New Jersey Injury Attorney Blog

A 55-year-old East Windsor woman has been charged with vehicular homicide after it was discovered she was under the influence of prescription medication when she struck and killed a handicapped cyclist riding on Dutch Neck Road on February 16th.

The 54-year-old East Windsor male resident with cerebral palsy was pronounced dead at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Hamilton shortly after the accident near the intersection of Dutch Neck Road and Wilmor Drive. The man was operating a specially designed tricycle. According to police, the man was riding west on Dutch neck Road when he was struck from behind by the woman’s vehicle. The force of the impact sent him flying into a snow bank at the side of the road.

The man’s close relatives will be able to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. There are multiple elements to a wrongful death lawsuit in New Jerseythat an experienced wrongful death attorney can explore.

Conscious pain and suffering is one important element of a wrongful death lawsuit. An experienced wrongful death attorney will hire a medical expert who can review the autopsy and medical reports and opine as to the pain and suffering that the decedent experienced before his or her death. This pain and suffering is compensable.

Continue reading "Motorist Charged in East Windsor Cyclist's Death" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Bicycle Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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Based on an nj.com article, a 16-unit building at a Newton apartment complex burned down, killing an 83-year-old female resident. The fire was reported at 4:03 a.m. on January 22, 2010. When police officers and firefighters arrived on the scene, they found the second-story apartment on the front corner of one apartment building engulfed in flames and smoke. While authorities think that the fire may have began in the deceased woman’s apartment, the cause of this fatal fire is still under investigation.

According to the article, a neighbor was yelling to try to awaken residents of the building as well as going door-to-door to warn them. Sadly, the elderly woman’s apartment was the only one that neighbors couldn’t get into because her door had been locked with the deadbolt. Neighbors also tried to access her apartment from the front through the second-story balcony of her apartment, but the blaze’s heat was too powerful. There were no other injuries from the fire aside from one firefighter sustaining a minor hand injury after slipping on ice.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that deaths from fires and burns are the fifth most common cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States, and the third leading cause of fatal home injury. In 2008 alone, one person died in a fire about every 158 minutes and someone was injured every 31 minutes.

Continue reading "Woman Killed and Apartment Destroyed in Newton Fire" »

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Posted In: Burn Injury , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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An investigation was launched on February 8, 2010 for determining the cause of a recent explosion at a Middletown, Connecticut power plant that killed at least five people and injured a dozen or more others. Based on a northjersey.com story, the huge explosion of the under-construction power plant occurred on February 7, 2010 at 11:15 a.m. and was so massive that residents heard and felt the boom as far as 20 miles away. Approximately 50 to 60 people were in the area at the time of the blast, and while hospital officials have not released the conditions of all of those injured in the power plant explosion, the report mentioned that one pipefitter injured in the explosion suffered a broken leg and wounds ranged from minor to very serious.

Construction for the 620-megawatt power plant was almost complete prior to the explosion. It was being built to produce energy mainly using natural gas, which, according to the report, accounts for almost a fifth of the nation’s electricity. The Connecticut Fire Marshalls and Colorado members of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, which investigates industrial chemical accidents, are currently working together in determining exactly what happened. The explosion took place while workers for the O&G Industries construction company were purging a gas line and clearing it of air.

Continue reading "Cause of CT Power Plant Explosion under Investigation" »

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Posted In: Chemical Exposure , Explosion Accident , On the Job Injury , Personal Injury , Premises Liability , Workers Compensation , Wrongful death

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A chemical plant worker in DuPont, West Virginia has died from exposure to phosgene that took place on January 23, 2010, according to a money.ca.msn.com article. The federal Occupation Health and Safety Administration stated that inspectors are examining a series of leaks that shut down the eastern Kanawha County plant and caused the employee to die. The plant was closed temporarily due to three leaks being reported; however, one leak went undetected for an entire week. The plant is currently reviewing operating procedures and there are no pressing plans to begin production.

Phosgene is a colorless gas that, as demonstrated in this particular incident, can be extremely dangerous because its odor may not be noticed and symptoms of exposure are usually gradual to appear. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those who have been exposed to an unsafe amount of phosgene are typically observed by doctors for up to 48 hours since it may take that long for symptoms to develop or re-emerge. Some delayed effects of phosgene exposure may include difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, coughing up white to pink-colored fluid as a sign of pulmonary edema, or heart failure. While most individuals who survive phosgene exposure experience a full recovery, many of those affected develop emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Continue reading "Worker Dies after Exposure to Poisonous Gas Phosgene from Chemical Plant Leaks" »

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Posted In: Chemical Exposure , Law & Information , On the Job Injury , Personal Injury , Premises Liability , Workers Compensation , Wrongful death

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In what is being called a tragic accident, a 17-year-old girl has lost her life after being hit by a car in Randolph. According to a nj.com article, the young girl was crossing Route 10 when she was hit by a car driven by a 59-year-old Morris Township woman. Morris County Prosecutor stated that no criminal negligence on the part of the motorist caused this fatal incident. The motorist was driving westbound and had a green light at the time of the pedestrian accident. Apparently, the girl crossed the highway at the Center Grove Road intersection at 8:45 p.m.

