Bed Sores – Stage 1 and Early Prevention: Free Consultation

We believe that it is essential to notice warning signs of bed sores and pressure ulcers as soon as possible in order to limit potential health issues down the road. Although bed sores are vaguely noticeable on the skin in the early stages, these wounds can quickly intensify and significantly impact the health of individuals. Bed sore attorneys stress the importance of frequently changing positions, especially in hospital beds and wheelchairs, as well as frequent skin examinations to catch bed sores before they develop. The risks are great when dealing with pressure sores and early prevention is the only way to ensure the health of loved ones.

The Beginning Stage of Bed Sores

new jersey philadelphia bed sores lawyers stage one early preventionAs pressure sores begin to develop, the skin will remain intact. This may confuse people into believing that it is simply a skin rash rather than the development of something more severe. People with a lighter complexion will notice that their skin is becoming red. Individuals with darker skin may not notice any significant changes in the coloring of the skin. People will also notice that their skin will not blanch, or briefly lighten, when it is touched or pressure is asserted.

Finally, bed sore attorneys say that the location of the bed sore may bring about many different sensations in patients. The pressure sore could be painful as skin begins to deteriorate. The skin may also begin to feel increasingly firm or soft, which will differ among individuals. The site of the pressure sore may also feel warmer or cooler than the other surrounding skin. All of these different appearances and sensations should be a warning sign that a bed sore is beginning to develop and medical attention is immediately necessary. We firmly believe that this discomfort forces many people to realize that they are not suffering from a normal rash therefore they immediately seek help and hopefully prevent a tragic outcome.

Bed Sore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a bed sore due to improper medical care or neglect, it is possible that you would like to speak with a bed sore 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.

Alert of Link between Topamax and Oral Clefts

Topamax is an anti-convulsant used to treat seizures in adults and children over the age of 10. It is also used to treat migraines. The drug is not used to stop a migraine headache or seizure that is already in progress, but to prevent either one from happening. The drug has been approved by the FDA only for these two purposes, but has been used by doctors to treat other conditions. Legal action was taken, and the pharmaceutical company responsible for this was fined over six milliion dollars.

What Are Side Effects or Risks Associated with Topamax?

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys cleft lip palate linked topamaxTopamax is associated with a few side effects and risks, some more dangerous than others. The most common side effect associated with the drug is numbness and tingling (parasthesia) in arms and legs. Other side effects include fatigue, change in tastes, weight loss, difficulty focusing, short term/non-severe loss of memory, nausea, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. No side effects seem to be long-term or life threatening.

Recently, the FDA announced a change in the drugs pregnancy classification from Class C to Class D. Data has shown that women who take the drug during at least the first trimester of pregnancy expose their fetuses to the risk of developing a cleft lip or cleft palate. Other birth defects have been reported as a result of Topamax use, but not at the same frequency as the oral clefts and malformations.

The FDA has suggested that doctors not prescribe the drug to pregnant women, or women of childbearing age, if there is another, viable option for treatment. Only when there is no other choice for treatment should a pregnant woman be prescribed Topamax (topimirate).

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a cleft lip or cleft palate birth defect and you believe the defect was brought on by your use of Topamax during the pregnancy, you may be entitled to compensation from Johnson & Johnson and/or Ortho-McNeil, the companies responsible for manufacturing and marketing the drug. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Let our attorneys help your family earn your due compensation.

Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Report on New Laws to End Elder Abuse

new jersey philadelphia nursing home negligence lawyers report elder negligenceNursing home abuse has become such a wide spread problem that some states are looking to crack down on offenders. Citing an increase in abuse of the elderly and vulnerable, some state lawmakers have advocated for adding persons convicted of elder abuse to a registry of offenders similar to the registry of sex offenders. While this new law would not increase penalties or make any new conduct criminal, it could go a long way in deterring and preventing future incidents of nursing home abuse and neglect.
Unfortunately, most states do not have such laws in place and it appears that nursing home abuse is still on the rise. That is why it is important for family members with loved ones in nursing homes to pay attention to how their relatives are being treated.

