New Jersey Archives - Page 25 of 60 - New Jersey Medical Malpractice Lawyers

Elder Abuse Puts a Couple in the Hospital and a Woman in Jail

Lena May Grove, a 50 year old woman from Wenatchee, Washington, was arrested in April and is facing charges of domestic violence, assault, and reckless endangerment. She has been charged with elder abuse of the couple that she cares for, a couple that legally adopted her last year so she could continue caring for both of them.

Elderly Couple Found Injured in Unsanitary Home

new jersey philadelphia elder abuse lawyers lena may grove wenatchee On April 17, Grove called an ambulance to her home because she believed she was overdosing on drugs. While in the home, police found the elderly couple injured and in unsanitary conditions. The 77 year old husband was found in his urine soaked bed with blood and feces smeared on the bed and bed frame. Both victims were taken to the hospital. the husband was taken for facial bruises, broken ribs, and a partially collapsed lung, and his 82 year old wife was taken for a hand and wrist injury which she said she received when Grove pushed her wheelchair across the room and pinned her hand against the wall. The wife also told the police she heard Grove beating her husband on several occasions. The couple is bedridden/confined to wheelchairs, the husband has had part of his leg amputated, and the wife recently had hip surgery. The husband was in the hospital several weeks prior to this when he had to have one of his eyes surgically removed after a TV set fell on him, which his wife believes was an injury from Grove.

According to the wife’s statements to the police, she and her husband adopted Grove a year ago when “Lena got into trouble with the state over being their caregiver and the only way around the problem and still have Lena as their caregiver, was to adopt her.” Grove had been arrested five times for DUI between 1991 and 2007, and because of these past problems with alcohol and drug abuse, she was only allowed to care for one elderly person at a time. The couple chose to adopt Lena so she could continue caring for them. Grove cared for the victims for six years, but according to a friend, she underwent a change in behavior over the past six months. She also had power of attorney over the couple, which included their finances and bank accounts.

Prosecutors filed one count against Grove of second-degree assault, three counts of third-degree assault, two counts of fourth-degree assault and one of reckless endangerment. The highest of those charges carries a sentencing range from three months up to 10 years in prison; the least of them up to one year in jail.

According to neighbors, the elderly couple had not left the house in over a year.

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

It is very important to screen and do background checks on caregivers before hiring them. It is also important to check up on your loved ones frequently. Unfortunately, the quality of their care outside of your home may still depend on you.

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 Give Pre-Operative Cleft Palate Tips

Our birth defects attorneys would like to present some information about treatment of your child’s cleft palate before the performance of surgery to correct the issue. Often times, children with oral clefts and malformations will have breathing difficulties because a cleft palate can obstruct the airway. This is frightening, and in some very rare emergency cases, a tracheotomy is necessary. However, in most cases, when correct and adequate breathing is compromised, oxygen can be provided through tubes to the child. Additionally, because of the difficulty involved with sucking and swallowing, special feeding techniques will be necessary. Because this makes the acquisition of nutrients harder than usual, it his important to monitor the nutrition and hydration levels of children suffering from these facial birth defects.

In preparation for the surgery that will attempt to (and most often does) correct the cleft palate, a child may have to wear dental supports immediately after birth or within the first two to three weeks. The function of these supports, which are made from plastic or metal molds, is to reshape an infant’s tissues. Ultimately, the end goal is a surgical correction and these tips help make that possible.

Birth Defects Attorneys of New Jersey and Philadelphia

Many people who have a child with a cleft lip/palate ask themselves what caused it. More often than not, the answer to this question doesn’t have an exact answer. However, the FDA recently announced that the drug Topamax (topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of a cleft palate/lip. It is important to contact our experienced professionals now in order to protect your legal rights. Do not hesitate to contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation in New Jersey at (856) 833-0600, and in Philadelphia at (215) 567-2380.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys File Lawsuit for Child’s Death

Medical malpractice attorneys have filed a lawsuit in Nebraska, in the Douglas County District Court, following a case of medical malpractice which led to the death of a two year old. Almariah Izabel Duque was approaching two years of age when her life came to an abrupt end. The young girl was given ten times the recommended dose of heparin as she was undergoing kidney dialysis. We have unfortunately found that this type of tragic occurrence is not uncommon in the medical world today.

Family Seeking Damages for Their Little Girl’s Death

new jersey philadelphia Medical Malpractice Attorneys file lawsuit heparin drug death The Duques brought their baby girl to Nebraska for a transplant after she was born with congenital defects. Almariah received a pancreas, liver, and small bowel transplant in late December of 2009. She was discharged from the hospital a few months later but quickly returned as she developed an infection.

