Medical Malpractice Attorneys: NC Governor Stands Up For Victims

Governor Bev Perdue of North Carolina took a major step in sticking up for seriously injured victims of medical negligence within the state. Governor Perdue vetoed North Carolina Senate Bill 33 which would have capped non-economic damages at $500,000 regardless of the severity of the patient’s injuries. Medical malpractice attorneys believe that this is a great win for patients of medical negligence because they will be awarded a damages amount that they truly deserve, not a figure that was arbitrarily decided by a group of politicians.

Malpractice Reform Won’t Work if it Does Not Protect the Catastrophically Injured

medical malpractice attorneys in nj and paThe damages for pain and suffering, and other non-economic measures, would have had a ceiling of half a million dollars. Some people may argue that this is quite a significant figure, and ask who wouldn’t be happy with $500,000? Medical malpractice attorneys argue that the problem with these sorts of limitations is that they include the pain and suffering that accompanies death, paralysis, brain damage and severe disfigurement. Individuals who suffer from some of these ailments for their entire lives would strenuously argue that a jury who hears a case should decide the correct amount to be awarded, not a group of politicians in the state capital. Perdue agrees, the governor recently stated “I commend the legislature for addressing this important issue, but, in its current form, the bill is unbalanced. I urge legislators to modify the bill to protect those who are catastrophically injured when the general assembly returns.Medical malpractice attorneys believe this is a strong stance for the governor to take to ensure that those who are truly injured by medical malpractice will not be short changed.

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 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.

Elder Abuse Prevention Tip: Have Legal Documents Ready

There are so many different types of elder abuse that it is hard to think ahead in order to prevent all of them. The elderly and disabled are vulnerable and need their loved ones to look out for them. As sad as it is, there are many people out there who want to take advantage of the elderly, financially, physically, and mentally. It is our goal to give advice and share stories of abuse and neglect in order to shed light on this growing problem in our country. We want your loved ones to live a life of dignity in a time when the elderly are often disregarded and abused.

List of Essential Legal Documents for Elderly

elder abuse in NJ and PAOne of the most important tips that we can give to prevent your loved one from falling victim to elder abuse is to have all of the appropriate documents ready as the person gets older. It is important to have these documents before you need them so you are not surprised and unprepared by how fast their health or mental state worsens.

The basic legal documents that we suggest you have include:

  • Power of Attorney: This document is very important; it names a person to make decisions for the individual when they are no longer able to do so for themselves. Financial and health care power of attorney are the most important because they allow the designated person to handle the individual’s money and make health care decisions.
  • Living Will: This document will specify the individual’s preferences towards the end of their life. This will include extraordinary measures to prolong their life if something were to happen such as a coma where they cannot speak for themselves.
  • HIPAA Authorization: These authorizations will allow the designated person to speak to doctors and other health care professionals in times when the individual cannot speak for himself or herself.

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The elderly are a vulnerable population that needs our help and understanding. It is shameful to essentially throw them away when they become difficult to care for. Our elderly loved ones deserve to live and die with the same dignity that we feel we are entitled to. Don’t let elder abuse continue at the same alarming rate at which it occurs now.

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.

Elder Abuse Leads to Severe Weight Loss and Bed Sores

Robert Rogers, 44, was arrested this month for the elder abuse of his mother Connie Rogers, 66, who died on May 27, 2011. He is being charged with manslaughter and vulnerable adult abuse. Connie Rogers, who was living with her son, was bedridden and completely dependent. Moments before his arrest, Robert Rogers told a reporter that his mother had died of natural causes, he said:

“She died in the living room — watching a movie … She was thin but she had been thin along time. I’d get her Burger King and McDonald’s whatever she wanted…I wanted her to live.”

