Medical Malpractice in Denver Leads to License Suspension

Often times, medical malpractice lawyers are criticized for bringing cases against doctors, hospitals, and other medical providers. Many believe that medical malpractice attorneys are “ambulance chasers“, and attack doctors for negligence that does not exist. Medical malpractice attorneys have a certain stigma, and largely suffer from a poor reputation.
The simple and unfortunate truth is that medical negligence does exist. While most doctors are hard-working and dedicated professionals, others are greedy and aloof. They are responsible for the lives of hundreds of patients, yet some act as if those lives were disposable. Such is the case of Dr. Manuel De Jesus Aquino of Denver, Colorado.

Colorado Doctor Prescribes Marijuana to Pregnant Woman

new jersey philadelphia malpractice lawyers marijuana prescription pregnant woman Dr. Aquino has had his license suspended after prescribing medical marijuana to a 20 year old woman who was 6 months pregnant. The woman saw Dr. Aquino at the Back to the Garden Health and Wellness Center in Denver, Colorado, and asked for a marijuana prescription. The visit with the woman, who was a new patient, lasted all of about 3 minutes. No physical examination was performed, the patient was not required to complete medical history forms, nor was she scheduled for any follow-up visits.
She gave birth April 8, 2010, and tested positive for marijuana. Her infant was exposed to the drug in utero, and had some initial feeding difficulties. The baby may or may not face long-term damages.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadephia

Dr. Aquino acted with extreme disinterest in the well being of his patient. To write a prescription for marijuana use without performing a thorough examination is a depraved medical practice. An investigation should be performed to discover whether or not this is something that he does regularly with patients.

Dr. Aquino’s negligence as a medical professional is certainly not isolated. Unfortunately, there are doctors that act just as he did, and patients sometimes pay the ultimate price for that negligence. If you or a loved one have suffered from medical malpractice, 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.
Let our team earn you the compensation you need and deserve.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers Find Fault in Texas Tort Reform

In 2003, Texas government passed tort reform legislation regarding medical malpractice lawsuits within the state. The new legislation capped medical malpractice payouts at $250,000 per provider, with a maximum of $750,000 all together. It also stated that in order for emergency room physicians to be responsible for civil damages, they would have to act with “willful and wanton” negligence.
In other words, they have to purposefully and knowingly put their patients’ lives in danger.

A San Antonio medical malpractice lawyer, Jon Powell, commented on the “willful and wanton” standard, saying:

You’d have to be a Nazi death camp guard to meet this standard.

The liability caps and impossible standards are making victims of medical malpractice weary as they find that, in Texas, they simply do not have a case.

Medical Malpractice Leads to Amputation

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers willful wanton connie spears texasConnie Spears, a 54 year-old woman with a history of blood clots, went the the emergency room at the Christus Santa Rosa Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, complaining of excrutiating leg pain. She was discharged with “bilateral leg pain” and told to follow up with her primary care physician.
Three days later, Connie’s legs were purple. An ambulance took her to another area hospital where doctors determined that a filter that had been installed in her heart years before was severely clotted, which led to tissue death in her legs, as well as kidney failure. Weeks later, Connie awoke to find that both of her legs had been amputated in order to save her life.

Now, she can’t find an attorney who will take her case, because in Texas, she doesn’t have one. Clear negligence exists, yet attorneys no longer have confidence in their judicial system due to the new standards set forth by tort reform. They also argue that this “willful and wanton” standard for medical malpractice allows for a serious decline in the standard of care provided to patients in Texas, and could allow Texas ER’s to become the most dangerous in the country.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Tort Reform has significantly and severely damaged a medical malpractice victim’s chance at justice in Texas. Connie Spears will live the rest of her life without her legs due to a careless misdiagnosis, yet because of the standards Texas tort reform has put forward, she may never be able to gain the compensation she needs and is entitled to.

Medical malpractice affects many patients in the US, and victims should know that when doctors act negligently, they are liable for damages. If you or a loved one have suffered at the hands of a negligent and/or careless doctor, 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.
Let our team earn you the full and fair compensation that you need and deserve.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers Imperative to Justice

As patients, medical malpractice is not something we want to think about. We trust our medical providers to give us good, thoughtful, effective, and safe care. We trust these providers with not only our lives, but the lives of our loved ones as well. And, thankfully, most doctors live up to the task. However, there are some doctors who act negligently, dishonestly, and greedily, and their actions negatively affect the lives they care for. It is then that a medical malpractice lawyer is necessary.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Why Are They Necessary

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers work justice contingency basisFirst, a medical malpractice lawyer is going to offer you advice on what you should do regarding your case. He or she will explain to you if you indeed have a case.