As tragic as this accident is, it serves as a reminder of how important it is for drivers to be on full alert, even when it is their right-of-way or when they have a green light. Although at the time of the article’s release, it was said that the investigation into this accident is still ongoing, authorities may not charge the motorist who took this young girl’s life. However, blood and urine samples for testing to determine any alcohol or drug presence in the female driver are pending.

Continue reading "Randolph Pedestrian Accident Proves Fatal" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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It may come as a surprise to many New Jersey residents to learn that there has not been a fatality-free New Years since 1986. Preliminary statistics have been released by the New Jersey State Police that reflect zero fatal auto accidents for the designated New Years holiday period. This phase began at 6:00 p.m. on December 31, 2009 and ended on January 4, 2010. However, based on a jacksonnjonline.com report, the Christmas holiday week brought 11 fatal accidents. The article also mentions that one individual was killed in an auto accident on New Years Eve Day in Egg Harbor Township, but the incident did not fall within the “holiday period.”

According to the article, the U.S. Department of Transportation distinguishes these holiday periods, which may range from one to five days. The preliminary numbers mentioned above are subject to change if municipalities report any crashes at a later time. These statistics may also change if a victim of an auto accident in New Jersey during the New Years holiday period succumbs to his or her injuries within 30 days of the incident.

Continue reading "First Fatality-Free New Years in New Jersey since 1986" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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Fishing boat workers put a great deal at risk when taking to the open sea to do their job. According to a news.yahoo.com report, only twenty-five miles east of Barnegat Light, New Jersey, a 38-foot Alisha Marie fishing boat sank after being struck by a large wave which “caused it [the ship] to roll.” One surviving crew member from New Jersey has been found but two men from Virginia are still missing.

The rescued man was discovered in a conscious state in a life raft soon after the distress signal was sent. Crews will continue searching for the two missing men “until it’s determined there is no chance for survival.” This determination is based on officials’ account of water temperature, weather, and the health of the missing crew members. According to the article, when the boat sank, waves were 6 feet, winds were approximately 30 mph, and the water was about 40 degrees.

Something more must be done to help prevent boating accidents along New Jersey’s coast that involve New Jersey commercial fishing industry workers. Although one death at sea in a year’s span is one too many, nine deaths in 2009 for commercial fishermen operating out of Cape May is devastating.

Continue reading "1 Rescued, 2 Missing after Fishing Boat Sinks off New Jersey's Coast" »

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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As the site of a recent fatal auto crash that took place this summer, a few safety improvements will be made by the Thruway Authority on the Exit 15 off ramp. Some of the alterations will include raising the concrete barrier, improving signage, and lowering the recommended speed limit along the curved overpass from 45 mph to 40 mph in one section and 35 mph in another. However, a lohud.com article stated that most of the changes will be made next summer. The ramp joins the Thruway to Interstate 287 and Route 17 in Mahwah, New Jersey.

According to the article, 23 auto accidents have occurred on this overpass within the last three years. And although this does not reflect a high accident rate, it is important for safety improvements to be made to help prevent collisions. Most of the accidents along the ramp resulted from unsafe lane changes, speeding, and motorists following other vehicles too closely. In July of last year, a 44-year-old garbage truck driver was killed after his vehicle changed direction suddenly while speeding. He fell off the overpass, struck the highway below, and plummeted into the Ramapo River.

Continue reading "Safety Improvements for Ramapo Off-Ramp" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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A 59-year-old New Jersey resident was recently killed in an accident at Prudhoe Bay’s North Gas Injection Pad in Alaska on November 18, 2009. According to the Anchorage Daily News, the North Slope worker was a BP contractor who worked for MISTRAS Group Inc., a Princeton Junction, N.J.-based outfit in charge of evaluating the structural integrity of energy and industrial infrastructure.

A BP spokesman said that when the fatal accident took place, the man was working on a pipeline inspection crew, marking locations to be examined in a future routine inspection down an elevated line on the gas injection pad. Even though at least one other worker was on the gas injection pad, the BP contractor was by himself at the time of the incident. It appears that the 59-year old worker’s pickup truck rolled up against him and the pipeline, pinning him despite there being no reason as to why or how the truck ended up in such a position. After the other worker along the injection pad found him, he called for help and a medical response team responded to the scene shortly thereafter, declaring the worker dead. The extent of his injuries was not discussed.

Continue reading "New Jersey Resident Killed On the Job in Alaska" »

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Posted In: On the Job Injury , Personal Injury , Workers Compensation , Wrongful death

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Whether a family decides to place a loved one in a nursing home, a developmental disability facility, or any other professional or medical center, the choice to trust that other people will provide your loved one with the attention, treatment, and care they need and deserve can often be difficult and even emotional. When this trust is breached and wrongful death takes place at such facilities, the consequences can be devastating for a family to endure, and frequently leaves those involved with many questions, particularly whether or not negligence or wrongdoing led to the death taking place.

