Tag: lawyer

Nursing Home Abuse: Account Manager Steals and Nurse’s Aid Slaps

Nursing home abuse is not necessarily limited to physical or verbal abuse. Financial abuse is becoming more prevalent as the economy worsens. The elderly, a vulnerable and often trusting population, are an easy target for financial abuse. Frequently checking into your loved ones accounts is vital in preventing this crime from taking place. Be highly selective of who is allowed access into bank accounts. Even employees of a nursing home could have devious intentions.

Staff Member Steals $28,000 from 94 Residents

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A Connecticut nursing home is being fined $3,000 after $27,472 was stolen from 94 residents by a staff member. The administrators of the Village Green of Waterbury discovered the theft in October. According to administrator Linda Garcia, the nursing home’s account manager had full access to the resident’s accounts. She would make a request on behalf of a resident to withdrawal money, but requested more than the resident and kept the difference for herself. “We asked her for an explanation. When she couldn’t provide one, we terminated her,” said Garcia. The nursing home is currently in the process of reimbursing all of the residents. According to an inspection report by the state Department of Health, “money was withdrawn from cognitively impaired residents’ accounts without the responsible parties’ consent.”

Another incident of nursing home abuse that the facility is being fined for is an event in June when a nurse’s aide slapped a resident on the shoulder in order to wake him up and yelled “get out!” The resident happened to be the president of the resident’s council and reported the incident. There was an internal investigation held by the nursing home and the aide was fired.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

We recommend that you monitor your elderly loved one’s finances closely to avoid financial abuse. 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, or that they are being taken advantage of financially, 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.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Reach Agreement with Abusive Nursing Aide

Physical violence and abuse towards the elderly and other vulnerable populations is unfortunately prevalent in our society. As nursing home abuse lawyers , we come across horrible cases of abuse and neglect almost daily. It is important that facility administrators continue to monitor all employees no matter their past performance and that family members pay close attention to their loved ones when they visit.

Woman Pleaded No Contest to Charges of Elder Abuse

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers agreement aide shawna hardesty
Shawna Hardesty, a former nursing assistant, has been accused of intentionally abusing a patient in the nursing home where she used to work. She is being charged with repeatedly punching a 93 year old woman in the forehead, resulting in a baseball sized bruise. According to the complaint, Hardesty had hit the elderly woman on several occasions and, on August 2, 2010, she punched her three times on the forehead, causing a headache and a large bruise. The elderly woman told authorities, “Every time she (Hardesty) comes in this room, I get a biff,” displaying a closed fist.

Hardesty entered into a two year deferred prosecution agreement where she pleaded no contest to the charges but will maintain innocence. She must undergo anger management and counseling, complete 40 hours of community service during the first year and she is not allowed to work or volunteer as a caregiver. She may care for relatives and children. Her employment at the nursing home has been terminated after working at the care center for about a year.

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.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Discuss “Granny Cams”

There has been some debate over the use of “granny cams” in nursing home facility patient rooms. As technology advances, more and more people are placing cameras in the rooms of their elderly loved ones in order to catch or prevent abuse. Our nursing home abuse lawyers have written about numerous cases of abuse that were discovered because the family suspected something was wrong and decided to place a hidden camera in order to prove suspected mistreatment.

The Debate over Hidden Cameras in Nursing Homes

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers discuss granny cameras Cases have been reported all over the country in which the use of cameras has helped catch abusive and/or negligent nursing home employees. There is still some debate, however, over the privacy issues with hidden cameras in patient rooms. Those against the use of cameras have said that they would,

  1. make hiring new staff more difficult;
  2. cause misinterpretations of incidents; and
  3. violate resident and employee privacy issues.

There are many facilities and individual advocates for the elderly that support the use of hidden cameras. Supporters argue that that the cameras are an effective way to monitor employees that mistreat the elderly residents. According to Georgia Anetzberger, president-elect of the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse,

“Cameras are used to catch people more than ever before, not just because the technology is there but because it’s more widely accepted.”