  • Was the standard of care departed from?
  • Was there clear neglience?
  • Who was negligent?
  • Are there damages?

Once these questions are answered, a medical malpractice lawyer will then decide whether or not to file suit against your negligent medical provider.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers: Is it Just About Money?

Medical malpractice lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they work for free until you win your claim. Medical malpractice lawyers work for justice.
A man who loses a limb to a delayed diagnosis will spend the rest of his life without that limb. This will affect his employment, his relationships, and his daily life. If he can no longer work to support his family, the negligent doctor must be held accountable and compensate this man for money he will no longer be able to provide to his family. Medical malpractice cases are about your money. They are about the money that will be necessary for you to carry out the rest of your life while you deal with the long term effects of medical negligence.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one have been injured by the negligence or mistreatment of a medical provider, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.
Our medical malpractice lawyers will analyze the details of your claim to determine whether or not you have a legitimate medical malpractice case. Let us earn you the full and fair compensation you need and deserve.

Medical Malpractice in Lackawanna County, PA

As a result of medical malpractice, a Lackawanna County, PA jury awarded a Dunmore woman $1.88 million for the cancer misdiagnosis that led to the death of her husband, 60 year old Terrence Golden.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers fight Medical Negligence

Christine Golden, wife of Terrence Golden, sued Milan J. Smolko, a urologist, Lillian Longendorfer, a pathologist, and Wayne Memorial Hospital, for failure to diagnose her husband’s bladder cancer for over a year.

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers large verdict lackawannaLongendorfer and the hospital reached a private and confidential settlement with Mrs. Golden before the trial. Dr. Smolko and his attorney are appealing the $1.88 million jury verdict.

Smolko saw Mr. Golden multiple times between September ’02 and June ’04. Mr. Golden was complaining of urinary problems, and Smolko diagnosed him with an enlarged prostate gland. In 2003, Smolko ordered a bladder biopsy and sent the results to Longendorfer at Wayne Memorial. She too failed to diagnose the cancer.

In 2004, Golden’s cancer was diagnosed by a different doctor, but the damage done at that point led to the removal of Golden’s prostate, bladder, and portions of his urethra. Sixty-year old Terrance Golden died in January, 2008, after doctors told him there was no longer anything they could do to treat his cancer.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers Support Justice

Had Mr. Golden’s cancer been properly diagnosed in it’s early stages, there is a good chance he’d be alive today. Mr. Golden and his wife endured much pain in the time he spent suffering from cancer. Additionally, Mrs. Golden has now the lost not only the companionship of her husband, but all that he provided for her as well.

Mrs. Golden’s attorney, James E. Foerstner, commented on the outcome of the case:

Her husband was vindicated, but it doesn’t bring him back.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one have suffered due to the medical negligence of a physician, specialist, or hospital, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. The experienced and skilled medical malpractice attorneys at the Mininno Law Office are prepared to handle your case and earn you the full and fair compensation you deserve.
You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers Force Change

Earlier this month, the family of 14 year-old Sarah Crider was awarded $1.25 million in the settlement of their medical malpractice lawsuit against the Georgia Regional Hospital, a mental hopsital operated by the state of Georgia.

Medical Malpractice Leads to Wrongful Death

Sara died four years ago from severe, intestinal blockages that went undiagnosed and, subsequently, untreated. The blockages were caused by a cocktail of medications that had conflicting side effects.
Thomas Perez, assistant attorney general for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Justice, commented on the young girl’s death:

This was an absolutely tragic and preventable death. She didn’t need to be in that institution. She could have thrived as an outpatient.

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers change sarah criderSarah is just one of about 115 patients who have died in the past five years under suspicious circumstances while receiving care at a Georgia state facility. The settlement reached in the Crider’s lawsuit addresses this issue. Aside from compensating the family, the state will also be spending close to $77 million to move hundreds, if not thousands, of patients out of state mental facilities to improve the level care for those who remain. Patients who will no longer reside at these state facilities will be those that could benefit from community settings for treatment.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The death of Sarah Crider was tragic. However, because of a lawsuit brought against the state in response to her death, efforts are now being made to improve quality of care and prevent the same from happening again in the future. Medical malpractice lawyers are necessary when doctors and hospitals act negligently while caring for their patients.

If you or a loved one have suffered from medical malpractice, 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 our team earn you the compensation you need and deserve.