According to an article from nj.com, an employee at the New Lisbon Developmental Center in Pemberton Township, Burlington County, has been put on unpaid leave after the choking death of one of the patients under the caretaker’s observation. A spokeswoman for the Department of Human Services stated that the deceased man choked on a sandwich and had lived at the facility for almost 20 years.

The New Lisbon facility is one of seven New Jersey-run centers that provide care for individuals with developmental disabilities such as cerebral palsy and autism. What many residents may not know, however, is that the Burlington County facility has a history of problems that led the Department of Justice to open its own investigation in 2002. The state even agreed in 2004 to the independent monitoring of practices at the New Lisbon center for a span of four years, which was later extended one more year, which ended in August.

Continue reading "Choking Death at Burlington County Developmental Disability Facility" »

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Posted In: Personal Injury , Premises Liability , Wrongful death

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A safety measure that should have helped preserve life instead took the life of a New Jersey man. Three years ago, a 34-year-old man was killed when the car he was riding in crashed into a guard rail while traveling southbound on the New Jersey Turnpike near Route 80 in Ridgefield. According to an NBC news article, the 34-year-old was not killed by the impact of the crash, but by a perforated guard rail that punctured the passenger side of the car and then struck the man.

Reportedly, the attorneys representing the deceased man’s family argued that the guard rails were installed both too close to the road and atop too high of a curb. If not for the improper installation, it was argued, the tragedy may have been avoided. Unfortunately, according to the report, even though the conditions in which the guard rails were installed were brought to the attention of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, the supposed problems have not been corrected. A spokesperson from the Turnpike Authority failed to comment on the accident citing pending litigation.

Accidents that result when local municipalities, and other groups in charge of road maintenance and upkeep, fail to properly perform their services are not the fault of motorists. In the above mentioned case, a dangerous road condition played a detrimental role in the loss of human life. While there is no way of knowing whether or not an alternative installation or modification of the guard rail would have made a difference, such a safety issue is certainly worth looking into if it means that potential lives may be saved as a result.

For all instances where individuals are injured or lose their lives, a New Jersey fatal car accident lawyer can help you hold local municipalities liable for monetary damages resulting from the accident. Not only are these types of tragic accidents unexpected, they often leave families to cope with emotional grief and financial stresses that no one should ever have to endure. Wrongful death litigation can be very complex, which is why obtaining legal assistance from a professional can make all the difference in receiving recompense for medical bills, lost wages, and even funeral costs from the negligent party or parties whose actions contributed towards the accident.

Continue reading "Perforated Guard Rail to Blame for Death of New Jersey Man" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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A recent article from philly.com reported on a serious lift accident that resulted in the death of a 41-year-old aerial-lift operator, and caused three others to be injured. According to the article, one of the injured victims, a 75-year-old woman, filed suit on October 19, 2009 against Masonry Preservation Group, Inc., (MPG) of Merchantville, N.J., and First Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania for the October 12, 2009 incident.

All injured victims were taken to local hospitals to receive treatment; however, the aerial-lift operator was pronounced dead at Hahnemann University Hospital. A witness to the accident reported that the lift operator using an aerial lift to fix loose masonry on First Presbyterian Church when the large wheel of the lift platform ran over a fiberglass and cement TV-cable box embedded in the sidewalk. Consequently, the heavy weight of the lift busted the cover of the cable box, significantly diminishing the lift’s stability, ultimately causing the lift to slowly fall. The falling lift collided with a streetlight, as well as a section of the roof of a nearby apartment building, and landed on a Verizon truck, all while the lift operator was still fastened to the bucket.

The 75-year-old woman who is pursuing litigation has been said to do so because she suffered a fractured vertebrae in her back, which is an injury that holds an unpredictable grasp on her future. The impact of the 125-foot boom that broke her left arm, crushed her elbow, and fractured her vertebrae, may cause permanent injury in the days to come. Her attorney stated, “from both a physical and emotional standpoint, her injures are substantial.”

Continue reading "Lift Accident Kills Operator, Injures Three" »

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Posted In: On the Job Injury , Personal Injury , Workers Compensation , Wrongful death

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As Halloween approaches, New Jersey Police officers are reminding citizens to be on alert whether they are driving or walking along the streets. Based on an nj.com article, there has already been an increase in pedestrian fatalities this year, with 127 deaths reported compared to 103 last year during the same timeframe. Five of those pedestrian victims have been 16 years of age or younger, which is why the recent warning relating to Halloween emphasizes being cautious of the whereabouts of children.

