New Jersey Injury Attorney Blog

A 49-year-old man was injured in a New Jersey construction site accident after he was hit by a truck on Thursday, November 11. According to a news report in The Daily Record, the accident occurred in a construction site at Long Hill when the worker was allegedly struck by a runaway tractor-trailer. The worker became wedged between the tractor-trailer and a tree when he attempted to stop the runaway truck and suffered chest and arm injuries. Investigators are looking into the cause of the New Jersey construction site accident.

Workplace injuries are common, particularly at construction sites. Any employee injured at a construction site should immediately seek medical attention and may want to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. New Jersey workers’ compensation benefits are often inadequate to fully cover the expenses of a serious injury. A skilled lawyer can help an injured construction worker determine if additional compensation is available by filing a third-party claim, which holds negligent parties responsible for a construction site accident in New Jersey.

Third-party workplace claims involve holding a property owner or defective product manufacturer legally accountable for the damages their product or workplace caused an employee. A New Jersey personal injury attorney who is well-versed in New Jersey law will carefully review all details surrounding a construction site accident to determine if additional compensation is available for the victim by filing a third-party claim.

The New Jersey construction accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein understand the challenges an injured victim faces following a serious construction site accident. We will work diligently to recover damages to cover costly medical and hospital expenses, as well as help you regain your lost income when you were unable to work. If you aren’t able to return to work because the accident resulted in a debilitating condition, we will recover permanent compensation for you. Contact us today at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation and to learn how we can help.

Spinal cord injuries are very serious injuries and can alter a person’s life significantly. Because the spine is the main connection between the brain and the nerves throughout the rest of the body, an injury may cause permanent damage which could result in partial or full paralysis.

Spinal cord injuries in New Jersey can be sustained through a variety of accidents and situations. Some of the most common occurrences of spinal cord injuries include:

• On the job injuries
• Car and truck accidents
• Sports or recreational injuries
• Slip and falls
• Gun violence
• Medical malpractice

There are a number of factors that go into determining what the aftermath of a spinal cord injury in New Jersey may look like. Age, overall health and what happened to cause the injury all play key roles in how medical staff treat the injury. For example, an elderly person who sustains a spinal cord injury in a New Jersey auto accident may find that their injury takes longer to heal than it would for a younger person with the same type of injury.

Should the cause of the injury be due to someone else’s negligence, it would be wise to contact an experienced Princeton spinal cord injury attorney. Accidents do happen; however, when the accident could have been prevented and serious injury occurred as a result, the negligent party can and will be held responsible. At Lependorf & Silverstein, our dedicated lawyers have the skills and knowledge it takes to build a strong case for our clients who have suffered a spinal cord injury. With nearly 20 years experience per attorney, we have handled a wide variety of cases and understand the laws that surround personal injury. You have the right to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions and for causing your spinal cord injury. Lependorf & Silverstein can help. Call us today at 1-609-240-0040 for a free consultation of your New Jersey spinal cord injury case.

A New Jersey pedestrian accident occurred November 19 and left the victim with serious injuries, according to a report on 6abc.com. The pedestrian accident occurred on the corner of Cranford Road and Berlin Road in Cherry Hill at about 7:30 p.m. Police have not yet determined the cause of the crash, although the driver of the motor vehicle did stop at the scene of the accident. The injured pedestrian was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009 there were 4,092 pedestrian fatalities. Of those, 157 fatalities occurred in New Jersey, which is an increase from the 135 pedestrian fatalities that occurred the previous year.

Pedestrian accidents in New Jersey are very dangerous and oftentimes result in serious injury or even death, since a pedestrian doesn’t have the protection of a motor vehicle like the occupants of passenger vehicles do. Motorists who do not obey traffic signs or who do not pay attention where pedestrians are present run the risk of causing a serious or even fatal pedestrian accident.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a pedestrian accident in New Jersey and you believe that negligence was a contributing factor, please contact the knowledgeable Princeton pedestrian accident injury attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein. We have the skills and resources necessary to meticulously examine your pedestrian accident case and hold negligent parties accountable for their actions. Injuries sustained in a New Jersey pedestrian accident don’t only affect an individual physically, but mentally and financially as well. Mounting medical bills, loss of income due to time off of work, pain and suffering, rehabilitation and other expenses can add up quickly, leaving a family financially devastated. At Lependorf & Silverstein, we can ensure that you are compensated justly and fairly for damages caused by a negligent party. Call our personal injury law firm today at 1-609-240-0040 for a free consultation.

Premises liability is a practice area of law that deals with a property owner's responsibility to keep their premises safe and free of obstructions that could cause harm to another person. The most common injuries in regards to premises liability in New Jersey are sustained through slip and fall accidents. Slip and fall accidents can occur when property is not maintained adequately or a spilled substance is left unattended. Injuries that can occur due to a slip and fall accident in New Jersey may include:

• Broken bones


• Head/brain injuries


• Cuts/scrapes


• Burns


• Paralysis


• Soft tissue injuries

Other types of premises liability include inadequate lighting that could invite crime, poor training of security guards, leaving debris in a construction zone or not properly marking the construction zone at all, not removing ice or snow which causes someone to slip, improperly restraining guard dogs, among many other types of negligence.

Whether you're going out to pick up groceries at the market or spending time at a friend's house, it is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that their business, home or other property is up to code and safe. Should injury occur because of failure to maintain a property, the owner of that business or home could be held liable for expenses incurred to the injured party. If you find yourself in a position where a property owner's negligence caused you harm, an experienced Princeton premises liability attorney like those at Lependorf & Silverstein can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.

Two adults and two children were injured Wednesday, November 10th, when their 2008 Land Rover collided with a 2001 Ford Mason dump truck on Rhode Hall Road in Monroe, according to MyCentralJersey.com. The driver of the dump truck was transported to an area hospital by helicopter while the occupants of the Land Rover were all taken to a university hospital in New Brunswick. Police officials had no further details to report on the accident or the conditions of those involved.

Further examination of the details of the New Jersey large truck crash will determine exactly what happened and who was at fault. There are a number of possible causes for the accident which may include dangerous weather conditions, truck driver inattention, a defective component on either vehicle, ignoring traffic signs or driving recklessly, in addition to other possibilities. An experienced truck crash attorney will be able to utilize all necessary resources to determine the exact details of the collision.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2008, 66,000 accidents involving large trucks occurred in the United States, leaving 90,000 people injured. Because of their sheer weight and size, large trucks, be it dump trucks, semi trucks or otherwise, can do irreparable damage to property and can cause serious or even fatal injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey truck accident, you deserve to know your rights. The skilled Princeton truck crash attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein have nearly twenty years experience each and have handled a wide variety of truck accident cases. We will examine every detail of your claim and hold all negligent parties accountable for their actions. To learn more about our law firm and to schedule a free and confidential consultation, call Lependorf & Silverstein today at 1(609) 240-0040.

A New Jersey school bus accident occurred in Warren County on Wednesday, November 3, according to NJ.com. The bus crash occurred near Millbrook Village on Route 602 when the school bus’ brakes apparently failed, causing the vehicle to crash into another bus and then veer off the road. Between the two school buses, there were 90 occupants aboard, and 11 were taken to local hospitals, including one of the bus drivers.

It is unclear as to why the brakes of the first school bus failed, which ultimately caused the New Jersey bus crash. However, further investigation may conclude that the brakes were defective, in which case, may entitle parents and students aboard the buses to monetary compensation. Those injured in this accident would be well advised to contact an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney as soon as possible to learn about their rights.

If you or a loved one has sustained injury in a bus crash, the knowledgeable New Jersey bus accident lawyers at Lependorf Silverstein can help. Any injury suffered due to someone else's negligence can have a devastating effect on a family, not only physically, but mentally and financially as well. At the Princeton law firm of Lependorf Silverstein, we'll examine every detail of your accident case to determine a fair and just compensation package, which may include coverage for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of income, rehabilitation and other damages. With nearly twenty years experience per attorney, we have handled a wide variety of New Jersey bus and large truck accident cases. For a free and confidential consultation, call (609) 240-0040 today.

An amendment to the New Jersey Constitution was approved by voters with an overwhelming 81% of the vote, according to BusinessInsurance.com. The amendment states that the government may not utilize funds specified for workers' compensation insurance to balance the state's budget, which also includes New Jersey's Second Injury Fund. The Second Injury Fund was set up to provide compensation to workers who had sustained partial disability injuries prior to being hired at their current jobs and also provides employer incentive to hire disabled employees.

Workers' compensation in New Jersey is designated to workers who sustain injury while on the job. All businesses within the state are required to have workers' compensation insurance. There are four types of insurance, which includes: temporary partial disability, temporary total disability, permanent partial disability and permanent total disability. The extent of an employee's injuries will determine the amount and the length of time that compensation will be available.

If you or a loved one has sustained a New Jersey work related injury, you may be entitled to more than just the amount that workers' compensation insurance provides. While workers' compensation does help, there are cases where an employee's injuries are more serious and the amount that workers' compensation provides is not enough.

At Lependorf Silverstein, our dedicated Princeton workers' compensation attorneys have nearly 20 years of experience apiece and have the necessary resources to ensure that your rights are held up in a court of law. Any injury can be difficult for a family, but an injury that prevents one family member from working can be devastating. In addition to the physical and mental burdens that an injured worker can incur, the financial burden can become overwhelming very quickly. Lependorf Silverstein can help you understand your rights under New Jersey law and ensure that you are compensated fairly for your injuries. For more information and a free consultation, call us today at (609) 240-0040.

One driver was killed and others were injured in an eight-vehicle car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike. According to a news report inThe Star-Ledger, the fatal New Jersey car accident occurred south of interchange 13A in Elizabeth. The car crash involved a dump truck, two tractor-trailers, a box truck, a pickup truck and three other passenger vehicles. The driver of the pickup truck was killed in the fatal New Jersey car crash and several other drivers were injured. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of this fatal New Jersey car collision.

Multiple car collisions create unique difficulties for victims and their families. Following a typical New Jersey car accident, injured victims may contact the insurance companies involved to sort out who is liable for the crash. After a multi-car collision, it is common for insurance companies to pass the blame or offer an inadequate settlement to the victims. It is in the best interest of injured victims or the family of the deceased New Jersey car crash victim to speak with an experienced New Jersey car accident attorney before accepting a settlement from an insurance company or even talking to one.

The skilled New Jersey car injury accident lawyers of Lependorf and Silverstein understand how insurance companies work and what compensation may be available to the victims of serious car accidents. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a New Jersey car collision, please call our offices at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

Pedestrian fatalities in New Jersey have dropped 19 percent, according to PressofAtlanticCity.com. A recent New Jersey law that requires motorists to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks may be responsible for the decline in pedestrian deaths.

After a very large increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2009, the law took effect in April of this year. New Jersey pedestrian fatalities have since dropped from 115 to 93 during the period from January through September. Some other measures the state has taken may also be partially responsible for the decline in deaths in New Jersey pedestrian accidents. Ocean City held four days of police checks over the summer, installed 15 pedestrian safety signs, and painted more crosswalks along the beach. Police in Atlantic County and Cumberland County used federal funds to deploy decoy pedestrians in the summer months in order to increase awareness of the program and to warn motorists of the dangers they pose to pedestrians.

Some drivers have worried that the new law would cause pedestrians to feel safer to step into the street and into danger. Another concern was that a car may stop for a pedestrian, but the car traveling behind the stopped car may fail to stop in time. An even greater danger is a car that is stopped for a pedestrian, and the car behind that car decides to pass on the right.

It’s important for both pedestrians and motorists to be aware of each other around crosswalks and on roadways. If you have been injured in a New Jersey pedestrian accident, contact the experienced Princeton pedestrian accident attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation of your case.

A 67-year-old Monroe man was killed in a New Jersey truck accident which may have been caused by a truck driver making an improper U-turn. According to The New Jersey Local News Service, the fatal New Jersey truck crash occurred the night of October 18 on Cranbury Station Road. The Monroe man was travelling eastbound when he crashed his Chevrolet Venture into a tractor-trailer that was making a U-Turn. The driver of the Venture was pronounced dead at the scene and the authorities are investigating the New Jersey truck accident. According to the report, the truck driver may face multiple charges including making an improper U-turn and driving carelessly.

New Jersey truck accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. Truck accidents are most often caused by truck drivers who are inexperienced, fatigued or those who are driving in a dangerous or reckless manner. Trucking companies often have powerful legal defense teams on their side and insurance companies that are quick to offer low settlements to injured victims or their families.

In the aftermath of a fatal New Jersey truck accident, it is critical that you get an experienced and skilled New Jersey personal injury lawyer on your side who will fight for your rights and protect your best interests. If the at-fault party has been negligent or reckless, the family of a deceased New Jersey truck collision victim can file a wrongful death claim against the truck driver and his or her employer seeking compensation for medical and funeral expenses, lost future income, loss of love and companionship and other related damages.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, call the knowledgeable New Jersey truck crash lawyers of Lependorf and Silverstein for a free and comprehensive consultation. We will work hard to make sure you receive just compensation for all your losses. Call us today at 609-240-0040 to get more information about pursuing your rights as a New Jersey truck crash victim.

Sony Music has agreed to pay a former employee $20,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit, according to NJ.com. The employee was allegedly harassed because he is gay.

The man was employed at a compact disc manufacturing plant in Pitman, New Jersey. He was hired on a temporary basis as a machine operator in 2008. According to the man, three different times between May 2009 and August 2009, he reported to management that he was being sexually harassed. He says his co-workers were making comments about his homosexuality, and slurs were allegedly written about him near his work area and on a men’s bathroom wall.

The former employee also alleges Sony did not promote him to a full-time position because he was gay. Sony denied the allegation and said that he was not promoted because he had few qualifications and poor attendance. Authorities say that Sony investigated the employee’s complaints and tried to fix them by holding a meeting about the company’s policies, and by removing one of the man’s co-workers. The former employee filed a complaint with the Division on Civil Rights in August of 2009, and he was terminated shortly thereafter.

Sony has agreed to pay the man $20,000 and to give him a neutral reference if contacted by a prospective employer. Sony does not admit any wrongdoing.

Companies must maintain a safe working environment for employees that is free of unfair and unjust discrimination. If you feel you have been the victim of sexual harassment in your workplace, contact the New Jersey sexual harassment attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein. Call them at 609-240-0040 for a free consultation on your sexual harassment case.