DePuy Hip Recall Lawyers Scoff at DePuy’s “Generous” Offer

As a DePuy hip recall lawfirm, we have been watching the DePuy website to see whether they are really interested in paying full and fair compensation to anyone who was harmed by one of the ASR hip implant systems that were recalled. DePuy has made many public statements proclaiming that they were concerned and looking out for the best interests of their hip implant patients. However, these public statements are inconsistent with DePuy’s hip implant claims policy.

DePuy Hip Recall Lawyers Want You to be Compensated

depuy hip recall lawyers new jersey philadelphia scoff generous offerIn the Johnson & Johnson subsidary’s first press release, which was sent out on August 26, 2010, they boasted that they would cover “reasonable and customary costs of monitoring and treatment for services.” This was their first “offer” of compensation. This vague statement really meant nothing. DePuy refused to even acknowledge whether or not they would cover lost wages, medical expenses, or any other of the typical compensatory damages that defective product makers are required to pay to makeup for the harm they cause to their patients. In this case, if you are one of the 93,000 DePuy ASR hip implant patients and your hip implant has failed, or you are concerned about metal poisoning your system, you will likely need a second hip implant surgery.

As a DePuy hip recall lawyer, I make sure to let my clients know that hip implant surgery will dramatically affect how they are able to live their lives while recuperating from surgery. In addition, there is not any medical way to determine what long-term effects may occur to patients from having a second hip implant surgery, or from the release of the DePuy chromium and cobalt metals into their bloodstream.

DePuy Hip Recall Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

DePuy hip recall lawyers believe that DePuy’s “offer” is unfair. We will continue to urge all potential DePuy hip recall clients that they are entitled to full and fair compensation. After all, they did not cause their own harm – DePuy did. Why should the cost of DePuy’s defective product be placed on the victims?

If you or a loved one are the recipient of a defective DePuy hip implant, 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 the full and fair compensation that DePuy is trying to evade.

Medical Malpractice Attorney’s Victory Upheld

An Ohio judge refused to order a new medical malpractice trial at the behest of defense attorneys this past Wednesday in the case of 10 year-old Haley Cobb.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Get Birth Injury Victory

medical malpractice attorneys new jersey philadelphia victory upheldHaley Cobb was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after her vaginal birth. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the doctor, Dr. Tara Shipman, should have performed a c-section. Failure to do so caused oxygen deprivation to Haley’s brain, and led to cerebral palsy. A 15 day trial in October won Haley’s parents, Okey and Debra Cobb, $13.9 million dollars. Also enforced was a $6.5 million dollar settlement the Cobb’s reached with other parties pre-suit. All in all, the Cobbs will receive $20.4 million for the lifetime of care and special medical necessities for their daughter, Haley.

Dr. Shipmen’s attorneys believed that plaintiff’s counsel acted inappropriately, that the jury’s verdict was excessive, and that, additionally, they were swayed by “sympathy, passion, and prejudice.” Trumball County judge, Judge W. Wyatt McKay, did not feel as though the arguments were valid, and denied the request for another trial.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in NJ and PA

Without the “excessive” verdict, the Cobb family would have to face the countless expenses of a special needs child without assistance. The money awarded them in court was not excessive, but absolutely necessary. Especially since it is unlikely that Haley will ever be able to fully support herself. Okey and Debra will be accountable for Haley as long as she is living, and their jury award will make sure they are able to do that.

Without a good medical malpractice attorney fighting on your side, you will not be able to receive the compensation you rightfully deserve. If you are the victim of 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 the Mininno Law Office team earn you the full and fair compensation that you deserve.

DePuy Hip Recall Lawyers Fight for Full and Fair Compensation

As a New Jersey and Philadelphia DePuy hip implant recall firm, we have posted information regarding the recent market withdrawal of the DePuy ASR hip implant systems. On its web site, the Johnson & Johnson subsidiary claims that it will cover medical costs for the victims of these defective hip implants. Specifically, it states

“DePuy intends to cover reasonable and customary costs of treatment if you need services associated with the recall of ASR including revision surgery if it is necessary.”

This sounds good, right? But what does this promise really mean?

Depuy Hip Recall Attorneys Clarify Empty Promises

depuy hip recall attonrneys new jersey philadelphia full compensationAs a DePuy recall lawyer, we tell our clients that it means nothing. Why? Because before any claims for compensation are considered, DePuy, who admittedly designed, manufactured, and sold for profit a defective hip implant to 93,000 patients, is requiring those patients to first pay for their medical expenses upfront. That’s right, if your hip implant has failed, and you need treatment or surgery, you first have to send your bills to your own health insurance company and, if you don’t have private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare. DePuy will only then consider a claim for reimbursement for any out of-pocket expenses and deductibles that are not being covered by your health insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare.