According to a New Jersey police Sgt., children have been known to run into the street without checking for vehicles in the hubbub of trick-or-treating, and wear costumes that limit their vision, not to mention their visibility to others. In order to help monitor the safety of children as well as others out on the night before Halloween and on the day of Halloween, stations will be putting extra troopers in areas where trouble and mischief is known to be more prominent.

New Jersey Police reported that since 2001, there have been 10 pedestrian fatalities on Halloween and there was one pedestrian death each Halloween during 2008, 2007, 2006, and three deaths in 2005. Two teenagers were killed in 2004.

Continue reading "New Jersey Police Warns Drivers to be Careful Halloween Weekend" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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It seems to be the cause of far too many auto accidents, especially those that involve motorcycles: loss of control. Whether a motorcyclist comes across an obstruction in the road, poor road conditions, or experiences problems due to an auto part defect, losing control of a vehicle can have catastrophic affects on a motorcyclists’ life.

In the most serious of cases, losing control of a motorcycle can lead to wrongful death, as was the case in a recent collision in Tinton Falls. According to an app.com article, a 36-year-old motorcyclist died on Route 33 the morning of September 18, 2009. Although this unfortunate accident is still being investigated by officials, it has been reported that the man crashed into a cement divider due to losing control of his motorcycle.

Investigators of this motorcycle collision may want to examine whether or not evidence points to another vehicle being involved that may have contributed to the motorcyclist losing control.
When a negligent driver causes an auto accident to take place that inflicts serious injury on another person or causes a wrongful death, he or she may be held legally and even criminally responsible. Wrongful death can devastate a family and also impose many financial hardships due to losing a family member that may have been the sole wage earner.

Continue reading "Loss of Control: Tinton Falls Motorcycle Accident Kills Man" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accident , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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There has been much discussion about the apparent dangers of cell phone use and driving, whether it’s sending a quick text message or answering a call. It shouldn’t be surprising then that pedestrians can be just as distracted when on the phone as drivers are while driving; however, this does not excuse a driver from striking and killing a pedestrian that was texting or talking on the phone at the time of an accident.

A recent article from nj.com reported that a man that was on his cell phone while standing by the side of the road along Route 77 was hit by a tractor-trailer and killed on the morning of September 16, 2009. Apparently, the man stepped into the roadway in front of the tractor-trailer. As of now, charges have not been filed against the truck driver; however, it was reported that the accident is currently still under investigation. Police have not revealed any speculation as to why the man entered the truck’s pathway.

Continue reading "Tractor-Trailer Strikes Man on Cell Phone" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury , Truck Accidents , Wrongful death

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A 26-year-old Edison man was killed on August 11, 2009 during a bridge construction accident in New Jersey. The man was hit on the head at the Conrail freight crossing on Blair Road in Avenel by a 1,500 pound steel plate that fell about five or six feet after slipping from its chains while being lowered by a back hoe. The man was found unconscious and bleeding at the bottom of a trench at the construction site and, though first responders performed CPR, was later pronounced dead at the hospital. An Occupational Safety and Health Administration official reported to the scene and it is unknown at this time as to why the steel plate’s chains came loose.

Construction workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in our country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ 2007 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, even though construction industry deaths are on the decline, the construction industry continues to be responsible for the most deaths sustained by employees in the private sector. Based on the report, the 5 percent drop in construction fatalities occurring from 2006 to 2007 (1,239 to 1,178) was about the same as the decrease for all fatal work injuries.

Continue reading "Woodbridge Township Construction Accident Kills Worker" »

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Posted In: Construction Accident , On the Job Injury , Personal Injury , Workers Compensation , Wrongful death

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More than a dozen southern New Jersey communities will be hosts to the fourth Pedestrian Decoy Program on August 14, 2009. The initiative aims to spread awareness of traffic laws by enforcing the rules of the road to help lower an increase in deaths on New Jersey roadways. According to an article, state and local authorities are concerned that the growing number of motorists turned pedestrians could negatively impact the already growing number of pedestrian deaths in New Jersey. The Pedestrian Decoy Program may force some motorists to consider the necessity of yielding to pedestrians regardless of whether or not pedestrians are following the rules of the road, particularly since violations occurring during the program could result in traffic citations of $100 or upward, and points being added to their license.

The director of New Jersey’s Division of Highway Traffic Safety said that the number of fatal car crashes involving pedestrians is “too high” and “unacceptable.” From the program’s inception in 2006, the number of fatal pedestrian auto crashes has significantly decreased. In 2006, 164 of the 771 fatal auto crashes in New Jersey involved pedestrians. However, the following year, only 150 of 774 fatal auto accidents resulted in pedestrian death. In 2008, both the number of deaths and the number of accidents decreased, with only 138 pedestrian deaths having occurred out of 590 total car crashes resulting in fatality. Sadly though, after posting the lowest level of New Jersey pedestrian deaths involving automobiles since the 1940s, the numbers started increasing in January of this year, and unfortunately haven’t ceased. Based on the report, as of August 12, 2009, there have been 103 New Jersey pedestrian accident deaths out of 344 auto accidents. At the same time in 2008, the total number of pedestrian deaths had only amounted to 79.

