Tag: free case evaluation

Nursing Home Neglect Causes Woman to Fall to her Death

Unfortunately, falls are not uncommon in nursing homes. Patients often fall out of bed, in the shower, or just from lack of balance. Nursing home neglect is a serious issue that can lead to severe injuries or even death. Falls are terrible accidents for the elderly and their families, but there are things nursing homes and long-term care facilities can do to prevent them from happening.

Alzheimer’s Patient Climbs Out Window

new jersey philadelphia Nursing Home Neglect woman falls Springfield Skilled Care CenterOzarksFirst.com reported, in Springfield, Missouri, about a woman with Alzheimer’s who fell from a window of the Springfield Skilled Care Center where she was living. Mary Bebee was 81 years old and living in a secured unit of the facility. According to Cpl. Matt Brown of the Springfield Police, “It appears she tried to crawl through the window, attempted that, and at some point expired.” Ms. Bebee fractured her neck and died because of the fall.

The Springfield Skilled Care Center has had previous issues with inspections. The nursing home has been cited for violations in the past year including failure to prevent falls, failure to properly refrigerate some of their medications, safety code violations in the special care unit and fire doors not opening properly when fire alarms were tested. According to the Medicare Nursing Home Compare System, Springfield Skilled Care Center ranks one out of five stars in terms of health inspections, which is well below average.

Accidents like this one can be prevented. Patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia need to be watched more carefully because they can be unpredictable. These residents should not be given the opportunity to hurt themselves in this way. Windows should be securely shut, sharp objects should not be left out and nursing home staff should be present for daily tasks such as bathing and eating. Alzheimer’s and dementia patients are especially vulnerable and need a specialized form of care.

Nursing Home Neglect Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you believe your loved one has been abused or neglected in a nursing home, please contact our professionals at the Mininno Law Offices. We are dedicated to eradicating the current trends of abuse and neglect found in the nursing homes across the country. 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, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Adding Your Child’s Teacher to the Cleft Palate Care Team

The birth defects attorneys of the Mininno Law Office would like to share with you some advice about preparing your child with a cleft lip/palate for school. There are many things you may want to communicate with your child’s teacher. First and foremost, in as tactful a way as possible, let the teacher know that your child is an individual, not a diagnosis. Other children will naturally be curious, because your child’s appearance may be different, but the teacher can make this a positive experience by respectively educating the other children about the birth defect, as well as making your child feel more welcome.

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects Attorneys school tips children oral cleftsIt is also important to let the teacher know that your child may have hearing issues tied to the cleft palate, which should be considered if the teacher believes the child isn’t listening. Lastly, try to encourage the teacher to maintain an open line of communication, as the first years of school are most likely going to shape your child’s self-image strongly, and it should be as positive as possible. Teachers are generally compassionate people, so adding your child’s teacher to your care-team along side your doctors, birth defects attorneys, and other professionals is a great idea.

Birth Defects Attorneys In New Jersey and Philadelphia

Now that your child is getting ready for school, you may be asking yourself if you need birth defects attorneys. The simple truth is that in a great portion of cases there is no one to blame for the development of the birth defect as it was caused by natural forces. However, in some instances, there are external forces at work which may have affected your child’s development. For instance, the FDA has recently announced that Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of a cleft lip/palate by 21 times the normal rate.
If you believe that Topamax may have been a factor in the development of your child’s cleft lip/palate please do not hesitate to contact us. Our lawyers are experienced and in many cases can help achieve financial judgments that can help your family.

Contact the Mininno Law Office in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600 and in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380 for a FREE case evaluation and consultation.

Birth Defects Attorneys Give Insurance Advice for Cleft Lip/Palate

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects Attorneys insurance advice cleft lip palateIf your child is suffering from a cleft palate or lip the stress involved can seem, at times, overwhelming. Dealing with your insurance carrier to get the necessary care should not, but often does, add to the stressful burden. In many instances, insurance companies will deny the claim outright initially. This can be frustrating, especially when the person making the initial denial does not have a medical background, and therefore is not intimately familiar with the issues associated with a cleft lip/palate. The attorneys at the Mininno Law Office have some practical advice to help cope with this problem.

It is important to prepare yourself for the possibility of spending considerable amounts of time on the phone speaking with various representatives from the insurance company. It is important to document every phone call, with the date, time, name of who you spoke with, and the content of the call. This serves to protect you. Essentially, you are looking for that one sympathetic person at the company that will make your life easier and help get your child the treatment that he/she deserves. In the case that your claim is denied, as a paying customer, you should consider the appeals process to have the claim looked at again.

