Defective Products Attorneys Secure $40 Million Verdict for Victim’s Family

new jersey philadelphia defective products attorneys kia motors tiffany stablerDefective products attorneys work to serve two groups of people: their immediate clients who have been injured and are in need of compensation, and the public at large, who are put into harm’s way with a defective product.

Recently, in Alabama, a verdict was found against KIA Motors for the death of 16 year old Tiffany Stabler, who was tragically killed after being ejected from her KIA as a result of a collision. Tiffany’s father purchased the car as a gift, and took it to the dealership to make sure everything was in working order. If the recall had been issued in time, Tiffany would still be alive today.

In 2002, KIA recalled nearly 190,000 vehicles from 1995-1998 for defective seat belts, which made a latch noise, but never closed. However, this recall was a month too late for Tiffany, who was killed before the recall was issued. The family’s defective products attorneys were able to secure a sizable judgment for the family, which they most certainly deserve.

How Defective Products Attorneys Help the Public

The Stabler family’s defective products attorneys assisted the Stabler family in receiving compensation, for sure. But they have also helped the public at large, by winning a judgment that will surely make KIA Motors re-think it’s business practices in order to make cars safer for consumers. When a product is defective, defective product attorneys are an important part of the system to insure that market forces mandate a change in the manufacturing of that product. Changing dangerous products is beneficial to everyone as a whole.

Defective Products Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or your family members have been injured by a defective product, it is important to act quickly to protect your legal rights. Our experienced professionals are available to assist you in getting the compensation you and your family 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.

Bed Sore Attorneys: Nursing Home Lawsuit to be Filed

Robert McLean and his guardian, Pam Dirnberger, filed a lawsuit in St. Clair County Circuit Court, in Illinois. The lawsuit was filed against Calvin Johnson Care Center, which is also known as Eldercare Inc. McLean, a disabled man with a mental illness, was a former resident of the Calvin Johnson Care Center. Bed sore attorneys say that during his time at the healthcare center, McLean developed severe pressure ulcers all over his body. The man was left in extreme pain, and as is the case with many bed sore victims, it may have been due to nursing home neglect.

Plaintiffs Seek Over One-Hundred Thousand in this Case of Severe Bed Sores

new jersey philadelphia bed sore attorneys Robert McLean Calvin Johnson Care CenterMcLean and Dirnberger, the plaintiffs, claim that Eldercare’s neglect led to the extreme pain that was inflicted due to the bed sores. Bed sore attorneys also believe that the plaintiffs will argue that the defendants have violated the Illinois’ Nursing Home Care Act because of their failure to properly recognize and treat a man who was so clearly in need of assistance. The complaint also alleges that the defendants failed to properly care for McLean’s sores, also known as decubitus ulcers, which arose on several parts of the man’s body. Professionals say that there may be a claim because it appears that these employees were not properly caring for the pressure ulcers. They also argue that the defendants may be liable for their failure to properly train staff to adequately monitor patients in need. Although the outcome will be decided by a jury down the road, bed sore attorneys urge victims to seek help from their families or any healthcare provider because these sores can be extremely detrimental to a person’s health.

Bed Sore Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one has recently suffered from a bed sore, you may have questions for our professionals regarding your legal rights for. In cases where you suspect that neglect or mistreatment played a factor in the development of the bed sore, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600, or in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380.

Bed Sore Attorneys Win New York Man $5.4 Million in Damages

Robert Messina, a sixty three year old New York man, was awarded $5.4 million in damages after he developed severe bedsores which went untreated. Bed sore attorneys believe that this amount of damages is not uncommon because the injury caused by severe pressure ulcers can be very serious and even life threatening. The injury occurred at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), and Messina is now unable to walk after the bed sores led to a significant hip infection. Bed sores can be very dangerous when they are not properly treated and it is essential to monitor patients who have limited mobility because of the lack of blood flow and increased pressure on certain body parts.

