We always hear about celebrities getting cosmetic surgery. We hear about how glamorous it is, and we hear about the incredible changes that it makes to our bodies. Sometimes we hear about what goes wrong. However, these stories are often swept under the rug. We rarely hear about the dangers of cosmetic surgery, and judging by the numbers, potential consequences aren’t stopping anyone. According to the ASAPS, more than 10 million surgical and nonsurgical cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S. in 2008.

What are the dangers of cosmetic surgery?

Specifically looking at breast implants, young adults must be especially cautious before going under the knife. It’s important to understand both sides of the equation: the positive side and the negative side. The positive side is obvious — there are psychological and physical reasons to consider. The risks however, can be both short-term and long-term problems as well as general complications. Thousands of young women undergo breast implants every year. With so many procedures and medical risks, there is always a chance that something could go wrong.

One of the dangers of cosmetic surgery for young women lies in the fact that their bodies have not fully matured yet. They’re still growing, and therefore, a major operation early in life could have consequences later in life. Those who are considering a procedure have to ask themselves the ultimate question: Is it worth the risk?

Are there dangers in cosmetic surgery for men?

Don’t be too surprised to hear men in the conversation. It’s become more and more common for men to join and try out these kinds of procedures. Some people just don’t like the image they see in the mirror every day, and they see a simple procedure as an option that’s worth the risk. Still, there are dangers in cosmetic surgery that are similar to risks that women face. Beyond the physical/medical risks, it’s going to cost a significant chunk of change. Once again, it comes down to one question: Is it worth the risk?

What if the worst should happen?

We hope your surgery is a success and free of complication. If something does go wrong during or following a surgery, call a New Jersey medical malpractice attorney who can answer your questions on surgical errors and complications.

You and your loved ones deserve safety and proper care. Our experienced civil trial lawyers are always available to help. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Yesterday, I talked about how to keep elders safe. I mentioned how a slip and fall might not do much to you or me, but it could severely injure an older person. Today, let’s discuss elderly fall risk.

People fall all their life. As kids, we fall during play and other activities — kids love it. A child’s human body is flexible and bones rarely break even from the worst falls. Unfortunately, as people get older, their bodies become more fragile. When a middle age person falls, their bodies hurt for days and weeks. But, again, usually the bones don’t break.

However, when an elderly person falls there is a risk of catastrophic injuries because the aging human body becomes much more fragile. Up until recently, the correlation between aging and the severity of injury resulting from falls has been well known. However, a recent study has shown that there is another factor that also increases the likelihood of a severe injury when an elderly person falls. That factor is chronic pain.

What contributes to elderly fall risk?

There are many factors to consider. For example, studies show that increasing age, poor health and medication use all increase the risk of fall to elderly person. But, it was not until recently that researchers “stumbled” upon chronic pain as another factor. In an article in an issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers examined 749 patients age 70 and older for more than two years. The study results show that chronic pain increases elderly fall risk by 1.5-fold. In other words, those who suffer from chronic pain are 1.5 times more likely to suffer from a fall.

What can I do to prevent elderly fall risk in my relatives?

Pay close attention to your loved ones. That’s probably the single most important thing you can do. Make sure your parents and grandparents live in a safe environment with sturdy stairwells, handrails, ramps and well-kept floors. If your loved one is in a nursing home, that’s one thing to look for. If someone should fall, even if it doesn’t seem serious, call a doctor and have it checked out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

If something happens to your loved one in a nursing home, first call a doctor. Next, call a nursing home abuse lawyer. Your relatives deserve safety and proper care at a home. If they’re not getting it, please let us know. Our experienced civil trial attorneys are always available to help. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

Back in January, we wrote a blog on the Star-Ledger’s series on concussions in young athletes. We talked about how important our kids are to us and how much we want to see them succeed. Above all, we want to make sure our children are safe wherever they are.

The Star-Ledger series on concussions in young athletes covered the impact and dangers of head injuries, and what’s being done to protect our kids. If you haven’t read it yet and have kids who play sports, I highly recommend you to take a look. Meanwhile, a new report has been released that I’d like to tell you about.

