Tag: litigation

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

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

How to Cope with the Second Stage of Bed Sores

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

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

Bed Sore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a pressure sore which you attribute to neglect or mistreatment, it is possible that you would like to speak with a bed sore attorney. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Bed Sores – Stage 1 and Early Prevention: Free Consultation

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

The Beginning Stage of Bed Sores

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

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

Bed Sore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a bed sore due to improper medical care or neglect, it is possible that you would like to speak with a bed sore attorney. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Bed Sore Attorneys – CA Lawsuit Shows Typical Medical Center Conduct

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

Death Resulted Only One Day Following Removal From the Facility

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

Bed Sore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member has recently suffered from pressure ulcers due to neglect or failed treatment, it is possible that you have some questions for bed sore attorneys. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at 856-833-0600 in New Jersey, or 215-567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Johnson & Johnson Earmarks Nearly 1 Billion Dollars – For What?

As New Jersey and Philadelphia DePuy hip recall attorneys, we have been providing updated posts regarding the DePuy hip recall litigation, the nature of the hip defects which led to the litigation, and some helpful tips for any patients who may have a recall claim. These posts are designed to help any potential claimant understand the recall litigation and claims process.

DePuy and Johnson & Preparing for Something, But What?

new jersey philadelphia depuy hip recall attorneys johnson moneyRecent news demonstrates that not only are DePuy recall lawyers and patients planning for the litigation, but Johnson & Johnson and DePuy have also recognized the potential problem and have taken financial steps to prepare themselves. According to Johnson & Johnson’s fourth quarter earnings report released this past month, the company is taking a $922 million charge related to its potential exposure for the DePuy hip recall. While $922 million may sound like a large sum of money, it may be inadequate to cover the sum of 93,000 potential claimants that will require compensation from Johnson & Johnson.

DePuy hip recall patients should not worry about Johnson & Johnson’s overall financial health. According to the same fourth quarter earnings statement, Johnson & Johnson posted a net income of $1.9 billion in its orthopaedic unit and $5.71 billion in its pharmaceutical unit.

Neither Johnson & Johnson nor DePuy issued any official statement regarding the funds set aside, or their plans for the DePuy recall litigation. Therefore, it is unknown whether the $922 million has been set aside for payment of legitimate DePuy hip recall claims, or if it has been set aside so that Johnson & Johnson and DePuy can mount a high price defense in order to minimize exposure.

DePuy Hip Recall Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

As New Jersey and Philadelphia DePuy hip recall lawyers, we will be watching closely and posting any additional information about the DePuy hip recall. If you or a loved one are recipients of a defective DePuy hip implant, 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.

DePuy Hip Recall Claims First Aussie Victim

As New Jersey and Philadelphia DePuy hip recall attorneys, we have been providing DePuy hip recall patients with information regarding the worldwide recall of their ASR XL hip replacement system. As you know from recent posts, this litigation has been consolidated in Ohio under Judge Katz. Recently, it was announced that an Australian citizen has joined this class action here in the US.

First Australian DePuy Victim Joins Fight

new jersey philadelphia depuy hip recall lawyers aussie victim bob lugton Bob Lugton, of Brisbane, Australia, was declared the first “Aussie” to join the DePuy hip recall lawsuit. Mr. Lugton filed suit when his DePuy hip implant failed only 18 months after having been implanted. As stated in previous posts, DePuy and Johnson & Johnson claimed that their hip implant would last as long as 20 years, so Mr. Lugton was a very unhappy man after his brand new hip failed so quickly. Like most DePuy hip recall patients, Mr. Lugton was also found to have cobalt and other metals leaking into his body from the wear and tear of his hardware. When asked why he joined the DePuy hip recall lawsuit, Mr. Lugton reportedly stated, “This is not for financial reasons”, but to let other people know of the devastating effects of toxic cobalt and chromium levels on his health and welfare.

DePuy Hip Recall Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

As New Jersey and Philadelphia DePuy hip recall lawyers, we welcome Mr. Lugton to this legal battle over DePuy’s failed hip implant. Unfortunately, there are over 93,000 other “Mr. Lugtons” worldwide who are part of this hip recall and who are also entitled to compensation for DePuy’s defective hip implant.

If you or a loved one are one of the 93,000 patients who received defective implants, 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. Let the DePuy hip recall attorneys at the Mininno Law Office earn you the compensation you need a deserve.

