The Mininno Law Office Supports Three Important Causes

As medical malpractice and nursing home abuse lawyers, the Mininno Law Office sees a lot of sick and vulnerable people in need of our help. We do our best to provide the justice that they deserve, but we cannot help them all through the legal system. That is why we want to encourage the support of various charities that are doing their best to help those in need.

Retirement Housing Foundation

Retirement Housing Foundation (RHF) was founded in 1961 and is one of the nation’s largest non-profit providers of housing and services for more than 17,000 older adults, persons with disabilities, and economically disadvantaged families. RHF was founded by two United Church of Christ clergy and a layman who wanted to provide quality housing and services for seniors. The foundation is currently present in 160 communities in 24 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The main service that RHF provides is apartment units for those who cannot afford today’s high costs of living. Most of the units are for the elderly and the retired whose only source of income in social security or a small pension, but they also provide units to the disabled and low-income families. “We believe that everyone deserves a safe, secure, affordable place to live and we invite you to help us make that possibility a reality,” said President of RHF Rev. Laverne R. Joseph, D.D. To donate to the Retirement Housing Foundation you can call 562-257-5141 or click on the “Donate Now” button on their website page.

Operation Smile

Operation Smile is an international charity that has been providing free surgeries to children around the world for almost thirty years to help fix their cleft conditions that would otherwise go untreated. Dr. William Magee Jr., a plastic surgeon, and his wife, Kathleen, a nurse and clinical social worker, founded Operation Smile in 1982 when they traveled to the Philippines to repair children’s cleft lips and cleft palates. Since then, they have a presence in over 60 countries and have helped over 160,000 children go on to lead a life without facial deformities. This medical humanitarian organization is “dedicated to raising awareness of this life-threatening issue and providing lasting solutions that will allow children to be healed, regardless of financial standing, well into the future.” They believe that children deserve to live a life with dignity and a cleft lip or cleft palate, which can cause a child to be unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile, is something that no child should have to live with. To volunteer or donate to Operation Smile, you can visit their website www.operationsmile.org.

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s mission is “to provide optimal care and services to individuals confronting dementia, and to their caregivers and families—through member organizations dedicated to improving quality of life.” AFA is made up of more than 1,600 member organizations across the country that are all dedicated to meeting the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. They believe that by raising awareness and educating both medical professionals and the public of this horrible disease, they will help remove the stigma associated with Alzheimer’s, improve on the early detection rate and proper treatment, prompt greater use of already in place community resources, and improve the quality of life of those with the disease. One of the services that AFA provides is a toll free hotline where licensed social workers and other professionals knowledgeable about Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses will answer your call and help you with any problem you may have. This is a great resource that can help you feel like you are not alone with this disease. To call the hotline or to make a donation to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America call 1-866-AFA-8484 or to donate online go to www.alzfdn.org.

Mininno Law Office: Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

These three charities have a similar goal to the Mininno Law Office, to help the vulnerable populations of the elderly, disabled and children born with facial deformities. We hope that you will also support these charities so that they can continue the great work they have done for so many years. If you believe that your loved one in a nursing home or long term care facility is being abuse or neglected, if you are a victim of medical malpractice or if you have a child with a cleft lip or cleft palate birth defect as a result of taking the drug Topamax, 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.

Michael Horrocks Dedication Ceremony a Beautiful Success

Last Saturday, the 9 year anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center, friends and family of Michael Horrocks gathered on the football field at West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania. They gathered in a sea of gold, wearing t-shirts bearing the phrase “Honor Him. Never Quit. Love the Game. Win.” They gathered to honor Michael Horrocks, their fallen friend, teammate, leader, husband, and father.

Who was Michael Horrocks?

michael horrocks west chester football september 11 — The statue erected in honor of fallen hero, Michael Horrocks.

