New Jersey Personal Injury Blog
Archive – 2010 – February
Worker Suffers Burn Injuries at Construction Site
A worker sustained serious burn injuries while remodeling a home in Jerseyville, New Jersey. The Journal-Courier reports that the incident occurred when the worker was filling an insulation blower with gas from a can, which caught fire. The man tried to throw away the gas can, but it landed under the vehicle of another worker, and, ignited the vehicle. The worker suffered a burn to his arm and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Construction zones can be extremely hazardous places. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that more than 13 construction workers out of every 100,000 have died on the job since 2005. In addition, six out of every 100 construction workers in the United States were either injured or sickened at work. This incident in Jerseyville is evidence that even a bystander is at risk for injuries due to construction-related accidents.
State and Federal laws mandate compliance with strict workplace safety standards for construction sites, including required protective gear, and, the regulation of exposure to dangerous chemicals. However, very often, those laws are partially or completely ignored, with possible life-changing consequences to the victims.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey construction accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, lack of safety training, or, as the result of a defective product, you may be able to seek compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost earnings, and/or, permanent disability. You may be able to hold a contractor, sub-contractor, or, the maker of faulty equipment liable for your accident, injuries and other losses. Contact the experienced New Jersey construction accident lawyers at Blume Goldfaden by calling 973-635-5400 to secure a no-cost evaluation of your potential construction accident case.
Source:http://www.myjournalcourier.com/news/jerseyville-24841-burned-repair.html
Texting Banned Nationally for Truckers and Bus Drivers
On Tuesday, January 26, 2010, the U.S. Government announced a national ban of hand-held texting for drivers of large commercial trucks and buses. The new text messaging ban takes effect immediately, and those caught violating the ban will be forced to pay a fine of up to $2,750. While several U.S. companies enforce self-imposed bans against texting for their employees while driving on-the-job, the rash of distracted driving accidents continues to spread. The National Safety Council estimates that as many as 200,000 auto accidents on United States Highways are the result of texting while driving.
According to a reuters.com article, the new U.S. texting ban is expected to help lower the danger of distracted driving. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated, “We want the drivers of big rigs and buses and those who share the road with them to be safe…This is an important safety step and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving.” Research conducted by trucking regulators has demonstrated that drivers take their eyes off the road for almost the entire time that it takes to send, and receive, a text message.
Almost two dozen U.S. states, including New Jersey, ban texting while driving any motor vehicle and the problem has become so widespread that Congress is addressing legislation to prohibit this form of negligent driving on a national scale. Handheld cell phone use is banned for all drivers in New Jersey where the distracted driving laws are all considered ‘primary enforcement’ statutes, which means that a police officer may issue a ticket to a driver for using a handheld cell phone while driving without committing any other traffic offense.
Auto accidents, especially those involving trucks, or, buses, may cause innocent passengers, and, drivers to suffer serious injury. When such incidents are brought about by distracted driving, injured individuals may be able to seek compensation for expenses associated with their injuries. For more information regarding a potential injury claim associated with a distracted driving accident, please contact the experienced New Jersey car accident attorneys at Blume Goldfaden at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation.
Toyota Cars Investigated for Engine Stalling Problems
Federal safety officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have launched an investigation with regard to problems of engine stalling in Toyota Matrix and Toyota Corolla models. According to an article from bloomberg.com, the NHTSA document cited 26 complaints of the engines in these vehicles stalling suddenly. Some of the complaints said the stalling occurred when the drivers were on highways or passing through intersections.
The troubled automaker recently issued a massive auto product defect recall involving 4.2 million Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Those models had sudden acceleration problems, which were related to defective design of the accelerator pedal. Toyota also recently recalled 110,000 Tundra pickup trucks because of a rust problem that could cause the spare tire to fall out of its well, creating a hazard for other vehicles on the roadway.
Engine stalling, sudden acceleration, and, other auto product defects, are extremely hazardous, and, can result in motor vehicle accidents resulting in devastating injuries to occupants of vehicles. Those injured and their families may incur significant expenses related to medical/hospital treatment, rehabilitation and other therapies. In many cases, those injured and/or their family members may not be able to return to their jobs, or, be gainfully employed again.
If you have been injured as a result of a vehicle defect or malfunction, please contact the New Jersey auto design defects lawyers at Blume Goldfaden. We have an in-house medical doctor and access to resources which enable us to comprehensively handle complex legal and medical issues pertaining to auto product liability cases. We always offer a no-cost consultation, and, will evaluate your potential auto products liability case to determine if there claim is viable. Call us at 973-635-5400.
Source:http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601110&sid=aUWAF1nTVw1U