When you adopt a child, you hope that the life you give that child will be as normal as possible. For some adoptive parents, talking to your adopted child about their being adopted can jeopardize that sense of normality, but experts say it’s essential for the well-being of your child. Chances are pretty good that […]

New Jersey Adoption Rates Stabilizing Adoption officials in New Jersey say there is cause for optimism, based on statistics gathered by the non-profit agency Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ). Though the number of children reported as adopted in the state actually decreased from 2012 to 2013, Cecilia Zalkind, executive director of ACNJ, said […]

Telling Your Child that He or She is Adopted At some point, your child may look in the mirror and conclude that he/she doesn’t look anything like you or your spouse, and come to you with the question “why”? If that happens, you have waited too long to disclose to them that they are adopted. […]

Dispelling Common Myths about Pennsylvania Medical Malpractice Lawsuits For years, medical professionals and their insurers have argued that medical malpractice lawsuits have necessitated an increase in medical malpractice insurance premiums, with a corresponding increase in the cost of medical care. Studies have consistently shown, however, that those assertions are simply without factual support. Here are […]

Women Gets Settlement from Dunkin Donuts for Fall in Parking Lot A New Jersey woman settled a lawsuit against fast-food franchise Dunkin Donuts earlier this fall, agreeing to accept $522,000 after she suffered an injury at a store in Highland Park, New Jersey. Maria Marsala, the plaintiff, alleged that she tripped over a spike in […]

The Don’ts of Being an Adoptive Parent When you have adopted a child, whether as an infant, toddler or teenager, whether domestically or internationally, whether through an open or closed process, the joy you experience can lead you to engage in some behaviors that may be detrimental to your adopted child or to your relationship […]

The Increased Popularity of Drones and the Risk of Personal Injury Industry officials estimate that nearly a quarter of a million drones will be given as Christmas presents this year. The increased popularity of consumer drones, such as the DJI Phantom, have insurance officials worried about potential personal injury. Thus far, no reported deaths have […]

The Standard of Care in Medical Malpractice Cases When you have been hurt because of the wrongful acts of another person, the typical basis for recovery is a lawsuit alleging negligence. To succeed with a negligence action, you have to show that: There was a commonly accepted standard of care, which the defendant failed to […]

Supreme Court Decision Regarding Same Sex Marriage The recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States establishing that same sex couples have a constitutionally protected right to marry has a direct and beneficial effect on children. Specifically, the decision recognizes the dignity of all families and provides for the protection of children who […]

How to Work Most Effectively with Prospective Birthparents When you adopt a child from a foreign country, in addition to the legal issues specifically related to making the child a member of your family, you may also be required to “re-adopt” the child once you return to the United States. Whether or not you must […]