Texas is one of the few states that have created laws approving the use of cameras in nursing home facilities. Residents and their families have the right to place cameras if they choose. Patty Ducayet, the state’s long-term care ombudsman, said

“I really do think it is a deterrent… People know you’ve got a device in your room…I think it does have the potential to influence the way someone behaves and cares for you in the privacy of your room.”

Even though the use of “granny cams” has increased, it is still a small part of the population that has opted to use the technology. Most families either do not feel that hidden cameras are necessary, or they don’t want to impose on their loved ones by constantly recording them in their rooms. But these cameras have been vital to the numerous cases of nursing home abuse that otherwise may not have been able to be proven. It should be the resident themselves and their families’ choice whether they want to place cameras in their rooms or not.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility, we encourage you to visit frequently and be very observant of any scratches, bruises or anything that does not look right. 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 with one of our nursing home abuse lawyers at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys: Insurance Costs and Capped Damages

Within the recent whirlwind of tort reform debates, two topics consistently raised are the rising cost of insurance and the potential of capped damages. Victims of medical negligence, such as patients and their families, do not like the idea of capped damages because there is a possibility that capping damages could prevent victims from being fully compensated. Doctors, on the other hand, are fearful of the rising cost of insurance. This group of people will claim that if a high number of medical malpractice claims reach trial, this will force physicians to acquire more insurance which will be pushed off on to the general public, leading to increased health care costs. Medical malpractice attorneys argue that it is important to strike a balance in the tort reform battle.

Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform

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Some experts maintain that caps on damage awards from medical malpractice cases will reduce the number of “frivolous” lawsuits and therefore decrease the amount of malpractice insurance premiums. Some lawyers will claim that enacting these caps will have a much bigger effect by threatening to take away an individual’s rights to compensation following a preventable medical error. Frivolous lawsuits represent an extremely small portion of lawsuits and it is unlikely that a jury would return a verdict in favor of such a claim.

A second major issue discussed by some experts is that medical malpractice claims are driving up malpractice insurance premiums, causing a rise in health care costs. Medical malpractice attorneys have a different view and associate the increase in malpractice premiums with the sluggish state of our economy. Malpractice costs are less than two percent of total health care spending and therefore not likely the blame for the rise in health care costs in our country.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member have recently been the victim of medical negligence, 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 Neglect Lawyers: CNAs Took Unauthorized Photo of Resident

Unfortunately, among a sea of good, attentive, and compassionate nursing home caregivers, exists a great many negligent, abusive, and careless nursing home caregivers. As nursing home neglect lawyers, we hear about, on a daily basis, different types of abuse ranging from the horrible cases that end in serious injury and even death, to cases where the staff takes advantage of their power through inappropriate behavior such as theft, fraud, or sexual abuse.

CNAs Shared Cellphone Photo of Resident with Other Staff Members

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The Colonial Hills Nursing Center in Tennessee has undergone an investigation after two certified nursing assistants took an unauthorized photo on a cell phone of a resident and then forwarded the photo to “an undisclosed number of staff members” and one of the CNA’s teenage daughter. On July 22, the shoulders-up, fully clothed photo was taken after a clean brief fell on the resident’s head. They took the photo because they found the incident “humorous” and “endearing.” The picture was said to be blurry and the resident was not clearly identifiable. Both CNAs were fired and the facility was fined $6,000 from the state and $4,550 a day from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services until the violations are corrected. According to the report, the incident was “a violation of dignity” and the facility failed to protect the resident, enforce policies against employees using cellphones in patient areas and taking photos in the home, and to properly investigate the incident. The state suspended admissions to the nursing home after inspections found more violations. The facility submitted a plan for correcting their problems and the state lifted the suspension.

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 the 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.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Vet Dies from Lethal Drug Combination

Chris Anglesey was a 32 year old U.S. Army veteran who was awarded a Bronze Star after he was partially disabled when his vehicle was hit by a rocket propelled grenade on its way to helping a downed helicopter. He suffered traumatic brain injury and post traumatic stress disorder, which he was being treated for at the George E. Whalen Veterans Administration Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. After surviving war, medical malpractice lawyers are now fighting to get his widow compensation for his death after a medication mistake.