Continue reading "New Jersey Pedestrian Decoy Program Hopes to Raise Awareness of Laws to Decrease Fatalities" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Law & Information , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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The wreckage of the recent aviation accident involving a small plane and a tour helicopter that took place on Saturday, August 8, 2009, is anticipated to be fully excavated in the very near future. The crash tragically killed nine people. According to an article, transportation-safety officials hope the plane can be retrieved out of the Hudson River by divers relatively soon. Strong tides, low-visibility, and the plane being heavy and water-logged, have all created a great challenge for its retrieval.

Our hearts go out to the families of those who died in this unfortunate incident and we hope that the cause of the accident is revealed in a timely manner. Law enforcement officials in Hoboken New Jersey are reported to be examining the remains of the helicopter wreckage already excavated from the Hudson River.

The NTSA has issued more than 50 recommendations to improve safety in the air-tour industry to improve overall aviation safety, however, according to an NTSA representative, “…the FAA hasn’t acted on many of the recommendations…the fact that we are here today shows that there is a lot of work that needs to be done."

Continue reading "Hudson River Air Collision Wreckage of Plane Found" »

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An 81-year-old Ocean County woman was killed and her companion was injured in a New Jersey car accident on Route 70 in Medford, the Burlington County Times reports. The man and woman were headed west on Route 70 in a 2004 Mercury Grand Marquis when the car went off the right shoulder and crashed into a utility pole. Both were trapped in the wreckage and had to be cut free by firefighters. The woman suffered several broken bones and internal injuries and was pronounced dead hours after the accident. The man suffered cuts and a broken ankle. The woman's death is apparently the 30th auto accident fatality in Burlington County this year and the second in Medford in two days.

About 6 million people in the United States are involved in car accidents every year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). About 43,000 auto accident victims are killed and 2.6 million are injured each year, making auto accidents the leading cause of death among Americans between ages 4 and 44. While a majority of these injuries are relatively minor, some are devastating permanent injuries that have long-term impact on accident victims and their families.

Continue reading "New Jersey Car Accident Kills Woman on Route 70" »

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The Associated Press in Camden reported that a July 8 on the job accident in New Jersey in a prominent chocolate-making facility led to the death of a worker knocked into a mixing vat by a blade used to separate products for making a variety of confectionary items.

According to reports, several co-workers attempted to put an immediate stop to the machinery, but were ultimately unsuccessful at saving the 29-year-old victim. The reports further stated that this individual was a temporary worker at the facility.

This story, which was picked up by sources like the New Jersey Herald Online, illustrates the complexities of unfortunate situations like these where safety equipment fails to minimize risk or provide solutions for an accident in a food production setting where “economy of scale” mixing and processing machinery introduces specific risks to an industrial area. The risks presented by this kind of equipment are common in many industrialized settings, including both farms and raw production facilities and processing plants. The pressure to move large amounts of products sometimes leads to a lack of focus on safety equipment and training where tragic results can occur.

Situations like these are sometimes further complicated by the outsourcing regularly done by large food production companies, and by the role of temporary or “unhired” workers in a plant or facility. The emergence of different tiers of worker status in a plant or industrial facility can mean that unraveling the specific responsibilities of the parent company, the subsidiary and the outside hiring firm can be complicated and require professional assistance by attorneys or others skilled in fact-finding.

Continue reading "Worker Killed On the Job After Falling into Vat of Chocolate" »

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Posted In: On the Job Injury , Personal Injury , Workers Compensation , Wrongful death

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Pedestrian accident deaths have skyrocketed in New Jersey, a recent report states. Last year, auto accidents dropped 18.5 percent. However, pedestrian accident fatalities rose by a whopping 36.5 percent. New Jersey State police statistics show motor vehicles were responsible for 86 walking deaths. Three victims were under 16 and 38 were over 49.

What are the most common causes for these fatal pedestrian accidents in New Jersey? According to the columnist, based on statistics provided by the Administrative Office of the Courts, speeders, reckless and inattentive drivers are each ticketed at a rate 22 times greater than pedestrian violators. Police also concede apparently that they tend to target drivers over jaywalkers, especially those who speed and drive under the influence.

Continue reading "Pedestrian Accident Deaths Rise in New Jersey" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Wrongful death

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A 26-year-old man from Mount Laurel, died in a motorcycle crash in New Jersey after his motorcycle collided with another vehicle in Medford. According to this news report, the motorcyclist was riding a 2006 Suzuki westbound on Church Road when a 22-year-old woman driving a Chevrolet Tahoe made a left turn in front of him.

The motorcyclist suffered fatal head injuries. This is apparently the 30th auto accident in Burlington County in 2009 and the second motorcycle fatality in Medford in the last two months.

