Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Thrilled by American Nursing Homes Making Moves to Change Care

new jersey nursing home abuse attorneys, philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyersOur nations’ nursing homes are in dire need of help. Every day, nursing home abuse attorneys of Messa & Associates, P.C. are contacted by individuals regarding some form of abuse or negligence that a loved one endured in a nursing home. The importance of patient care seems to have dissipated and its priority replaced by money and business related needs.

However, it seems there is has been a push for betterment in the nursing home industry. Advancing Excellence, NH Quality Campaign – a campaign created to encourage, assist, and empower nursing homes to improve the quality of life, prevent bed sores and pressure ulcers, and care for residents – is prepared to change the nursing homes of America.

Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys Support goals of Advancing Excellence Campaign

The coalition, which is the first of its kind, is made up of long term care providers, medical professionals, consumers, employees, and state and federal agencies. It has 8 major goals:

  • To minimize staff turnover; a stable workforce will improve patient care.
  • To employ a “Constant Assignment” plan so that patients are regularly cared for by the same caregiver.
  • To reduce the time residents spend restrained. Independence will improve quality of life.
  • To prevent bed sores and pressure ulcers, and to provide appropriate treatment of those that do develop.
  • To prevent unnecessary or prolonged episodes of severe pain.
  • To include residents in advanced care planning prior to the completion of their stay
  • To use assessments of resident and family experience of care to improve future quality of care for patient safety.
  • To use assessment of staff satisfaction of work environment to improve future quality of care.

Many nursing home establishments have joined forces with Advancing Excellence in efforts to improve the quality of care they provide. Obviously, these establishments are aware and agree that they are not providing top notch care. It’s good news to those who have suffered from nursing abuse, neglect, and inadequacy.

All nursing homes in New Jersey are in fact either participants in or charter members of the Advancing Excellence campaign. We should be proud that caregivers in the state are willing to step up and begin providing the kind of care our elderly citizens deserve.

New Jersey and Philadelphia Nursing Home Abuse Attorneys

If you are someone who has seen first-hand the effects of nursing home abuse, negligence, and inadequacy, it’s time to contact a nursing home abuse attorney. The team at Messa & Associates is dedicated to earning justice and compensation for those injured or worse by negligence and abuse in nursing homes and long term care facilities.

Call, toll-free, 1-800-MessaLaw, or submit a free online inquiry. If you would like immediate assistance, click the CHAT LIVE icon to the right. A representative is present right now to answer your questions.

Defective Products Attorneys Secure $40 Million Verdict for Victim’s Family

new jersey philadelphia defective products attorneys kia motors tiffany stablerDefective products attorneys work to serve two groups of people: their immediate clients who have been injured and are in need of compensation, and the public at large, who are put into harm’s way with a defective product.

Recently, in Alabama, a verdict was found against KIA Motors for the death of 16 year old Tiffany Stabler, who was tragically killed after being ejected from her KIA as a result of a collision. Tiffany’s father purchased the car as a gift, and took it to the dealership to make sure everything was in working order. If the recall had been issued in time, Tiffany would still be alive today.

In 2002, KIA recalled nearly 190,000 vehicles from 1995-1998 for defective seat belts, which made a latch noise, but never closed. However, this recall was a month too late for Tiffany, who was killed before the recall was issued. The family’s defective products attorneys were able to secure a sizable judgment for the family, which they most certainly deserve.

How Defective Products Attorneys Help the Public

The Stabler family’s defective products attorneys assisted the Stabler family in receiving compensation, for sure. But they have also helped the public at large, by winning a judgment that will surely make KIA Motors re-think it’s business practices in order to make cars safer for consumers. When a product is defective, defective product attorneys are an important part of the system to insure that market forces mandate a change in the manufacturing of that product. Changing dangerous products is beneficial to everyone as a whole.

Defective Products Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or your family members have been injured by a defective product, it is important to act quickly to protect your legal rights. Our experienced professionals are available to assist you in getting the compensation you and your family deserve. 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 of Transport Van Driver Leads to Death

As nursing home neglect lawyers, we often see cases where the care of the resident is being compromised through understaffing, lack of training, or abusive treatment. These events of neglect can happen at any point throughout the resident’s stay. Sometimes, these events happen outside of the facility. Many nursing homes and long-term care facilities have transportation vans that take residents to appointments or pick up patients that do not live at the facility all of the time. This can be a very dangerous situation for many of the elderly or disabled residents if the driver and facility staff do not take the proper precautions.