Imagine that! DePuy is passing off the cost of its own wrongdoing to working folks whose wages go to fund the Medicaid and Medicare health insurance systems.

DePuy Hip Recall Attorneys against Corporate Wrongdoers

Time and time again, corporate wrongdoers fail to take responsibility and pay fair prices on all of the harm that they cause. As we posted previously, DePuy also refuses to fairly compensate its victims for pain or disability, or for the loss of the activities that many of them enjoyed before their hip implant failed. As defective product attorneys, we will demand that DePuy Orthopaedics make up for all of the harm caused by their wrongdoing. As it stands, DePuy refuses to pay a fair price for harm caused and is trying to push the cost of its harm on to insurance companies and the U.S. taxpayers. As a defective products firm, we can make sure that a DePuy implant victim is properly and fully compensated to the full extent of the law.

DePuy Hip Recall Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you are the recipient of a defective DePuy implant, you will need the assistance of a defective products lawyer from the Mininno Law Office. DePuy is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the victims of their faulty and defective manufacturing. 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 the compensation you need and deserve.

Nursing Home Abuse – Bedsores (Stage 1)

As a New Jersey and Philadelphia nursing home abuse firm, we represent people and families who have had loved-ones suffer from horrible pressure ulcers and bedsores caused by nursing home neglect. Many times, our nursing home abuse clients tell us that the bedsore at issue has been classified as a Stage I, Stage II, Stage III or Stage IV bedsore. Although our nursing home abuse clients have this information, they often ask us what the difference is between a Stage I and a Stage IV bed sore or pressure ulcer. This nursing home abuse blog post, as well as the three that follow, will help nursing home abuse victims understand how bedsores and pressure ulcers are classified.

Nursing Home Abuse – Who Classifies Bedsores?

Bedsores are classifieds by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP). As a nursing home abuse lawfirm that represents patients with bedsores and pressure ulcers, we frequently use the NPUAP as an authoritative resource when handling bedsore and pressure ulcer cases arising from nursing home abuse. The NPUAP serves as an “authoritative voice for improved patient outcomes in pressure ulcer prevention and treatment through public policy, education and research.” Since 1987, they have been a major part of bedsore and pressure ulcer prevention in the health care field.

Nursing Home Abuse Classifications of Bedsores – Stage I

A Stage I bedsore or pressure ulcer is the least extensive bedsore a patient can have. However, as a bedsore lawyer, we believe that a Stage 1 bedsore or pressure ulcer, in many ways, is the most important stage for nursing home staff and families to understand. The NPAUAP defines a Stage 1 bedsore as as

“intact skin with non blanchable redness of the localized area usually over a boney prominence. Darkly pigmented skin may not have visible blanching; its color may differ from the surrounding area.”

In addition, a Stage I bedsore or pressure ulcer is further described as an area that can be painful, firm, soft warmer or cooler as compared to the surrounding and adjacent tissues.

nursing home abuse lawyers new jersey philadelphia against bedsoresAs nursing home abuse lawyers, we typically will not be called in to investigate a nursing home abuse case involving a patient with Stage I ulcer as these bedsores, if treated promptly and correctly, rarely cause a nursing home patient to needlessly suffer. However, a Stage I pressure ulcer or bedsore is medically significant. Nursing home staff and medical personnel must be trained to carefully assess and identify any nursing home patient who has a potential Stage I bedsore or pressure ulcer. Although prevention is the best medicine for a bedsore or pressure ulcer, if a nursing home fails to prevent a bedsore or pressure ulcer, the next best step is early detection.

Nursing Home Abuse – Prevention

There are numerous federal regulations and state regulations which require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to carefully assess all of their patients on a regular and routine basis to ensure that they are not developing a Stage I pressure ulcer. Family members should also perform their own regular assessment to ensure that the nursing home staff is doing what the law requires. All nursing home patients should be checked daily for Stage 1 bedsores. This skin check should include visually inspecting all areas of the skin that come into contact with a patient’s bed, wheel chair, seat, or even sheets. The areas include the toes, the heels, the buttocks, lower back, elbows, back and even the patient’s head if he or she is immobile or heavily sedated. Any redness or usual signs in these areas should be pointed out to nursing home medical personnel so that a thorough medical exam can be performed to ensure that a Stage 1 bedsore has not developed.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

As will be seen in later posts, a Stage I pressure ulcer can very quickly develop into a much more serious and catastrophic problem. If you or a loved one developed a Stage 1 bedsore while at a nursing home or assisted living facility, 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 fight for your right to compensation!

