medical malpractice lawyers Archives - Page 6 of 9 - New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Medical Malpractice Lawyers File Claim Against Negligent Dentist in West Virginia

Linda Johnson saw Dr. Ernest N. Pennington in January 2008 for impressions of her mouth that were being used as preparation for a bridge that she was having placed. According to the complaint that was filed by her medical malpractice lawyer , Christopher J. Heavens, on June 25, 2010 in Kanawha Circuit Court, West Virginia, the material that was used to make the molds caused an infection in her gums. The infection led to the bridge fitting improperly, roots being exposed and severe pain. The complications caused Mrs. Johnson to have teeth removed and several other painful and expensive procedures. She is suing Charleston Dental Associates and Dr. Pennington for the poor care. Mrs. Johnson started seeing Dr. Richard Smith on February 19, 2009 to correct the complications from Dr. Pennington. Before seeing Dr. Smith, she believed that the problems were unavoidable, but he explained to her that the treatment “may have constituted medical malpractice.”

Dental Medical Malpractice is Preventable

Unlike other forms of medical malpractice, complications from dental procedures are often accepted by the patients as unpreventable. This is not always the case. Often, errors made by doctors or nurses create serious complications that can lead to painful and drawn out recoveries. Dental medical malpractice should be taken seriously and considered a violation of the standard of care that is expected from all medical professionals.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member has recently suffered severe dental complications 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.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys: Doctor Fired After Lawsuit is Filed

Doctor James Stillerman was recently fired from his position as a general surgeon at Lewis County General Hospital after he was named as a defendant in a medical malpractice lawsuit. The New York surgeon was one of five doctors to be named as defendants in the suit that was filed by Kevin Muncy and Wanda Bush-Muncy. Medical malpractice attorneys believe that the hospital elected to cut ties with its former employee around the same time that the lawsuit was submitted.

Former Patient Seeks Damages

The Muncy’s have filed the lawsuit in hopes of receiving a variety of damages. The couple is looking for damages and legal fees for pain and suffering, loss of income, and loss of enjoyment of life for Mr. Muncy, and loss of care, compassion and consortium for his wife, Wanda. Medical malpractice attorneys say that the couple accuses Dr. Stillerman of failing to properly assess, treat, and provide follow-up care for cellulitis and an abscess of the big toe. Furthermore, the couple’s medical malpractice attorneys claim that the remaining defendants failed to provide the necessary medical care, inform Kevin Muncy of the dangers associated with surgery, follow specific protocols that relate to diabetic patients, or obtain an opinion from a physician who was board certified in surgery. Medical malpractice attorneys believe that these acts of medical negligence, if proven in a court of law, could have led to the severe and permanent injuries that Mr. Muncy still lives with today.

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 Abuse Lawyers Discuss Bed Sores – Stage IV

This is the fourth and final post in a series detailing the differences in the stages of bed sores. Our professionals represents clients all over the New Jersey and Philadelphia region with bed sore related injuries and is writing this series to inform the patients and their families about the different stages of bed sores, and their legal rights. This post is about Stage IV bed sores, the most serious and deadly stage.

Are Stage IV bed sores preventable?

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse bedsore attorneys bed sore stage 4 Stage IV bed sores are horrifying wounds that cause incredible damage to the health of a person. If you or your loved one has a Stage IV bed sore that is currently not being treated, it needs to be treated immediately for the health and safety of the patient. Unfortunately, Stage IV bed sores start off as Stage I bed sores, as discussed in previous blog posts, which are entirely preventable by attentive medical professionals.

When patients have a Stage I bed sore, there are many things that can be done to prevent the further degradation of the patient’s skin and muscle structure, including frequent repositioning to alleviate pressure on the skin. However, in some cases, a facility is under staffed, or has uncaring employees, that will allow a patient to lay in the same position for days, sometimes in their own bodily fluids. Patients that rely on the care of medical professionals, and cannot reposition themselves, are most likely to fall victims.

What are Stage IV bed sores?

Bed sores that have progressed to a Stage IV level are very serious and have a damaging impact on a patient’s health. The symptoms include: extensive destruction and tissue death to muscle, bone, and supporting structures (tendons, joints, and capsules). The wound will look like large, deep, and open, revealing bone and connective tissues. This is the last and most serious stage of bed sores. Even posting a picture of a Stage IV bed sore would be too graphic for this blog.

Bed Sores Lawyers of New Jersey and Philadelphia

A stage IV bed sore is a tell tale sign of nursing home abuse. A wound should never, under any circumstance, progress to this level. If you or your love one suffered a stage IV bed sore while in a nursing home or assisted living facility, please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation and consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia. You have suffered enough, it is time you received the compensation you deserve.