Bed Sores are a Preventable Condition that Present Large Dangers

new jersey philadelphia bed sore attorneys robert messina siuh Golden Gate rehab centerA brain dysfunction caused Messina to collapse and landed him in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation centers beginning in late August of 2006. Several days after his admission into the hospital, he was diagnosed with bedsores. He began to develop the bedsores at SIUH and Golden Gate Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Professionals say that Messina’s bed sores worsened until ulcers were developed on his mouth, buttocks, ankles, and genitals. Many of these bed sores had healed by the time he entered Golden Gate Rehabilitation Center. Various health problems sent Messina back and forth between the hospital and the rehab center over the next year. He can no longer walk due to a dislocated hip and he is unable to receive a replacement because of the infection which was caused by the bedsores. The New York Supreme Court jury assigned to this case found SIUH 75% responsible for the developments and complications of the bedsores. Bed sore attorneys say that this means that the hospital is liable for $4 million of the total awarded to Messina.

Bed Sore Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one has recently suffered from a bed sore, you may have questions regarding your legal rights. In cases where you suspect that neglect or mistreatment played a factor in the development of the bed sore, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600, or in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380.

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.

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Cleft Lip Dental Options

Unfortunately, when a child is afflicted with a birth defect like a cleft palate or cleft lip, there are other physical manifestations of the birth defect that must be dealt with. One of the major physical issues confronting children with cleft lip/palates is that they may need serious dental attention. The cleft usually occurs between the cuspid (eye tooth) and the lateral incisor. Possible dental issues include: a missing lateral incisor, two lateral incisors on both sides of the cleft, poorly formed teeth (with misshapen crowns and/or roots), and displaced teeth. We want you to be informed about the potential issues related to your child’s unfortunate birth defect and be able to take the appropriate actions.

Your Child’s Dentistry Needs

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys topamax cleft lip dental optionsAlthough this may seem overwhelming, children born with a cleft lip/palate can still have healthy teeth. Proper cleaning, good nutrition, and fluoride treatment is necessary. The teeth should be cleaned with a small, soft-bristled toothbrush, as soon as the teeth are visible. Early evaluation is critical, with many dentists recommending the first visit being scheduled at one year of age, or in some cases, even sooner. What dental work your child needs will be determined by the dentist, which can be as simple as preventative care, or can be extensive including dental surgery.

It may be necessary for orthodontic care to be sought, even before the child has any teeth. This is to assess facial growth and plan for the child’s short and long term dental needs. If the teeth do not fit together correctly, braces will most likely be necessary.

Birth Defects Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

Parents who have children with a cleft lip or palate are often confused about their legal rights and whether or not birth defects attorneys are necessary. In many cases, birth defects attorneys are not necessary, because the cause is usually natural. However, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and palates. In this situation, it would be beneficial to contact the Mininno Law Office: Our experienced and caring birth defects attorneys off a free case evaluation and consultation. You may call 856-833-0600 in New Jersey, or 215-567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Insurance “Gate Keeping”

birth defects attorneys in nj and paAs experienced birth defects attorneys, the Mininno Law Office has significant experience dealing with insurance companies. To you, it seems simple: your child has a medical issue (like a cleft palate), you have valid insurance for which you’ve paid your premium, and your child should receive medical care. As you may have unfortunately found out by now, it is not always this simple. A seemingly unwritten tool in many insurance companies’ belt is “gate keeping.” Ultimately, even if your claim has merit, the insurance company denies and delays treatment in the hopes that you become frustrated and go away. This is done in many ways, including excessive forms to fill out, waiting for confirmations, and outright denials. If you have dealt with insurance companies before, this frustration is probably no surprise.

Protecting Yourself From Gate Keeping

We’ve all heard the cliche “Knowledge is Power.” This is an absolute truth when it comes to fighting to get what you need from insurance companies.

