Birth Defects Attorneys: Topamax Dangerous for Pregnant Women

In recent years, Topamax has been among industry leaders in treating epilepsy and migraine headaches. Although extremely popular, recent research has shown that this drug may cause birth defects, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, in young babies. Birth defects attorneys strongly urge women to avoid the use of Topamax during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester, in an attempt to limit the risk of birth injuries.

Food and Drug Administration Acknowledges the Serious Dangers

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects attorneys topamax dangerous pregnant womenIn early March 2011, the FDA issued an alert regarding the dangerous risks of certain oral defects that may derive from the use of Topamax during pregnancy. Additional warning labels have also been added to the Topamax bottle. The Food and Drug Administration has also upgraded Topamax to a Class D pregnancy drug. The significance of this change is that as a Class D drug, Topamax can “potentially present significant and unnecessary harm to a human fetus“. Birth defects lawyers believe that cleft lip and cleft palate occur more frequently when a fetus is exposed to Topamax during gestation.

The Food and Drug Administration has said that Topamax should never be prescribed for women who are pregnant unless it is a life or death situation. Unless the situation is truly life threatening, or similar drugs have been deemed completely ineffective, women should avoid the use of Topamax. These findings came from numerous studies performed by the North American Anti-epileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. Although Topamax has been popular and an industry leader for effectiveness, birth defect lawyers say pregnant women need to consider the vast risks to their baby before consuming the prescription drug.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with an oral malformation that you believe can be attributed to your use of Topamax during pregnancy, it is possible that you would like to speak with a birth defect lawyer. 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 Warning: Facility Admits High Number of Criminals

When you think of nursing home residents, you most likely think of wheel chair bound and bed ridden elderly that need constant care. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are meant to be safe places for the elderly and disabled to live under the protection of health care professionals. Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, under-staffing, and bad hires, nursing homes can be a terrifying place for often helpless elderly residents. In one Texas nursing home, the residents have more to fear. A population of criminals and sex offenders outnumber the elderly residents.

Criminals Outnumber Elderly Residents in Texas Nursing Home

new jersey philadelphia Nursing Home Abuse lawyers Facility Admits High Number CriminalsAccording to Fox 4 News in Fort Worth, Texas, the Lake Worth Nursing Home houses about 50 registered sex offenders, convicted felons, and prison parolees, some labeled violent offenders by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). “The reason for the high concentration in that facility is the facility’s willingness to take offenders on supervision,” said Jason Clark, spokesperson for the TDCJ. The state does not limit the number of criminals allowed to live in these facilities and they can stay on the government’s expense as long as the home confirms that it is medically necessary.

Residents of the community neighboring the facility are concerned for their safety, having so many convicted offenders living in one place and wandering around the neighborhood freely. Clark does not believe that this is a safety concern, “We have not had any major incidents there at that nursing home,” he told Fox 4. However, police reports from the Lake Worth Police Department show complaints of death threats, violent outbursts and child pornography at the nursing home.

Legally the nursing home is not breaking any laws by allowing the offenders to live in the facility. In fact they have received a 5-star rating. But with fully mobile offenders who have records including robbery, forgery, drugs, rape and other violent crimes, how are the elderly residents supposed to feel safe. As nursing home abuse lawyers, we strongly recommend visiting all facilities before you decide to place a loved one into a nursing home. Pay attention to the facility conditions, staff, neighboring area around the home and the other residents.

Nursing Home Abuse 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 Lawyers With Interventions for Halting Bed Sore Development

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers interventions halting bedsore developmentBed sores are injuries to the skin and the underlying tissues. They occur from prolonged pressure on the skin. The skin typically affected is that skin that covers bony areas of the body. These areas include, but are not limited to, heels, ankles, hips, or buttocks. People with medical conditions that limit their movements and require the use of a wheelchair, or patients that are bedridden, sustain the highest risk of developing bed sores or pressure ulcers. Those in nursing homes sometimes develop them from nursing home neglect and abuse. When a patients movement is limited, caregivers have to follow certain protocols to make sure these painful and dangerous bed sores and pressure ulcers are prevented.

Unfortunately, bed sores and pressure ulcers do occur. When these bed sores do occur, surgery or skin removal is often the route to recovery. There are a variety of options regarding skin removal and having a whole treatment team and plan in place can be very helpful. There are also non-surgical treatments that can be very helpful.

Interventions That May be Used to Halt Bed Sores

Below is a list of interventions that can help halt the development of dangerous and often fatal bed sores and pressure ulcers.

Pain Management

Pain Management is one very important non surgical intervention that is necessary in effectively healing a patient that has aquired a bed sore. Pain is a serious problem with bed sores and often the treatment is very painful as well. Therefore, proper pain management helps in the recovery process. Ibuprofen and naproxen are helpful anti-inflammatory drugs. They can be particularly useful when the patient is having debridement of the tissue, and dressings that need to be changed.

