New Jersey Injury Attorney Blog

A 19-year-old man hit six teenagers with his vehicle in East Orange, killing one of the pedestrians. Police apprehended the young driver who left the scene of the accident and have charged him with six counts of aggravated assault. According to a news report in The Star-Ledger, all six teenagers were hospitalized to treat the injuries they sustained. Four of the victims were released with minor injuries while another remains in critical condition. While the details of the accident have not been released, it is believed that the driver knew the victims and may have been arguing with them before the crash.

The lives of New Jersey pedestrian accident victims who endure catastrophic injuries, such as spinal cord injury or brain injury, will never be the same. While no amount of money can truly compensate for the loss that a family experiences when a loved one is killed in an auto accident, expenses arising from a tragic accident can cause significant emotional and financial strain to victims' loved ones.

Insurance companies often treat accident victims different from patients who are ill. Often, families who are expecting full coverage for hospital fees are left with bills larger then they can afford. If you or a loved one has been wrongfully injured in a New Jersey car accident, it is crucial that you seek representation to get compensation for your serious injuries, damages and losses.

Continue reading " New Jersey Hit-and-Run Car Accident Kills Teenager " »

New Jersey construction accidents can happen in many different ways. Some of these incidents can cause catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. Recently, we saw an example of this where construction workers in New Jersey hit a gas line, which in turn caused a fire. The incident occurred near the intersection of Georgetown Franklin Turnpike and State Road in Franklin Township. The Star Ledger reports that two dump trucks and a backhoe caught fire and nearby homes were evacuated. Thankfully, there were no injuries or deaths as a result of this incident.

There are studies that suggest one out of every 10 construction workers will be injured on-the-job every year. That’s an astounding amount of injuries. This incident with the gas line is just another example of the many ways by which a construction worker can get hurt or killed while working at a job site. Did the incident occur because of the inexperience and lack of training on the part of the crew? Was the site safe or was an accident like this bound to happen? New Jersey construction sites continue to be hazardous places to work.

On-the-job injuries in New Jersey may happen in a fraction of a second, but they can have lasting negative impacts. Medical bills, rehabilitation fees and loss of wages can add up fast for a worker or his family. A New Jersey construction accident attorney may be needed to help determine who is liable for the incident and to secure the necessary funds to protect the victim of a worksite accident.

Construction injuries may be caused by equipment malfunctions, unstable land, cave-ins, human error or even someone else's negligence. If you are injured while working at a construction site, it is important for you to seek medical attention and to talk to a New Jersey construction accident attorney. At Lependorf & Silverstein, our skilled personal injury lawyers understand the ins and outs of construction accident litigation and workers’ compensation laws in New Jersey. Contact us today for more information and a free consultation of your case.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), nearly 4.7 million people in the United States are bitten by dogs every year. Children are the most common victims of dog attacks. About 800,000 Americans receive medical treatment for dog bites each ear. Again, children are most likely to be severely injured. Half of those who seek treatment – 400,000 – are children. It is important to note that most dog bites affecting children occur during everyday activities. They occur while children interact with familiar dogs. There are several ways by which children can avoid getting into such situations. It is important that every parent makes his or her child aware of these 7 prevention tips and techniques.

1. Young children must be careful around animals, even if they are their own family's pets.


2. Children must be taught NEVER to approach, pet or provoke strange dogs.


3. Never run past a dog - it may get startled and attack.


4. Never disturb a dog that is sleeping, eating or caring for its young ones.


5. If a dog walks or runs towards you, stay calm. Do not scream or start running. On the contrary, stay still or back away slowly until the dog is out of sight.


6. If a dog knocks you to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your head, and, neck. Always protect your face.


7. Tip for adults: Never leave a child or infant alone with a dog – even for a short period of time.

If your child has been injured in a New Jersey dog bite incident, the NJ dog bite accident lawyers of Lependorf & Silverstein may be able to help you secure compensation and protect your child's legal rights. In New Jersey, the owner of a dangerous dog can be held financially responsible for the dog's actions, even if he or she is not aware of the animal's prior viciousness. Victims can seek compensation for all of the injuries and costs associated with medical and other treatment necessitated by the dog attack. This may include cosmetic surgery and psychological counseling for a traumatized child. Please contact our skilled attorneys at (609) 240-0040 to get more information about your New Jersey dog bite claim.

There are unfortunately several car collisions in New Jersey that take place on a daily basis. Some are serious injury or fatal crashes, but a majority of crashes are minor. Whatever type of Princeton auto accident you are involved in, it is important to know certain steps you need to take immediately after being in a car accident. The steps you take soon after a crash could make or break a potential personal injury claim or determine the type of settlement you receive from your insurance company later.

