New Jersey Injury Attorney Blog

Two Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries –one of them New Jersey-based -- that manufacture and distribute a painkilling skin patch have been ordered to pay about $16.6 million to the family of 38-year-old Janice DiCosolo, who died from a drug overdose while using the product. According to this Associated Press news report, DiCosolo, a mother of three, died because the patch delivered a fatal dose of its main ingredient, which is a powerful narcotic pain reliever called fentanyl. A jury arrived at this wrongful death verdict following a three-week trial.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed by DiCosolo’s family claimed that the two Johnson & Johnson subsidiaries knew about the Duragesic patch that leaked fentanyl in doses large enough to kill patients. But the companies did nothing about this dangerous and defective pharmaceutical product. Company officials say they are looking into appealing this jury verdict and maintain that their product is not defective.

Wrongful death claims are filed in New Jersey by members of a deceased person’s family, particularly if the fatal injuries have been caused because of someone’s negligence or wrongdoing. In this case, the companies in question marketed and sold the pain patches knowing about their defective and dangerous nature, and that was enough to convince this jury of the companies’ negligence and wrongdoing.

If you have lost a loved one as a result of someone else’s negligence, please call a New Jersey wrongful death attorney at Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation and case discussion.

Posted by Lependorf & Silverstein | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Defective Products

Bookmark:

Sixteen people, including a 9-month-old baby, were injured in a Glen Ridge three-vehicle accident at an intersection on October 26, 2008. According to a news report in the New Jersey Star-Ledger, the accident was caused by the driver of a Ford Expedition who ran a red light on Ridgewood Avenue and crashed into a gray Honda Accord before swerving into the path of an oncoming minivan as well.

There were reportedly 14 passengers in the Expedition. The 9-month-old was reportedly ejected through a rear passenger window when the SUV tilted sharply to the right during the collision. All 14 of the Expedition passengers as well as the drivers of the Honda and the minivan suffered injuries and were transported to area hospitals. Four, including two children that may have been the victims of a defective car seat, were said to be in critical condition.

This is a horrific auto accident. News and official reports place the fault on the driver of the Expedition who apparently broke the law by failing to stop for a red light at an intersection. The driver of the Expedition would no doubt be held responsible for the accident and resulting injuries to his or her passengers as well the other motorists. It is indeed a relief that no one was killed in this collision.

The injured victims would be well-advised to retain the services of an expert New Jersey car accident lawyer, who will fight for their rights and get them the compensation they rightfully deserve. Where there is negligence and wrongdoing involved, auto accident victims are entitled to compensation for medical bills, loss of wages, pain and suffering. If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey auto accident, please call Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation.

Posted by Lependorf & Silverstein | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accidents , Child Injury

Bookmark:

Ada Marlib, 82, was killed in a Monroe Township auto accident on October 27, 2008 when her car struck a street sweeper and then crashed into another sport utility vehicle. According to a news report, the accident occurred on Perrineville Road north of School House Road. Marlib was pronounced dead at the scene.

She was reportedly traveling north on Perrineville when she struck the back of the street sweeper. Her car then went into the southbound lanes and crashed into an oncoming Ford Explorer driven by 72-year-old Seymour Behm, also of Monroe. The driver of the street sweeper, 46-year-old Michael Vinvenzi of Tom River, was uninjured. Behm reportedly escaped the New Jersey SUV accident with minor injuries.

According to statistics from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 722 fatal car accidents in New Jersey in 2006, including 31 fatalities in Newark and nine in Jersey City. That denotes a 3 percent increase over the year before.

If you have been seriously injured or have lost a loved one in a New Jersey car crash because of someone else’s negligence, you have the right to hold the negligent parties liable for their actions. Auto accidents can cause severe damage and expenses to innocent victims who deserve justice and deserve rightful compensation for what they have suffered. Victims and/or their families are entitled to compensation for medical bills or funeral costs; damage repair costs, physical injuries, wrongful death pain or suffering. To schedule a free case evaluation, please call a Princeton auto accident attorney at Lependorf & Silverstein today.

Posted by Lependorf & Silverstein | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accidents , Workers Compensation

Bookmark:

A 32-year-old man from Nazareth, Pennsylvania, was killed in a fatal New Jersey workplace accident in Totowa after his dump truck rear-ended a car, which was traveling behind a slow-moving lawn tractor owned by the New Jersey Department of Transportation, police officials said. According to this news report, Robert Berger was driving west on the highway when his dump truck went up a hill and rear-ended a Grand Marquis whose driver, 88-year-old Edward Muldoon, had braked to avoid hitting the tractor.

Berger was killed in the crash. Muldoon suffered a back injury and the driver of the tractor, 47-year-old Ronald Kichko, was taken to the hospital with eye and head injuries, the report said.

Investigators will likely look into why the lawn tractor was traveling so slowly down a hill where motorists behind would have no indication of the slow-moving vehicle. If the driver of the tractor is held responsible for causing this fatal crash, both he and his employer – in this case, the New Jersey Department of Transportation – could be held liable for the accident, injuries and fatality.

The victims in this case would be well-advised to contact an experienced and knowledgeable New Jersey truck accident attorney who will help protect their rights help them secure the compensation they rightfully deserve. Auto accidents, especially those involving multiple parties and governmental agencies, can be complex and challenging. If you or someone you love has been severely injured or killed in a New Jersey auto accident, please call Lependorf & Silverstein to pursue and protect your legal rights.