Michael was co-pilot of United Airlines Flight 175, the flight that was hi-jacked and flown into the South Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Before his days as a marine and commerical airlines pilot, Michael was starting quarterback for the West Chester Golden Rams.
He played alongside starting linebacker, John Mininno. After his death, John Mininno and his teammates felt compelled to honor the man they looked up to.

Last Saturday, friends and family of Michael Horrocks gathered on the West Chester University football field for a dedication ceremony for a statue erected in Michaels Honor. The ceremony included the statue dedication, an address by Michael’s oldest daughter, a Marine Corps 21 Gun Salute, and a flyover of Squadron C-130 Transport Planes.
It was a beautiful and touching ceremony, and a wonderful way to honor a man that meant so much to so many.

There is no question that Michael Horrocks was a man who was loved. And now his memory will forever remain on the field at West Chester University.

Donate to the Michael Horrocks Scholarship Endowment Fund

Donations are still being accepted for the Michael Horrocks Scholarship Endowment Fund.
Click Here to find out how you can donate.

Tort Reform: How Does it Affect You?

You may have heard or read the term “tort reform” recently, regarding litigation and verdicts awarded to victims of nursing home abuse, medical malpractice and negligence, or defective products.
If you were unclear as to what it meant, read on.

new jersey philadelphia attorneys tort reform nursing home abuse medical malpractice defective products

What is Tort Reform?

Tort reform is an effort to take away the average consumer’s rights to fair compensation for substantial losses brought on by negligent manufacturers, doctors, nurses, or caregivers. Tort reform allows big businesses and other power players to get away with negligence, fraud, or other acts of harm.
These corporations, insurance companies, and their political counterparts promote an aggressive campaign of propaganda, boasting the economic benefits of tort reform, so that companies will not have to rightly compensate the people they injure. It pushes for caps on recoveries that judges and juries can award in litigation.

Who is in Favor of Tort Reform?

Tort reform advocates are a coalition of insurance companies, HMO groups, pharmaceutical companies, big businesses, and other interests who want to protect companies from liability when they harm their own consumers.

Who is NOT in Favor of Tort Reform?

Civil rights advocates, consumer advocate groups, plaintiffs attorneys, labor groups, state prosecutors, legal scholars, and more. Some of these entities include The Public Citizen, The Committee for Justice for All, Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD), The Center for Justice and Democracy, and The American Association for Justice.

Who is Harmed by Tort Reform?

Consumers are the victims of tort reform. Tort reform takes away your right to a fair case, in which an impartial judge or jury looks at the facts of your case to determine liability, if you are eligible for compensation, and what that compensation should be.
We trust juries every day to determine if people are guilty of capital crimes and other serious offenses, but tort reformists claim that we shouldn’t we be able to count on them to determine fair compensation for someone whose life has been negatively affected by the negligence of another.

Particularly in the case of medical malpractice, doctors are made to appear the victims of the tort system. However, most of the damages paid to those harmed by medical malpractice comes from the deep pockets of the insurance industry.
When tort reform measures are passed and the insurance companies are shielded from paying for the mistakes of their insured, they do not pass those savings down to doctors who are charged outrageous premiums to obtain medical malpractice insurance. Our doctors are simply being used as pawns in an effort by insurance companies to pay out less in damages, and raise premiums anyway.

NJ and PA Attorneys at the Mininno Law Office

The Attorneys at the Mininno Law Office are dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers. If you have been affected by the negligence of a manufacturer, a doctor, a nurse, or a caregiver at a nursing home, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation.
We are here to work for you, and earn you the compensation that you DESERVE!

You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Are You Insured by the Worst Insurance Company in America?

A short time ago, we posted a blog about homeowners’ insurance, and things homeowners should know before filing a large claim. It got us to thinking. What else is wrong the insurance industry? Why are there so many bad faith insurers out there? Why do we have to feel so threatened by companies we pay to protect us? Why do you need a New Jersey trial lawyer to protect you against an insurance carrier?

In a report done by the American Association for Justice, the top ten worst insurance companies for consumers have been discovered. After lengthy research into court documents, reports filed by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Securities Exchange Commission, country wide news accounts, and testimony from former agents and adjusters, the AAJ has provided a great deal of information that will ebb our faith in some of the nations leading insurance companies.

The List

10. Liberty Mutual
9. Torchmark
8. UnitedHealth
7. Farmers
6. WellPoint
5. Conseco
4. State Farm
3. AIG
2. Unum
1. Allstate

Reporting each discretion of each bad faith insurance company would take quite some time, so we’ll talk about the one company that stood out above the rest, Allstate Insurance Company. Perhaps it was their mission that set them off on the wrong course. According to CEO Thomas Wilson, “[their] obligation is to earn a return for [their] shareholders.” Said differently, “We put profits over the people we are supposed to insure.”
Unfortunately, shareholders (mostly large financial institutions and hedge funds) and policyholders (the little guys) are not the same people, and while corporate shareholders may be earning profits , many times policyholders are being cheated. Publicly, Allstate’s slick advertising campaign claims their insured will be put you in “good hands.” Privately, agents are trained to employ “boxing gloves,” an aggressive litigation strategy that aims to deny claims at all costs.

They use a secret claims evaluation software called “Colossus” to make lowball offers to victimized customers looking to receive the help they’ve been paying for. Adjusters are trained in the “3 D’s,” to deny, delay, and defend. A common tactic is to employ a “sit and wait” strategy, which Allstate’s research knows increases likelihood that claimants will just give up. Adjusters say they were rewarded for keeping payments low, even if they had to lie to their clients to do so. Adjusters were even rewarded for such actions! For example, one former adjustor told the AAJ that he won a prize (i.e., a portable refrigerator) for wrongfully trying to deny fire claims by blaming arson.

Complaints to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners against Allstate amount to a number greater than almost all of its major competitors. After Hurricane Katrina, the Louisiana Department of Insurance received approximately 1,200 complaints against Allstate, almost double its competitor State Farm, and State Farm held a larger share of the market!

Maryland fined Allstate upwards of 18 million dollars after they raised premiums and changed coverage without alerting policy holders. In Texas, Allstate has to pay 70 million dollars to homeowners after overcharging for insurance. In Florida, Allstate is in trouble with regulators because they’ve dropped over 400,000 customers since 2004, and it appears to be because they are homeowners’-insurance-only customers. Florida law prohibits this practice.

So why work so hard to rip people off? To boost the bottom line of course!
Allstate profited $4.6 billion in 2007. It’s CEO, Thomas Wilson, made $10.7 million that year. His predecessor, Edward Libby, made $18.8 million, plus an additional $25.4 million in retirement benefits. The less they payout, the more they take in.

New Jersey Trial lawyers

New Jersey Trial lawyers are a necessity to you if you are being cheated by your insurance company. While bad faith insurance companies work ‘round the clock to limit your recoveries, New Jersey Trial lawyers work ‘round the clock to increase your recoveries.
If you are currently being low-balled by your insurance company for damages they should be covering, call the New Jersey Trial lawyers at Mininno Law Firm. They are here to help you receive the compensation you need and deserve. Contact us or call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

What You Don’t Know About Homeowner’s Insurance

Homeowners Insurance is a necessity if you want to own a home. But when it’s time to call upon it, it’s a migraine headache. Everyday, homeowners file claims to their insurance companies, hoping that the premiums they’ve been paying will afford them the coverage they need. All too often, insurance companies employ bad faith insurance claim settlement tactics that will withhold or greatly reduce payments to policy holders. It seems that insurance companies are not hoping to help people as much as they are hoping to make a buck.

And it’s a shame that most will not find out about this until tragedy befalls their home, and it’s time to file that claim. Below are nine secrets of homeowner’s insurance companies that will help if you ever have to call upon yours. In some of these instances, an insurance claims attorney will be necessary to make sure you are not being “ripped off” by your insurance company, and that you are indeed being compensated appropriately.