Nursing Homes Not Elderly Adults Only Choice Today

Nursing home abuse has affected millions of people in the United States because, for such a long time, nursing homes were the only option a family had when their loved one’s physical state required additional help. However, according to census data, only 7.4% of elderly Americans are living in nursing homes, a number that has fallen from the 8.1% in 1990. Many elderly people and their families, especially those 85 years and older, are now turning not to traditional nursing homes, but instead to long term care assistance at home, in-home care, and other options. This is great for the families that can afford to maintain other types of care for their loved ones. But for the 1.8 million people that still live in nursing homes, care should be adequate, training should be provided, and abuse should be prevented.

Nursing Home Care Must Be Improved

The quality of care a patient receives should not depend on how much money they have to spend, but unfortunately, nowadays, that seems to be the case. If nursing home administrators and medical providers spent more of their efforts on improving the quality of care in nursing homes and less of their efforts on their bottom lines, other unneccessary costs would be non existent. Bedsore treatment or litigation costs can be astronomical, but providing adequate and focused care can avoid the need for such spending.
              
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Nursing Home Abuse Laywers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you feel that your loved ones have been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. The nursing home abuse abuse lawyers at the Mininno Law Office are experienced and very skilled in earning victims of nursing home abuse the full and fair compensation that they need and deserve. Be sure to act promptly, as a statue of limitations could run out on your claim.

You may also call for a free consultation at 856-833-0600 in New Jersey, or 215-567-2380 in Philadelphia. Let the Mininno Law Office work to earn justice for you and your family.

Trial Lawyers have Made for Safer Vehicles

Recently, so called Tort Reform has been a major topic of discussion. Tort Reform has a very large following of pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, HMO’s, and defective food and beverage companies. These billion dollar corporations spend their profits on lobbyist and marketing campaigns in order to convince us all that most lawsuits brought to court are “frivolous,” and that payouts are “outlandish.”
This so called Tort Reform aims to restrict lawful recoveries for victims of things like medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, or defective product injuries. It also aims to make it harder to hold accountable companies that cause harm to consumers.

But if it wasn’t for trial lawyers and their litigation of these “frivolous” cases, the vehicles that we drive would not be what they are today. Cars today are loaded with countless safety features that, before litigation, did not exist. Below are 11 features of your vehicle that were improved after a court deemed it mandatory.

1. Gas Tanks – Manufacturers, like GM and Ford, designed vehicles with defective gas tank placement. The placement caused fires and explosions, even in the most minor collisions. Due to litigation, gas tanks are now universally located within rigid frames.

2. Door Handles – Ford’s own engineers cited that their paddle style door handles accidently opened in collisions. Ford continued to cover up the problem, until finally a court held them accountable and forced them to fix the issue.

3. SUV Stability – SUV stability has always been an issue. Ford’s rollover rate, at one time, was twice that of any other SUV. After injury and death, litigation increased emphasis on the development of Electronic Stability Control.

4. Airbags – Airbags have been being designed since the 1950’s, but by 1988, only 2% of new cars were made with them. Eventually, courts made in mandatory to manufacturer all new vehicles with airbags.

5. Faulty “Park” – Ford and Chrysler both experienced issues with transmissions that slipped out of Park and caused cars to roll away. In Ford’s instance, it caused the death of a pregnant woman trying to save the life of her four year old daughter inside the rolling minivan. Ford fixed the error after being held liable twice in court. Chrysler continued to ignore the problem until litigation forced a recall of over 1 million affected vehicles.

6. Tires – Firestone and Goodyear tried to hide defective tire problems for years before courts finally held them accountable. Firestone tires were responsible for 271 deaths before they were finally recalled.

7. Side-impact Protection – a police officer was paralyzed after a low-speed side impact collision. The court found that the absence of side protection was a vehicle defect. Now all cars are equipped with side-impact protection.

8. Weak Seats – Seats were not made strong enough and were collapsing during collisions, killing rear passengers. It was litigation that forced manufacturers to begin installing stronger seats in all vehicles.

9. Seatbelts – Court cases did a lot in bringing to light the dangers of inferior seatbelts, or no seatbelts at all. For example, Chryslers Gen 3 seatbelt was installed in over 14 million cars and proven to unlatch in accidents. Litigation forced Chrysler to redesign both seats and seatbelts.

10. Power Windows – Power windows became more common, and so too did associated injury and death. Children were especially susceptible because of accidently hitting the rocker style switch that moved the window up or down. The inexpensive solution would have been to replace the rocker style with a lift up style. The solution was ignored to cut costs until litigation forced universal acceptance of the safer switch.