Posted by Lependorf & Silverstein | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accidents , Truck Accidents , Workers Compensation

Bookmark:

A 56-year-old man was critically injured in an October 24, 2008 Clifton pedestrian accident after he was struck by a car while crossing the street. According to this news report in the Bergen County Record, the victim was walking west of Paulison near Clifton Avenue when he was struck by 34-year-old Orlandito Rodriguez, who was driving a silver 2002 Acura traveling south.

The victim was struck in the leg and suffered head injuries with potential traumatic brain injury. He was admitted to an area hospital in the intensive care unit, the report stated. The driver, Rodriguez, has not yet been cited or arrested pending an investigation. Police also say Rodriguez did not seem to have been operating under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. According to the news report, police in Clifton have responded to 76 pedestrian accidents just this year.

New Jersey drivers have a legal duty to watch for pedestrians on the road. Unfortunately, New Jersey has a particularly high percentage of pedestrian accident related fatalities. Statistics show that more than 20 percent of New Jersey traffic deaths in 2005 were pedestrian accident fatalities. By comparison, the national percentage for pedestrian accidents was 11.2 percent.

Pedestrian accidents could commonly occur because of driver inattention, error, distraction, speed or driving under the influence. The victim and his family would be well-advised to contact an experienced Princeton personal injury attorney who has an excellent track record with pedestrian accidents. If you have been injured in an auto or pedestrian accident, please call Lependorf & Silverstein for a free and comprehensive consultation.

Posted by Lependorf & Silverstein | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents

Bookmark:

Two drivers were injured in an auto accident on Route 206 in Princeton on October 27, 2008, according to a news report in the Times of Trenton. Min Wang, 57, of Ewing was reportedly traveling south on Route 206 between Quaker and Hutchinson roads when she failed to negotiate a right curve on the roadway.

Police said Wang crossed the double yellow line and hit the left side of a car driven by 84-year-old Candace Ashmun of Basking Ridge. The impact of the crash tore the left wheel of Ashmun’s car and caused it to roll over twice, according to the news report. Ashmun reportedly suffered cuts to her wrist and contusions. Wang also complained of pain and was transported to an area hospital.

In this Princeton rollover accident, initial police reports suggest that Min Wang was at fault. Police traffic investigators must certainly be looking into whether Wang was traveling above the speed limit, was distracted or was operating her vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

As New Jersey personal injury attorneys, we see people seriously injured or killed every day because of negligent drivers. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that in 2005, 3 million drivers are injured or killed on our roads and highways. If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries in a Princeton auto accident please contact an experienced New Jersey auto accident lawyer at Lependorf & Silverstein to receive a free consultation regarding your case.

Posted by Lependorf & Silverstein | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Auto Accidents

Bookmark:

A 49-year-old resident of Vineland, New Jersey, died from massive head trauma sustained in a bicycle accident after he was struck by a motor vehicle at a city street intersection. According to this news report, the accident occurred on October 24, 2008 when 49-year-old Gonzolo Sola Jr. was riding his bicycle near the corner of North 6th Street and Park Avenue. Sola had reportedly been crossing Park Avenue toward Landis Park when he was struck by 86-year-old Angelo Pinizzotto, who was heading west.

Sola was taken to an area hospital with massive head trauma. Pinizzotto was uninjured. Sola died a few hours after getting to the hospital. Police have not cited or arrested Pinizzotto pending further investigation.

Traffic investigators will very likely look into what caused this tragic Vineland bicycle accident. They will undoubtedly look into whether Pinizzotto was speeding or driving under the influence. Police will also look into whether the driver in this case was negligent or distracted by something else he was doing while operating his vehicle.

Often, families of deceased auto accident victims are entitled to compensation for wrongful death in cases where negligence or wrongdoing is involved. If you or a loved one has lost someone in a fatal auto accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, please call a skilled New Jersey auto accident lawyer at Lependorf & Silverstein to find out more about your legal options. We will fight hard to protect your rights and get the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Posted by Lependorf & Silverstein | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Bicycle Accidents

Bookmark:

A man was killed while working in Princeton Township when a tree fell on him during the afternoon of October 21, 2008, the New Jersey Star-Ledger reports. According to police familiar with the investigation, the victim, who has not been identified, was working for a tree service company in the 900 block of Lawrenceville Road (Route 206) in Mercer County.

The on-the-job injury accident reportedly occurred when the man was standing on the ground and working on a tree, when a second large tree, about 15 feet away suddenly uprooted and fell on him. The fallen tree, officials say, was 35 feet tall and 16 inches in diameter. It was a freak accident, which was not caused by weather conditions, officials say.

This is a tragic, on-the-job accident. The worker’s family will no doubt be entitled to worker’s compensation death benefits through his employer. Worker’s compensation benefits are set up by employers to help those injured on the job or families of workers who are killed in a work-related accident. The family members of the deceased are entitled to these benefits regardless of fault. Unfortunately these benefits are hardly sufficient to compensate a family fairly for the loss of a loved one. Moreover, filing worker’s compensation claims can be complicated and confusing, especially if you face resistance from your employer or your spouse’s employer.

If you or someone you love needs assistance with such cases, please call Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation. Our experienced Princeton worker’s compensation lawyers have successfully represented many injured workers and families. Call us today for a free case evaluation.

Posted by Lependorf & Silverstein | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Workers Compensation

Bookmark: