New Jersey Personal Injury Blog

New Jersey DUI Collision Causes Injuries

A male drunk driver injured nine pedestrians leaving the new Meadowlands Stadium after he reportedly crashed his car into the group. According to a report in the New York Daily News, the 21-year-old driver from the Bronx plowed into a crowd of people leaving the Mexico-Ecuador soccer match at the stadium. One of the victims was a 20-month-old infant who sustained minor injuries. The driver was charged with assault with an automobile, driving while intoxicated, aggravated assault of a juvenile and leaving the scene of an accident. The victims were part of a larger group of pedestrians crossing the freeway while leaving the game. All other vehicles stopped for the crossing pedestrians, but the intoxicated driver did not.

Under New Jersey law, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher. N.J.S.A section 39:4-50 (a) states in part: “…. a person who operates a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotic, hallucinogenic or habit-producing drug, or operates a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the defendant’s blood or permits another person who is under the influence of intoxicating liquor, narcotic, hallucinogenic or habit-producing drug to operate a motor vehicle owned by him or in his custody or control, or permits another to operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more by weight of alcohol in the defendant’s blood” shall be illegal.

Victims of drunk driving/DUI (“driving under the influence”) auto accidents may seek compensation from the drunk driver for their physical injuries, unpaid medical expenses, disability and lost wages. In addition, those who served the intoxicated driver with alcohol may also be liable under New Jersey’s “dram shop” laws, depending upon the circumstances. Call the New Jersey auto accident lawyers at Blume Goldfaden, who will provide a no-cost consultation and comprehensive evaluation of your potential claim if you have been injured by a drunk driver. Contact us at 973-635-5400 to find out how we can help.

Burn Injuries Caused by Malfunctioning Microwave Oven

A New Jersey couple sustained serious burn injuries from a fire in their home that was started by a malfunctioning microwave oven. WPIX reports that the couple suffered their injuries while trying to extinguish the fire, which quickly spread from the microwave oven to their mattress. The woman suffered severe burns over 50 percent of her body and the man sustained burns to his hands and arms. The young couple from Edison, New Jersey was taken by helicopter to a nearby hospital for treatment. Their two children were not harmed in the fire.

Burn injuries can result in profound pain and physical suffering. Depending upon the severity of the burns, extensive treatment, including surgery may be required. In many cases, scarring or disfigurement from burn injuries may be irreversible, resulting in the need for prolonged psychological counseling.

According to statistics from the American Burn Association, about 3,500 people die each year as a result of residential fires in the United States; and, approximately 60,000 people are admitted to burn centers in the nation’s hospital as a result of serious burn injuries.

When a product malfunctions and causes injuries, victims may file a product liability claim against the manufacturer, designer, and/or distributor of the defective product. The legal concept of “product liability” helps hold manufacturers and distributors of dangerous or defective products accountable for the damages their products cause.

If you or a loved one has suffered burn or other injuries due to a defective product you may be able to obtain compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. The New Jersey burn injury lawyers at Blume Goldfaden understand the impact a severe burn has on the lives of victims and their family members. We offer no-cost consultations to those who have been injured. Call 973-635-5400 for a comprehensive evaluation of your potential claim.

Andover Motorcyclist Critically Injured in New Jersey Crash

A 29-year-old man from Andover Township is in critical condition after his motorcycle was struck by a car. The New Jersey Herald reports that a 73-year-old man from Blairstown made a left turn in front of the motorcycle. The car was heading northbound on an access road near Hampton Plaza in Hampton, New Jersey. The rider suffered critical injuries. The motorcycle accident is currently under investigation.

According to a report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a majority of motorcycle accidents occur at intersections. Under New Jersey law, a driver making a left hand turn must yield to oncoming traffic, including at an intersection. Additionally, NHTSA reports that the incidence of motorcycle accidents have been steadily increasing with 5,290 motorcycle accident fatalities in the United States in 2008, which reflects a 2 percent increase over the number of motorcyclists killed in 2007. Similarly, in 2008, 96,000 people in the United States were injured as a result of motorcycle collisions.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a New Jersey motorcycle crash as a result of a negligent or reckless driver, contact the New Jersey motorcycle accident attorneys at Blume Goldfaden. Our personal injury lawyers are experienced in protecting the rights of motorcycle accident victims. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost review of your potential claim and to find out how we can help.

Wellbutrin Could Cause Birth Defects, Study Finds

New research is linking the antidepressant bupropion found in Wellbutrin and similar medications to heart defects in infants. Taking Wellbutrin, which contains bupropion, while pregnant, may increase the baby’s chance of being born with a specific type of heart defect, studies show. According to a Reuters news report, Wellbutrin affects two out of every 1,000 infants born by women who take bupropion in their third trimester. The American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology originally addressed this potential danger.

While research regarding antidepressants causing birth defects is relatively new, it is clear that prescription for these and many other types of medication provided by doctors can impact a developing fetus’ health. It is the responsibility of doctors, nurses and pharmacists to carefully monitor their patients and to determine if a particular medication is contraindicated in pregnancy (especially if the expectant mother is taking any other medications), and to keep abreast of the latest medical studies regarding proper use of medications and drug interactions. In addition to knowing a patient’s medical history and drug allergies, your healthcare provider should also be aware of the possible side effects of the drugs that they prescribe. In addition, pharmaceutical manufacturers may be liable for damages caused by their medications if the drugs were not sufficiently tested, or, if the manufacturers did not properly warn the general public and healthcare community of the risks of taking the drugs.

If you have been taking Wellbutrin, another antidepressant, or any medication during pregnancy, and your child was born with a heart defect or some other condition related to that medication, you may be able to recover compensation for injuries sustained by you and your child. Potential medical malpractice and/or product liability cases may be brought against doctors, hospitals, pharmacies and drug manufacturers when a patient’s injury is causally connected to their negligence or wrongdoing.

If you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, contact the New Jersey medical negligence lawyers at Blume Goldfaden. We always offer no-cost consultations. Call 973-635-5400 to discuss your potential claim with one of our attorneys today.