11. Roof Strength – The strength of car roofs was known to be in need of improvement, but only litigation actually made it happen.

Thanks to these cases being brought to court by trial lawyers, judges and juries were able to hold the right parties responsible for unnecessary injury and death, and also reverse the problems to prevent future loss. Trial Attorneys are essential to maintain a balance between consumers and manufacturers.

If you or a loved one feel you have been wronged by a medical malpractice, insurance company, or defective product manufacturer, you’ll need a trial attorney. The trial attorneys at Mininno Law Firm are here to help. Contact us or call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Chamber of Commerce: Business As Usual at a Theater Near You

In what seems to be an endless bombardment of spin campaigns, the chamber of commerce has now cracked into the movie business, by releasing a trailer to be shown in Washington, D.C. area theatres. Titled’ “The Faces of Lawsuit Abuse,” The Chamber has once again launched an attack against the world’s best legal system in an attempt to shield their exclusive members from lawsuits.

By shamelessly exaggerating isolated issues of what some would call questionable legal practices, the chamber is attempting to invalidate the entire civil legal system of the United States. Although they insist that their goal is to protect everyday citizens from greedy trial attorneys, the truth is that this campaign is just a new phase of their longstanding credo that negligent corporations should never be held accountable. Period.

The consequences of the chamber reaching their goal would be disastrous. Throughout American history, the legal system has combated against the corporate structure and won the right to protect its citizens from the profit driven manufacturers of today’s modern society. From the food we eat, to the toys our children play with, all products sold to consumers today would not be nearly as safe as they are if it were not for the modern legal system. If the Chamber had its way, parents would have never been able to sue when a defective crib killed their child, veterans of Vietnam would not have been compensated for their exposure to deadly toxic agents, and citizens would have never been properly warned of the dangers of tobacco.

The irony of it all is, that while the Chamber doesn’t want everyday Americans to use the legal system, they are actually one of the biggest lawsuit-filers in Washington. Except in their case, Chamber sues on behalf of Wall Street banks, oil companies, and lead paint manufacturers.

Let the government know how you feel about this immoral attack on the best legal system in the world. Write to your local and state representatives and let them know that you do not want the Chamber of Commerce walking on our constitution in order to protect the wallets of its contributors.

Medical Malpractice Attorney in NJ

Legal Side Effects or Legal Remedy?

In May’s issue, Kate Wilcox stated that a recent U.S. Supreme Court’s decision left drug companies “wide open for lawsuits” because it allowed juries to hold negligent drug companies accountable for harm they cause. The principles expressed by the Supreme Court in the Wyeth decision require federal regulations to improve transparency and public participation in the FDA regulatory process. Also, the decision recognized the state civil justice system provides an additional protection against billion dollar pharmeceutical companies when government regulations fail, and therefore agencies must limit their attempt to preempt state law, except in cases when Congress has explicitly stated its intent to do so. The decision upholds laws that are much needed, especially in light of the long standing practice of pharmaceutical companies to sponsor and pay for the, “research,” of the drugs they make. This practice allows the companies to market the drug’s positive effects while concealing the dangerous side effects that harm patients. The Court’s decision upholds important constitutional rights afforded to all citizens in this country and should be welcomed by a journal that promotes scientific study.

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Baxter Not Expecting ‘Material Litigation’ After Contaminated Heparin Recall

Pharmaceutical giant Baxter announced today that it does not expect any “material” litigation with regards to the contaminated heparin recalls. Although the FDA has received a ton of complaints about death and serious reactions to the drug, Baxter claims that they only know of four possible injuries to date. They also believe it will be difficult to prove a link between the drug and some of the side effects reported by the general public.

I think the report on CNN.com gives a little more insight as to why Baxter is not overly concerned with this issue. CNN reports that:

Despite the high-profile nature of the heparin troubles, the drug is not a major or high profit-margin product for Baxter, which expects a muted financial impact from the recall. On Thursday, when the company reported first-quarter results, it noted $11 million in after-tax charges associated with the heparin recall in the U.S.

All this uproar is just a drop in the bucket to Baxter. No wonder why they are so indifferent to the fact that a drug, which people rely on to prevent clotting, is contaminated with a foreign substance that makes people sick. With this mentality, why in the world would drug companies want to change up the regulation standards when they only experience a “muted financial impact” from a national recall? It”s so much easier to just sell the bad drug, make money and apologize later. And I guess that”s the course of action that they are gonna take on this one too. Very scary.

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