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 Appeal Unsuccessful – License Revoked

medical malpractice attorneys new jersey philadelphia license revokedDr. Richard Glunk recently lost his appeal of a $20.5 million dollar medical malpractice verdict awarded to the family of his patient, 18 year old Amy Fledderman, who died in 2001 from complications during a liposuction procedure. In addition to losing his appeal, Dr. Glunk temporarily lost his license to practice medicine, and was ordered to pay a $5,000 civil penalty and take classes in ethics or professionalism.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Fight Negligence and Apathy

Amy Fledderman was not Glunk’s only patient to suffer from complications during liposuction. Two additional patients were hospitalized after a procedure, with whom Dr. Glunk settled out of court. Glunk punctured the bowel of one of those patients, and nearly killed another just days before Amy Fledderman’s procedure. It is also speculated that Dr. Glunk was using “donations” to bribe medical board hearing examiner, Rabbi Solomon Isaacson. Glunk vehemently denied using money to bribe Rabbi Isaacson, and mentioned a “decent chance” that his license would not be revoked.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys Necessary to Obtain Justice

The Fledderman’s were awarded $15 million in punitive damages from a Philadelphia jury in 2008. Without a medical malpractice attorney, the Fledderman’s would not have been able to obtain such an award, and Dr. Glunk would have gotten away with carrying on a negligent and dangerous medical practice. Often, punitive damages are the only way to effectively punish a negligent medical provider. If Dr. Glunk was simply able to settle out of court a third time, he would have suffered no consequences of his actions, and would have been able to continue practicing negligent medicine.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one have suffered due to medical malpractice, you’ll need the help of a medical malpractice attorney. An attorney will be able to review your medical records and decide exactly what your case is worth, and proceed in fighting for your full and fair compensation. 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 Mininno Law Office earn you the compensation you need and deserve

Nursing Home Neglect Brings Criminal Charges to Facility Owner and Employee

In a shocking and rare turn of events, nursing home abuse has put an assisted living facility caretaker in jail for 31 months following the death of a resident.

Nursing Home Neglect in a Washington State Facility

new jersey philadelphia elder abuse attorney nursing home neglect jean rudolph houghton lakeview
Jean Rudolph died in 2008 at age 87 due to infection caused by three stage 4 bedsores that went untreated.
Jean Rudolph, 87, was a resident at the Houghton Lakeview adult home in Kirkland, Washington. She suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as varied heart problems. She was virtually bedridden and had extreme difficulty verbalizing any complaints she may have had regarding pain or discomfort.

When Jean died, she weighed 68 lbs, and was being ravaged by infections caused by three untreated, stage 4 bedsores that had burrowed to her bones. A pressure ulcer on her hip revealed a hip joint jutting out of her body.
When her son was notified of the bedsores, after almost a month of severe neglect, he rushed his mother to the hospital where she died three weeks later.

Her caretaker, Effie Tutor, was sentenced to 31 months in jail for a felony count of first-degree criminal mistreatment. Nursing Home owner, Patricia Goodwill, plead guilty to second-degree criminal mistreatment. Prosecutor Page Ulrey has asked for a one year jail sentence.

Unbeknownst to Rudolph or her family, the Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) had previously cited Houghton Lakeview with a number of serious health and safety violations. After Rudolph’s death, the facility was closed down. Investigators are looking into another nursing facility that Goodwill owns in Washington. The DSHS is currently reviewing her conviction to determine whether or not she should be stripped of her license to run the other facility.

Are You a Victim of Elder Abuse or Nursing Home Neglect?

Elder Abuse and Nursing Home Neglect are a serious epidemic in today’s long term care industry. It’s a good thing that law enforcement and juries are seeing these as criminal offenses, and forcing punishments upon offenders.
If you or a loved one have suffered in any way due to elder abuse and/or nursing home neglect in a nursing home or long term care facility, 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.

Let the Mininno Law Office team earn you the compensation you deserve.

DePuy Hip Implants Release Toxic Metallic Debris Into Bloodstream

Recently, there has been a lot of news surrounding the recall of the DePuy Orthopaedics defective hip implant system. The product recall occurred after a medical study in Great Britain revealed that this hip implant had up to a 13% failure rate within the first five years of surgery.
And, as if early hip replacement failure and the necessity of additonal surgery wasn’t bad enough, the wear and tear from these defective hip implants is resulting in the flow of metallic debris throughout the bloodstream.