Birth Defects Attorneys In New Jersey and Philadelphia

Many times people who have a child with a cleft palate/lip birth defect ask if they need to contact birth defects attorneys. The answer is complicated. In many instances, the birth defect was caused by natural forces and there is no one to blame. In these instances you may find yourself fighting the insurance battle described above. However, in other cases, external forces may have been in play, like Topamax (Topiramate), a drug that the FDA has recently announced increases the likelihood of cleft palate/lip by 21 times.

If you believe Topamax may have been a factor in your child’s birth defect, the birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office can provide financial remedies that will alleviate the stresses associated with your child’s birth defect. Contact the Mininno Law Office in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600 and in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380 for a FREE case evaluation and consultation.

Nursing Home Neglect Can Lead to Bed Sores

Nursing home neglect is a huge cause for the development of bed sores and pressure ulcers. Nursing homes and long term patient care centers are responsible for giving good and professional care to their patients. Often, when a nursing home has a record of neglect or abuse, you will find patients that have acquired painful and often dangerous bed sores. It is important for a patient’s loved ones to know the symptoms and signs of bed sores and pressure ulcers so that they can immediately take action when stage one bed sores start to form.
When it comes to bed sores, prevention is the best medicine, but if prevention isn’t happening due to abuse or neglect on the part of the nursing home, a loved one needs to be ready to step in and take action. The best thing you can do to protect your loved one is to become familiar with the bedsore symptoms and stages so immediate help can be given.

Symptoms of Bed Sores and Pressure Ulcers

new jersey philadelphia bedsores pressure sores lawyers nursing home neglectBed sores are categorized into 4 stages. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel has defined the four stages. If these stages aren’t treated, they will continue to worsen.

Stage I
Stage I bed sores are characterized by a slight may change color in the area affected. The skin is intact, but the site may also painful, firm, soft, warmer or cooler compared with the surrounding skin.

Stage II
Stage II bed sores are an open wound. The pressure ulcer may appear as a shallow wound, or it may appear as an intact or ruptured fluid blister.

Stage III
Stage III bed sores are now a deep wound. The ulcer will have a crater like appearance, the bottom of the wound my have yellowish dead tissue, and the damage may now extend beyond the primary wound.

Stage IV
Stage IV pressure ulcers show a large scale loss of tissue. The wound may now expose muscle, bone and tendons. The bottom of the wound usually contains crusty dead tissue, and the damage extends beyond the primary wound below layers of healthy skin.

Careful Skin Inspection Should be Part of Routine Nursing Home Care

It is very important that nursing homes carfully inspect the skin of all nursing home patients that are confined to a bed or wheelchair for a long period of time . Not properly inspecting these patients is a true sign of nursing home neglect. If you recognize any of these warning signs, a doctor should be contacted immediately. Bed sores are very painful, and they are also very dangerous, as they can lead to life threatening infections. Early detection of a bed sore can be the difference between life and death.

Bedsores are a Sure Sign of Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

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 lawyers 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 Causes Dehydration and Malnutrition

Dehydration and malnutrition are the most common forms of nursing home neglect and abuse. Nursing homes have a legal obligation to make sure that the health of their residents is being taken care of; this includes sustaining proper nutrition and hydration. They are responsible for making sure each resident receives a sufficient amount of nutrients, fluids, calories, protein, vitamins and minerals. If an elderly person becomes dehydrated or malnourished, it can lead to many health problems, including weakened immune system, disorientation, weak muscles, bedsores, and even death.

The elderly are the most vulnerable to dehydration because they may not be able to tell when they are thirsty. In addition, their bodies are no longer able to conserve as much water. Their other health problems also increase the likelihood of becoming dehydrated or malnourished. People with dementia can forget to eat or drink water. Those residents that are physically unable to take care of their own basic needs must rely on the caretakers of nursing homes to do so for them.

Warning Signs and Causes

Dehydration is an excess loss of body fluids. Signs to look out for are new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyers abuse dehydration malnutrition

  • thirst
  • loss of appetite
  • dark colored urine
  • dry mouth
  • dizziness
  • dry skin
  • vomiting
  • difficulty breathing
  • seizures.

    • Malnutrition is caused from an unbalanced diet; a lack of the right nutrients or not having enough food in general. Some of the signs that your loved one is malnourished are new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect lawyers abuse dehydration malnutrition

  • weight or muscle loss
  • fatigue
  • bloated abdomen
  • mental decline
  • decreased organ function
  • cramps
  • heat strokes
  • brain swelling
  • kidney failure
  • drop in blood pressure
  • coma or death.