What’s new with concussions in young athletes?

Research has just come out that shows a cheap, simple test may be able to detect a concussion in a young athlete. The idea for the study is based on reaction time: After a head injury, reaction time is usually slower. When it’s serious, reaction time can be slow for several days afterward. Until now, tests of reaction time have been computerized, which is usually not an option for a game situation. Dr. James T. Eckner of the University of Michigan and some of his associates have developed a simple test that evaluates reaction time.

What’s the test that can detect concussions in young athletes?

The test takes a rigid cylinder and attaches it to a weighted disk. The device is released and the player has to use reflexes to make the catch as quickly as he or she can. The test is still in experimental phases and will be presented in April.

Do you have questions? We can help

Although some head injuries are more serious than others, there is no such thing as a “little head injury.” The effects of even a small head injury can be severe, such as memory loss or depression. In some cases, head injuries can even lead to a wrongful death. New Jersey lawyers can answer your questions about personal injury and a number of other topics. At the Mininno Law Office, we have experienced NJ trial 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.

Every once in a while, we like to share resources with you that can help in a time of need. In this blog post, I’m going to talk about a great resource for helping aging parents in need. It’s called “Aging Answers,” and it’s for adult children who are helping aging parents in need.

What is “Aging Answers”?

“Aging Answers” is a free book that you can read or download here. The book, written by Valerie VanBooven, offers “secrets to successful long-term care planning, care giving and crisis management.” It’s dedicated to adults who are caring for aging relatives to give them hope and guidance in a most challenging time.

Whether you’ve been helping a parent in need for years or a loved one has recently fallen ill, this book covers 11 issues that you’ll face if you haven’t already. The book is split into two parts: The first part talks about planning for long-term care while the second part discusses caring for an aging family member. Valerie VanBooven does a thorough job of covering a complex issue. She answers common questions that adult children have when caring for a loved one. Plus, she reminds us that we’ll need our loved ones to care for us as we grow old. We’ll want to know who will care for us, how we’ll pay for care and how we can guarantee quality care.

If I’m helping a parent in need, what other resources can I use?

At the end of the book, there’s a great, useful compilation called the “Aging Answers Rolodex.” The rolodex is a list of agencies and websites that provide more information and more resources beyond what the “Aging Answers” book offers.

Do you have questions or answers about helping parents in need?

The “Aging Answers” book is just one resource. I encourage you to download it and share it with your friends and family. You have had experience and can probably help someone else that’s in a similar situation. Tell us all about what you’re going through, what’s working and what’s not. Share your story. At the Mininno Law Office, we have experienced NJ trial 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.

Sometimes the simplest solutions are “right under our nose.”
The risk of infection is one of the most common and well-known risks associated with any surgery. For years, doctors and hospitals have cooked up various ways to lessen infection risk and eradicate the bacteria and bugs that seem to thrive in hospitals and operating rooms.

Until now, these efforts have only marginally reduced the rate of infections following surgery. The staph bacterium has been particularly troublesome.

How can the risk of infection be reduced?

Research shows that the staff bacterium is the most common cause of infections following surgery. Now, researchers have discovered a safe and easy method to dramatically reduce surgical site infections by 40 to 60 percent.
These findings, published in the January 7, 2010 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine reveal that bathing patients with an antiseptic followed by squirting a medicated ointment up a patient’s noses can dramatically cut the rate of dangerous staph infections following surgery.

Can we really lessen infection risk?

At last, we have a simple solution for this difficult problem. Please remember, patients should be their own “patient safety advocate”. Speak up for your health. The next time you or a loved one requires surgery, ask your surgeon for the nose spray and bath. Your risk of infection will be reduced dramatically.

If your surgeon won’t agree with your request, you may want to find a new surgeon. That’s your right. Better yet, print out this blog and the article from the New England Journal of Medicine and give it to your surgeon. Chances are, you’ll get the bath and the nose spray.

What if the worst should happen?

We hope your surgery is a success and infection free. But, if something does go wrong during or following a surgery, call a New Jersey medical malpractice attorney who can answer your questions on surgical errors and complications.
You and your loved ones deserve safety and proper care. Our experienced civil trial lawyers are always available to help. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

All parents are their kids’ biggest fans. We watch, cheer and root for their teams. We worry about them getting hurt, but rarely do we even consider that they could suffer a long-term injury. Until now. With all the recent media attention, it is now beyond dispute: A kid’s concussion can be a lifelong injury.

Athletes are at a high risk simply because of the competitive, physical nature of the sports they play. It’s the reason many athletes have short careers and an unfortunate cause of brain problems later in life.

With concussions in kids, the danger is even bigger. A child’s brain is more fragile than an adult’s, and in the current day and age, youngsters are more competitive and daring. The stakes are higher.
In a three-day series by the New Jersey Star-Ledger, staff writers raised the issue of concussions in kids. The series took a thorough look at a serious problem. Here’s a breakdown.

Kids and Concussions: Part One

In the first part of the series, Mr. Matthew Stanmyre and Ms. Jackie Friedman of the New Jersey Star-Ledger tackled the impact of head injuries on young athletes, what’s being done to protect them and what else can be done to protect them.
Fact: More than 400,000 concussions occurred in high schools nationwide during the 2008-09 academic year.

Why does this happen? Some reasons might be coaches lacking medical experience, athletes playing through pain and parents rushing their children back onto the field too soon after an injury. If your child were injured, how soon would you bring him or her back into play?

Kids and Concussions: Part Two

In the second part, Mr. Stanmyre and Ms. Friedman looked at the dangers of competitive cheerleading. Do you think cheerleading is safe? Think again. It may seem like the safest kind of physical competition, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Cheerleaders undergo a tremendous amount of training to be able to lift each other in the air and land safely, but accidents can happen.

Kids and Concussions: Part Three

In the third article, we learn the answer to the most important question: What is being done to protect our children, especially at the local level? The answer is that doctors and trainers are working endlessly on just that. The article points to a Rutgers S.A.F.E.T.Y. course that gives coaches basic teaching and safety knowledge.
In high schools, a neuropsychological exam called “ImPACT Testing” is given to athletes after a head injury.

Do you have questions? We can help

Although some head injuries are more serious than others, there is no such thing as a “little head injury.” The effects of even a small head injury can be severe, such as memory loss or depression. In some cases, head injuries can even lead to a wrongful death.

New Jersey lawyers can answer your questions about personal injuries and a number of other topics. At the Mininno Law Office, we have experienced NJ trial 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.

Happy Holidays!

As we spend time with loved ones, we look back on the past year and look ahead to the next. This past year has been challenging, there’s no doubt about it. The struggling economy and nationwide recession brought us job losses and companies going out of business. It seems that things got harder for many people.

Looking back

While we spend time with loved ones, we think about families who have been through hard times. For families who have lost loved ones or who have faced their own illness, disability or injury because of medical negligence, 2009 has been a very difficult year. We have heard from hundreds of people this year who have suffered some kind of injury, illness or death from medical malpractice or nursing home neglect.
To those families, we again extend our sympathies. I am sure many in our community are glad to see the year end. Many people are looking forward to a new year and an opportunity to start over.

Moving forward

As we spend time with loved ones, we realize how much we still have. Despite everything we’ve been through, it’s important not to lose hope. No matter what we’ve been through in 2009, we can still look to 2010 to bring us happiness, prosperity and success.

Spend time with loved ones

The people we love the most never really leave us. They’re always in our hearts. But whether it’s your parents, your children, your brothers and sisters, or your best friends, take the time to tell people how much you care. Life is too short. It is in this time of giving and holiday cheer that we send this message to you. We hope you can share the holidays with someone special. If you have questions, we can help.

No matter what you’re going through, there are resources and people out there who can help you get through it. I can be one source of guidance. If you’re dealing with a wrongful death or a personal injury case, I know how hard it can be.

At the Mininno Law Office, our number one priority is our clients. Our New Jersey lawyers would be happy to answer any questions you have or offer any help they can give you. Call (856) 833-0600 in New Jersey or (215) 567-2380 in Pennsylvania.