Bed Sores – Stage III

Our professionals handles bed sore cases of varying degrees throughout the New Jersey and Philadelphia region. In the previous two blog posts within this series, we have discussed stage I and stage II bed sores. Unfortunately, most cases that we are involved in typically involve Stage III and Stage IV bed sores, the most serious and dangerous types. Again, it is unfortunate to see our clients and families ailing from such an easily preventable, yet painful, and deadly condition.

What is a Stage III Bed Sore?

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers bedsores bed sores stage III Stage III bed sores are incredibly serious and need immediate attention, as healing bed sores that progress past Stage II is extremely difficult. A stage III bed sore will display skin loss involving damage or death to the subcutaneous tissue that may extend to the connective tissue. The wound will look like a deep crater which is black around its edges. Subcutaneous fat may be visible, but bone, tendon, or muscle is not. There may be tunneling and undermining in the skin.

If you have seen a Stage III bed sore, it is very sad and disturbing. It is disturbing for a number of reasons. First, the wound itself is almost unimaginable, especially considering the time it takes for a pressure sore to progress to this level. They are disturbing because often, they are accompanied with a foul odor. These sores are 100% preventable and their occurrence should never be of issue. Negligence is the only factor to be considered when dealing with the cause of a bed sore.

Bed Sores Lawyers of New Jersey and Philadelphia

At this point, if your loved one has a Stage III bed sore, recovery is certainly going to be more difficult. The wound has progressed into a stage where healing is less likely. Also, it is almost certain that neglect or abuse has played a part in the development of the wound. No one should have to endure this type of pain. Contact the Mininno Law office at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia for a free case evaluation and consultation today. You deserve to be compensated and the parties responsible for your injury should be held responsible.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers Inform of the Dangers of Damage Caps

There has been a push in some legal and political circles to cap damages for medical malpractice cases. Usually when this is discussed, some anecdotal story is brought up about some minor injury and a multi-million dollar award. However, these misleading anecdotes do not tell the whole story. The judgments that medical malpractice lawyers get work to serve the community in several ways that, when caps are utilized, are greatly diminished in value. Attorneys help victims regain some semblance of their life, and usually a modest sum to compensate the victims. Damage caps are destructive to our legal system.

What Damage Caps Do

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys dangers damage caps Those anecdotes you hear are often about some “frivolous” injury and a multi-million dollar award. Usually, these anecdotes are urban legends and are far from the truth. Juries are assigned with the task of fixing damages based on a number of factors, including the projected cost of continued medical care. When caps are utilized, medical malpractice lawyers can still win a judgment, but it is more likely that the judgment is not going to be enough to cover the victim’s medical costs. When the victim cannot pay their medical bills, the government will have to step in and help, help that is subsidized by taxpayers. Why should victims of medical malpractice and citizens have to bear the burden of “fixing the system” in favor of insurance companies and doctors?

Furthermore, what damage caps do is artificially allow bad doctors to stay in business and hurt other people. If damage caps are not utilized, attorneys will win judgments that compensate their clients, which are typically paid out by the doctor’s insurance company. When you lose a medical malpractice case, your medical malpractice insurance premium will increase and some of the worst doctors will be forced out of practice. However, with the caps in place, the consequences for practicing bad medicine are greatly lowered, and many of these dangerous doctors are still practicing.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member have recently undergone a surgery, and have been the victim of medical malpractice or negligence, you should contact the Mininno Law Office. You and your family deserve compensation for your injuries. Please call our experienced professionals at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia for a free case evaluation and consultation.

Bed Sores – Stage II

The Mininno Law Office serves patients and families affected by bed sores in the New Jersey and Philadelphia region. Typically, these bed sores and pressure ulcers are caused by nursing home neglect and abuse. This is the second post in a series of four that will describe the stages of bed sores. It is important to know the bed sore stages as laid out by the Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel. This post covers the second evolution of bed sores, Stage II.

What Happens if Stage I Bed Sores Are Not Treated Promptly?

Typically, once a Stage I bed sore develops, medical professionals are attentive and realize the danger that the patient is in. The medical professionals then take the appropriate steps to care for the bed sores and avoid any serious complications. However, when the medical professionals neglect their duties, a Stage I bed sore will progress into a Stage II bed sore, which is even more painful and potentially fatal.

As Stage II bed sores develop, so too do a host of other symptoms. There is a skin loss involving the epidermis, dermis, or both layers of skin. The bed sore will look superficial, much like an abrasion, blister, or small crater. It will look like a shallow open ulcer with a pink-red wound bed, without slough. It could also look like a serum-filled, open, or ruptured blister. Once bed sores progress past this stage, they are much harder to treat.