With all of the physical complications present in the elderly, dehydration and malnutrition are often overlooked or attributed to other causes. In order to avoid this form of nursing home neglect caretakers need to know the signs and constantly be looking out for them in each patient. They need to know each patient’s individual needs, their physical limitations, health issues and medications so they can make the required adjustments to avoid dehydration and malnutrition.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one is currently a resident at a nursing home and you believe they may not be getting the proper hydration or nutrition, contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call with any questions for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Assembling the Team to Care for Your Child with a Cleft Lip or Palate

If your child has a cleft lip/palate it should come as no shock that he or she will face numerous medical, psychological, social, and economic issues. The medical needs of the child are complex and care often continues into adulthood. Usually, the care team consists of many different interdisciplinary professionals including geneticists, pediatricians, plastic surgeons, otolaryngologists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, dentists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and, of course team, coordinators. This list can be daunting to a parent first grappling with the needs of their child born with a cleft lip or palate. However, there is one other group of professionals, often overlooked, who can alleviate the financial stresses involved with caring for your child’s birth defect: birth defects attorneys.

Birth Defects Attorneys as a Member of the Care Team

Birth Defects AttorneysExperienced birth defects attorneys can be invaluable to the cause of a child born with a cleft palate/lip birth defect. It is true that in many cases when a child is born with this tragic birth defect, no one is at fault. Sometimes, however, there may have been external forces working against your child. One major consideration can be found in the FDA’s recent announcement that Topamax (Topiramate) increases the likelihood of cleft palates and lips in newborns by 21 times the normal rate when taken by women who are pregnant or during child bearing years. The experienced birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office can help recover the finances necessary to help your child live a normal free of physical deformities.

Birth Defects Attorneys In New Jersey and Philadelphia

It is important to note that the birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office operate on a contingency basis, meaning there are no out-of-pocket costs to you when pursuing your case. The Mininno Law Office gets paid when you get paid, and not a moment before.

If you believe that your child’s birth defect may be caused by the use of Topamax (Topiramate), please don’t hesitate to help your child by contacting one of the Mininno Law Office’s experienced birth defects attorneys. Contact the Mininno Law Office’s birth defects attorneys in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600 and in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380 for a FREE case evaluation and consultation.

Birth Defects Attorneys Provide Cleft Palate Speech Info & Remedies

Our birth defects attorneys strive to provide parents of children born with cleft palates and lips with pertinent information about their child’s disorder. Over half of children born with a cleft palate will encounter speech problems at some point during their lives. Regular evaluations by the speech-language pathologist on your child’s care team may be necessary to monitor your child’s speech and language progress and make any changes that are necessary. It is certainly possible for a child born with a cleft palate birth defect to not experience any speech disorders and, if the child has surgery before speech develops, the problem may be avoided completely. However, even if your child is not of speech age, it is important to familiarize yourself with difficulties that they may face in the future.

What Causes Speech Problems

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects Attorneys cleft palate speech info remediesWhen a cleft palate exists, the oral and nasal cavities are not separated, which causes two distinct issues that affect the formation of speech. First, the child has difficulty building the required air pressure in the mouth because it escapes out of the nose. Second, the tongue has less tissue available to touch on the roof of the mouth. Both of these issues make it difficult for a child to make some sounds required for speech. Once the palate is repaired it may be easier for your child to learn the sounds needed for the formation of speech. But remember: development of speech may end up being slower, so do not be frustrated.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Parents often wonder if they require birth defects attorneys because their child was born with a cleft palate. In most cases, the answer is simply no: natural causes lead to the birth defect. However, contacting the Mininno Law Office birth defects attorneys may be one of the most important decisions you can make for your child if Topamax (Topiramate) was used while your child was in the womb. Topamax has been linked to a drastic increase in cleft palate formation when women take the drug while pregnant or during their child bearing years. If you believe that Topamax may have been a cause of your baby’s cleft lip or palate, do not hesitate to contact us.

We offer FREE consultations and case evaluations. There is no upfront cost to meet with the experienced birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office. Please do not hesitate to ask our birth defects attorneys for help for your child. 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 of Oral Health Leaves Woman Gravely Ill

Nursing home neglect can affect many areas of care. One often overlooked area is oral hygiene. Oral health can affect the overall health of the already at risk population and there is little dental care in place in many of the country’s nursing homes. But dental care is starting to get better and they are even offering their patients Invisalign in Calgary.

A resident of a Kentucky nursing home contracted a potentially life threatening gum infection because the staff failed to remove her dentures for six months. A staff member was told of the woman’s dentures when she was admitted, but it was never noted in the chart. From there on out, the teeth were believed to be natural. The dentures were never removed or properly cleaned in the six months she had been under the nursing home’s care. It wasn’t until the resident’s face started to swell that she was examined by a dentist, who discovered that the dentures were corroded and had not been cleaned in quite some time.
The nursing home was issued a Type A citation, which qualifies an event as an immediate threat of death or injury to a nursing home resident. The home lost federal funding and has been temporarily shut down. The residents have been transferred to other facilities.