VA Hospital Doctors Did Not Monitor Drug Combination

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys Chris Anglesey irak vet caseLast year Anglesey went to the VA hospital after he tripped and fell over some toys in his home. He suffered a broken right tibial plateau and was kept overnight but sent home the next day with some painkillers. He returned to the hospital three days later with respiratory problems and required oxygen. Two days after that, the veteran was found unresponsive in his home and was not able to be revived.

Chris Anglesey’s wife, Kathy Anglesey, has filed a lawsuit claiming that her husband died due to a medication mistake at the hospital. She claims that he was prescribed drugs for his knee injury that should have not been combined with the drugs he was already taking. The cause of death was “mixed drug intoxication and pulmonary embolism due to (or a consequence of) recent right leg fracture.” The autopsy found six drugs in his system, hydromorphone, morphine, zolpidem, promethazine, mirtazepine and citalopram, drugs that treat pain, insomnia, allergies, and depression. Anglesey took the medication that was prescribed to him according to the instructions he was given. According to the suit, the doctors allegedly did not look closely enough at the risk of the interaction between what they were prescribing and what he was already taking. The second time he came to the hospital should have been a warning to the doctors that something was wrong.

Chris worked as a paramedic/firefighter and survived war in Iraq, only to die at 32 because his doctors made a fatal error. Anglesey’s medical malpractice lawyer is seeking damages that cover medical expenses, funeral services, lost earnings and financial support as well as lost love, comfort, and protection.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member has recently been the victim of medical negligence, and you would like to speak to someone about your legal options please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation with one of our medical malpractice lawyers at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Put Rapist Away for Nine Years

Sexual nursing home and elder abuse is one of the most disgraceful forms that nursing home abuse lawyers face. To abuse their power and take advantage of a vulnerable elderly person in that way is shameful. Kevin Burns was sentenced to nine years in prison on September 13, 2011 after pleading guilty to raping an elderly woman in the Friend’s Care Nursing Home in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where she was a resident and he was working. Burns said in court “I’m sorry for what I’ve done to them.”

Nursing Home Employee Pleaded Guilty to Raping Elderly Resident

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As part of a deal that Burns reached with the prosecutors, he pleaded guilty to one count of rape and the two other charges were dropped. This deal was reached because prosecutors felt it saved everyone from going to trial and according to Assistant Prosecutor Jeff Hunter, “The defendant stepped up and acknowledged what was done as opposed to dragging victims through a court process and trial.“. After Burns serves his nine years in prison he will have five years of probation and have to register as a tier 3 sex offender, which is the strictest of the classifications. During the court hearing, the defendant admitted to struggling with an addiction to pornography. He said “I should have went to them and told them I was struggling with that and should have asked to be put on leave until I could take care of it. I tried to take care of it myself but didn’t, didn’t do it.”

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility, we encourage you to visit frequently and be very observant of their treatment as well as their living conditions. 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.

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Psychosocial Problems in Children

Many children who suffer from oral malformations like cleft lips or cleft palates will also suffer from the psychosocial problems associated with looking different from everyone else at a young age. Often, doctors will suggest surgery when a child is born with a birth defect , in hopes of correcting the issue and allowing a child to live a normal and healthy life, free of rejection and taunting connected with their birth defect. Unfortunately, some people do not have their malformations corrected in their early years and those individuals are at a higher risk to develop issues with self image and self esteem.

The Challenge with Adolescents

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys psychosocial problems childrenAs children grow older, a birth defect may have a more drastic effect on their self-esteem, social skills, and behavior. This elevated risk could have a dramatic influence on how individuals view themselves and could harm their ability to form relationships with peers. Increased anxiety and dissatisfaction with peer relationships can probably be linked to the associated stigma of visible deformities and speech abnormalities. The challenge for families of adolescents with birth defects is to be aware of the psychosocial challenges that these people may face. Professionals note that it is well documented, through various forms of research, that these individuals face some difficult challenges as they grow older. Birth defects attorneys urge parents and families to seek professional help if any issues do arise.