Antibiotics

Bed sores and pressure ulcers can become infected since they are open wounds. These infections can lead to many dangerous complications. Therefore, antibiotics may be necessary. Topical or oral antibiotics may be used according to the discrection of the treating physician.

Diet

Diet can also be another great intervention for those suffering from bed sores and pressure ulcers. In fact, an appropriate diet can help prevent a person from aquiring them in the first place. Appropriate nutrition and hydration can help promote wound healing. High protein diets, as well as those rich in vitamins and minerals are very beneficial. Sometimes, dietary supplements such as vitamin C and zinc are also ordered.

Muscle Spasm Relief

With the help of prescribed medications, muscle spasm relief can also be a useful intervention in the right patient. Sometimes, muscle relaxants can help reduce muscle spasms and help enable healing. Muscle spasms can worsen bed sores due to friction or shearing when they occur. The use of diazepam (Valium), tizanidine (Zanaflex), or other related prescriptions can be useful to curtail this effect. Of course, this course of action would be guided by the patient’s physician.

Bed Sore Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Our lawyers want to make the public aware of some of the dangers that can come from nurisng home neglect. Bed Sores and Pressure Ulcers are one sign of neglect and abuse that takes place in nursing homes and long term care facilities nationwide. Your knowledge of the symptoms and treatments of bed sores can make all the difference for your loved one. If you feel that proper care has not been given, however, further action may be necesary to protect the patient’s rights.
Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-066 in New Jersey, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Abuse Case Concludes with Conviction for Sexual Assault

Nursing home abuse and neglect is a growing problem in this country. Unfortunately, there are many different forms and causes of abuse, all of which are unacceptable and preventable. Sexual abuse is a disturbing problem happening too often in nursing homes and with in-home aides. Workers hired to care for this vulnerable population are taking advantage of the disabled and elderly.

Nursing Home Aide Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers Concludes Conviction Sexual AssaultLast week in New York City, a mute female stroke victim took the stand in court to testify against the nursing home aide that sexually abused her in a Morningside Heights facility. With the help of an interpreter, the 61-year-old woman painstakingly spelled out her testimony by pointing to letters on a page while the interpreter read them aloud. The victim was considered completely dependent, partially paralyzed and unable to speak. The male nursing home aide was assigned to the midnight shift when he assaulted the disabled woman. He was caught abusing the victim by a nurse who came to the room after seeing her call light come on three different times.

Jose Ramos, 62, was sentenced to seven years in prison. His convictions include sex abuse, endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person, and endangering the welfare of a physically disabled person. When Ramos is released from prison, he must register as a sex offender and serve ten years probation.

“The defendant preyed on a helpless victim,” said District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. “Rather than protecting the safety of the victim, he violated her in deplorable ways.”

It is not often that these horrible crimes of abuse get reported or perpetrators convicted because the victims are often extremely disabled or pass away during the investigation. This case shows that a victim’s disability does not have to prevent justice.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident of a nursing home or care facility and you witness or suspect any form of inappropriate or abusive behavior from the staff, you must report it. If you feel uncomfortable reporting negligent or abusive care to the nursing home, 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 Record Verdict In Connecticut

new jersey philadelphia Medical Malpractice Attorneys earn record verdict connecticutA Connecticut jury rendered what medical malpractice attorneys are calling the largest medical negligence verdict in the state’s history. The lawsuit was filed after Daniel D’Attilo was born with cerebral palsy in 2003. The cerebral palsy developed in the baby due to brain damage caused by a delayed delivery. This verdict is a huge victory for families who have had children injured due to medical malpractice.

Daniel D’Attilo, now eight years of age, has extremely serious cerebral palsy. The young child is unable to walk, eat, or speak and he still suffers from seizures. The plaintiff’s medical malpractice attorney said, “he is profoundly, profoundly disabled and the parents have gone through hell.” Cathy D’Attilo, the mother of Daniel, experienced a significant drop in amniotic fluid during pregnancy but her doctor elected to wait for days before performing a Caesarian section. The medical malpractice attorneys also believe that even after the necessary operation did happen, the doctors failed to conduct it properly.

Medical Malpractice Award is a Strong Win for Malpractice Victims

The damage award was an astronomical $58 million, surpassing the former record. $8 million has been set aside to cover the expected medical expenses of the young child. Medical malpractice attorneys say that the remainder of the award was designated to cover pain and suffering of the family and the child. Daniel’s joyous mother stated “the dollar amount means he will be taken care of, that’s what this means to us.”