Oral Health Affects Overall Health

new jersey philadelphia nursing home abuse lawyers Oral Health Woman Gravely IllMany nursing home residents have physical and psychological disabilities that make caring for themselves difficult or impossible. These residents need the staff to be attentive to thinks like oral care in order to prevent the physical complications that can result. Eating less and losing weight is one problem associated with poor dental care, something that can cause severe problems in the elderly.

Better oral care is desperately needed in many nursing homes and can easily be improved upon. Training the facility staff in dental hygiene is one small change that can significantly enhance the care of your loved ones. Long-term care facilities are required by law to follow certain guidelines and protect the health of their residents.

Nursing home neglect lawyers always recommend frequent and unscheduled visits to the facility where your loved one resides. The best way to be aware of the kind of care the home provides is to show up often and unannounced. Advocate for your loved one’s quality of life by doing what you can to improve it. If that fails, turn to the nursing home neglect lawyers at the Mininno Law Office, who will advocate for your loved one’s legal rights.

Nursing Home Neglect Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your loved one’s dental hygiene is not being cared for, they could be in very real danger of more serious complications. You should discuss this issue with the staff at the nursing home and, if you aren’t completely satisfied with the responses you are receiving, 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, and (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Let the nursing home neglect lawyers at the Mininno Law Office fight for your loved one’s rights.

Birth Defects Attorneys Discuss Cleft Palate Hearing Issues & Remedies

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defects Attorneys cleft palate issues remedies topamaxBabies that are born with a cleft palate are more likely than other children to frequently suffer from ear infections. The cleft palate contributes to a buildup of fluid in the middle ear, and if this becomes infected, the baby can develop a fever and an earache. Unfortunately this buildup can also cause moderate hearing loss. This hearing loss, if treated properly, need not be permanent. It is recommended that the child have their ears checked yearly so that if fluid is detected, it can be treated with the appropriate medicine or minor surgical procedures. This may seem daunting on top of all of the other responsibilities a parent of a child with a cleft palate birth defect may face, but it is possible that experienced birth defects attorneys may be able to alleviate the financial burden on your family.

Possible Remedies Available to Prevent Hearing Loss

Often, when a baby suffers from a cleft palate and frequent ear infections, a doctor may insert tubes into the baby’s ear. The desired effect of the tubes is to alleviate fluid build-up in the ears and restore hearing for the baby. If left for too long, it is possible that hearing damage will become permanent. You should have your baby see an ENT (ear, nose, and throat doctor) as well as an audiologist for more information. It may also be important to consult with a speech language pathologist to remedy any speech issues that may be caused by the temporary hearing loss.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The mental, emotional, and economic stresses of caring for a child with a cleft palate can be overwhelming. In a large portion of the cases, no one is to blame for the development of the cleft palate. However, the FDA has recently announced that the epilepsy and migraine treatment Topamax (Topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lips and palates when taken by women during pregnancy. If you believe that Topamax may have been a cause to your baby’s cleft lip or palate, you have legal options with the Mininno Law Office’s birth defects attorneys.

We offer FREE consulations and case evaluations. There is NO upfront cost to meet with the Mininno Law Office’s experienced birth defects attorneys. Please do not hesitate to ask for help from our birth defects attorneys for your child. 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.

Feeding Your Baby With a Cleft Lip or Palate.

If you have a child with a cleft lip or cleft palate birth defect, you must be familiar with the difficulties that feeding entails. While it may be extremely upsetting and challenging to see your child suffer with a birth defect, it is important to remain calm and relaxed as it will help the child to also be relaxed during the feeding. If breastfeeding is not an option, remember that it is not your fault, and that there are other options.

Feeding Options for Babies with Cleft Lip/Palate

There are specialized bottles available that were designed with your baby’s cleft palate in mind. These bottles can be outfitted with nipples specifically designed to fit the baby’s mouth containing a cleft. There are also soft bottles that help you to deliver milk to your baby more easily.

Your baby may have trouble creating the suction required because air comes from the nasal cavity to the oral cavity to get milk from the nipple. By consulting with your caregiver, you may discover that more options may be available to you.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia.

birth defects attorneysMany parents ask if they need birth defects attorneys because their child was born with a cleft palate or lip birth defect. There are many internal and external causes of an oral cleft, including genetics, alcohol use, drug use, and infections. It has recently been announced by the FDA that pregnant women who use Topamax (Topiramate), a drug used to treat epilepsy and migraines, increase their likelihood of giving birth to a baby with a cleft palate by up to 21 times the normal rate.

If you believe Topamax may have been the cause of your baby’s cleft lip or palate, you have legal options. Let the experienced birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office answer all of your questions, and work to earn you full and fair compensation.

The Mininno Law Office offers FREE consultations and case evaluations. There is no upfront cost to meet with the experienced birth defects attorneys at the Mininno Law Office. Please do not hesitate to ask our birth defects attorneys for help for your child. 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.