Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Put Rapist Away for Nine Years

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

Nursing Home Employee Pleaded Guilty to Raping Elderly Resident

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

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility, we encourage you to visit frequently and be very observant of their treatment as well as their living conditions. If you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Psychosocial Problems in Children

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

The Challenge with Adolescents

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

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Many parents who have children born with a cleft lip or cleft palate are often overwhelmed and, in some instances, confused about their legal rights. In cases where Topamax is involved, our professionals will indeed be necessary. Topamax is an anti-epileptic drug used to treat epileptic seizures and migraine headaches. The drug has been shown to cause the development of oral clefts in utero when taken by pregnant women. If you given birth to a child with a cleft lip or cleft palate and you believe Topamax may be to blame, Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Warn About Medication Errors in Infants

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

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

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

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

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

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

Elder Abuse Lawyers: Elderly Woman Escapes Abusive Caretaker

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

Woman Rushed to the Hospital for Severe Weight Loss and Bedsores

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

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

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently under the care of an individual, or they are a resident of a nursing home or care facility, and you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, contact the Mininno Law Office to speak with elder abuse lawyers for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys: Jail Inmate May Proceed with Lawsuit

Daniel Pedersen, a Detroit native, was an inmate at Lenawee County Jail in 2007. Although a settlement has been reached between Mr. Pedersen and the Lenawee County Sheriff’s Department, Federal Judge Bernard A. Friedman ordered that a lawsuit may be brought against a private healthcare company, as well as six members of the company’s staff who worked at the jail at the same time. Pedersen’s medical malpractice attorneys argued that the staff members failed to evaluate him properly for seven weeks and “knowingly subjected him to intolerable pain and suffering”.

Man Suffers in Jail without Treatment

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys discuss inmate Lenawee County Jail case
The lawyers for the defense agreed that there may be a medical malpractice claim but there was certainly no deliberate indifference which resulted in cruel and unusual punishment, as the plaintiff argued. However, the judge disagreed and pointed to the expert testimony of Dr. Joe Goldenson which could support the claims made by the medical malpractice attorneys on behalf of the plaintiff. The man suffered from prolonged pain and serious health problems during his time at the facility throughout a two month span. Pedersen was finally sent to a hospital when he could no longer stand, walk, sleep, or use the lavatory. He was in need of emergency surgery when it was discovered that he had an abscess extending from his abdomen all the way through his right thigh. Two surgeries were necessary and he was exposed to a prolonged stay in the hospital.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member have recently been the victim of medical negligence, it is possible that you would like to speak with our professionals. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Neglect and Medication Errors Lead to $3,000 Fine

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The Regency Heights of Danielson nursing home facility in Connecticut is facing a $3,000 fine after multiple cases of nursing home neglect were discovered. The facility was cited by the Department of Public Health on August 18th because, according to the report, several nurses at the facility were not giving all of the prescribed medications to the residents. The director of nurses was notified of the problem in July and an internal investigation from the facility was conducted. They found at least 18 cases where the residents, including those who suffered from heart failure, hypertension, and seizures, were not given their medications. They initially found that one licensed practical nurse was withholding medication from a diabetic patient. She was suspended and then fired. The director of nurses then performed a full audit of all medication carts and concluded that “multiple other nurses had also not administered all medications as prescribed.”

The most alarming of the cases was one diabetic patient was not given 72 doses of Glucophage over seven months. Glucophage is a medication that helps control the glucose in the blood. Luckily, none of the patients died or were seriously harmed as a result of the medicinal neglect. All of the residents were evaluated medically and the nursing home re-trained the entire staff on administering medication.

The Importance of Medication for the Elderly

Neglecting to administer medications to the elderly and disabled residents of nursing homes can have fatal consequences. By the time someone must depend on a nursing home to provide necessary care, their health is quite fragile. Medications are incredibly important to maintain a comfortable quality of life and to correct the health problems that come with old age.

Some residents are capable of medicating themselves, however a large number of residents need staff assistance to stay on top of a treatment schedule. When residents are new to a facility, the staff is not yet familiar with their medications, so as nursing home neglect attorneys, we strongly encourage communicating the needs of your loved ones when starting in a new facility in order to prevent this type of nursing home neglect.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility and you are worried that they are not receiving their medication, or that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation with one of our nursing home neglect lawyers at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Elder Abuse Lawyers Warn About Financial Abuse from Adult Children

new jersey philadelphia elder abuse lawyers Warn Financial Adult ChildrenAt all points in life, we face the threat of being abused; abused physically, emotionally, or even financially. Our elder abuse lawyers write this blog to keep you informed about the dangers of being taken advantage of as you get older and the different ways to see the warning signs in order to prevent yourself from being a victim. The problem is that there are so many different forms of abuse,  it is hard to protect yourself from all of them. Financial abuse can come from anyone, but a disturbing number of cases involve a victim’s own children.

The exact number of cases is unknown, but experts estimate that between 60 and 90% of financial elder abuse is committed by family members. Out of that percentage, one out of five cases go unreported. Unfortunately, many victims do not report that their children have been stealing from them because they are embarrassed or do not want their children to be punished. It is expected that this form of abuse is going to increase as the number of the elderly population in this country grows.