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have recently undergone surgery and believe you have been the victim of medical malpractice or negligence, it is likely that you have some questions. 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 Lawyers Know The Causes of Pressure Sores

Pressure which prevents adequate blood from reaching the skin and the tissues beneath may cause bedsores. There are many factors that may lead to pressure sores and people should be on the look out in order to prevent problems before they become serious. Bed sore lawyers believe that three primary factors contribute to bedsores:

  • Sustained pressure
  • Friction
  • Shear

Sustained Pressure, Friction, and Shear are the 3 Primary Contributors to Bedsores

new jersey philadelphia lawyers Bedsore causes pressure soresSustained pressure occurs when the skin and tissue are compacted between the bone and an outer surface. Surfaces such as beds and wheel chairs are the most common. The pressure may over power the blood, flowing through the capillaries, preventing oxygen and nutrients from reaching the skin tissues. Bedsore attorneys believe that regions of the body that are not protected by fat or muscle tend to be at the greatest risk of bedsores caused by sustained pressure.

Friction generally occurs when the skin makes contact with an outside surface through different movements. People changing positions or being moved by care providers may experience friction causing the skin to resist the particular movement. Through friction, skin will become more fragile and susceptible to further injury.

The action of two surfaces moving in opposite directions is known as shear. Shear will cause tissue and blood vessel damage. This type of damage could leave people vulnerable to bedsores. A common example of shear is when a person slides downward in a hospital bed. The tailbone will move downward while the skin over the bone remains in place. This sensation of pulling in opposite directions could leave people vulnerable to bedsores.

Bed Sore Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one has acquired a bed sore while in a nursing home, or has had negligent treatment of a bed sore or pressure ulcer, immediately seek further medical attention. Our professionals are dedicated to holding nursing homes responsible. Please contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers Report: Haverford Facility’s License Restored

In the past two months we have been writing about the Quadrangle nursing home facility in Delaware County, PA and the alleged nursing home abuse of one of their resident, 78-year-old Lois McCallister. The facility lost their license from the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) last month when officials found out about an incident where three orderlies were mocking and abusing the dementia patient, forcing her to walk about her room naked while they laughed at her. Lois McAllister’s family caught the abuse on tape, and the staff members involved were arrested and charged.

Quadrangle’s License Restored by DPW for Six Months

The Quadrangle’s parent company Sunrise Senior Living, Inc. issued a press release on Thursday, May 26, 2011 stating that the facility has its license restored. The press release says:

Sunrise Senior Living, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement with the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DPW), under which Sunrise’s license to operate the personal care home that is part of its Quadrangle Continuing Care Retirement Community in Haverford, Pennsylvania, has been reinstated after it had been revoked on April 29, 2011, following an isolated incident at the community.

new jersey philadelphia Nursing Home Abuse lawyers Haverford Facility License RestoredQuadrangle’s license has been restored for the next six months. Under the terms of the agreement, the facility has to make some major changes to their operations. They have to have a manager for each shift responsible for the dementia care unit, the managers must take a leadership training course, all staff members of the dementia care unit must receive performance evaluations to assess their skills and empathy towards the patients, and when hiring new employees they must be evaluated for experience, skills and empathy.

This agreement will allow Sunrise to operate the Quadrangle under continued monitoring. The DPW has the right to revoke the provisional license if they feel the facility is at any point not following the agreement. The press release did not state how Quadrangle’s license was restored or of requirements placed on the facility by DPW. Hopefully these restrictions and monitoring will be enough for the Quadrangle to improve their care. This case of nursing home abuse is inexcusable and this facility should not be given any more chances.

Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Attorneys in NJ and PA

If your loved one is currently a resident at a nursing home or long term care facility, pay close attention to their condition and the kind of care they receive. Your attentiveness is crucial to their continued safety at a nursing home. If you are worried that the care they are receiving is indeed negligent or abusive, 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: Possible Negligence Leads to Suicide

Ruth Farrell was a forty one year old librarian from Connecticut who had checked in to a non-profit institution in New Canaan, CT. One week following her arrival, in January 2002, Farrell hanged herself in the Silver Hill Hospital. The hospital has become known for its celebrity clientele, but the estate of the decedent is questioning whether the hospital and her doctor were negligent. Medical malpractice attorneys say that when a physician fails to appreciate the high level of risk of suicide and to plan their treatment accordingly, this negligence is just as significant as more commonly seen cases.

Newspaper Article may have led jurors to unfair prejudice

new jersey philadelphia Medical Malpractice Attorneys negligence leads suicideThe lawsuit, filed by the estate of Ms. Farrell, charged the hospital and Dr. Shander with negligence, but a Superior Court jury found that neither was liable for any form of malpractice. Nearly three years later, the appellate court put a halt on the lower court’s ruling because the trial judge should have asked potential jurors if they had read a New York Times Article before the trial began. The article could have potentially swayed the emotions and prejudices of the jurors which could have led to an unfair influence on the verdict.