Woman Died in Messy Home Too Weak to Move

new jersey philadelphia elder abuse lawyers robert rogers malnutrition bedsoresEven though he is claiming that she died of natural causes, the investigators are saying that she died of starvation while covered in bed sores. The autopsy showed she died of severe pneumonia, malnutrition and possibly dehydration. They are also saying that the house was messy and the only food was two cans in the cabinet. According to her driver’s license, Ms. Rogers weighed 140 pounds, but at the time of her death, she weighed only 70 pounds. The coroner said the bed sores were severe and all over her body and that the sores on her feet meant that she was too weak to move her legs. More than a third of the home’s combined monthly income of $3,500< came from Connie’s social security. According to bank records, that money was usually withdrawn as cash days after it was deposited. Mr. Rogers may have had good intentions for his mother’s care, but this is no excuse for the severe elder abuse that occurred. Even if she refused to eat or was difficult to care for, he should have known the point where he needed the professional help. There is no record of Ms. Rogers applying for or receiving any Medicare benefits. This means that he did not take advantage of a service that could have improved her condition drastically and allowed her to live much longer.

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: The Danger of Topamax

Topamax (Topiramate) is a drug produced by two divisions of Johnson & Johnson that is prescribed for two conditions; epilepsy and migraines. For both conditions, the drug is used preventatively. It can not relieve seizures or migraines already happening, but, taken on a regular basis, can help to prevent them from occurring. Off-label uses of the drug, for which Johnson & Johnson and Ortho-McNeil Neurologics were sued and found accountable, include bipolar disorder, alcoholism, obesity, infantile spasms, myoclonic seizures, and absence seizures. Professionals realize that because of the wide disbursement of the medication, many different people have been affected by its side effects, and need to be informed and warned about the dangers of its use.

What are the Dangers of Using Topamax?

new jersey philadelphia topamax topiramate cleft lip palate birth defects attorneysA recent FDA announcement warned that using Topamax has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and palates by over 21 times the normal rate. This side effect manifests in women who have taken Topamax while pregnant, or before becoming pregnant, but during child-bearing years. Topamax has been classified as a Pregnancy Category D drug, meaning there is positive evidence of human fetal risk, but usage of the drug may continue if medically necessary. If your child was born with a cleft lip, palate, or both, and you took Topamax while you were pregnant, or before becoming pregnant, it may be responsible for the development of your child’s birth defect.

Our attorneys caution you to consult your physician immediately, if you have not already done so, to discuss what these new dangers mean to you. Please note, that you should consult your physician before discontinuing usage of Topamax, as there may be complications associated with a rapid discontinuance.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a cleft palate/lip and you were taking Topamax before or during pregnancy you are wondering what are your legal rights. You may also be wondering what the cost will be to have legal representation. Our experienced professionals are here to help. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation and consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia. You and your child deserve compensation, so please do not hesitate.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys: South Carolina Woman Awarded Damages

A South Carolina hospital, AnMed Health, lost its appeal after a plaintiff was awarded a quarter of a million dollars following a case of negligence. Medical malpractice attorneys report that Ms. Elise Burke, a 73 year old woman, was awarded this amount of money after she endured pain, discomfort, and extreme embarrassment because a sponge was accidentally left in her vagina following a hysterectomy procedure. The hospital admitted liability in the case but raised numerous arguments on appeal in an effort to get the trial court’s verdict overturned. Unfortunately for them, the Court of Appeals of South Carolina was not buying these contentions as they affirmed the lower court.

Medical Malpractice Forces a Woman to Suffer for Over 2 Months

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys South Carolina Woman Awarded DamagesLawyers say that Ms. Burke underwent an abdominal hysterectomy on March 22, 2005. The medical negligence occurred when a pre-operative nurse left a cleaning sponge inside the woman’s vagina which was not noticed during the procedure. They say that Burke had raised her concerns to her physician over the next two months and she went in for medical assistance no less than six times. In the months following the procedure, the woman was in significant pain and she experienced a discolored vaginal discharge. Medical malpractice attorneys also say that her vagina had an offensive odor which Ms. Burke describes as “so embarrassing“. Finally, on May 23, 2005, her doctor elected to perform a vaginal exam where he discovered the sponge. Proffesionals note that a second surgery was necessary to fix the problem and following the surgery, Burke remained weak and in pain.