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. In cases where Topamax is involved, our professionals will indeed be necessary. Topamax is an anti-epileptic drug used to treat epileptic seizures and migraine headaches. The drug has been shown to cause the development of oral clefts in utero when taken by pregnant women. If you given birth to a child with a cleft lip or cleft palate and you believe Topamax may be to blame, 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.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Warn About Medication Errors in Infants

Unfortunately, medication errors occur in hospitals far too often. In adult patients, these mistakes can cause a variety of problems, but in children and infants, the slightest variation from the prescribed dosage can be fatal. As medical malpractice attorneys , we see these unfortunate cases all of the time and want to remind new parents that infants are much more vulnerable when it comes to medications and need to be monitored closely.

Family Sues after Infant Dies from IV with 60 Times the Ordered Sodium Dose

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys warn about infant medication errorsFritzie and Cameron Burkett have filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Advocate Lutheran General Hospital for the death of their 6-week-old son Genesis Burkett. On October 15, 2010 Genesis died only one month and nine days after he was born prematurely because of a preventable medication error at the hospital. The pharmacy technician incorrectly filled the doctor’s orders for the IV fluid and the boy was given “approximately 60 times the dose of sodium ordered by the physician.” Originally, the bag was labeled correctly but was relabeled, displaying an incorrect dosage. Advocate Healthcare spokeswoman Kelly Jo Golson acknowledged an “error” saying “A hospital error led to the incorrect concentration of sodium in [Genesis’s] IV solution…Our prayers continue to be with the family.”

According to the family’s medical malpractice lawyer Patrick Salvi, the parents “are devastated. They had a couple of failed pregnancies that ended in miscarriages in the early months, but this child was doing very, very well… The innocent infant died of malpractice, plain and simple. And we intend on proving it in court.”

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member has recently suffered the wrongful death of an infant or has been the victim of medical negligence, and you would like to speak to someone about your legal options please 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.

Elder Abuse Lawyers: Elderly Woman Escapes Abusive Caretaker

As elder abuse lawyers, we want to increase the awareness of elder and nursing home abuse and hopefully help prevent the elderly from falling victim to all different forms of elder abuse. We want to encourage people that, even if they find themselves being taken advantage of physically, mentally or financially, it is never too late to escape the abuse. If you are not being taken care of or treated with dignity and respect by a caretaker, it is time to escape the situation. By alerting someone you trust, you can take the first step towards bettering you’re situation. Do not be afraid to call 911 or an ambulance if you need medical attention because of neglect or abuse.

Woman Rushed to the Hospital for Severe Weight Loss and Bedsores

new jersey philadelphia elder abuse lawyers elderly woman escapes abusive caretakerLea Marie Hughes, 36, was arrested for vulnerable adult abuse of the 64-year-old woman that she had been caring for. Hughes, her boyfriend, and her two children moved into the home of the victim five years ago so Hughes could begin caring for the woman who has multiple sclerosis and has been bedridden for two years. When a visitor recently came to the house, the elderly woman asked that person to take a picture of her back. When the victim saw how bad the bedsore on her back was she asked to be taken to the hospital. At the Tucson Medical Center they discovered that the bedsore was open to the bone. The victim weighed 90 pounds and needed a blood transfusion.

When the police began to investigate Hughes, they discovered that the home was littered with garbage, maggot infested rotten food, dog feces, urine, and vomit. The victim told police that Hughes gave her one sponge bath a week, only allowed her to drink one and a half quarts of liquid a day (so she would not have to use the bathroom), and only fed her between 700 and 1,000 calories per day. She said that she had only been outside twice and had not seen a doctor in over a year. She kept a diary of all of the abuse that she suffered under Hughes’ care. Hughes and her family were evicted from the victim’s home and all power of attorney privileges were revoked. She is facing charges of elder and child abuse as well as suspicion of unlawful imprisonment and emotional abuse of a vulnerable adult. The victim saw an opportunity to save herself from the abuse she was suffering and took advantage of it.

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently under the care of an individual, or they are 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 to speak with elder abuse lawyers 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.