nj Archives - Page 26 of 51 - New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Nursing Home Neglect Leads to Heat Exhaustion and Death

It is very important to remember how vulnerable the elderly are when it comes to temperature. Now that summer is here and the temperature is rising, it is crucial that you check up on your elderly loved ones to make sure that they do not overheat. Properly working air conditioners and fans are vital to their heath and well being during the summer months.

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are responsible for maintaining the health of their residents. Nursing home neglect is a serious issue, and heat exhaustion is a very easily preventable form of neglect.

Elderly Man Left in Record Heat for Three Hours

new jersey philadelphia Nursing Home Neglect lawyers report Heat Exhaustion Death A 69-year-old nursing home resident died on Tuesday, June 7th after care workers neglected to bring him inside for over three hours. Martin Belkin, who lived at Sunrise Care Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, had a history of medical problems. He asked care workers early Tuesday afternoon to be taken outside in his wheelchair. He was left in the heat for over three hours, from 2:45 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. He was found unresponsive. Tuesday was a record high for Milwaukee, reaching 97 degrees at 3:47 p.m. A staffer at the medical examiner’s office asked for a reading of Belkin’s body temperature just before 8 p.m. That reading relayed that Belkin’s body temp was 101.4 degrees. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office will be conducting an autopsy this week to determine if Tuesday’s heat was the official cause of Belkin’s death.

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 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.

Bed Sore Attorneys – CA Lawsuit Shows Typical Medical Center Conduct

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

Death Resulted Only One Day Following Removal From the Facility

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

Bed Sore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

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

Nursing Home Abuse Captured on Camera by Neighbor

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are legally obligated to report incidents of neglect and abuse, however, they often go unreported. It is very important that if you have a loved one in a nursing home, that you visit often and pay close attention to any warning signs. It is then your responsibility to report these issues for their safety. One woman in North Carolina took action when she witnessed abuse occurring at a nursing home in her neighborhood.

Neighbors Fear for Residents’ Safety

nursing home abuse NJ PA According to a report from ENC Today, Sherri Taylor used her phone to record a video, between the blinds of a window in her home, of a staff member abusing a mentally ill patient at the Edwards Group Home in Hookerton, NC. Sherri and her husband Danny, a commissioner on the Hookerton Town Council, live near the facility. Sherri decided to capture the abuse on camera after Danny told her that he heard screaming coming from the home and witnessed a fist fight in the yard between a staff member and a mentally ill patient.

“He just took off running and shoved the patient, sending her several feet backwards before she fell to the ground… she was violently shaking and crying,” Taylor recalled.

They turned the video over to the authorities on May 17th. Two days following the incident, a dark mesh screen was placed over the fence of the home to block neighbor’s view.

This is not the only incident at the Edwards Group Home; the employees have failed to supervise their patients on numerous occasions. In one incident the neighbors had to call the fire department after a resident of the home set a shrub in the yard on fire. Several times, patients have escaped to roam the neighborhood, laying in the middle of the road, making crude comments, and asking strangers for food and help. This has caused Sherri Taylor and other neighbors to be very nervous, “If they are doing this in front of us in their own yard, who knows what is going on inside.” Sherri said. The video has led to an investigation of the home by the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have witnessed your loved one or any nursing home resident being abused, or you fear that the care they are receiving may be considered negligent or abusive, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. 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 – Negligence Takes Life of 45 Year Old

Medical malpractice attorneys in Chicago recently struck a settlement on behalf of a local family who had suddenly lost their father and husband. Abraham Pinarkyil passed away at the age of forty five following a surgery to remove a benign tumor from his heart. The Illinois medical malpractice attorneys, led by Charles Hornewer, believe that the $3.8 million settlement will help the family following this tragic event. In 2007, Pinarkyil left behind a widow, two daughters, and a son who had not yet been born at the time of his father’s death.

Doctors Fail to Recognize Problem and Prescribe Proper Treatment

Following the initial heart surgery, Pinarkyil began experiencing some cardiac abnormalities in addition to displaying some signs of shock. Doctors treated him with additional fluids and medications but there was no significant improvement in his condition. Over the following two days, Pinarkyil’s cardiac output was dramatically reduced. Pinarkyil’s initial surgery was on June 1st, 2007, by June 4th he was dead. The death occurred because doctors failed to recognize that the shock and dramatic health issues seen after surgery could be directly linked to the man’s heart. We believe that if the proper devices would have been used, such as an intra-aortic balloon pump, Pinarkyil would not have had organ failure. As Mr. Pinarkyil lost his life, it is hard not to feel the most sympathy for his widow and three young children. Pinarkyil’s medical malpractice attorney stated, “our hope is that this compensation will help offset the financial impact of his loss to his widow and daughters, as well as the son who will grow up without ever having met his father.”

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member have recently received medical treatment that you believe was negligent, you probably have some questions about your legal rights and your next step. 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 Advise Mothers on Topamax Use

After the recent announcement by the FDA, Topamax (topiramate) labels are being updated to include the increased risk (twenty-one times the normal rate) of your newborn baby being born with a cleft palate or lip. If you are currently pregnant and taking Topamax, this news should cause alarm, of course. However, it is important to consult with your medical professional before making any decisions regarding your prescription drug regimen. There are negative consequences associated with discontinuing the use of Topamax abruptly, which is why a medical practitioner should be consulted first. We want you to be as safe as possible, and be informed about you and your child’s health.

With this in mind, it usually behooves women to discontinue use of Topamax, under medical care, if they are of child bearing age, or are pregnant. There are still legitimate uses for Topamax, including prevention of seizures and migraine headaches, but the potential side effects need to be seriously considered. If your child was born with a cleft palate or lip, it may negatively affect her health and wellbeing, so do not hesitate to contact the experienced birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Offices.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a cleft lip or palate birth defect, that you believe can be attributed to your use of Topamax before or during pregnancy, you will want to speak with one of 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.
It is important to have experienced birth defects attorneys on your side because they can provide financial assistance that could help your child immensely.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys: Understanding Damages Due to Negligence

Victims of medical malpractice and negligence should bring a lawsuit as soon as possible because it is very likely that they are entitled to compensation. Medical malpractice attorneys explain that there are many types of potential damages that could be awarded to plaintiffs. Meritorious lawsuits could allow an individual to receive economic and non-economic damages as well as punitive damages, which are generally used to punish an especially egregious action by the defendant. Although people are often entitled to compensation, we worry that many claims fall by the wayside because of specific time limitations in different jurisdictions.

Compensating Plaintiffs for Negligence

Juries frequently award plaintiffs both economic and non-economic compensatory damages. Medical malpractice attorneys explain economic damages as monies awarded to cover financial losses such as medical expenses, care expenses, and lost wages. Economic damages are frequently used to cover both the past and the future. Individuals who, because of negligence, can no longer work are entitled money damages for the time that they have already missed as well as future absence from their job. Medical malpractice attorneys explain non-economic damages as money that has been assessed for the injury itself. The types of recovery for non-economic damages are somewhat endless. Examples of these damages include psychological and physical harm, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium, emotional distress, and many others. Finally, punitive damages are used to “teach the defendant a lesson,” and they are generally utilized in the case of some sort of wanton or reckless conduct.

Avoiding the Statute of Limitations

Following a medical negligence incident, individuals are afforded only a limited time period in which they can bring a lawsuit. Each jurisdiction generally will have a limitations period specified by statute. These limitations periods may vary depending on the type of malpractice and the state in which the negligence took place. Medical malpractice attorneys urge victims to seek legal assistance as soon as possible in order to avoid being left out in the cold without a legal remedy.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member have recently undergone surgery and have been the victim of medical malpractice or negligence, it is possible that you would like to speak with a professional. 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 Supporting Children With Cleft Palates

It is now possible for medical practitioners to discover, before your child is born, if a cleft palate or lip will develop. Knowing that your baby will be born with a cleft palate/lip may come as a total shock and surprise. You may fear for his/her development and future. It is important to keep things in perspective, and realize that while this is definitely serious, this birth defect is treatable. Take a deep breath and realize that there is support out there for you, and that support includes our experienced birth defects attorneys.

Many parents ask, “What did I do wrong that allowed my child to develop this deformity and birth defect?” This type of thinking is counter-productive, as there are a whole host of different variables that affect the development of your baby. Certain medicines can cause cleft lips/palates. For example, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (topirmate) has been linked to an increase of cleft palate/lip development by twenty-one times the normal rate. If you took Topamax while pregnant, or before pregnancy, you should seriously consider contacting the experienced our birth defects professionals.

Birth Defects Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia.

If your child was born with a cleft palate or lip, that you believe can be attributed to your use of Topamax during pregnancy, you should not hestitate to contact our attorneys. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.
We work on a contingency basis, meaning that we do not get paid until you get paid. Let us work to get the relief your family deserves.