What are these metals?

depuy hip implant recall new jersey mininno law officeChromium and Cobalt. These metals are not found in your local vitamin store: Chromium is a chemical element found on the periodic table under atomic number 24. It is used to make stainless steel and all of the shiny parts called “chrome” on automobiles.
While it may look pretty on a “tricked out” automobile, when it circulates in the bloodstream, it has been associated with numerous health problems.

depuy hip implant recall nj and pa attorneys mininno law officeSimilarly, Cobalt is also a chemical element found on the periodic table under atomic number 27. Since ancient times, it has been used as a blue pigment to tint glass, jewelry, and furniture.
However, when it is released into your bloodstream as a result of wear and tear of a defective hip implant, it can also cause serious health problems. It is considered a carcinogen by healthcare professionals. It is definately not a substance that a patient wants circulating through his or her bloodstream.

In selecting these metals, especially with the knowledge of their potential side effects, DePuy Orthopaedics, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, was hoping to create a better hip implant. Instead, the research is starting to show that they have in fact created a defective product which not only results in pain, suffering, and additional surgery, but exposes patients to harmful chemical elements in the bloodstream.

Have a DePuy Implant? NJ and PA DePuy Recall Attorneys

If you have a DePuy Orthopaedics hip implant, you should be aware that these implants have been recalled. You should consult with your family doctor and orthopaedist to determine whether or not you have been exposed to chromium or cobalt metals, and whether you have any symptoms associated with these chemicals.
If you would like more information about the recall, 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 Takes the Form of Fraud and Theft

new jersey philadelphia elder abuse attorneys nursing home neglect lawyers theft fraudTypically, nursing home abuse is thought to be of a physical nature. Residents are left unturned in their beds, growing bedsores; they are manhandled and dropped out of wheelchairs or lifts; or they are over medicated to remain sedated. But often times, elder abuse takes the form of theft or fraud.

In one such elder abuse case, a 36 year old social worker, working with several elderly patients, did great harm to the bank account of an 89 year old woman. In ten months, that social worker stole upwards of $25,000 dollars from the woman. After that “tap ran dry,” she took another $9,000 from a different patient she had been seeing. Authorities claim the money was used for personal purchases; clothing, groceries, and the like.

In other related elder abuse cases, the same social worker was fraudulently cashing checks she had written to herself from a patient’s checkbook. She was also using the victim’s debit card. What happened when the checks ran out? She lied to the bank to obtain more, and continued to write them to herself.

Elder Abuse Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The social worker is currently being prosecuted, but it truly is ashame that she was able to go on committing these crimes for so long. It is imperative that we keep our eyes open to this kind of elder abuse, or else offenders will not be punished, and care will never improve.
If you or an elderly loved one have been abused in a nursing home or long term care facility, please contact the Mininno Law Office. Our NJ and PA elder abuse attorneys are here to answer all of your questions and help you present the best possible case.

No one should have to endure the kind of negligence and abuse that goes on in some of our nation’s nursing homes. Help bring an end to these trends of deplorable treatment, and call an NJ or PA elder abuse attorney today. Free consultations at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Are all DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implants Defective?

Recently, we have been asked if ALL DePuy hip implants are defective. Currently, there is no real answer because it is simply too soon to interperet the data on these defective DePuy hip implants.

new jersey philadelphia depuy orthopaedics lawyers implants recalledWhat is known is that the recall affects the ASR XL Acetabular System, which is used for total hip replacements, as well as the ASR Hip Resurfacing System, which is used in a newer kind of procedure involving bone conservation.
The ASR Hip Resurfacing System has not yet been approved in the United States, but according to Johnson & Johnson, some patients may have gotten these implants through a clinical trial when the company was seeking FDA approval for the hip implants.

Therefore, one of the first things a patient needs to determine is whether or not they have a total DePuy Orthopaedics hip replacement system, or the DePuy ASR hip resurfacing system. A combined total of about 93,000 of the total hip replacement system devices have been implanted worldwide. Presently, the data shows that only 1 in about 8 of these hip replacements have caused patients symptoms, and have required correction.
However, since the symptoms of a defective hip implant may mimic other symptoms, many patients do not yet know whether or not their implant is defective. Many patients are insisting that they get corrective surgery now, before these defective implants cause signs and symptoms, to prevent future problems such as microscopic metal particles in the bloodstream.

So, while the data does not suggest that all DePuy Orthopaedics Hip Implants are defective, it simply is too soon to come to a final conclusion about the number of patients who will have symptoms related to these defective implants.

NJ and PA DePuy Orthopaedics Defective Hip Implant Attorneys

If you have any concerns regarding a DePuy Orthopaedics implant, you should contact your orthopaedic surgeon or family doctor.
If you want to know what your rights are regarding these recalled hip implants, contact the Mininno Law Office. Our NJ and PA DePuy Hip Implant Recall Lawyers are prepared to answer your questions and earn you any and all compensation that you deserve. You may call the Mininno Law Office for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.