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.

Nursing Home Neglect Leads to Patient ‘Assault’

As nursing home neglect lawyers, we write a lot about abuse and neglect on the part of facilities and caregivers, but sometimes, other residents can pose a danger to your loved ones as well. Patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s have to be watched carefully because they can easily wander off or become very agitated. The facility needs to provide enough staff to ensure the safety of all of the patients in the dementia and Alzheimer’s unit from harming themselves or others.

Autopsy Reveals Assault Injuries Caused Death

new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyers mercedes iverson Maryhaven Nursing Rehabilitation CenterMercedes Iverson, 86, died on Thursday, July 14 at the NorthShore University HealthSystem Evanston Hospital after an “assault” by another nursing home resident. Iverson had been a resident of the Maryhaven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Glenview, Illinois for fiver years after her daughter, Laurie Iverson, saw that she began showing signs of “advanced Alzheimer’s.” Preliminary reports said Iverson had fallen, but the autopsy revealed that “assault injuries” led to her death. The medical examiner’s office said that her death was caused by craniocerebral injuries from an assault and from heart disease, and ruled the death a homicide. No other details about the incident have been released from the facility or the authorities.

According to Brian Crawford, a spokesman for Resurrection Health Care, which runs Maryhaven:

“Within the past couple of weeks, an unfortunate incident occurred in a private room … Everyone is safe … While this is very sad and tragic, right now the best thing we can do is cooperate with the authorities.”

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.

Birth Defects Attorneys Communicate Cleft Palate Resources

We have been discussing cleft lip and palates in a variety of different topics on this blog, including surgery and medical care. However, it is important to know that there are other resources around the world (and web) that can be beneficial to helping your child overcome his cleft lip/palate birth defect. Our attorneys care about you and your family’s well-being and wish to provide a link to scholarship opportunities for students attending college.

The Cleft Palate Foundation’s College Scholarship

new jersey philadelphia birth defects attorneys cleft palate resourcesOur birth defects attorneys believe that the Cleft Palate Foundation is an invaluable resource of knowledge for families with members who have a cleft lip or palate, of any age. While the website itself is a great resource for knowledge, they also have an annual scholarship fund, and applications for the 2012-2013 school year are being accepted until January 1st, 2012. It is uplifting to see the past recipients of the scholarship as well, because you can see their corrective surgery, as well as the bright future ahead of them. Please submit your application to them and good luck with the selection process.

Birth Defects Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

Our professionals are available for your needs. If your child was born with a birth defect, like a cleft lip or palate, your legal rights may have been affected. For instance, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to the development of cleft lip/palates. If you believe that this drug may have contributed to the development of your child’s birth defect contact the Mininno Law Office at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia for a free case evaluation and consultation.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys: Compensation For Botched Circumcision

Judge Rex Heeseman of the Los Angeles Superior Court has approved a settlement for $4.6 million. The approval concludes a lawsuit which was filed following a botched circumcision procedure. The young baby, only a week old at the time of his circumcision, had 85% of the top of his penis removed. Medical malpractice attorneys say that this is a great victory for the young child, now eight years old, and his mother, Melanie Hall, who decided to file the case. The defendants in the case were Miltex Inc. and its parent company, Integra Life Sciences Holding Corp. who manufactured the clamp that was used during the procedure.