Nursing Home Neglect Leads to $2 Million Verdict Award in Georgia

new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect attorneys million verdict award georgia bedsores A jury in Georgia recently awarded $2million to Elizabeth Costlow for the wrongful death of her 82 year old mother, Ruby Mae Tyle. Tyler was a patient at the Rockmart Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for a little over 3 months when she passed away. Costlow contended that her mother died due to nursing home neglect. The jury found that the Subacute Services, Inc., based in Florida, was liable and awarded the large verdict in the 2008 death of Tyler. In the short time Tyler was a patient at the nursing home, the neglect in her care lead to the development of bed sores (pressure ulcers). The lawsuit claimed that the nursing home’s negligence led to these bed sores which, in turn, contributed to Tyler’s death.

Elderly Patients Deserve to Live and Die With Dignity

The Defense made a depraved argument that Tyler was sick with numerous illnesses and that she was going to die anyway. The plaintiff’s attorney argued that it wasn’t about whether Tyler was sick or going to die at some point, but that it was about being allowed to “die with dignity.” He argued that the pressure ulcers or bed sores were rooted in neglect at the nursing home and that these directly caused the patient’s death. Just because someone is at their last stages of their life doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be able to die with dignity!

Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you believe your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, get in touch with our professional nursing home neglect attorneys. We are dedicated to ensuring that all people have the right to live and die with dignity. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-1896 in New Jersey, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys: Proving Medical Negligence

Medical malpractice lawsuits begin with the filing of a complaint with the court in the appropriate jurisdiction. Once the process begins, both sides undertake discovery in an effort to uncover as much relevant information and evidence as possible prior to trial. This information must be shared between the two parties, as to avoid any surprises by the time the case reaches trial. Plaintiffs and defendants are able to negotiate before the trial in an effort to reach a settlement. If no agreement is reached, the parties will be forced to argue their case at trial. Medical malpractice attorneys strongly believe that plaintiffs need to fight for just compensation due to negligence, whether it is through a settlement or trial.

Acquiring Information and Proving the Case

During discovery, each party will conduct interrogatories, depositions, and file many requests for documents, in an effort to get to the bottom of the controversy. The plaintiff is required to prove each and every element of negligence (by a preponderance of evidence in civil court) in order to prevail in his or her medical malpractice claim. The first element is that the defendant (the physician, nurse, or hospital) owed a duty to the patient, such as caring for them or providing treatment.

Medical malpractice attorneys say that the second element of negligence is that the defendant breached his duty of care. When a defendant fails to live up to his duty as a professional caretaker, this duty is breached. Third, a plaintiff must show that the actions of the defendant, through the breach of his duty, directly caused the injury that has been sustained.

Finally, lawyers need to prove the plaintiff’s damages. Even if a doctor, nurse, healthcare provider, or hospital has been negligent (and fulfilled the first three elements), there is no claim without losses. Once the medical malpractice attorneys present and prove the plaintiff’s case, the injured party will be awarded damages from the fact-finder as compensation.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have recently undergone surgery and have been the victim of medical malpractice or negligence, it is likely that you may wish to speak with medical malpractice attorneys. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Birth Defects Attorneys Urge You to Know the Side Effects of Your Drugs

Our birth defects attorneys have been contacted by many parents with children born with cleft lips and palates. Many of these mothers have taken Topamax (topiramate) for various reasons. One reason that Topamax is taken is for migraine headaches. If you have ever experienced a migraine headache you can attest to the fact that the pain and discomfort can be almost unbearable. However, it is extremely important to know what the side effects of the drugs you take are, especially if you are of child bearing age, or are pregnant.

Most of the time, drug side effects are published when the drug is released so that doctors and patients can consider them. However, some drugs, like Topamax, have had significant side effects discovered after they had been on the market for a considerable amount of time. It has recently been announced by the FDA that Topamax increases the likelihood that your child will develop a cleft palate birth defect in utero by over twenty-one times the normal rate. The birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office suggest thorough research on any drug you may take, especially during pregnancy, and consultation with medical personnel to determine the right medications for you.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a cleft lip or palate you may be asking yourself if legal representation is necessary. The answer certainly depends on your individual circumstances. If you believe that Topamax may have been linked to the development of your child’s birth defect, do not hesitate to 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.
Our birth defects attorneys have your interest at heart, and can provide financial remedies that will make dealing with your child’s cleft lip/palate easier.