Immediately following a car crash, it is very important that you safely come to a complete stop. It is illegal to leave the scene of an accident in New Jersey, and, you should provide assistance to anyone who is injured. It is also important that you cooperate with the investigating police officer at the scene. If no officer arrives, file a police report with 24 hours. Keep notes and write down the police report number.

After calling the authorities, exchange information with the other driver. Identify yourself and exchange insurance details. You want the insurance company and policy number of the other parties involved in the accident. If there is an insurance agent and telephone number, secure that information as well. If you have a camera, take photos of the scene and the damage done to the vehicles. Take this moment to take any pertinent notes, such as noting details about the skid marks and the respective positions of the cars. Were there any witnesses to the accident? If so, try to get their information as well.

Continue reading " After a New Jersey Car Accident " »

Every year in New Jersey, thousands of patients fall victim to complications from surgical procedures. There is no question that a surgery you undergo could have a lifelong impact on your health. In some cases, it could affect your ability to carry on with your daily activities, perform duties at your workplace or earn a livelihood. If your surgery complications were the result of medical negligence and if you are contemplating filing a medical malpractice claim, then it is important to understand the aspect of "informed consent" and how it can affect your case.

What is informed consent? Before commencing any type of medical treatment or procedure, the law requires that the patient be informed about their condition, potential treatment options, and, any potential complications of undergoing that treatment. It is incumbent upon the healthcare provider to discuss in detail the risks, consequences, and, potential dangers of any proposed treatment. Also, the healthcare provider must discuss any available acceptable alternatives to the proposed treatment and communicate the pros and cons of those alternatives to the patient.

This is information that a patient needs to make an informed decision about his or her potential treatment. Providing complete, and, accurate information to a patient is a requirement in the medical community. Failure to do so may constitute actionable medical negligence, especially if it causes injury or harm to the patient.

The New Jersey medical malpractice attorneys of Lependorf & Silverstein are well-qualified to determine if your right to proper, and, adequate informed consent has been violated. We can also help determine if a legal action seeking damages for the personal injuries caused would be appropriate in your potential medical malpractice case. Call us at (609) 240-0040 to discuss your case in a free consultation.

A number of auto accidents, and, serious New Jersey personal injuries are caused by hazardous roadway conditions. If such dangerous conditions are on private property, then the property owner can be held liable for injuries caused. However, if these hazards are on the public right-of-way, then the city, county, municipality or the governmental entity responsible for maintaining that roadway could be held liable for the accident, and, resulting injuries.

What does a victim need to prove in such cases? The victim must prove that there was a dangerous condition on the public property, and, that the injuries were directly caused by that dangerous condition. As New Jersey premises liability attorneys, we often encounter cases where a governmental agency has prior knowledge of the dangerous condition, but does not make it a priority to fix the problem. Other examples of hazardous conditions include lack of proper signage, defective guardrails, stop signs obscured by foliage or other structures and lack of traffic lights or crosswalks at busy intersections.

Fighting governmental entities is never an easy task. It is important for injury victims to realize that any personal injury or wrongful death claim against a governmental agency in New Jersey must be filed within 90 days of the accident, or, injury. Such a claim must present the basis or facts, and also explain any injuries sustained. It must also name the public agency and the entities or employees who you believe caused your injuries.

Each one of these claims is unique. It takes an experienced and skilled New Jersey personal injury lawyer to help you fight for your rights in such cases. The NJ personal injury lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein have been helping protect the rights of those injured by the negligence of others for many years. Call us at (609) 240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive evaluation of your case.

Burn injuries are often caused by traumatic experiences. These incidents may inflict severe physical pain, distress and psychological devastation upon a victim. A burn injury victim may need constant psychological counseling because of severe scarring that may occur from the injuries or follow-up skin grafts. Skin graft surgeries can also result in deadly infections if post-operative care is inadequate.

Although some burn injuries in New Jersey may be less serious than others, several instances of burn injury are the result of auto, truck or other vehicular accidents. However, burn injuries may also take place on-the-job, at home or while on the premises of a business. Burn injuries may be caused by defective products or as the result of exposure to dangerous chemicals.

Whatever the cause of a burn injury, the result is typically catastrophic, particularly leading to skin and nerve damage that can leave a person scarred – physically and emotionally – for life.

Victims of burn injuries in New Jersey have legal rights. If you, or, a loved one has sustained serious or catastrophic burn injuries as a result of someone else's reckless, careless or deliberate behavior, you have the right to hold the negligent parties or wrongdoers responsible for the damages they have caused.

The New Jersey burn injury lawyers of Lependorf & Silverstein have helped thousands of New Jersey residents secure financial compensation for catastrophic injuries, and, wrongful deaths. We have extensive experience with complex medical, and, financial issues surrounding serious personal injury cases. Call us today at (609) 240-0040 for a New Jersey burn injury case evaluation at no cost to you.