal.” These photos document changes and help children have an opportunity to ask questions about their condition in a non-threatening environment.

In the case of a negative social interaction with another student, many parents get angry and want to confront the other child’s parents right away. Before you do, ask your child to express his or her feelings about it and try to understand what happened. Use this is a segue to discuss the birth defect in a positive way and ask how your child would like to proceed. Obviously, there are going to be situations where confronting the other parents is necessary, even if your child does not want to. But in some situations, letting kids work out their own differences, with a little adult help, can be beneficial.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

In many cases, parents of a child with a cleft lip or palate ask if they need the services of birth defects attorneys. Due to the nature of the birth defect, lawyers would do little good. However, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lip/palates. If you believe that Topamax may be involved with your child’s cleft palate/lip 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.