Prevention is Key

As discussed in the previous blog, prevention is the key to stopping bed sores. Essentially, the medical staff needs to be attentive to the needs of their patients, especially those who are unable to care for themselves and shift positions. Bed Sores are entirely preventable; it just takes staff attention. Unfortunately, in many nursing homes and assisted living facilities, it is difficult to come across because of budget cuts and under-staffing.

This should serve as a warning for family members of patients in these facilities. We are not suggesting that all facilities, or even most, are dangerous, but it is extremely important to monitor your loved one’s condition in these facilities to prevent things like bed sores. The medical staff should be checking on your family member and so should you.

Bed Sores Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one has suffered from bed sores in a nursing home or assisted living facility you should contact the Mininno Law Office for a free consultation and case evaluation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia. We are experienced at holding those who caused your or your loved one’s injury responsible for their actions. Let the Mininno Law Office serve you by getting you the fair and just compensation which you truly deserve.

Bed Sores – Stage 1

Bed sores and pressure ulcers, 99% of the time, are indicative of nursing home abuse. Usually, bed sores are classified as a Stage I, Stage II, Stage III, or Stage IV, but many of our clients do not know what the difference is between these. This blog post, and the following three in this series, are aimed at informing nursing home abuse victims, and their families, about their injuries and what they can do about it.

Bed Sore Stage Classifications – Stage I

Stage I bed sores represent the first stage of bed sores, and should serve as a warning sign to medical professionals and family members. Patients with Stage I bed sores typically exhibit the following symptoms:

a warming or cooling in skin temperature,
changes in tissue consistency (firm or boggy feeling),
pain,
itching, and
persistent red, blue, or purple hues.

Typically, bed sores lawyers are not involved with Stage I bed sores because they can be treated by medical professionals, thereby eliminating a serious health risk to the patient. But, as experienced bed sores lawyers, we can tell you, from first hand experience, that monitoring your loved one’s health is very important. Bed sores progress very rapidly, and when they are discovered, they need to be treated immediately.

Preventing Bed Sores

Bed sores typically are caused by pressure on the skin at bony areas of the body. Continuous pressure and friction are dangerous to people with the following risk factors:

over 65,
incontinence,
malnutrition,
dehydration,
lack of movement,
numbness,
smoking, and
previous pressure ulcers.

For bed ridden patients, skin should be kept clean, dry, and moisturized. Furthermore, their position should be changed regularly, and special equipment and pads should be used to protect skin over bony areas. The best medicine for bed sores is prevention, and the number one tool for prevention is attentiveness. It is important to be attentive to a patient’s needs. If a patient is ignored or neglected, deadly bed sores can quickly develop.

Bed Sores Lawyers in New Jersey

Later posts will demonstrate how a Stage I pressure ulcer can quickly develop into a more serious problem. If you or your family member has developed bed sores while in a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free consultation and case evaluation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia. You deserve compensation and the Mininno Law Office can get it for you.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys: Suspected Killer’s Dad Sues Doctor

Victor Bruscato was assigned to a psychiatrist, Dr. Derek Johnson O’Brien, in 2001. The doctor placed his patient on anti-psychotic drugs which were believed to be helping to manage sexual impulses and certain violent tendencies. Unfortunately, in 2002, Dr. O’Brien elected to discontinue the use of two powerful medications in an effort to rule out the possibility that Bruscato was developing a dangerous syndrome. Medical malpractice attorneys say that the man began having violent nightmares and claimed that he was getting direct orders from the devil to do bad things.

Man Kills Mother, Father Sues Doctor

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys Victor Bruscato Derek Johnson O'Brien In August of 2002, Bruscato smashed his mother, Lillian Lynn, in the head with a battery charger and then stabbed her 72 times which resulted in her death. He was charged with murder but due to his psychological state, he was found to be incompetent to stand trial and he was committed to a mental institution. His father, Vito, then sued the doctor for medical malpractice because he believes that his son never should have been taken off of the medication. A judge at the trial court level ruled in favor of the psychiatrist but a divided state Court of Appeals elected to overturn that decision and allowed the case to proceed to trial.

Now, medical malpractice attorneys say that the case is in the hands of the Georgia Supreme Court. This is no easy decision and lawyers and judges have been fighting over this issue for years. The plaintiff argues that the doctor’s negligence, in canceling certain medications, led to the man becoming psychotic and killing his mother and therefore the father should be entitled to damages. On the other hand, the defense believes that there is no way that blame for this woman’s death should be shifted to a doctor. The attorneys fighting for the defendants continued by saying, “a person should not be able to sue for recovery of such a wrongful and immoral act.” It is clear that the actions of Victor Bruscato were wrong and repugnant but the question is, was this outcome foreseeable to the physician who had been treating him for over a year? If these violent tendencies were obvious to the doctor, there was no way that the patient should have been taken off of this medication.