Defective Product Leads to Medical Malpractice

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys circumcision Maternity Center vermontDr. Anthony Pickett, who was dismissed as a defendant, performed the circumcision on January 3, 2003 at Maternity Center of Vermont. The doctor was using a Militex Mogen clamp which removed eighty five percent of the top of the boy’s penis. The young boy’s medical malpractice attorneys said, “because of the defective design of the circumcision clamp, there was no protection for the head of the penis and Dr. Pickett was unable to visualize the head when excising the foreskin.” The lawyers working the case earned the plaintiffs $3.07 million in the settlement after fees and costs were deducted. Although the boy needs to regularly visit a physician and may need additional surgery in the future, they believe this is a great victory for the boy and a way to secure his financial future. Although medical malpractice statutes appeared as though they may limit the available recovery in this case, the lawyers were able to earn a just result for the young boy.

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.

Nursing Home Neglect Causes Woman to Catch on Fire

An unidentified 83-year-old woman was seriously injured in May 2011 outside of the Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home in El Paso, Texas in a case of nursing home neglect. The woman was smoking in her wheelchair right outside the front entrance of the facility when the cigarette fell out of her hand and onto her clothing, which burst into flames. Fortunately, a staff member saw the flames and ran outside, took his shirt off and put out the fire. The woman suffered first and second degree burns on her hands and face.

Residents Not Supervised While Smoking

new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect Ambrosio Guillen Texas State VeteransAccording to the fire department, facility workers wheeled the woman outside daily so she could smoke by the entrance of the building. The residents were allowed to smoke in that area of the nursing home. But it was not required by the home that the residents be supervised while they were smoking. According to Jim Suydam, spokesman for the Texas Veterans Land Board, an entity that runs the El Paso facility, since the woman did not suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, she did not need to be under constant supervision.

This is not an adequate reason for this woman to have been left alone while smoking. Patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia do need to be monitored much more than other patients, but there are numerous other conditions that could have made it unsafe for this woman to be smoking alone. Besides the obvious health risks of smoking, especially once you get older, it is unsafe and negligent for the facility to allow their residents to be alone while holding something that could cause them to catch on fire. Even if the resident did not require constant supervision, she should have been monitored while holding a lit cigarette.

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 being monitored enough or 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: Suspected Killer’s Dad Sues Doctor

Victor Bruscato was assigned to a psychiatrist, Dr. Derek Johnson O’Brien, in 2001. The doctor placed his patient on anti-psychotic drugs which were believed to be helping to manage sexual impulses and certain violent tendencies. Unfortunately, in 2002, Dr. O’Brien elected to discontinue the use of two powerful medications in an effort to rule out the possibility that Bruscato was developing a dangerous syndrome. Medical malpractice attorneys say that the man began having violent nightmares and claimed that he was getting direct orders from the devil to do bad things.

Man Kills Mother, Father Sues Doctor

new jersey philadelphia medical malpractice attorneys Victor Bruscato Derek Johnson O'BrienIn August of 2002, Bruscato smashed his mother, Lillian Lynn, in the head with a battery charger and then stabbed her 72 times which resulted in her death. He was charged with murder but due to his psychological state, he was found to be incompetent to stand trial and he was committed to a mental institution. His father, Vito, then sued the doctor for medical malpractice because he believes that his son never should have been taken off of the medication. A judge at the trial court level ruled in favor of the psychiatrist but a divided state Court of Appeals elected to overturn that decision and allowed the case to proceed to trial.

Now, medical malpractice attorneys say that the case is in the hands of the Georgia Supreme Court. This is no easy decision and lawyers and judges have been fighting over this issue for years. The plaintiff argues that the doctor’s negligence, in canceling certain medications, led to the man becoming psychotic and killing his mother and therefore the father should be entitled to damages. On the other hand, the defense believes that there is no way that blame for this woman’s death should be shifted to a doctor. The attorneys fighting for the defendants continued by saying, “a person should not be able to sue for recovery of such a wrongful and immoral act.” It is clear that the actions of Victor Bruscato were wrong and repugnant but the question is, was this outcome foreseeable to the physician who had been treating him for over a year? If these violent tendencies were obvious to the doctor, there was no way that the patient should have been taken off of this medication.

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.