Warning Signs and Prevention

Often, the adult child that is more likely to steal from their elderly parents still relies on his or her parents for support. According to Dr. Winsor Schmidt, professor of family and geriatric medicine at the University of Louisville, “Research suggests that increased risk of elder financial abuse by adult children is associated with such factors as the perpetrator’s unemployment, inability to drive and financial dependence upon the older person.” You should also consider a history of substance abuse, chemical dependency, compulsive gambling, and other addictions as reasons to be more vigilant. Choosing a financial caretaker is a very important decision and a job that should only go to someone you absolutely trust.

new jersey philadelphia elder abuse lawyers Warn Financial Adult ChildrenThe older you get the higher your chances of being taken advantage of become. Individuals that have a hard time performing everyday tasks, getting around by themselves, or who suffer from Dementia or Alzheimer’s are most often the victims of financial abuse. Parents who have children who live far away from them or each other are also at a higher risk. One sibling can misuse the parents’ assets without the others finding out.

Few parents anticipate or ever want to think about the fact that their children may someday cheat them out of their entire life savings, but it is unfortunately common. Many people are in the mindset that it will not happen to them, that they have great kids and nothing to worry about. As elder abuse lawyers, we encourage you to take this seriously and choose a financial caretaker carefully. Think about the warning signs and choose someone who is responsible and good with money so you do not fall victim to a growing form of abuse. If you can, discuss these issues with a lawyer while you are planning your estate. The more planning you do and the more you get in writing, the better your chances of preventing abuse and theft.

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently being taken advantage of financially or physically, or they are a resident of a nursing home and 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.

Nursing Home Negligence – Feeding Tube Causes Death

Residents of a nursing home are residents because they require medical care that they can no longer provide themselves. Depending upon severity of conditions, this care could be as simple as a few check-ins throughout the day, or could be as serious as constant and close observation. Because some patients require constant observation, staff members and caretakers have a responsibility and obligation to know what their patient’s needs are at all times and how to effectively provide those needs in a way that promotes a good quality of life.  Nursing home negligence occurs when the needs of a patient are disregarded or overlooked. Often, injuries and death occur as a result of nursing home neglect, and the matter should not be taken lightly.

Facility Fined After Death of 78-Year-Old Man

new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyers AA citation Orchard-Post Acute CareOrchard-Post Acute Care in Whittier has been fined $75,000 and given a “AA” citation from the state of California for the death of a 78-year-old patient in 2008. The man, who suffered from Alzheimer’s and was recovering from a stroke, was admitted to the facility in July of 2008. Nursing home staff inserted a feeding tube into the man’s abdomen, as is often necessary for Alzheimer’s and Dimentia patients who may forget to eat or become aggressive at meal times. Soon after, the man began complaining of abdominal pain and was taken to the emergency room. While in the hospital, the doctors discovered that his feeding tube was inserted incorrectly, causing an inflamed abdomen lining, labored breathing, and septic shock. The man underwent an operation and was placed on a ventilator, but died six days later.

Placing a feeding tube is a common procedure in nursing homes. Staff members should be adequately trained before they perform these procedures on patients. It certainly is sad when something so easily preventable leads to the death of patient.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility, we encourage you to visit frequently and be very observant of the care they are receiving. If you are worried that the care 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.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Get Las Vegas Facility Closed

As nursing home abuse lawyers, our goal is to get justice for the victims and loved ones of elder and nursing home abuse. We also want to see that the correct punishment is brought to the facility and/or the individuals responsible. Revoking an operating license is the most severe punishment that state officials give to nursing home facilities who fail to meet inspection requirements. Fines and follow up inspections are utilized before the state revokes a license, but if conditions are not improved, licenses will be lost.

Repeat Citations and Abuse Leads to Loss of License for Home

nursing home abuse lawyers in NJ and PAAfter an investigation by the state of Nevada, the Las Vegas Home Sweet Home had its license revoked and was forced to close in August. All of the residents were removed and placed in different facilities.

The most recent investigation that led to the closure was prompted by a witness a caregiver yelling at an elderly woman. The abuse continued as the caregiver dragged the resident down the hallway by her ankles. During their investigation, state officials also found that caregivers at the home were depositing residents’ social security checks into their personal bank accounts. Staff members were also taking more money than necessary for small grocery trips for the residents, and then pocketing the change afterwards.

These were not the first violations for “Home Sweet Home.” The facility has been fined and investigated frequently over the years for various citations that made the home unsafe for the residents. The state became aggravated with the home’s failure to adhere to regulations and decided to shut it down.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have witnessed any questionable or abusive behavior in a nursing home, directed towards your loved one or even another resident, 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 Fight for Parents of Stillborn Babies

Stillbirths are perhaps the worst tragedy to befall expectant parents. Not only do they have to endure the pain associated with the death of a child, but a mother will have to endure the entire delivery process, only to hold the body of her lifeless baby in the end. Often, stillbirths occur naturally, through no fault of doctor or patient. However, other on other occasions, medical negligence is to blame. It is for these cases that medical malpractice lawyers believe parents are due compensation.

$1 Million Awarded for Pain and Suffering

medical malpractice lawyers in NJ and PAIn 2004, New York’s highest court ruled that women can sue for emotional suffering if their stillbirth is a result of medical malpractice. There have now been a couple cases moving through the legal system that are determining what is justified compensation.

Lucia Ferreira was awarded $1 million in a New York court in February for pain and suffering after she lost her baby during a home labor. During her last three visits to the Wyckoff Heights Medical Center, she complained of abdominal pain but was only given painkillers and sent home.

After the Ferreira case, lawyer Jeff Korek is fighting for more money for his client Vivian Acevedo. He is trying to reason that $1 million should be the standard for medical malpractice stillborn cases. The Acevedo case is against Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center for a delayed emergency Caesarean that caused the child to be stillborn. Lincoln Medical offered $500,000 but she turned it down.

Medical Malpractice Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member has recently suffered a stillbirth 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.