New Jersey Injury Attorney Blog

Whether you support Barack Obama or Sarah Palin, (who’s her running mate again?), or even if you are truly undecided on the candidates, I think we can all agree on one thing about this Presidential Election: if nothing else, it sure provokes discussion. More often than not, the discussion turns to race and gender. Can a black man be elected President? Can a hockey mom run the free world? To say the least, these can be touchy subjects.

But when does someone’s “offensive” opinions become workplace harassment? Certainly, the First Amendment protects speech, including controversial beliefs. But on the other hand, not all speech is protected, especially in the workplace. Employers and employees alike should know where the line is drawn.

The short answer is this. Yes, a single harsh comment or slur can technically be “severe” enough to support a lawsuit. Realistically speaking, however, offensive speech becomes harassment when it is part of a larger, “pervasive” pattern of hostility and has a negative effect on the target’s job performance or prospects for career advancement.

Continue reading " When Workplace Debate Becomes Workplace Harassment " »

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Posted In: Sexual Harassment

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Three people, including an on-duty police officer, were injured in a West Deptford semi truck accident July 25 when a tractor trailer forced a car off Interstate 295 into the path of a parked police cruiser and a sport utility vehicle, according to this news report. Officer James Grant Jr., was trapped in his cruiser and had to be extricated from the vehicle and transported to an area hospital. Two other motorists – Jeffrey Weiss, 45, of Woodbury and Lynn Sbraga, 46, of Logan Township were also taken to the hospital with injuries.

Grant was writing a ticket after pulling over one of the motorists, when the truck driver made a sudden lane change, the article reports. The driver of the tractor trailer was released with a citation.

There are close to 130 fatal big rig accidents and nearly 6,000 injury crashes relating to semi trucks in the state of New Jersey, according to U.S. Department of Transportation statistics. Big rigs, especially tractor trailers, can cause remarkable damage to other passenger vehicles and major injuries to motorists because of their significant size and weight. Some big rigs may weigh up to 80,000 pounds.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a big rig accident because of the truck driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation to cover your medical bills, loss of wages, pain and suffering. Both the truck driver and the trucking company may be held responsible for the crash. Call the New Jersey truck collision lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein today for your free consultation.

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Posted In: Truck Accidents

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Martin Robinson, 45, was killed in a fatal car accident in Trenton when he was hit by a car at the street intersection of East State and South Cook Avenue. A recent article in The Trenton Times said the auto collision happened just past midnight as Robinson was riding his bicycle near South Cook Avenue.

Robinson was on the sidewalk heading west on East State Street, according to the police. 39-year-old Katrina L. Fayson who was also driving west on East State Street hit Robinson as he turned into the path of the car at the South Cook intersection. Robinson suffered a serious head injury and died shortly after at Fuld hospital.

Continue reading " Trenton Auto vs. Bicycle Accident Kills Man " »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents

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A motorcycle versus car accident in Willingboro, a town in Burlington County, killed Alvin Townsend, 28, according to this recent report.

Nineteen-year-old Noah Pierre, a Willingboro resident was driving his car the evening of Aug. 9 near Levitt Parkway when he hit the motorcycle being driven by Townsend. Police said Townsend was seriously injured in the collision and later died at the Cooper Trauma Center in Camden. Pierre has been summoned for failing to stop and yield at a stop sign, said the article.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), fatalities involving motorcycles are disproportionately higher representing five percent of all highway fatalities each year. Yet motorcycles account for only two percent of all registered vehicles in the United States. Also, statistics show that more motorcycle accidents occur in the year during the summer months of April to September and also accidents increase in the Friday-Sunday period.

Though the article states the accident is still being investigated, it appears Pierre failed to stop his car and hit the motorcycle, which had the right of way. Pierre owed a responsibility to other road users and to obey traffic laws. The Townsend family has suffered a tragic blow in an accident that should have never happened and Townsend’s dependants deserve a rightful compensation for their loss. Please contact our experienced New Jersey motorcycle accident attorneys at Lependorf and Silverstein to see how to best fight your case.

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Posted In: Auto Accidents

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