New Jersey Vehicle Code section 39:4-123 prohibits motorists from making improper right or left-hand turns. New Jersey Vehicle Code section 39:4-11.5b states that motorists who are attempting to make a turn must "come to a complete stop and yield to all traffic and pedestrians before proceeding."

Whether you have been injured in a car accident or motorcycle accident in New Jersey, you need the help and guidance of a skilled New Jersey personal injury lawyer who will help determine who was at fault and hold the negligent parties or wrongdoers accountable for their action.

Continue reading "Fatal New Jersey Motorcycle Accident" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accident , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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A New Jersey driver reportedly caused the death of an Evesham man in a pedestrian accident, according to this news report in the Burlington County Times. The pedestrian accident victim was reportedly walking on the southbound shoulder of a road when he was struck by the northbound vehicle. Police say the drugs inside the man's vehicle were unauthorized prescription painkillers.

Pedestrian accidents are devastating to pedestrians because when a pedestrian is hit by a car or another vehicle, the laws of physics almost guarantee that he or she will be badly injured. Like all drivers, New Jersey drivers have the legal obligation to watch for pedestrians on the road.

Unfortunately, many drivers are negligent. More than 20 percent of New Jersey traffic deaths in 2005 involved pedestrian accidents, while the national percentage was just 11.2 percent. The most common causes of pedestrian versus auto accident include inattention, intoxication, falling asleep at the wheel and distractions such as texting or talking on the cell phone.

Continue reading "Fatal Pedestrian Accident" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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A New Jersey man was killed in a motorcycle accident after he crashed into a car that turned in front of him, according to this news report. Police officials investigating the fatal motorcycle crash said the car, in which two people were riding, turned into a driveway in front of the motorcycle. The motorcyclist apparently struck the car and was thrown off his bike. He was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of personal injuries and death in the United States. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,000 motorcyclists were killed in 2001. That number, nationwide and in New Jersey, has been climbing as more and more people are starting to ride motorcycles because it is a cheaper mode of transportation, especially in the light of climbing gas prices.

Motorcyclists are more likely to suffer major injuries or death in the event of an auto accident because they are riding an open vehicle with very little protection. All they have is their helmet and protective gear such as leather jacket or boots, which is hardly sufficient protection in the event of a crash. In most cases, motorcyclists are seriously injured or killed as a result of negligence on another driver's part.

Continue reading "Fatal Motorcycle Accident Kills New Jersey Man" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accident , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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A recent article from JusticeNewsFlash.com described a New Jersey pedestrian accident which claimed the life of an elderly Trenton man. Officials with the Trenton Police Department say that the 86-year-old man died from injuries he suffered when he was struck by a motorcycle driven by a 49-year-old man of Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. According to law enforcement officials investigating the New Jersey pedestrian accident, the incident occurred around 7:15 on the evening of May 9, 2009. Officials from the Trenton Police Department say that the motorcyclist was riding his motorcycle down an undisclosed Trenton street when he struck the pedestrian with his motorcycle.

After striking the pedestrian with his motorcycle, Trenton Police report that the driver then crashed into a telephone pole at a high rate of speed and died from injuries he suffered in the collision. Emergency response personnel responding to the auto accident in New Jersey claim that the elderly man died instantly at the accident scene from the grave injuries he received from being struck by the motorcycle. After striking the telephone pole, the motorcyclist was reportedly thrown from his motorcycle an undisclosed distance and later transported to the Capital Health System at Fuld Hospital in Trenton for treatment for his injuries. He was admitted with injuries described as ‘critical’ and died from his injuries approximately three hours after being admitted for treatment.

The investigation into the tragic accident was still underway when the article was published, but Trenton police say that the motorcyclist had just left a nearby bar shortly before the pedestrian accident occurred. They suspect that alcohol may have been a factor in the fatal accident but are withholding making a formal statement pending the results of blood tests.

Continue reading "New Jersey Pedestrian vs. Motorcycle Accident Kills Elderly Man and Driver" »

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Motorcycle Accident , Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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Boating enthusiasts enjoying the long Memorial Day weekend and beautiful weather are struggling to put their lives back together after a tragic boating accident resulted in the New Jersey wrongful death of one man and injured four others. Law enforcement officials investigating the accident say that one boat collided with another vessel on the Manasquan River in New Jersey sometime on May 23, 2009. This report filed by United Press International said that a 24 year old man of Mahwah, New Jersey was killed when the boat that he was traveling in collided with a larger vessel between Brielle and Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.

Hospital officials say that two other passengers in the smaller boat —a 22 year old and a 19 year old—are being treated in the hospital’s surgical intensive care unit with undisclosed injuries. They claim that two other passengers in the smaller vessel were treated for minor injuries and released. Two men, ages and locations unknown, who were on the larger vessel at the time of the accident, did not suffer personal injury in New Jersey during the boating accident according to U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Chris McLaughlin.