1. A claim for a total loss can cost less than rebuilding a damaged house. Just like a car, why pay more to fix it when you could pay less to get it new?

2. If you have a mortgage, checks will be made out to both you and your mortgage bank. You’ll have to endorse the check and hand it over to your lien holder. The money sits in escrow (money limbo), until repairs are made. Typically, they’ll release the money to you in installments over the course of reconstruction. It’s a way for mortgage companies to protect their investments. You’ll have to front the money for repairs, and then be reimbursed.

3. Don’t sign a release on your home insurance claim. Insurance companies will try to have you have sign a release as quickly as possible to close the claim and relieve them of any future responsibilities to you regarding this particular claim. It would be a good idea to have an insurance claims attorney review the release, to make sure you are not being cheated. When dealing with insurance companies, you want someone on your side. The quicker they ask you to sign, the likelier it is you’re dealing with a bad faith insurer.

4. Don’t cash any checks marked “full and final settlement.” Endorsing and cashing this check is the same as signing a release. Again, it would be intelligent to have an insurance claims attorney review the payout. Very often, an insurance claims attorney can fight to get you more money!

5. Don’t let your insurance company replace your Pottery Barn stuff with Wal-Mart stuff. You want to keep good records of everything you own. Keeping receipts with your tax information is an excellent idea. When your insurance company tells you they’ll give you $25 for a $150 table, you want the receipt proving what you paid. You are entitled to payment for exactly what you owned, not something that looks like it. (Attempting to do this is also a sign of a bad faith insurer).

6. Condo owners need coverage! It’s a wide misbelief that the condo association’s insurance will cover property damage or liability, but that’s only true for common areas. If you want your space and your things insured, you will need your own policy.

7. If you are forced to leave your home, don’t sleep at a shelter. Meridian insurance company is required to cover your “additional living expenses.” Stay at a hotel! In many cases, you’ll have to front the money and be reimbursed later. But if this is something you are not monetarily capable of, an insurance claims attorney will fight to get you that money immediately.

8. After a widespread disaster, insurance companies will bring in out of state claims adjusters to assess damages. An adjuster from the southern United States will not be accustomed to local building costs in New York City. You have every right to have a public claims adjuster come out to assess your damages if you feel you are not being compensated rightly. An insurance claims attorney will help you if your insurance company is not willing to comply.

9. Many times, people will settle for less than the total cost of damages because of the length of time the process can take. Insurance companies know this! They will issue checks for actual cash value of your belongings rather than replacement costs. DO NOT SETTLE FOR LESS THAN WHAT YOUR PROPERTY IS WORTH! An insurance claims attorney will help you receive the money you are due.

Filing an insurance claim and collecting payment can be a lengthy, tiresome process. Typically, you should be ready for a fight. All too often, insurance companies employing bad faith insurance claim settlement practices are looking to pay out the least amount possible, regardless of what you need and deserve. That is why an insurance claims attorney is an excellent resource to have on your side.

If you are currently in a battle with your insurance company because of an accident that has befallen your home, the team at Mininno Law Firm wants to help you. Contact us or call at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Serve your country: Jury duty is essential to fairness in the justice system

There’s a common saying that only two things in life are certain: death and taxes. However, I think there’s one more certainty that we should add: jury duty. Though it’s essential to the preservation of our government, nobody likes it. It’s like going to the dentist — it’s something you’d do just about anything to get out of. However, I’m here to tell you that jury duty is essential to not only the legal system, but to the preservation of the laws that govern our country. Regardless of whether we like it, it’s something that we simply have to do.

Why is jury duty essential?

Jurors make up the foundation of the court system. Without them, everything would be in disarray. Who would debate the testimony? Who would decide who is guilty and who is innocent? If you can come up with someone other than the jurors, I’m all ears. They ensure that everyone receives a fair trial. Only a group of individuals who are impartial to the matters of the case can determine for sure who is guilty and who is innocent.

Why are so many jurors upset right now?

Despite the argument that jury duty is essential in our court system, many people are voicing displeasure. The reason is money. In a recovering economy, many people are strapped for cash. They can’t afford to lose a paycheck. Because of the recession, many people are living paycheck to paycheck.

Imagine you are living paycheck to paycheck. One day, you get a call to sit on a trial and help decide a case. Someone tells you that jury duty is essential to the court system and you have to do it. However, you know you’re going to miss out on a paycheck or two. How would that make you feel? How would you respond?

For those who are used to the process, you know that there is a stipend to sit on a case. Rates are as high as $40 in cities like Dallas, but they can be lower elsewhere. To many people, that’s simply not enough. However, jury duty is essential to the success of the current system. To read more about this issue, click here.

Do you have questions or answers about the legal system? We can help

At the Mininno Law Office, we have experienced civil trial lawyers who are at your service. Our New Jersey attorneys are always available and willing to help. Whether you have questions about medical malpractice, trucking accidents or any other legal matter, we’d like to hear what you have to say. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania to get the help you need.

The 2010 car recalls have left people wondering if their vehicles are safe

In 2010, there have been car recalls left and right. You’ve seen it all over the news and the Internet. People are talking about it and wondering when their vehicle will be called back. Buying a new automobile is a big investment. When making an investment of that magnitude, we want to know that it’s a good one. We expect the product to be safe and perform exactly as advertised.

The 2010 car recalls have created cause concern with companies we usually can trust. Toyota is being talked about the most right now, but it’s not the only company currently on the chopping block.

2010 Toyota car recall

In February, Toyota was all over the news. On Feb. 9, Toyota officially recalled more than 400,000 Prius cars, which is the best-selling hybrid in the world. Roughly 8.5 million total vehicles were recalled including the Camry. Brake problems were cited as the main cause. To learn more about what vehicles have been recalled, read an article from the Business Journal here.

But that wasn’t the end of the 2010 car recall for Toyota. According to the Los Angeles Times, Corollas may be next to be called in. People have been complaining about the vehicle’s power steering, and Toyota may be ready to respond. If so, it would just be the next rung on a ladder of problems the company is having right now.

2010 Honda car recall

Turning back the clocks a little bit, Honda’s troubles started heating up in late 2008. The company announced that some of its vehicles had faulty airbags in November 2008. After 437,000 vehicles were added to the list during February of this year, that brought the total up to nearly 1 million. Just to give you a measuring stick, Toyota has recalled roughly 8 million vehicles in the past few months.

Regarding the Honda car recall, another matter of note is the number of injuries. According to the aforementioned AP story on Philly.com, there were 11 injuries in 2009 and one death. Even one death is a big number. One is too many. If you’re driving a Honda or Toyota vehicle, do you feel safe?

Do you have a question? We can help

There are clear-cut dangers to using a defective product or driving a vehicle with a defect. At the Mininno Law Office, our civil trial lawyers deal with these types of cases all the time. If you have a question for a defective product attorney, please let us know. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Traffic cameras are coming to Cherry Hill to catch violators and make roads safer

Look out Cherry Hill drivers, traffic cameras are coming. After polling residents and taking careful consideration, the township has decided to give the green light to a new traffic program. The intersection of Springdale Road and Route 70 will be the guinea pig.

Why are traffic cameras coming to the state of New Jersey?

Cherry Hill Township is always looking out for the safety of its residents, and the red light project is a clear step in that direction. Officials have noticed a slew of people breaking the law, so they’re taking action. It’s simple cause and effect. Folks have been getting away with it for years. Whether they’re late for work or just trying to make good time, many drivers speed up when they see a yellow light. This practice is dangerous and can cause an accident. Too often, folks underestimate the dangers of speeding and rushing around. Speed limits and traffic laws are there for a reason, and too often we ignore them. If you get a traffic ticket that you believe you didn’t deserve get a traffic ticket attorney, to help you fight the ticket.