The article keyed in on David Kervick, who met Farrell when they were both patients, but had since become set to inherit half of Ms. Farrell’s estate (valued at approximately $500,000). The article made some assertions that Kervick strongly denies but which clearly would have been so inflammatory that they would have made it difficult for the jurors to act as impartial fact finders. Whether or not the article did have an unfair influence on the original trial still leaves open the debate of whether the physician and hospital acted in a negligent manner. The only hope is that Ms. Farrell had been treated properly for her extreme situation and that her life did not come to a premature end due to medical malpractice.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a family member have recently undergone medical treatment but have not been satisfied with the results which you believe may be attributed to negligence, you may want 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.

Bedsore Attorneys Inform of Common Sites of Bed Sore Development

Pressure sores, more commonly known as bedsores, are injuries to the skin and its underlying tissue. These sores arise due to persistent pressure on the skin for an extended period of time. Bedsores are most likely to develop on skin that is covering certain boney areas of the body (i.e. ankles or tailbone). Bedsore lawyers know that individuals who are confined to a bed or use a wheelchair run a higher risk of suffering from pressure sores.

Beds and Wheelchairs could lead to Increased Risks

new jersey philadelphia Bedsore lawyers common sites pressure sores developmentWheelchairs are a necessary means of mobility for many people worldwide. Although wheelchairs allow individuals to move freely from place to place, the extended period of time in the same position could lead to pressure ulcers. Those who rely on wheelchairs need to be weary of this potential. People who frequently use wheelchairs often suffer from pressure sores in a few sites in particular. The tailbone or buttocks, the shoulder blades and spine, and the backs of the legs and arms are common sites for bedsores to form. These areas of the body rest against the wheelchair for a prolonged period of time, creating a wound which slowly evolves through the bedsore stages.

People who are confined to a bed for extended periods of time are also at an increased risk of pressure sores. The back and sides of the head are a major concern of many bedsore attorneys because it can lead to significant pain and prove difficult to treat. Furthermore, the rim of the ears, shoulder blades, hips, tailbone, heels, ankles, and behind the knees are also susceptible to bedsores, due to the prolonged pressure and contact with the bed.

Bedsore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one has acquired bedsores while in a nursing home, or has had negligent treatment of a bed sore or pressure ulcer, immediately seek further medical attention. Our bedsore attorneys are dedicated to holding nursing homes responsible. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation or call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Nursing Home Neglect Costs Facility Medicare and Medicaid Payments

new jersey philadelphia Nursing home neglect lawyers Facility Medicare Medicaid PaymentsNursing homes are often fined for various citations of nursing home neglect, but federal officials implemented a drastic punishment to a small Tulsa, Oklahoma nursing home by terminating their Medicare and Medicaid payments!

Woodland View Care and Rehabilitation Center, which cares for roughly 70 disabled and elderly patients, was cited with 40 violations during 12 inspections in the past year. Violations included failure to protect residents from abuse, failure to provide pain medications and other treatments as ordered by doctors, failure to sufficiently treat bedsores, failure to provide qualified staffing, failure to provide supervision to prevent accidents and six violations were due to incidents that placed residents’ lives in immediate danger. Inspectors also cited the home for the death of one patient, who had a fever for days before being found unresponsive in her bed. According to the report, Woodland’s employees were “rude” and “uncooperative” to paramedics who responded to the facility and were unable to find paperwork for the woman who had died.

Latricia Hamblin, a licensed practical nurse who worked at Woodland View for seven years, said, “They cut corners every chance they get. … It’s ridiculous for a billion-dollar, nationwide company.” The nursing home’s publicly traded parent company, Sun Healthcare Group Inc., operates more than 200 facilities nationwide and reported nearly $2 billion in revenues last year.

Nursing Home Sues over Citations

The nursing home and Sun Healthcare Group are fighting these violations of nursing home neglect. They are claiming that officials unfairly judged them and applied inappropriate standards to the home. They also alleged in court that officials abused their power and a state inspector inserted documents into a resident’s file to support the case against the nursing home.

The Sun Healthcare Group’s website lists six nursing home facilities in Oklahoma. Oklahoma law prohibits the operators of nursing homes from opening more facilities within the state after a facility has lost federal funding. Sun Healthcare would therefore not be able to expand within Oklahoma beyond the six facilities presently open. The case is currently on appeal to the 10th U.S. Circuit Court, which has permitted months of delay in the loss of funds and allowed the nursing home to continue to collect $3.7 million in federal payments.

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.