Medical Malpractice Infringes Upon Patient Rights

As humans, we are all endowed with “certain unalienable rights,” as stated in our Nation’s Decleration of Independence. As patients, we are also endowed with patient rights. Infringement upon these rights often takes place in the form of medical malpractice. As patients, we must play an active role in our medical care, and do all within our scope of power to prevent medical malpractice from occurring.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers Uphold Patient Rights

The Joint Commission, an entity that provides accredation and certification for health care programs and organizations in the United States, distributes a pamphlet outlining patient rights. If you ever wondered to what, as a patient, you were entitled, the list below will be of great help.new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers patients rights

  1. You have the right to be informed about the
    care you will receive
    .
  2. You have the right to get information about
    your care in your language.
  3. You have the right to make decisions about
    your care, including refusing care.
  4. You have the right to know the names of the
    caregivers who treat you.
  5. You have the right to safe care.
  6. You have the right to have your pain treated.
  7. You have the right to know when something
    goes wrong with your care
    .
  8. You have the right to get an up-to-date list of
    all of your current medicines.
  9. You have the right to be listened to.
  10. You have the right to be treated with courtesy
    and respect.

Do not let a negligent medical provider get away with harms caused by medical malpractice. While most doctors are hard working and dedicated to providing safe, effective healthcare, others favor corner cutting to save time and money, regardless of the consequences to the patient. Your rights as a patient are of utmost importance, and you should know what those are when being treated.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one find that any of your aforementioned rights have been compromised, 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 at the Mininno Law Office are experienced in and dedicated to fighting for those victimized by medical negligence. Let our team earn you the full and fair compensation that you need and deserve.

Medical Malpractice Caps Proposed in Florida

A legislative proposal made in Florida last week suggests a cap on payments made to patients who are insured by medicare and injured by medical malpractice. The cap would be $100,000 and has been referred to by many as “immunity” for negligent doctors.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Protect Medicare Patients

medical malpractice attorneys new jersey philadelphia caps proposed floridaThe proposed legislation would deem doctors treating medicare patients “agents of the state,” awarding the same damage capping immunity that all Florida state employees get. But a cap that only affects the recoveries of Medicare insured patients is unconstitutional, as it makes them lesser persons, unworthy of the same compensation as those that can afford healthcare. Medical malpractice attorneys have long been against limiting liability, as it allows doctors to only answer for a portion of their negligence. And if a cap on medicare insured patients is approved, who is to say what kind of an effect that will have on the care they receive throughout the state. It certainly opens up a potential for medicare patients to begin receiving subpar care due to the limited liablity doctors will face.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Medical malpractice is a real threat to anyone being treated by medical professionals. As patients, we trust our doctors and nurses to provide us with the best, most professional and safe care that they can. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, and patients pay for doctors’ mistakes. Caps on this liability will only further injure patients who have suffered from the effects of medical malpractice, be it temporarily or permanently. Those who have lost loved ones to medical malpractice, especially children who lose parents, will need full and fair compensation to continue on with their lives.

If you or a loved one have suffered due to medical malpractice, you will need the assistance of a medical malpractice attorney. 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 Philadephia.
Let the team at the Mininno Law Office earn you the compensation you need and deserve.

Birth Injury Lawyers earn Compensation for Delivery Room Injuries

Sadly, as a New Jersey law firm that handles birth injuries and defects, many families come to us after their child has received a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. By definition, cerebral palsy is a “birth injury” because the condition develops prior to or during birth. However, there are many different types and severities of Cerebral Palsy birth injuries.

Birth Injury Lawyers for Cerebral Palsy

Families, nurses or doctors will usually spot symptoms or constellation of symptoms following birth that will lead to testing for a brain injury like cerebral palsy. These diagnostic brain and nerve tests help pediatricians and neurologists make a more specific diagnosis as to the nature and extent of the child’s brain injury. It is usually after such testing that a family will learn the type of cerebral palsy or brain/nerve injury that is suspected in the child.

birth injury lawyers new jersey philadelphia delivery room injuriesMany times the characteristics of the condition depend on the severity of the child’s muscle limitations and what parts of the brain’s cognitive functions are affected. For example, spastic cerebral palsy is the most common diagnosis. Athetoid dyskinetic is the second most common form of Cerebral Palsy afflicting children. Many times, these conditions are not immediately noticed at birth, but sometime after the child begins to develop. These are congenital birth injuries because these types of CP typically develop in utero. However, if a child has this type of birth injury, it does not necessarily mean that it was caused by medical error or a negligent doctor. These types of birth injuries can, and many times do, happen in the absences of medical negligence. A New Jersey birth injury lawyer will need to carefully review all of the medical records to help determine if this type of brain injury was or was not caused by medical malpractice.

Birth Injury that is attributed to Medical Negligence

There are certain types of cerebral palsy that birth injury lawyers and national organizations recognize as types of birth injuries that can be attributed to an injury or accident by a doctor during the birthing process. For example, Erb’s palsy is a palsy recognized by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. This organization makes that clear that although birth injuries can occur at any time, many Erb’s palsy injuries happen during the vaginal delivery of a baby.

Sadly, many of these types of birth injuries are caused by medical errors or medical malpractice. As a New Jersey birth injury lawyer who represents parents whose children have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy, it is important to understand the nature of the condition with which your child has been diagnosed. There are no hard and fast answers as to whether or not certain types of CP can or cannot be caused by medical malpractice or error. We have tried to give you a general outline above. However, it is always best to speak with a New Jersey or Philadelphia birth injury lawyer to get a full and free evaluation of your child’s condition.

Birth Injury Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have birth a child who was later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and you feel that the condition was caused by negligence in the operating room, 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.

Let the team at the Mininno Law Office earn you and your family the compensation you need and deserve.

Medical Malpractice Averted by New Medication Management System

medical malpractice and negligence attorneys in nj and paMedical Malpractice in the form of medication errors has met a fierce contender in CareFusion’s Pyxis Medication Management System. CareFusion is a leading supplier of medical devices globally and, next week, will highlight their Pyxis medication management sytem at the 45th Midyear Clinical Meeting and Exhibition of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) in Anaheim, California.

Medical Malpractive vs. Pyxis Medication Management

The new Pyxis technology has helped hospitals who have utilized the system reduce medicinal errors by up to 33%. One 300 bed facility was able to cut medicinal errors by 93%! The technology works by simplifying the process of medication and supply management between hospital and patient. It also provides support for caregivers when it comes to prescription decisions. The Pyxis system helps facilities save time and money, while improving the quality of patient care.

Medical Malpractice Consequences

Approximately 1.5 million Americans suffer from a medication error every year. Of that 1.5 million, 7,000 will die. In addition to the cost of human life, the financial cost of medical errors is staggering at $3.5 billion in annual costs to the national health care system. Medicare and Medicaid are instituting new payment models, limiting cost reimbursements to facilities with poor histories regarding medication management.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadlephia

It’s a good sign that steps are being taken to reduce medicinal errors. It’s an even better sign that steps are being taken to enstate monetary punishments for those facilities that fail to meet certain standards regarding medicinal errors. Medical malpractice and negligence can seriousley injure or even kill patients. If you or a loved one have been negatively affected by medical malpractice by a surgeon, physician, or specialist, 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 Mininno Law Office Team earn you the compensation you need and deserve.

Medical Malpractice Events Not Decreasing, According to New England Journal of Medicine

The New England Journal of Medicine recently published research executed by Harvard Medical School that shows that the number of medical malpractice events (referred to in the article as patient harms) has not decreased in the last 6 years, despite numerous prevention efforts.

Medical Malpractice Study by Harvard Medical School

medical malpractice and negligence attorneys in nj and paResearchers examined 6 years worth of medical records from 10 different North Carolina hospitals. Over 2,300 admissions records were examined from 2002 thru 2007. Records were chosen at random and reviewed by teams of nurse reviewers. The study found 588 patient harms, including surgical errors, medicinal errors, and nosocomial (hospital-aquired) infections. Of those 588 medical errors, 84.4% were reported as “short-lived” and “not serious.” Fifty, however, were classifed as life threatening, with 14 resulting in death, and 17 resulting in permanent injury. Of the errors, 63.1% of them were abolsutely avoidable.

Harvard Medical School researchers explained that they chose North Carolina hospitals because of the state’s pristine history, as well as it’s dedication to preventing medical malpractice and promoting patient safety. Authors of the study said of the results:

“Though disappointing, the absence of apparent improvement is not entirely surprising.”

It seems that while certain preventative measures have been taken, there still exists an alarming lack of free-standing programs that help deter diagnostic and surgical errors. Much of the medical malpractice occurs when patients are transferred from one physician or facility to another. Patient and information transfers must be handled with meticulous attention and sometimes, in the hustle and commotion of an Emergency Room, that kind of attention is impossible to give. That is why programs and protocol should be put into place to assist in these transfers.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys at the Mininno Law Office

John Mininno, Esq. is a dedicated and hard working medical malpractice attorney practicing in New Jersey and Philadelphia. He is experienced in many different areas of medical malpractice, and is skilled at earning significant recoveries for victims of medical negligence. If you or a loved one have been victimized by neglience in an emergency or operating room, 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 team at the Mininno Law Office earn you the compensation you need and deserve.