The investigation into the New Jersey boating accident is still underway but McLaughlin said that early evidence suggests that the incident occurred when the operator of the smaller boat lost control of his vessel. At the time the article was published, authorities did not yet know if the consumption of alcohol or drugs contributed to the deadly accident. The investigation into the fatal accident continues and charges may be filed pending test results.

New Jersey boat accident statistics compiled by the United States Coast Guard indicate that there were 136 boating accidents throughout the state in 2007 which resulted in eight deaths and 52 people suffering injuries. Sadly, many of these accidents are avoidable and involve boat operators who are operating their watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs and/or piloting their vessels in a reckless and negligent manner.

Continue reading "New Jersey Boating Accident Kills One, Several Injured" »

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Posted In: Boating Accident , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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A recent report on WPVI Channel 6 says that the 69 year old man of Trenton died from his injuries after he was struck by a bus at the intersection of South Broad and Market Streets. The New Jersey pedestrian accident occurred around 11:15 on the morning of June 1, 2009, and law enforcement officials investigating the accident say that a Stout’s Bus was northbound on South Broad Street and making a left turn onto Market when the man was struck. After the bus hit him, the pedestrian was dragged under the bus and pinned underneath, and it reportedly took emergency response personnel almost two hours to remove the body from beneath the bus.

After emergency response personnel were able to recover the pedestrian's body, he was pronounced dead at the scene.After the wrongful death accident in New Jersey, the driver of the bus was taken to Capital Health Systems at Fuld for routine blood tests to determine whether or not he was operating his vehicle under the influence of any intoxicants at the time of the pedestrian accident. Law enforcement officials investigating the accident said that they do not expect to file any criminal charges against the bus driver, but he will likely be charged with several motor vehicle offenses.

The Stout Bus Company, located in Ewing Township, owns the bus that was involved in the pedestrian accident and is under contract with Mercer County to transport employees and jurors in buses to and from the Sovereign Bank Arena and back to the Mercer County courthouse. At the time the pedestrian accident occurred, there were reportedly no passengers on board the bus. The bus has been impounded and is expected to undergo a thorough Mechanical Safety Inspection conducted by the New Jersey State Police Commercial Carrier Inspections Unit.

Continue reading "New Jersey Pedestrian Accident Kills Man" »

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Posted In: Pedestrian Accidents , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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A 53-year-old railroad employee, who was repairing damage from an earlier accident in Middletown died after he was hit by a truck. According to this news report in the Bucks County Courier Times, the man was killed at Big Oak and Township Line roads when a tractor-trailer carrying Keebler cookie products struck him while making a sharp right turn. The worker was apparently crouched down to repair the wiring to the train crossing lights when the large truck made a right turn and struck him.

Local officials told the newspaper that this intersection has been the scene of many accidents. The worker was reportedly wearing all the proper safety clothing including his white helmet. There were also orange cones in the area to warn motorists about the work in progress. Authorities say the driver of the tractor trailer saw the worker, but had not realized that he had hit him. He stopped immediately. The worker died from massive chest and leg injuries.

If you are injured while on the job, you will be entitled to New Jersey workers compensation benefits. If a worker suffers fatal injuries, his family will be eligible to receive workers compensation benefits. However, these benefits are hardly enough to compensate a family for the loss of their primary wage earner.

It is important for the families of deceased workers to contact an experienced New Jersey wrongful death lawyer with a successful track record of handling workers compensation issues and third party claims. In some cases, a third party (other than an employer), can be held liable.

A skilled New Jersey personal injury attorney from Lependorf & Silverstein can help you through this complex legal process and help you secure the compensation you rightfully deserve. Call us today for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , On the Job Injury , Personal Injury , Truck Accidents , Workers Compensation , Wrongful death

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Amy Voorhees, a 27-year-old Evesham middle school teacher, was killed in a car accident at the intersection of Route 70 and Troth Road. According to an article in the Burlington County Times, Voorhees was on her way to work when her vehicle was struck by a pickup truck going east on the highway through the intersection. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

No charges have been filed yet against the driver of the pickup pending a police investigation. The news report says some people who witnessed the auto accident said the pickup truck ran the red light at the intersection and caused the collision. Police are still looking into whether that was true. Voorhees is reportedly the 11th motor vehicle fatality in Burlington County this year, according to New Jersey State Police statistics.

If it is determined that the driver of the pickup did run the red light, he could be held criminally liable for the accident and Voorhees' death. The driver could also be held financially responsible to Voorhees' family for their significant loss. They may be eligible to file a New Jersey wrongful death lawsuit against the driver. Wrongful death claims compensate families of deceased victims who were injured because of someone else's negligence. Typically, victims' families receive compensation to cover medical or funeral expenses, loss of earnings and other related damages.

If you have suffered a similar loss because of negligence or wrongdoing, please call an experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney at Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation. We have a successful track record with wrongful death claims and can assist you with your case.

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Wrongful death

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Police are looking for witnesses in the cases of two young women who were killed while crossing major highways on foot in separate pedestrian accidents in New Jersey in the past week, according to a Princeton Packet report.