Another reason traffic cameras are coming is because the program is a cheaper alternative to adding more patrol cars on the streets. It also frees up policemen to do more important things and take care of any emergency that comes up. The bottom line? The road is the most dangerous place to be, and traffic cameras coming to town might just make our streets just a little safer. At the Mininno Law Office, our philosophy is safety first. Besides, if you always obey the law, then you have nothing to worry about.

Who’s next for the program?

According to the Courier-Post article, traffic cameras are coming to five more towns:

Deptford
Glassboro
Gloucester Township
Monroe
Stratford

How do you feel about traffic cameras coming to your town? Do you think the pilot program is the best method to cut down on drivers running red lights? Tell us what you think.

Do you have questions or answers about public safety?

Add a comment to our blog. At the Mininno Law Office, you can talk to a New Jersey civil trial lawyer to answer your questions about public safety. We have experienced NJ attorneys who value safety as much as you do. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need.
Contact us or call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Patient rights protection is getting major help from a new ad campaign

Patient rights protection might not be the first thing you think about when you or a loved one has to go to a hospital. You may not always need it, but when you do, you’re sure glad it’s there.

Why is patient rights protection important?

To explain why patient rights protection is important, let me share what may be a shocking statistic. Fact: Research shows that each year, 98,000 lives will be lost to preventable medical errors. Do you know what the keyword is in that sentence? It’s “preventable” and it means that these medical errors that cause wrongful death can be avoided. These are errors that should not happen and these deaths should not happen.
If we can improve patient rights protection, we can do two things. We can both improve health care and decrease the number of deaths from preventable medical errors.

Is anyone fighting for patient rights protection?

Yes, certified civil trial lawyers are fighting for patient rights protection. The American Association for Justice, formerly called the Association of Trial Lawyers in America, has recently spent its own resources to advocate and fight for patient rights protection. The goal? Make health care more affordable for everyone.

In order to make a difference, 30 public service “billboards” that will be displayed at Union Station Metro in Washington, D.C. during the entire month of December. The campaign has already gotten a ton of positive press coverage. You can read about the effort on Politico and on NationalJournal.com.
Each ad will tell a story of someone who was hurt by medical negligence. This is an investment of $100,000, but it shows how important health care is to medical malpractice attorneys. New Jersey attorneys see cases with surgical errors and medical mistakes all too often. In addition to fighting for their clients, they’re fighting for all Americans to get better health care.

What about tort reform? Will it help with patient rights protection?

Tort reform will not help with patient rights protection. Think about who’s pushing tort reform — insurance lobbyists and corporate nursing homes. Why? They’re trying to make more money. Tort reform takes away rights, it doesn’t support them. It won’t help improve health care; it will just make things worse.

What if I’m not being protected?

Talk to a medical malpractice attorney. At the Mininno Law Office, we have experienced New Jersey attorneys who have dealt with these cases all too often. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help you need. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Animal Safety Tips to help protect your Children

Animals are a wonderful thing and can be very good for children. They can teach them how to be responsible, how to be gentle, how to be calmer and not yell around the animals or scare them. Finally, it can be a really rewarding learning experience for the whole family. Too often though, children do not know to behave around animals and they end up getting diseases or bites from animals. Due to these problems the Center for Disease Control or CDC has recommended some basic safety tips for parents and children for good animal care for them and the animals. These tips include:

Children under five years need to always be supervised while with animals
Do not allow children to kiss animals or put their hands near their mouth or eyes after touching animals
Make sure children wash their hands well with soap and water after touching animals
Animals such as snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs and other similar animals should be handled with special care around children due to the spread of disease

So many children and other family members get bite by animals and get other diseases due to lack of knowledge about animal safety. These simple tips can help prevent these situations now and in the future.

For more information on animal safety tips and recommendations, you may visit: http://www.cdc.gov/HEALTHYPETS/child.htm

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to an animal, please contact a personal injury attorney right away. They can help you get the medical care you and your family deserve.