Last week, two US Representatives introduced the Forced Arbitration Injustice Repeal (FAIR) Act. The goal of this bill is to increase Americans’ rights to seek justice and accountability through jury trials in the Court system as opposed to corporate sanctioned arbitration. The NJ State Constitution provides for a jury trial in cases involving money damages under the Seventh Amendment.…

A recent investigation by CNN brought to light the expanding and allegedly inappropriate use of the prescription drug Nuedexta in nursing homes throughout the country. Nuedexta is FDA-approved to treat a rare condition known as pseudobulbar affect (PBA). What is Pseudobulbar Affect? Pseudobulbar affect is characterized by sudden and uncontrollable laughing or crying. It is associated with people who have multiple sclerosis (MS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALM), known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Avanir Pharmaceuticals…

A new law will soon take effect requiring nursing home employees to notify police within hours of suspected abuse – or to call 911 if the situation is an emergency. “Peggy’s Law” will provide additional protections to nursing home residents by ensuring that law enforcement is promptly notified of possible criminal abuse cases. Peggy’s Law was named for 93-year-old Peggy Marzolla, who died following injuries suffered while in the care of a…

The current administration has set its sights on another federal rule, seeking to eliminate the ban on pre-dispute arbitration agreements for nursing home residents. Pre-dispute arbitration agreements require elderly adults and individuals with disabilities, as well as their families, to waive their right to file a lawsuit in the courts – before admission to a nursing home. As a condition to entering the nursing home, the prospective resident and his or her representative would…