What are some signs that someone I care about is the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect?

Stay in frequent contact with any relative or loved one in a nursing home. Make time to speak with them and make sure the staff knows you are present and that you care. You presence alone could serve as a valuable deterrent to potential abuse. Furthermore, carefully watch for signs of abuse: Warning sings include bruising, unexplained falls, bed sores (also known as pressure sores or pressure ulcers) and incidents of septic shock. If your loved one is a fall risk, proper precautions should be taken. Bed sores should be a rarity and should not ever advance past stage two. Septic shock, which almost always occurs from a lack of proper sanitation, should also be a rare occurrence. If a bed sore or septic shock results in hospitalization and/or extensive treatment, you are right to have serious concerns. If you suspect abuse, contact appropriate state agencies and speak with an attorney experienced in handling such cases.

Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers in NJ and PA

The Nursing home negligence Lawyers at the Mininno Law Firm are experienced in handling nursing home neglect cases. They will fight for you! 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 Pennsylvania.

Get Legal Representation: Nursing Home Abuse Still Widespread

Despite continued efforts by nursing home abuse lawyers and various governmental agencies, recent studies have shown that in some northeastern states, as many as one in seven people above the age of sixty have been subject to some form of elder abuse. In some states, as many as over 250,000 senior citizens suffer from incidents of elder abuse in any given year. These statistics are a sobering reminder for anybody who has a loved one currently receiving care in a nursing home facility.

How Do I Know if My Loved One Has Suffered From Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers neglect still widespreadFirst of, if you have any concerns, consult with an experienced attorney as well as appropriate state agencies. Telltale signs of nursing home abuse are the presence of bed sores, also known as pressure ulcers. Bed sores occur when a nursing home patient is left immobile in one position for too long, causing skin in sensitive areas to loose circulation. This causes tissue damage and eventually kills the skin cells. If caught early and treated properly, bed sores can be easily remedied. However, if neglected, a bed sore can progress past stage two, causing serious health problems for affected nursing home residents.

Another indicator of nursing home abuse is septic shock. Nursing home residents who require regular cleanings but fail to receive them are often susceptible to septic shock. This is a serious infection that is almost always preventable with proper daily cleaning. If you have a loved one who has suffered from septic shock more than once or who has been hospitalized for septic shock, there is a good chance they are not being cared for properly. Take action for those who cannot take action for themselves: Contact an attorney and appropriate state agencies to investigate. Often times abuse is not discovered until it has progressed for some time, but it is never to late to take action.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The qualified nursing home abuse and neglect lawyers at The Mininno Law Office know how to get results and make a difference in your case. They can get the results your loved one deserves. Contact the Mininno Law Office if you have any questions regarding the health and safety of your loved ones. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Septic Shock is Number One Indicator of Nursing Home Negligence

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers septic shock indicator negligenceAccording to the Nursing Home Complaint Center, a website sponsored by the consumer advocacy group America’s Watchdog to provide people with a place to report the varying nursing home abuse events they have encountered, sepsis, also know as septic shock, is the number one indicator of intense nursing home abuse or neglect.

These infections are usually preventable with normal and regular cleaning, but when they do develop, they often require trips to the hospital emergency room or even admittance to an intensive care unit. There is no excuse for this level of abuse.
If you know somebody in a nursing home who has been diagnosed with septic shock and has been hospitalized as a result, that person may be a victim of nursing home negligence. If that is the case, you should seriously consider contacting authorities, as well as an attorney.

How Do I Know if Septic Shock is a Result of Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect?

If someone you know has been diagnosed with septic shock infection while residing at a nursing home or long term care facility, that person could very well be the victim of nursing home negligence. Septic shock is most often caused by improper and infrequent cleaning of residents that require regular cleanings as part of their normal care. If a resident of a nursing home or long term care facility is diagnosed with septic shock more than once, or requires a trip to the emergency room or admittance to an intensive care unit, this is a major indicator that the resident is not being properly cared for. This is a clear sign of nursing home abuse and neglect. If this is taking place, the nursing home or long term care facility is simply not doing their job.

Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The skilled Pennsylvania and New Jersey nursing home negligence attorneys at The Mininno Law Office have years of experience and are committed to exposing and stopping the unfortunately widespread problem of nursing home abuse and neglect. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0060 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia, if you would like to discuss a nursing home abuse case.

Attorneys Report on Awful Abuse of Dementia Patient

As New Jersey and Philadelphia attorneys who have become experts on nursing home abuse and neglect cases, we continue to highlight nursing homes in which acts of elder abuse occur. The Delaware County, Pennsylvania nursing home that we will focus on today seems to be an example of horrible abuse by staff at a nursing facility.

Quadrangle Nursing Home Residents Caught on Tape Abusing Dementia Patient

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers report abuse dementia patientThe family of a 78 year old Lois McCallister, a patient at the Quadrangle nursing home in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, placed a “nanny cam” in view of their relative after she complained of being punched, slapped, and otherwise abused by the staff members. McCallister, who suffers from dementia, also showed signs of bruising on her left hand and wrist. The “nanny cam” caught a nursing home employee striking McCallister in the face and head. The hidden camera also caught nursing home employees laughing at and mocking the mental condition of McCallister for over 12 minutes, while she stood naked trying to cover her breasts. This is an especially egregious example of how cruel some staff members at nursing homes treat their residents. As a result of these incidents, several members of the staff at the Quadrangle nursing home have been placed under arrest.

If you suspect similar abuse in any instance, report the activity to authorities and contact an attorney.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is a resident in a nursing home or other long-term care facility and you feel the care they are receiving may be abusive or negligent, 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.
Act as an advocate for the safety of your elderly loved ones.

Clear Signs of Nursing Home Abuse

As nursing home abuse lawyers, we have previously posted educational tips about the prevention and treatment of bed sores. Today we wanted to inform readers of some additional forms of nursing home abuse that often occur. Just as with bed sore prevention, there are signs that can be observed that indicate nursing home abuse.

Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes

One type of nursing home abuse that has outward signs is physical abuse. Physical abuse is occuring if bodily injury or pain results from the excessive application of physical force. The abuse can be, but is not limited to: hitting, pushing, shoving, pinching, burning, or even beating. Inappropriate use of restraints is another form of physical abuse. In fact, the use of restraints over long periods of time is not only physically abusive, but can also lead to the development of bed sores and pressure ulcers. The over use of medications, usually sedatives, and force feeding can also be considered physical abuse.

Nursing Home Abuse Red Flags

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers list sings abuseIt is important that nursing home staff be fully trained in how to deal with the special needs of nursing home patients so that physical abuse does not occur. It is also important that a patient’s family be aware of the signs of abuse. Some of the more obvious signs are bruising, cuts, unexplained marks, broken bones, and a variety of injuries in various stages of healing. It is also important to listen to the patient. A resident’s report of violent behavior, such as being hit or mistreated, must be investigated. Sometimes, a nursing home patient’s sudden change in behavior can be a sign of nursing home abuse or neglect and should absolutely be investigated. Any drastic changes with no explanation must be looked into.

Sometimes, nursing home staff will actually try to hide signs of abuse by refusing access to the patient by visitors. This can cause residents to not only suffer from isolation, but also become fearful of discussing the abuse or neglect with a family member or supervisor. Any refusal by nursing home staff to allow visitor access should raise immediate red flags that are probed with the utmost scrutiny. As in all cases of nursing home abuse, the sooner it is discovered, the sooner the treatment and prevention of further abuse can take place. It is imperative to watch for the signs of physical abuse, especially in those nursing home patients that are unable to protect themselves.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in NJ and PA

If your loved one is a resident at a nursing home or long term care facility, and you believe they are receiving inadequate and negligent care, 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 work to earn you the full and fair compensation you need and deserve.