We have all heard the “Baby Einstein” commercials and seen the colorful, bright characters. We also have all heard and seen these videos promise that it will make our toddlers and children brighter, smarter, and help them learn faster. It turns out this is not true and this is just turning out to be a “Baby Einstein” scam.  According to the American Academy of Pediatrics children under two should stay away from the television.  According to a study from the Campaign from Commercial-Free Childhood, there is a link between early television watching and problems with a child’s attention span later in life. These videos promised that our children would learn more, be brighter, and smarter later in life, not have attention and other school related problems, clearly Baby Einstein is a scam. This has led to Disney offering a refund to parents that bought Baby Einstein videos and other baby Einstein products and “teaching substitutes”.

                Clearly, this baby Einstein scam has become a wakeup call for many parents who have yet again realized that television and other technology products are not always a good teaching substitute and parents should always supervise their children and help them as they learn and grow to be an active part of their learning process. Yes, the Baby Einstein scam is bad and should not have happened especially since it affects children and their education now and in the future, but maybe this will again reinforce that these products as well as others are never good parenting or teaching substitutes and parents still need to look out for their children’s education and their needs. A child’s education is very important and should not just be looked over by having them watch Baby Einstein videos or other products. Children’s education should also include active learning with both the child and the parent.

                For more information on the baby Einstein scam and other children’s educational products, you may visit: http://shine.yahoo.com/channel/parenting/the-great-baby-einstein-scam-531147/

If you feel that you and your child have been mistreated because of improper warning labels due to the baby Einstein scam, you should contact a defective product attorney right away. They will help you advocate for your rights and those of your child.

President Barrack Obama is willing to consider alternatives to medical malpractice lawsuits by replacing them with such alternatives like appointing neutral experts for both political parties to look at medical appeals and allegations. The goal for this new idea seems to be to address medical liability and to cut malpractice insurance premiums for doctors. Okay, maybe it is a long process to go through a jury trial with a lawyer but weren’t the courts and justice system created for just that purpose to bring justice to the party that has the injury or suffered from medical malpractice. It seems to be that this new idea is only favoring doctors who are afraid of being sued later. All trial lawyers are trying to do is see that their clients, who are former patients of these doctors received the proper care possible. Once again this new idea seems to be in favor of only saving money and not actually helping the patients who need proper medical care. If so many doctors worried less about how much money everything was costing and focused more on proper medical care for all their patients then they would not have to worry about medical malpractice lawsuits. If though however, a medical error or problem does occur then in this country by law that person or patient is entitled to a trial and entitled to justice being done for them and their families. This new idea seems to be taking away trial rights in favor of saving money for doctors and insurance. People should continue to come first; money needs to stop doing all the talking.

For additional information on this new malpractice idea and the health care debate, you may visit: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091020/ap_on_go_co/us_health_care_medical_malpractice

If you or a loved one has suffered due to a medical error, please contact a medical malpractice attorney right away. They will help make sure your case is heard and you get the medical care you deserve.

According to census data reported at the end of September, 7.4 % of elderly Americans are living in nursing homes in 2005 which are down from the 8.1 % in 1990. Many elderly people and their families especially ones 85 years and older are now turning to long term care help at home, in home care and other options instead of traditional nursing homes. This is great for the people’s whose families can afford to maintain other types of care for their loved ones, but for the 1.8 million people that still live in nursing homes care should be adequate, training should be provided, and abuse should be prevented. The level of care a patient receives should not depend on how much money they or their families have, but unfortunately more and more these days that is the case. If people spent more time improving the quality of care in nursing homes then they would not have to worry so much about other medical costs because there would not be as much of a need for them. If patients are cared for properly the first time then other tests and medical care would not be needed. People are forgetting that without patients there would be no business to run and no money at all, so patients and their care should always come first but sadly I think it will take time for this to be put into actual practice across the country.

                For more information on nursing home alternatives and information, you may visit: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/2007-09-27-nursing-homes_N.htm or www.medicare.gov

If you feel that your loved ones have been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, please contact a nursing home abuse attorney right away. They will help advocate for your loved ones’ rights and see that they get the medical care they deserve.