Elderly Woman Dies at Scene of Van Accident

new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect transport van accident dollie mcgrew heartland health care center85-year old Heartland Health Care Center – Kalamazoo resident, Dollie McGrew died this month when the facility van that was transporting her to a dental appointment at the University of Michigan hit the curb. McGrew was pronounced dead at the scene while the driver of the van was not injured. The details of the incident have not been released, but the driver of the van did have a valid driver’s license and the facility did report the death to the state.

It is a shame that such a small accident such as a mid sized van hitting the curb can have such fatal consequences. The nursing home is obligated to provide safe transportation when they are taking residents to or from the facility. Disabled patients are especially at risk because they often rely entirely on the assistance of the staff and cannot protect themselves if an accident were to occur that would throw them from their wheelchair. Taking care of residents does not start and stop inside the walls of a facility. Having safe and up to date equipment in the transportation vans is just as important as having them in the patients’ rooms.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one has been seriously injured as a result of a nursing home accident, 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: Vet’s Hepatitis C Due to Negligence?

Between the years 2004 and 2009, 11,000 United States veterans received colonoscopies with improperly cleaned equipment in Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia. Medical malpractice attorneys say that of this group of veterans, five have tested positive for HIV, twenty five have tested positive for Hepatitis C, and an additional eight have tested positive for Hepatitis B. Many of the veterans have filed lawsuits or reached settlements out of court. Robert Metzler, a 69 year old U.S. Air Force veteran, is the first vet to have his case reach trial.

Air Force Veteran seeks $30 Million

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys veteran negligence cases reach trial robert metzlerMetzler’s medical malpractice attorney said that he had a colonoscopy in 2007 and a mere two years later he was told that he had hepatitis C. Metzeler is now seeking $20 million for himself, and $10 million for his wife due to loss of consortium. Three hospitals had allegedly failed to properly clean the medical equipment that was being used. The equipment was being rinsed after each patient but the proper method of cleaning would have been to sterilize the equipment with steam and chemicals. Medical malpractice attorneys say that it is quite clear that these procedures were done in an environment of inadequate training, lack of supervision, and inadequate communication. It is unclear how these cases will turn out at trial, with the Veterans’ Administration claiming that the chances that these vets contracted the diseases from this procedure are in some cases very small. As for Metzler, his medical malpractice attorney said “he feels terrible about it, he always took great care of himself. He ran, swam, ate healthy so he could have a good quality of life, and now he ends up with a serious health problem.”

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.

Bed Sore Attorneys: Nursing Home Lawsuit to be Filed

Robert McLean and his guardian, Pam Dirnberger, filed a lawsuit in St. Clair County Circuit Court, in Illinois. The lawsuit was filed against Calvin Johnson Care Center, which is also known as Eldercare Inc. McLean, a disabled man with a mental illness, was a former resident of the Calvin Johnson Care Center. Bed sore attorneys say that during his time at the healthcare center, McLean developed severe pressure ulcers all over his body. The man was left in extreme pain, and as is the case with many bed sore victims, it may have been due to nursing home neglect.

Plaintiffs Seek Over One-Hundred Thousand in this Case of Severe Bed Sores

new jersey philadelphia bed sore attorneys Robert McLean Calvin Johnson Care CenterMcLean and Dirnberger, the plaintiffs, claim that Eldercare’s neglect led to the extreme pain that was inflicted due to the bed sores. Bed sore attorneys also believe that the plaintiffs will argue that the defendants have violated the Illinois’ Nursing Home Care Act because of their failure to properly recognize and treat a man who was so clearly in need of assistance. The complaint also alleges that the defendants failed to properly care for McLean’s sores, also known as decubitus ulcers, which arose on several parts of the man’s body. Professionals say that there may be a claim because it appears that these employees were not properly caring for the pressure ulcers. They also argue that the defendants may be liable for their failure to properly train staff to adequately monitor patients in need. Although the outcome will be decided by a jury down the road, bed sore attorneys urge victims to seek help from their families or any healthcare provider because these sores can be extremely detrimental to a person’s health.