First, you should make an effort to stay abreast with the relevant laws. This may seem difficult, as they change often, but being able to quote a law can be very helpful when talking with an insurance officer. Sometimes, representation by birth defects attorneys can be useful, but more often, a little research goes a long way.

Second, you should know your policy inside and out. Many times, the insurance representative is making an educated (and usually good natured) guess as to what the company will allow. If you know your policy, you can tell them exactly what you have paid for and what they should provide. It is inevitable to get rejected in some cases, but never accept a “No” without appealing. Carefully word your responses to indicate the medical necessity of the procedure.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia?

There are many factors that influence whether you need the services of birth defects attorneys. In many cases, the cause of the birth defect is natural, and there is little birth defects attorneys can do for you. In other cases, there are external factors involved in the development of your child’s birth defect and the experienced birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office can be of assistance. For example, the FDA just announced that the drug Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lip/palates.

If you believe that Topamax may have contributed to your child’s development of a cleft lip or palate 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 Provide Questions for Your Surgeon

Surgery can be a scary proposition, especially if performed on your child. However, there are certain questions that can ground your expectations of surgery, and help glean information regarding the qualifications of your surgeon. The caring and experienced birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office would like to offer a list of basic questions that you can ask your surgeon in the event that you are uncertain about the procedure and have not yet made a decision to have your child undergo it. While surgery is no small matter, it is important to realize that this step is greatly beneficial for your child and his or her overall well being.

What to Ask your Surgeon Regarding Oral Cleft Repair Procedures

nj and pa birth defects attorneysYou may want to ask some of the following questions to get a better feel for the procedure your child will undergo, as well as the knowledge and capabilities of your surgeon.

  1. How many cleft lip/palate corrective procedures has your surgeon performed?
  2. What are the risks and complications associated with the procedure?
  3. How are these complications handled?
  4. What options are available if the surgery is unsuccessful?
  5. What kind of results can you expect? Are there before and after photos that you can look at?  

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Many people who have a child born with a cleft lip or palate are confused about the cause of the birth defect and their legal rights. Most cleft lip/palate defects are believed to be caused through genetics and environmental factors. However, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and palates.

If you believe that your child’s cleft lip/palate may have been influenced by your use of Topamax, it is important to act now and contact the experienced birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office. Contact the Mininno Law Office in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600 or in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Cleft Palate Surgery Steps

nj and pa birth defects attorneysIf your child was born with a cleft lip or palate, you most likely have considered the option of surgery to correct the birth defect. However, many people talk about surgery but do not know what it actually entails. The caring and experienced birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office believe that knowledge of a procedure is essential to an informed decision. There are three essential steps to a cleft palate surgery;

  1. Anesthesia,
  2. Incision, and
  3. Closing Incision.

Elaborating on the Three Essential Steps of Cleft Lip/Palate Surgery

First, your child is given anesthesia for his or her comfort during the surgery. There are choices between intravenous sedation and general anesthesia, and your doctor will recommend the best choice for your child.

Second, for a cleft lip surgery, the doctor attempts to close the lip, to provide a more normal function and structure. Incisions are made on the lip and the tissue is drawn together and stitched to close the cleft. The repair of a cleft palate requires repositioning of tissues and muscles to close the cleft and rebuild the roof of the mouth, which is then stitched at the midline of the roof and allows for normal feeding and speech development.

The third step, closing the incisions, is done in such a way that the scar lines up with the normal ridge of the lip. This helps prevent the scar from standing out and helps it appear completely normal.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Parents of children born with a cleft palate birth defect are sure to have questions about their legal rights. In many situations, there is little that can be done because the birth defect is genetic or caused by environmental factors. However, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate) has increased the likelihood of the development of a cleft lip/palate.

If you believe that your use of Topamax may have contributed to your child’s cleft palate, act now and contact the Mininno Law Office. The experienced birth defect attorneys of the Mininno Law Office can be reached at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia for a free consultation or case evaluation.