lawyers Archives - Page 23 of 34 - New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Bed Sore Lawyers Offer Practical Advice on Nursing Home Neglect

The nursing home neglect and bedsore lawyers at the Mininno Law Office would like you to know that most bed sores and pressure ulcers are preventable and, with proper care, can usually be avoided.

Risk Factors of Bed Sores and Steps for Prevention

NJ and PA Nursing Home Abuse and Bed Sore Lawyers
There is an increased chance of bed sores when certain risk factors are evident, including,

confinement,
immobility,
loss of bladder/bowel control,
poor nutrition, and
decreased mental awareness.

However, patients deserve the respect of proper care, which should include regular bathing, repositioning (in accordance with the needs of the patient), nutrition, and medical attentiveness. Bed sores occur when nursing home staff and personnel are inattentive and unsympathetic o the needs of their patients. Whether through malice or just under staffing, this disregard for proper care allows patients to lay for too long in their beds and opens a door for the bed sore formation. Bedridden patients who cannot care for themselves are must be re-positioned at least once every two hours, to prevent these painful and often fatal afflictions from forming.

Anyone with a loved one who is a bedridden nursing home resident, should do all in their power to make sure their loved one is receiving the proper bed sore prevention care. While the vast majority of medical personnel are kind and careful, those who are overworked or careless, can cause significant pain to those they should be protecting.

Be vigilant and protect the ones you love by being involved in your family member’s care.

Bed Sore Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one has recently suffered from a bed sore, then you may questions concerning 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 Defect Attorneys – Topamax Could be a Leading Cause of Cleft Lip

Topamax is a popular prescription drug, used to help prevent epileptic seizures and migraine headaches. Birth defect attorneys have recently discovered, via an issued warning from the FDA, that Topamax use during pregnancy may cause oral malformations, such as a cleft lip or cleft palate, in newborn children. The formation of a cleft lip forces a young child to undergo surgery (or surgeries) within the first three months of birth in order to repair the cleft or clefts. Cleft lip can have many damaging consequences on both the baby and the mother, which is why it’s essential to fix the problem as soon as possible. Birth defect attorneys recommend that mother’s seek medical assistance as soon as possible and avoid the use of Topamax during pregnancy.

Post Childbirth Surgery

The recommended age for cleft lip or cleft palate correction surgery is generally ten weeks following birth. Two surgeons, Wilhelmmesen and Musgrave, coined the “rule of ten”, calling for children suffering from cleft lip to be at least ten weeks old, weigh ten pounds, and have at least 10g hemoglobin before an operation.

Birth defect attorneys have learned that children suffering from a bilateral cleft may need to undergo two surgeries to close each side separately. Also, children who have an incomplete cleft lip may be required to have the same exact procedure as those with a complete cleft. Although mothers may dread the thought of subjecting their baby to surgery at such a young age, it is usually the only logical route to take. Those babies who have the surgery within 2-3 months following birth are likely to fully recover and have a minimally noticeable scar. Birth defect attorneys and medical professionals alike stress the importance of mothers meeting with both medical experts and family members to choose a plan that works best for them and their child. Although potentially scary and nerve-racking, birth defects, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, can be easily treated, allowing kids to lead perfectly normal and happy lives.

Birth Defect Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a cleft lip or cleft palate birth defect, and you believe it is attributable to your use of Topamax during pregnancy, you probably have some questions for a birth defects 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.

Birth Defects Attorneys Give Pre-Operative Cleft Palate Tips

Our birth defects attorneys would like to present some information about treatment of your child’s cleft palate before the performance of surgery to correct the issue. Often times, children with oral clefts and malformations will have breathing difficulties because a cleft palate can obstruct the airway. This is frightening, and in some very rare emergency cases, a tracheotomy is necessary. However, in most cases, when correct and adequate breathing is compromised, oxygen can be provided through tubes to the child. Additionally, because of the difficulty involved with sucking and swallowing, special feeding techniques will be necessary. Because this makes the acquisition of nutrients harder than usual, it his important to monitor the nutrition and hydration levels of children suffering from these facial birth defects.

In preparation for the surgery that will attempt to (and most often does) correct the cleft palate, a child may have to wear dental supports immediately after birth or within the first two to three weeks. The function of these supports, which are made from plastic or metal molds, is to reshape an infant’s tissues. Ultimately, the end goal is a surgical correction and these tips help make that possible.

Birth Defects Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

Many people who have a child with a cleft lip/palate ask themselves what caused it. More often than not, the answer to this question doesn’t have an exact answer. However, the FDA recently announced that the drug Topamax (topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of a cleft palate/lip. It is important to contact our experienced professionals now in order to protect your legal rights. Do not hesitate to contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600, and in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys File Lawsuit for Child’s Death

Medical malpractice attorneys have filed a lawsuit in Nebraska, in the Douglas County District Court, following a case of medical malpractice which led to the death of a two year old. Almariah Izabel Duque was approaching two years of age when her life came to an abrupt end. The young girl was given ten times the recommended dose of heparin as she was undergoing kidney dialysis. We have unfortunately found that this type of tragic occurrence is not uncommon in the medical world today.

Family Seeking Damages for Their Little Girl’s Death

new jersey philadelphia Medical Malpractice Attorneys file lawsuit heparin drug death The Duques brought their baby girl to Nebraska for a transplant after she was born with congenital defects. Almariah received a pancreas, liver, and small bowel transplant in late December of 2009. She was discharged from the hospital a few months later but quickly returned as she developed an infection.