Bed Sore Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one has recently suffered from a bed sore, you may have questions for our professionals regarding your legal rights for. 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.

Elder Abuse in Vancouver: International Mail Scam Busted

new jersey philadelphia elder abuse lawyers international mail scam busted hernandez floridaOn June 11, 2011 Juan David Hernandez, 28, who is a Colombian citizen and a resident of Florida, was arrested in Vancouver for obstruction of justice after he gave a false name when he was pulled over for an illegal turn by a police officer. According to Vancouver Police Det. Rick Stewart, “When they looked inside the vehicle’s front seat, they saw bags and bags of mail.” The bags were full of letters from all over the world containing checks for $30. After an investigation, they discovered that Hernandez was guilty of elder abuse, scamming senior citizens by sending them letters asking for a small payment in order to be in the running to win a big cash prize.

The mail was being sent to four Vancouver area mailboxes and was bringing in about 200 letters a day. Hernandez was specifically targeting senior citizens. The over 5,000 victims were between the ages of 68 and 94, according to the police. According to Detective Stewart, this was the largest telemarketing or mail scam they have seen in the last seven years. Hernandez plead guilty to fraud over $5,000 and was sentenced to six months in jail.

Warning the Elderly About Mail Scams

These mail scam elder abuse cases happen more often then you would think and we want to remind the elderly to be more careful when sending information or money to mail out offers. Criminals are taking advantage of a very trusting, vulnerable part of our population. According to Stewart:

“These people are targeting our elderly. At best, I would say this is a systematic targeting of our elderly. At worst, it’s elder abuse… Once an elderly person answers one of these letters, they end up on every hit list going around the world. They’re not victimized once; they’re victimized several times.”

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently being taken advantage of financially, 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 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 Earn $24 Million for New Jersey Woman

An Orange County, New York jury awarded a Montague, New Jersey woman $24 million following an extreme incident of medical malpractice. Diane Manganiello was forty two years old when she was the victim of negligence which sent her into a coma for a period of time and now has left her with severe brain damage and very limited speech. Medical malpractice attorneys say that the damage award included $19.5 million for her future medical and rehabilitation needs and an additional $5 million for Andrew, her husband, for the relationship and enjoyment of life that he has now lost.

Mother of Five is the Victim of Medical Negligence

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys diane manganiello bon secours community hospitalManganiello went into Bon Secours Community Hospital in Port Jervis, NY due to low sodium levels. Saline solution should have been infused into the woman slowly because this was a chronic condition. Sadly, this is not what happened. Medical malpractice attorneys say that saline solution was infused very rapidly, raising her sodium levels significantly in only fourteen hours. Following a trial that lasted nearly four weeks, the critical care physician, Dr. Moinuddin Ahmed was found to be sixty percent responsible, while Rose Aumick, the nurse, was found to be responsible for the remaining forty percent. Today, Manganiello lives in Milford, Pennsylvania at a supported living facility. Her family is only able to bring her home on weekends for visits but they hope in the future, thanks to the compensation from the verdict, that they will be able to bring her home permanently and she can receive a high level of care from home.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member has 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.

Bed Sore Attorneys Win New York Man $5.4 Million in Damages

Robert Messina, a sixty three year old New York man, was awarded $5.4 million in damages after he developed severe bedsores which went untreated. Bed sore attorneys believe that this amount of damages is not uncommon because the injury caused by severe pressure ulcers can be very serious and even life threatening. The injury occurred at Staten Island University Hospital (SIUH), and Messina is now unable to walk after the bed sores led to a significant hip infection. Bed sores can be very dangerous when they are not properly treated and it is essential to monitor patients who have limited mobility because of the lack of blood flow and increased pressure on certain body parts.