On May 4, Candace L. Puckett, 26, of Westampton, died of multiple blunt force injuries after being struck trying to cross the northbound lanes of Route 130 around 10:15 p.m., according to police.

In a similar incident several days earlier, Arlee M. Toto, 27, of Columbus, was struck and killed while walking south along Route 206 at 2:34 a.m., police said.

The families of these two wrongful death victims should immediately call an experienced New Jersey wrongful death attorney. To begin with, investigation must be done right away and the families should not just sit back and wait on the police to investigate.

There are certain ways to recover on a wrongful death action in New Jersey, including a recovery for the Estate, for the conscious pain and suffering that the decedent went through, and pecuniary harm that was caused to family members by the decedent’s death. An experienced New Jersey wrongful death attorney can make sure that the families rights are fully protected and that the recovery can be maximized.

There are certain procedural steps that also must be followed, including putting UM insurance on notice, potentially filing Notice of Tort Claim forms and completing forms at the County Surrogate’s Office.

If you are a family member of a person that was killed as a result of another person’s negligence, call the Law Offices of Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation with a skilled New Jersey wrongful death lawyer.

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Posted In: Pedestrian Accidents , Wrongful death

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According to this report from NJ.com, a former Roxbury resident has been sentenced to 15 years for causing a car accident that claimed the lives of three people in 2006. Twenty-seven-year-old Damian D'Aleo admitted to driving drunk and causing a September 29, 2006 auto accident in New Jersey that killed three people. The state Superior Court in Morristown sentenced D'Aleo to 15 years in prison on February 19, 2009, after he pled guilty in January to three counts of death by auto.

Law enforcement officials say that on September 29, 2006, D'Aleo’s Honda CRV rear-ended a Jeep Cherokee in the westbound lanes of Route 80 in Roxbury, which caused the Jeep to cross the center lines and hit two other vehicles in the eastbound lanes. Julia Bowen of New York, the Cherokee’s driver, and her passenger, retired New York City Police Officer Theodore Williams were killed in the accident. Also killed was a father of five, Donald Dineen, Jr., of Bushkill, PA, who suffered fatal injuries when the Jeep struck his car. Dineen worked as a doorman in Manhattan.

Over 41,000 lives are lost each year in auto accidents in the U.S. and many of these deaths are caused by negligent drivers operating their vehicles while intoxicated. If you or someone you care for has been injured or killed in a New Jersey car accident, you may be able to recover compensation to offset the steep costs of medical care and other expenses. The knowledgeable and skilled wrongful death attorneys in New Jersey at Lependorf & Silverstein have helped clients recover millions in damages over the years.

Our top New Jersey personal injury lawyers will work hard on your behalf, protect your rights at all times, and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free consultation with experienced New Jersey auto accident lawyers, call Lependorf & Silverstein today at 609.240.0040.

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Posted In: Auto Accidents , Wrongful death

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A dentist and oral surgeon is facing a medical malpractice lawsuit in New Jersey from the family of a 21-year-old Hopelawn man who died in August 2005 hours after having surgery to remove his wisdom teeth. According to this news report, the lawsuit alleges that dentist John Madaras did not get medical clearance to work on Francis Keller in spite of the fact that Keller had an immune system deficiency that would have made the dental procedure lethal.

According to court papers, Keller told a dental hygienist for Madaras that he had a genetic disorder that made his throat, face and hands swell. The hygienist then called Keller's internist, who told her specifically that the teeth extraction should not be done. At the heart of the case is whether Madaras knew about Keller’s condition and conveyed that to an oral surgeon who performed the procedure. Keller died the morning after the surgery as his airway slowly closed.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious injuries, complications or death as a result of a medical treatment or surgical procedure, you have been a victim of medical malpractice. Errors occur in hospitals and dentists' offices more often that we would like to believe, due to either the lack of communication, carelessness, and/or negligence. Some mistakes are irreparable as in this case where the victim died a wrongful death. But in many cases where patients experience severe complications because of medical negligence, the medical costs to fix the problem are significant. If you or a loved one has been a victim of medical malpractice in New Jersey, please call the top New Jersey medical negligence attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Medical Malpractice , Personal Injury , Wrongful death

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A worker aboard a commercial fishing boat died after his leg was caught in a winch while fishing about 5 miles off the coast of Manasquan. Billy Melgrum, 53, died while working on board the 65-foot Lydia J, a commercial vessel. According to this news report, the Coast Guard had received a call from a crew member aboard the Lydia J, reporting that Melgrum had injured both legs and needed immediate medical attention.

A New Jersey State Police rescue boat crew arrived and performed CPR on Melgrum, but he did not survive. An investigation into this tragic on-the-job wrongful death is ongoing, the report said.

Continue reading "Manasquan Worker Suffers Fatal Injuries Aboard Fishing Vessel" »

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Posted In: Workers Compensation , Wrongful death

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