The infection caused her kidneys to shut down, requiring her to undergo dialysis. The problem arose when the pump, used to disperse heparin, malfunctioned. The young child was given nearly ten times the proper dose. The mistake was not discovered for five hours and it caused severe bleeding in Almariah’s brain. The young girl passed away two short days later. The parents of the girl have filed a lawsuit seeking money damages for Almariah’s wrongful death, her suffering while she was living, and their emotional distress over losing their young child.

We also believe that the family will challenge the constitutionality of a state law which caps the maximum medical malpractice verdict award at $1.75 million. This issue has been litigated before, and in 2003, four judges left the door open for a challenge of this law because it may infringe on the right to due process.

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.

Birth Defects Attorneys Remind You About Success Stories

Our caring and experienced birth defects attorneys would like to remind parents of children with a cleft palate/lip birth defect that there is hope available. When you first learn of your baby’s diagnosis, several emotions hit all at once, including shock, disappointment, sadness, and anxiety. Of course, these are all reasonable emotions to experience, but it is important to remember that there are correct procedures for your baby, and he will live a happy and fulfilling life. The option of surgery is effective, and a search through internet resources will reveal many different success stories of corrected cleft palates. These children had their clefts corrected and now are living a normal life. Keep these success stories in mind while you provide for your child and his needs.

Sometimes parents ask what caused their baby to develop a cleft palate. In many cases the answer is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to say. There are many different environmental factors that can lead to the development of a cleft palate. However, in some cases, there may a clear indication of what caused the cleft palate. For example, the FDA recently announced that the drug Topamax (topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lip/palates. If you believe that this drug was a contributing factor in the development of your child’s cleft lip/palate you may have questions regarding your legal rights, especially if you are grappling with the expensive costs of treatment.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Surgery is most effective the earlier it is preformed, thus contacting experienced birth defects attorneys quickly is beneficial to you. You have every reason to contact the Mininno Law Office to receive a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation in New Jersey (856) 833-0600 and in Philadelphia (215) 567-2380. There is no upfront cost to meet with our experienced birth defects attorneys, so please do not hesitate.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys – $2.6 Million Verdict for Plaintiff

Jorge Rosado was awarded a $2.6 million verdict following a short trial. Rosado filed the lawsuit against Dr. Richard Perugini and UMASS Memorial Medical Group. Rosado was scheduled to have a laparoscopic hernia operation in the summer of 2004 when he was twenty one years old. Medical malpractice attorneys say that Mr. Rosado’s serious health issues began after a surgical tack ended up in his small bowel rather than the lining of his stomach during the initial surgery. This medical malpractice forced the young man to undergo eight additional operations over the span of five months, landing him in intensive care with a breathing tube.

Plaintiff is Compensated Following Traumatic Year

Over a span of five months of constant medical procedures, Rosado also underwent an ileostomy and suffered with an open abdominal wound. Medical malpractice attorneys , and later a jury, believed that Dr. Perugini should have closely monitored where he placed the tacks during surgery. This manner of careful monitoring would have ensured that the tacks were placed in the lining of the stomach as opposed to the wall of the small bowel. It is also believed that the tack could not have fallen into the wall of the small bowel, as the defense team argued, had it been properly secured during the procedure. Dr. Steven Cohen stated that he believes that Rosado’s “spiraling complications” would have been avoided with proper treatment and care. The medical malpractice attorneys who handled the case believe this verdict was a just result in part due to the life altering complications and the long and extensive recovery period. Rosado is now at risk of continuing bowel obstructions for the rest of his life, which could lead to the need for additional operations. In a 10-2 jury vote, the plaintiff was awarded $2 million for pain and suffering, over $586 thousand for his medical costs, and nearly $18 thousand for loss of earning capacity during the tumultuous months of operations and recovery.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member has recently been the victim of medical negligence, it is possible that you would like to speak with medical malpractice 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.

Birth Defect Attorneys – Cleft Lip Leads to Dental Problems

We know that young children who suffer from cleft lip and cleft palate may face dental problems down the road. In particular, children who suffer from birth defects may be at risk for a significantly higher number of cavities due to their cleft lip or cleft palate. Children may also have extra, missing, malformed, or displaced teeth due to this. Birth defect attorneys advise that children who have teeth that require additional attention should seek dental and orthodontic consultations and treatment as soon as possible. Cleft lip and cleft palate can have dramatic ramifications on many parts of a young child’s life and it is important to address oral issues, including those dealing with teeth, as soon as possible.

Alveolar Ridge Defect may Accompany Cleft Palate

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defect Attorneys cleft lip dental problems Many young children who suffer from a cleft palate may also have a alveolar ridge defect. The alveolus is the upper gum where the teeth are located. Defects in the alveous are not uncommon in young children who suffer from birth defects such as cleft palate. These defects in the upper gum may first displace or rotate the permanent teeth that have grown in. Secondly, in young children, these defects may prevent the adult or permanent teeth from descending and appearing. Finally, we say that this sort of defect may also prevent the alveolar ridge from properly forming. These can develop into serious problems for children and parents should seek dental consultation as soon as possible. Fortunately, we know that these problems are fairly common and can generally be fixed through some form of oral surgery. Following surgery, the young child will be able to show off a beautiful smile without any displacement or rotation of the teeth.

Birth Defect Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a birth defect, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, that you believe is attributable to your use of Topamax during pregnancy, it is possible that you have some questions for 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.

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 recovery People 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.

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 suggestions Many 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 choking The 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.