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 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.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers Warn About Wrong-Site Surgeries

Doctors and patients are often confronted with an easily preventable medical mishap called wrong-site surgeries. Unfortunately, in a busy operating room, a doctor will perform a surgery on the wrong part of the body. This happens surprisingly more than anyone would expect. According to a recent article in the Washington Post, there are approximately 40 wrong-site injuries per week in the United States. Medical malpractice lawyers work to get the compensation for wrong-site injuries that victims so desperately need.

What Causes Wrong-Site Surgeries

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys warning wrong site surgeries It is suggested that extreme time pressures may be the number one cause of wrong-site surgeries. Doctors are extremely busy people, and their schedules are not getting any less full. However, this does not mean that innocent people should be injured. Some surgeons have suggested a protocol to prevent wrong-site injury by requiring a pre-operative verification of important details, marking the surgical site, and a mandatory timeout to confirm everything before the procedure begins. When steps like these are not followed, preventable injuries occur. Sometimes, those injuries are fatal.

Other causes for wrong-site surgeries include mixing up the left and right side, marking incorrect spots on the body for surgery, neglecting to mark the surgical site at all, and consulting the wrong patient’s chart. While it may seem silly, there have been lawyers who suggest writing on the site not to be operated on simply “wrong site.” Simplicity need not be overlooked, even in the medical field.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or any of your family members have been affected by a wrong-site surgery, or any other instance of medical malpractice or negligence, do not hesitate to contact the Mininno Law Office experienced medical malpractice 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.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers Against Philadelphia Abortion Clinic

Kermit Gosnell, doctor from your nightmares, was recently indicted on 8 murder charges (seven infants and a young Bhutanese refugee that died after a procedure at Gosnell’s clinic) after federal agents raided his Philadelphia practice and found it’s conditions and practices to be abominable. But how did Dr. Gosnell keep open a practice that operated with unqualified personnel, deplorable conditions, and a wealthy history of medical malpractice?

Depraved Medicine and the Lax Security that Allowed it to Continue

The jury at Gosnell’s indictment theorized why Gosnell was able to carry on the way he did for so long.

“We think the reason no one acted is because the women in question were poor and of color,” the report said, “and because the victims were infants without identities, and because the subject was the political football of abortion.”

A spokesman for Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Corbett, issued a statement stating that the Governor “was appalled at the inaction on the part of the Health Department and the Department of State,” two entities that failed miserably to effectively oversee the clinic.

Complaints against Gosnell and his personnel began as early as 1983. Shelly Thomas, a patient/victim of Gosnell, described her experience at the clinic,

“It was like walking into a nightmare. Everyone was sedated, no one was making sense. People were slumped over and waiting in line like they were going into a soup kitchen.”

Thomas awoke from her procedure soaked in her own blood while people tried to load her into an ambulance. Her uterus was punctured. The hospital performed a partial hysterectomy to save her life. Gosnell offered her $500 as compensation for complications that arose from her $800 abortion.

Federal Raid Discovers Filth

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers against abortion clinic The report provided by the agents that raided the clinic last February described the clinic as smelly and squalid. It noted pools of blood on the floor, a urine stench, and cat feces on the stairs the day they arrived. Women were semiconscious and moaning, sitting on dirty recliners with blood-stained blankets.

For 16 years, Gosnell’s clinic went without inspection. No inspection took place after a malpractice settlement of $1 million was paid to the family of a 22 year old woman that died of an infection acquired in the clinic, and nothing after a Bhutanese refugee died on a table in Gosnell’s office from an anesthesia overdose.

Janice Stoloski, an official at the Health Department, claimed that they did not begin investigations because they didn’t have the authority to do so. Christine Dutton, chief counsel for the department, defended their actions with a touching, “People die.”

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Today, it seems that there are two kinds of doctors. Some doctors are the caring and educated people that we look up to; the people we trust, and turn to in our times of greatest need. Others are greedy, selfish, and have no concern or respect for human life. Kermit Gosnell is surely one of these doctors, and hardly deserves to be referred to as doctor, no matter what his degree says. These doctors cause pain and suffering for not only their patients, but families and communities as well.

If you or a loved one have suffered at the hands of a negligent medical provider, do not hesitate the contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. The medical malpractice lawyers at the Mininno Law Office are experienced in earning full and fair compensation for victims of medical malpractice living with the permanent effects of their negligent care. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.