The infection caused her kidneys to shut down, requiring her to undergo dialysis. The problem arose when the pump, used to disperse heparin, malfunctioned. The young child was given nearly ten times the proper dose. The mistake was not discovered for five hours and it caused severe bleeding in Almariah’s brain. The young girl passed away two short days later. The parents of the girl have filed a lawsuit seeking money damages for Almariah’s wrongful death, her suffering while she was living, and their emotional distress over losing their young child.

We also believe that the family will challenge the constitutionality of a state law which caps the maximum medical malpractice verdict award at $1.75 million. This issue has been litigated before, and in 2003, four judges left the door open for a challenge of this law because it may infringe on the right to due process.

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 Causes Man to Bleed to Death

new jersey philadelphia nursing home neglect edgemoor hospital california Nursing home neglect are becoming more of a problem in this country as facilities are increasingly understaffed and underfunded. It is important for the staff of these homes to be on top of every patient because quick responses can be the difference between life and death.

Alton Stovall, a 50-year-old man who was living in Edgemoor Hospital, a county run nursing home in Santee, California, died on May 30, 2010 from a bleed after falling from his bed. After falling, Stovall bled for 30 minutes, as other patients pressed their emergency call buttons to get the attention of the nurses. His call button had been tied to the wall, out of his reach. The first call for help was at 3:59 a.m., at 4:24 a.m. another nursing assistant found Stovall drenched in his own blood with his breathing “labored and erratic.” At 4:40 a.m., the nursing assistant found a supervisor who called 911. The EMTs arrived shortly after the patient stopped breathing and pronounced him dead at 5:24 a.m.

County Nursing Home Tries to Cover Up Cause of Resident’s Death

Marilyn Tiu and Tess Oli were working at Edgemoor Hospital the night that Stovall died. Tiu was assigned to check on him that night and Oli was assigned to the unit. Neither of the women responded to any of the calls from the other patients that Stovall needed help. Tiu did not show up to check on the patient until after the EMTs had arrived. The ombudsman report stated:

“It appears that Stovall died because of the gross negligence and dereliction of duty on the part of the staff at Edgemoor and that he could have been saved had his emergency call cord not been tied to the wall out of his reach, had (another patient’s) emergency call been answered in a reasonable time, and if the unit had been properly staffed.”

The facility’s administrator Gwenmarie Hilleary, despite state law, did not report the nursing home neglect or the death to the ombudsman’s office. They did not learn of the incident until three days later, from a “distressed employee” who was claiming the hospital was trying to cover up the death. The employee also claimed that several workers felt intimidated by the administrators and were told not to speak with county investigators. According to the ombudsman’s report:

“It became immediately apparent to us at the beginning of our investigation that there were many, large inconsistencies in what Edgemoor’s administrators were telling us and what the staff members, who had first-hand knowledge of the facts and circumstances of Stovall’s death, were telling us.”

The medical examiner performed a short routine examination of Stovall’s body prior to the ombudsman’s office learning of the circumstances of the death. By the time a full autopsy would have been requested, the body had been embalmed making the full autopsy impossible. On March 1 of this year, San Diego County paid a $2 million settlement to Stovall’s family for the nursing home neglect. Tui no longer works for the county, but Oli and the administrator Gwenmarie Hilleary both still work for Edgemoor.

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 Remind You About Success Stories

Our caring and experienced birth defects attorneys would like to remind parents of children with a cleft palate/lip birth defect that there is hope available. When you first learn of your baby’s diagnosis, several emotions hit all at once, including shock, disappointment, sadness, and anxiety. Of course, these are all reasonable emotions to experience, but it is important to remember that there are correct procedures for your baby, and he will live a happy and fulfilling life. The option of surgery is effective, and a search through internet resources will reveal many different success stories of corrected cleft palates. These children had their clefts corrected and now are living a normal life. Keep these success stories in mind while you provide for your child and his needs.

Sometimes parents ask what caused their baby to develop a cleft palate. In many cases the answer is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to say. There are many different environmental factors that can lead to the development of a cleft palate. However, in some cases, there may a clear indication of what caused the cleft palate. For example, the FDA recently announced that the drug Topamax (topiramate) has been linked to an increase in the development of cleft lip/palates. If you believe that this drug was a contributing factor in the development of your child’s cleft lip/palate you may have questions regarding your legal rights, especially if you are grappling with the expensive costs of treatment.

Birth Defects Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

Surgery is most effective the earlier it is preformed, thus contacting experienced birth defects attorneys quickly is beneficial to you. You have every reason to contact the Mininno Law Office to receive a free case evaluation, or call for a free consultation in New Jersey (856) 833-0600 and in Philadelphia (215) 567-2380. There is no upfront cost to meet with our experienced birth defects attorneys, so please do not hesitate.

