nj Archives - Page 24 of 51 - New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Birth Defects Attorneys Provide Questions for Your Surgeon

Surgery can be a scary proposition, especially if performed on your child. However, there are certain questions that can ground your expectations of surgery, and help glean information regarding the qualifications of your surgeon. The caring and experienced birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office would like to offer a list of basic questions that you can ask your surgeon in the event that you are uncertain about the procedure and have not yet made a decision to have your child undergo it. While surgery is no small matter, it is important to realize that this step is greatly beneficial for your child and his or her overall well being.

What to Ask your Surgeon Regarding Oral Cleft Repair Procedures

You may want to ask some of the following questions to get a better feel for the procedure your child will undergo, as well as the knowledge and capabilities of your surgeon.

How many cleft lip/palate corrective procedures has your surgeon performed?
What are the risks and complications associated with the procedure?
How are these complications handled?
What options are available if the surgery is unsuccessful?
What kind of results can you expect? Are there before and after photos that you can look at?

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Many people who have a child born with a cleft lip or palate are confused about the cause of the birth defect and their legal rights. Most cleft lip/palate defects are believed to be caused through genetics and environmental factors. However, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and palates.

If you believe that your child’s cleft lip/palate may have been influenced by your use of Topamax, it is important to act now and contact the experienced birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office. Contact the Mininno Law Office in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600 or in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380 for a free consultation and case evaluation.

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Cleft Palate Surgery Steps

If your child was born with a cleft lip or palate, you most likely have considered the option of surgery to correct the birth defect. However, many people talk about surgery but do not know what it actually entails. The caring and experienced birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office believe that knowledge of a procedure is essential to an informed decision. There are three essential steps to a cleft palate surgery;

Anesthesia,
Incision, and
Closing Incision.

Elaborating on the Three Essential Steps of Cleft Lip/Palate Surgery

First, your child is given anesthesia for his or her comfort during the surgery. There are choices between intravenous sedation and general anesthesia, and your doctor will recommend the best choice for your child.

Second, for a cleft lip surgery, the doctor attempts to close the lip, to provide a more normal function and structure. Incisions are made on the lip and the tissue is drawn together and stitched to close the cleft. The repair of a cleft palate requires repositioning of tissues and muscles to close the cleft and rebuild the roof of the mouth, which is then stitched at the midline of the roof and allows for normal feeding and speech development.

The third step, closing the incisions, is done in such a way that the scar lines up with the normal ridge of the lip. This helps prevent the scar from standing out and helps it appear completely normal.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Parents of children born with a cleft palate birth defect are sure to have questions about their legal rights. In many situations, there is little that can be done because the birth defect is genetic or caused by environmental factors. However, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate) has increased the likelihood of the development of a cleft lip/palate.

If you believe that your use of Topamax may have contributed to your child’s cleft palate, act now and contact the Mininno Law Office. The experienced birth defect attorneys of the Mininno Law Office can be reached at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia for a free consultation or case evaluation.

Nursing Home Neglect of Medications Leads to Patient Death

By the time the elderly are placed in nursing homes or long term care facilities, they are in fragile health and need to be carefully monitored. They are vulnerable and the slightest change in diet or medication can have fatal consequences. Medication is incredibly important to keeping the health of the elderly strong and the staff of these facilities needs to make sure that each patient is receiving all of the medication that is being prescribed to them by their doctor. When nursing homes fail to provide residents with the medication their doctors prescribe them, they are guilty of Nursing home neglect.

Resident Dies After Missing 26 Doses of Medication

nursing home neglect in NJ and PA A woman entered the Lake Ridge Care Center in Buffalo, Minnesota on January 14, 2010 with a diagnosis of congestive heart failure and low potassium. She was prescribed two tablets of potassium three times a day to help keep her blood pumping through her heart. On January 23, 2010, the resident was sent to the emergency room because she was found unresponsive. Treaters in the emergency found a severely abnormal heart rhythm and extremely low potassium levels. The woman died later that afternoon. Her official cause of death was cardiac arrest.

After an investigation by the state Health Department, it was discovered that the woman missed 26 of her potassium doses over more than eight days. The report stated that the nursing home provided “inadequate medication administration.” The investigation also found that the facility mishandled other medications, not only for this woman, but for other residents.

This woman’s death was preventable and her condition maintainable. Her doctor provided a substantial and adequate treatment, and her nursing home neglected failed to administer it, causing her health to deteriorate very quickly.

Some nursing home residents are able to remember on their own to take their medications, but others need the facility to be on top of their medicine schedule. Sometimes, when residents are new to a facility, the staff is not familiar with the patient yet and certain things like medication can fall through the cracks. It is very important if you have a loved one in a nursing home that you communicate all of their needs to the staff. This case shows us how important every prescription is to the heath of the elderly.

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 at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Medical Malpractice Reform Strikes in North Carolina

The North Carolina Senate has recently passed a bill that is expected to reform medical malpractice laws. Specifically, the bill will limit the amount of money plaintiffs can be awarded following a civil trial within the state. The legislature’s hope is that with the liability of medical malpractice limited, higher quality doctors and medical personnel will stay within the state. The goals of the Senate also include a hope to lower health care costs because as liability decreases, the cost of medical malpractice insurance will also become lower. Although it is a great advantage for the state to have lower health care costs and more respected medical personnel, this action may also limit the availability of just remedies to those who are hurt by medical malpractice and negligence.

Patient’s Remedies Become Limited

Patients in North Carolina will still be able to recover medical costs and lost income that result from medical malpractice or negligence. However, there will now be a $500,000 cap on the amount juries are able to award for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering. A safeguard is included for plaintiffs which says that this cap is not relevant when a doctor or health care providers conduct is seen as grossly negligent, fraudulent, intentional, malicious, or reckless disregard for others that results in death, permanent injury, disfigurement, or loss of a part of the body. This exception does not cover incidents when patients are seriously injured by medical malpractice that does not fall into one of these narrow exception categories. North Carolina Senate President Phil Berger stated:

“Our citizens suffer in a lottery-like system that lets trial lawyers win big while doctors flee to states where they can practice without fear of unfair lawsuits. I commend our members for reaching a reasonable compromise.”

What Berger fails to recognize is that the legal system and judges are in place to decide when a lawsuit is unfair. If a judge allows a case to go to trial, why shouldn’t injured patients be allowed to collect damages that a jury of their peers found fitting? Medical malpractice and negligence is the problem, plaintiffs who collect money following extreme pain and suffering is justice. Limiting the amount of money that severely injured people can collect is extremely unfair, especially when much of that suffering comes at the hands of doctors that are paid to be attentive, not negligent.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one has recently undergone a medical procedure but are still in pain which you believe can be attributed to medical malpractice, it is possible that you have some questions. Please contact the Mininno Law Office at 856-833-0600 in New Jersey, or 215-567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Neglect Case Calls for Trial

A case of nursing home neglect will not be settled through a plea bargain and will require the parties to go through a trial. Amanda Tibble, a former nursing assistant at John. M. Reed Nursing Home, is charged with five counts of willful abuse, neglect, and exploitation of an adult. It is argued that the Tennessee woman both verbally and physically assaulted patients at her former place of employment. Despite agreeing to plead guilty to four of the counts, the trial will still go on in late August.

Nursing Assistant Refuses to Accept Full Responsibility

In return for reduced jail time, Tibble originally accepted a plea bargain. Following the entry of the plea, the woman would not confess to the exact details of what she was guilty of before Judge Robert Cupp. Since the nursing assistant refused to take responsibility, the judge denied the plea bargain and the case will need to be settled in court.

The victim’s family members were clearly outraged by these developments and disappointed that the legal process would not be coming to an end. The ninety year old victim, Anza Hall, was allegedly screamed at by the accused, who used inappropriate language. Tibble was arrested by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in 2010 due to various actions such as cursing at patients and twisting a seventy-five year old patient’s arm behind his back. Hall’s granddaughter, Carla Anderson was quoted as saying:

“If I was her I’d be embarrassed too to have to get up there and say what I did, but she knew that she was supposed to come in here and say what she did and she didn’t.”

Nursing Home Neglect in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you believe that a loved one, residing in a nursing home or long term care facility, is receiving negligent, abusive, or inadequate care, it is possible that you have some questions regarding nursing home neglect. 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.

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Cleft Palate Surgery Risks

The decision to allow your child to undergo a cleft palate surgery is extremely personal and should be made with the consultation of your child’s doctors. The experienced birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office would like to inform you of some possible risks associated with cleft lip/palate surgeries in order to make you more informed about your choices. It is important to remember that cleft lip/palates can be corrected through surgery and it may be the best choice for your child’s health and well being.

There are some risks associated with cleft lip/palate surgery that the birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office think you should know about before surgery. A good surgeon will discuss these risks with you before surgery, but educating yourself is essential. It is possible for there to be bleeding and infection. In some cases, poor or irregular healing of incisions may take place, which may create a puckering effect. There are anesthesia risks that you should discuss also. More seriously, there is the possibility of damaging deeper structures, such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and lungs, which can be temporary or permanent.

Ultimately, it is essentially to discuss the risks and benefits of surgery with your child’s care team. Usually, a cleft lip/palate can be corrected and your child can live a happy life, free of oral malformations. However, the possibility of risks is a reality.

Birth Defects Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

Many people that have children with a cleft lip or cleft palate birth defect have questions about their legal rights. In many situations, there is little that can be done because the birth defect is genetic or caused by environmental factors. However, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate) has increased the likelihood of the development of a cleft lip/palate. If you believe that Topamax may have contributed to your child’s cleft palate act now and contact the Mininno Law Office birth defects attorneys 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.

Bed Sore Lawyers Offer Practical Advice on Nursing Home Neglect

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

Risk Factors of Bed Sores and Steps for Prevention

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

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

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

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

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

Bed Sore Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one has recently suffered from a bed sore, then you may questions concerning your legal rights. In cases where you suspect that neglect or mistreatment played a factor in the development of the bed sore, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600, or in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380.

Nursing Home Neglect Causes Fatal Accident with Oxygen Tube

As the elderly population grows, so too do the occurrences of nursing home neglect. Unfortunately, government budget cuts are on the rise as well. This causes nursing home staff to be spread too thin and because of this, mistakes are often made. Unfortunately, small oversights can lead to serious injury or even death. Nursing homes and long term care facilities need to be more aware of small changes to procedures that can save their residents’ lives.

Elderly Man Dies After Oxygen Tube gets Wrapped Around His Neck

nursing home neglect in NJ and PA An 82-year-old man from Illinois died this month at Heartland Healthcare nursing home. According to the police report, Irvin W. Brackett was found by nursing assistant Annette Payton at 10:30 p.m. on the floor with an oxygen tube and electrical cord wrapped around his neck and tied to an assistance lever that was hanging over his bed. Payton immediately called other nurses for help. They removed the constraints and began emergency resuscitation. An ambulance was called to help but nothing could be done and the nursing home called for the coroner at 12:16 a.m. Brackett was pronounced dead at the scene by the Knox County Coroner Mark Thomas. According to Thomas:

“We are unable to determine if it was something Mr. Brackett did intentionally, or it was simply an accident…He may have been trying to get out of bed. He was found halfway in and halfway out of the bed with the cord wrapped around his neck. We don’t have any exact reason to believe it was suicide.”

Whatever the reason was for his death, accident, suicide, or murder, the nursing home neglected Brackett. The elderly are vulnerable and very prone to accidents due to their physical weaknesses. The hospital should not have had those cords hanging above the bed where a patient could become tangled. Residents’ rooms should be clean and clear of any clutter, sharp objects, or things that the elderly can easily become tangled or trip over.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or long term care facility, pay attention to the layout of their room. If there is anything you see that you think may be hazardous to their safety, mention your concerns to the staff. If you are worried that the care they are receiving is negligent, abusive, or inadequate, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Birth Defect Attorneys – Topamax Could be a Leading Cause of Cleft Lip

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

Post Childbirth Surgery

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

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

Birth Defect Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a cleft lip or cleft palate birth defect, and you believe it is attributable to your use of Topamax during pregnancy, you probably have some questions for a birth defects attorney. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at 856-833-0600 in New Jersey, or 215-567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Birth Defects Attorneys Give Pre-Operative Cleft Palate Tips

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

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

Birth Defects Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

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