Bed Sores are a Preventable Condition that Present Large Dangers

new jersey philadelphia bed sore attorneys robert messina siuh Golden Gate rehab centerA brain dysfunction caused Messina to collapse and landed him in and out of hospitals and rehabilitation centers beginning in late August of 2006. Several days after his admission into the hospital, he was diagnosed with bedsores. He began to develop the bedsores at SIUH and Golden Gate Rehabilitation and Health Care Center. Professionals say that Messina’s bed sores worsened until ulcers were developed on his mouth, buttocks, ankles, and genitals. Many of these bed sores had healed by the time he entered Golden Gate Rehabilitation Center. Various health problems sent Messina back and forth between the hospital and the rehab center over the next year. He can no longer walk due to a dislocated hip and he is unable to receive a replacement because of the infection which was caused by the bedsores. The New York Supreme Court jury assigned to this case found SIUH 75% responsible for the developments and complications of the bedsores. Bed sore attorneys say that this means that the hospital is liable for $4 million of the total awarded to Messina.

Bed Sore Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one has recently suffered from a bed sore, you may have questions regarding 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.

Elder Abuse Leads to Jail Time for Granddaughter of Victim

Elder abuse and neglect do not only happen in nursing homes and long term care facilities. Surprisingly, an alarming number of elder abuse cases are actually against friends and family of the elderly victim. These cases of abuse are harder to discover because it is often easier to hide the abuse from outside parties. When the elderly are in the car of their loved ones, it is easy and natural to assume that those family members are looking out for the best interests of the elder they care for. However, sometimes family members are unable to take on the enormous responsibility of caring for the elderly and, unfortunately, abuse and neglect occur.

Granddaughter Commits Financial and Physical Elder Abuse

new jersey philadelphia elder abuse lawyers april courtneyIn February, April Courtney, 36, pleaded guilty to burglary and elder abuse for a September 3, 2008 attack on her then 94 year old grandmother Lydia. According to police investigations, over an eight-month period of time, Courtney had allegedly withdrawn $28,000 from Lydia’s bank accounts without her consent. The women had been fighting for a while since Lydia found out about the money. On the day of the attack, Courtney tricked her grandmother into thinking she was a friend when knocking on the door. When Lydia opened the door, Courtney grabbed her cane away and began to beat her with it. Lydia was hit about 20 times in the head and body and then fell to the ground and pretended to be unconscious in hopes that Courtney would stop hitting her. Courtney then went into the house and stole documents that might be used as evidence against her in the financial abuse case. She fled to Texas and was captured a week later by federal Marshals. She was set to go to trial on charges of burglary, elder abuse, attempted murder and inflicting great bodily injury on a person over 70 years old, but worked out a last minute plea deal where the attempted murder charge was dropped. Courtney was sentenced to four years in prison.

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 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 Non-Surgical Speech Options

The idea of having a surgery to correct a cleft palate or cleft lip has been discussed in a previous blog post and, in many cases, it is the correct decision for your child’s health. However, in cases where surgery may not be the best option due to health concerns or fears that the surgery will not be successful, there are other non-surgical treatment options. Our birth defects attorneys would like to highlight some effective, nonsurgical treatment options specifically targeted to help your child develop better speech.

Speech Bulbs and Palatal Lifts

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys non surgical speech optionsOnce your child starts to grow, your doctor may want to discuss appliances that can be put in his or her mouth, to make speech easier. The speech bulb may be suggested, which is a plastic ball that fits into the velopharyngeal space, which is then attached to a plastic plate fitted to the roof of the mouth and held in place by wire clasps. The size of the bulb will vary depending on the size of the velopharyngeal space. The bulbs function is to stop air and sound from escaping the nose during speech. It is removed at night before bed.

Another appliance that may be suggested is a palatal lift. This is similar to a speech bulb, but is a wider, plastic paddle that extends back into the mouth and lifts the soft palate up, closing the velopharyngeal space. Your child’s care team should be consulted to see which, if any, of these appliances is appropriate.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Many parents who have children with a cleft lip or cleft palate are often overwhelmed and, in some instances, confused about their legal rights and whether or not birth defects attorneys would even be needed. In some cases, there have been improper actions that may have lead to your child’s birth defect and contacting birth defects attorneys is beneficial to your family’s physical and financial health. For example, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate), taken during pregnancy or during child-bearing years, has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and cleft palates. We are able to assist parents dealing with these issues. 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.