Nursing Home Abuse Arrests Made in Georgia Facility

In less than three months, three employees of Winterville Retirement Center in Georgia have been arrested. In his investigations, Sgt. Jimmy Fulcher, of the Winterville Police Department, has discovered nursing home abuse and neglect occur at a more alarming rate than he once thought.

Three Employees of Winterville Retirement Center Arrested in Three Months

nursing home abuse NJ PA Sherrye Dianne Huff, the former administrator of the home, was arrested in May on five felony charges- three counts of theft and two counts of exploiting an elderly or disabled person- and one misdemeanor charge of theft for stealing from an Alzheimer’s patient. Donna Tower, the elderly man’s niece, said that the man would tell his family that someone was stealing from him but everyone brushed it off because of his Alzheimer’s. They later found out that he was telling the truth and Huff was taking his checks.

Cynthia Ann Barrow, another Winterville Retirement Center employee, was arrested in February for punching an 82-year-old Alzheimer’s patient in the face for taking some butter off the food cart in the dining hall. She then told the police that she only pushed the woman who then slipped and fell. The resident struck her head on the food cart and the floor and was taken to the hospital. She died a few weeks later; officials are still investigating to see if her death was in any way related to the incident. If the Georgia Bureau of Investigation determines the attack caused the elderly woman’s death, Barrow could be charged with homicide.

Another employee stole drugs that were prescribed for a patient who had died and a fourth investigation has begun of possible theft from another Winterville resident. Sgt. Fulcher said:

“Most times when a patient reports something it’s hard to prove it because when they have Alzheimer’s, they will sometimes say something happened to them when it hasn’t happened…in this (assault) case I consider myself extremely lucky as far as getting cooperation.”

The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that for each documented case of neglect or abuse, five cases go unreported. Nursing home abuse is one of the most under-reported crimes because the abuse victims are often unable to speak out for themselves. It is very important for you to watch out for your elderly loved ones to make sure they are getting the treatment they deserve in the nursing home or long term care facility.

Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you have witnessed your loved one or any nursing home resident being abused, or you fear that the care they are receiving may be considered negligent or abusive, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns. Contact the Mininno Law Office for a free case evaluation. You may also call for a free consultation at (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey, or (215) 567-2380 in Philadelphia.

Medical Malpractice Attorneys – $2.6 Million Verdict for Plaintiff

Jorge Rosado was awarded a $2.6 million verdict following a short trial. Rosado filed the lawsuit against Dr. Richard Perugini and UMASS Memorial Medical Group. Rosado was scheduled to have a laparoscopic hernia operation in the summer of 2004 when he was twenty one years old. Medical malpractice attorneys say that Mr. Rosado’s serious health issues began after a surgical tack ended up in his small bowel rather than the lining of his stomach during the initial surgery. This medical malpractice forced the young man to undergo eight additional operations over the span of five months, landing him in intensive care with a breathing tube.

Plaintiff is Compensated Following Traumatic Year

Over a span of five months of constant medical procedures, Rosado also underwent an ileostomy and suffered with an open abdominal wound. Medical malpractice attorneys , and later a jury, believed that Dr. Perugini should have closely monitored where he placed the tacks during surgery. This manner of careful monitoring would have ensured that the tacks were placed in the lining of the stomach as opposed to the wall of the small bowel. It is also believed that the tack could not have fallen into the wall of the small bowel, as the defense team argued, had it been properly secured during the procedure. Dr. Steven Cohen stated that he believes that Rosado’s “spiraling complications” would have been avoided with proper treatment and care. The medical malpractice attorneys who handled the case believe this verdict was a just result in part due to the life altering complications and the long and extensive recovery period. Rosado is now at risk of continuing bowel obstructions for the rest of his life, which could lead to the need for additional operations. In a 10-2 jury vote, the plaintiff was awarded $2 million for pain and suffering, over $586 thousand for his medical costs, and nearly $18 thousand for loss of earning capacity during the tumultuous months of operations and recovery.

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.

Birth Defect Attorneys – Cleft Lip Leads to Dental Problems

We know that young children who suffer from cleft lip and cleft palate may face dental problems down the road. In particular, children who suffer from birth defects may be at risk for a significantly higher number of cavities due to their cleft lip or cleft palate. Children may also have extra, missing, malformed, or displaced teeth due to this. Birth defect attorneys advise that children who have teeth that require additional attention should seek dental and orthodontic consultations and treatment as soon as possible. Cleft lip and cleft palate can have dramatic ramifications on many parts of a young child’s life and it is important to address oral issues, including those dealing with teeth, as soon as possible.

Alveolar Ridge Defect may Accompany Cleft Palate

new jersey philadelphia Birth Defect Attorneys cleft lip dental problems Many young children who suffer from a cleft palate may also have a alveolar ridge defect. The alveolus is the upper gum where the teeth are located. Defects in the alveous are not uncommon in young children who suffer from birth defects such as cleft palate. These defects in the upper gum may first displace or rotate the permanent teeth that have grown in. Secondly, in young children, these defects may prevent the adult or permanent teeth from descending and appearing. Finally, we say that this sort of defect may also prevent the alveolar ridge from properly forming. These can develop into serious problems for children and parents should seek dental consultation as soon as possible. Fortunately, we know that these problems are fairly common and can generally be fixed through some form of oral surgery. Following surgery, the young child will be able to show off a beautiful smile without any displacement or rotation of the teeth.

Birth Defect Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If your child was born with a birth defect, such as cleft lip or cleft palate, that you believe is attributable to your use of Topamax during pregnancy, it is possible that you have some questions for 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.

Elder Abuse Awareness Day – June 15th: Types of Abuse

Today is the 6th anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. There are several different types of elder abuse that occur far too often in this country and around the world. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) defines elder abuse as intentional or neglectful acts by a caregiver or “trusted” individual that lead to, or may lead to, harm of a vulnerable elder. Tens of thousands of elderly Americans are abused every year in their homes and in the facilities responsible for their care. To increase the awareness of this horrible issue, we wanted to give a brief overview of the different types of elder and nursing home abuse.

Types of Elder and Nursing Home Abuse

new jersey phialdelphia nursing home neglect lawyers Elder Abuse – Physical Abuse is the non-accidental use of physical force that may result in injury, physical pain or impairment of an elderly person. Physical abuse includes acts of violence such as hitting, beating, shaking, shoving, kicking and burning as well as inappropriate use of medications, physical restraints, depriving basic needs and force-feeding.

– Physical Neglect is the refusal or failure to provide medical services, hygiene or basic life needs such as food, water, shelter, healthcare, and protection to an elderly person that exposes them to severe risk or harm. Neglect is the most common form of elder abuse, accounting for 49% of cases. The physical signs of neglect are often easy to find, poor personal hygiene, soiled bedding, smell, untreated cuts or sores, and poor dental hygiene.

– Emotional or Psychological Abuse is the infliction of mental pain, anguish, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts towards an elderly person. This includes verbal assaults, threats, humiliation, insults, and harassment. Nonverbal abuse includes ignoring the elderly, treating them like an infant, or isolating them from their friends, family, and regular activities. Emotional abuse is harder to detect unless witnessed first hand. It is important to look for changes in behavior, fear of certain care workers, and anxiety and withdrawal.

– Sexual Abuse is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an elderly person. This can include, but is not limited to, unwanted touching, all sexual acts, coerced nudity, and sexually explicit photography. Any of these acts with a person who is incapable of giving consent is considered sexual abuse.

– Abandonment is when the person who has assumed responsibility to care for a vulnerable elder has deserted, neglected or failed to fulfill the caretaking obligation. This can either be intentional or unintentional based on ignorance or denial of the amount of care the elder actually needs.

– Financial Abuse is the illegal taking or misuse of funds, property, or assets of a vulnerable elder. Some examples include cashing an elderly person’s checks without authorization, forging signatures, stealing money or possessions, identity theft, deceiving an older person into signing any document such as contracts or wills, and the improper use of conservatorship, guardianship, or power of attorney.

Elder Abuse Lawyers in New Jersey and Philadelphia

The elderly are a vulnerable population that needs our help and understanding. They have paved the way for us and provided us with opportunities that, without them, we wouldn’t have had. It is disgraceful 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 and depraved rate at which it occurs now.

Bed Sore – The Fourth and Final Stage: Free Consultation

Bed sore lawyers say that the fourth and final stage of pressure sores brings about a large scale loss of tissue. Some wounds may be so deep that tendons, bones, and muscles can actually become exposed. Within the depths of the wound, slough (dark dead tissue) and significant drainage is likely built up. We know that the fourth stage signifies deep and widespread skin damaged caused by the bed sore. Medical attention is required to preserve the health and life of patients.

The Road to Recovery

new jersey philadelphia bedsore attorneys fourth stage final recovery People need to get in contact with their doctor or health care provider as soon as possible. This stage of bed sores can lead to a serious deterioration of health and even worse, it could cause death. Following a medical consultation, it is imperative that people closely monitor the status of the bed sore. We know that the first sign of recovery will be that the wound will slowly begin to diminish in width and depth. New tissue will begin to form along the edges of the sore, which will generally be a light pinkish color. People may also notice blood at the site of the wound: although most people usually see blood as a bad sign, in the case of bed sore recovery it is actually a positive sign. Bed sore attorneys believe that blood shows that there is good circulation in this region of the bed sore which will help the region begin to heal.

Bed Sore Attorneys in New Jersey and Philadelphia

If you or a loved one has recently suffered from a pressure sore which you attribute to neglect or mistreatment, 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.