New Jersey Personal Injury Blog

Single-Engine Plane Crash Investigation at Greenwood Lake Airport

According to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokesman, the exact cause of a single-engine plane accident that recently occurred at Greenwood Lake Airport in West Milford, New Jersey is still under investigation. A NorthJersey.com article reports that the small plane’s pilot, a 49-year-old man, broke both of his legs and a 51-year-old passenger sustained injuries to his face. Both men were transported to Morristown Memorial hospital after the plane crashed at approximately 10:10 a.m.

It may take months to determine what caused the plane to crash at the public-use airport owned by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Authorities are expected to examine what took place when the plane was coming down and why the accident occurred. In saying that it is too soon to know the cause of the crash, the NTSB spokesman said that the agency may release a “preliminary report” evaluating some potential causes. At the time of the article’s release, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that an update on the cause of the plane crash was not available and that the FAA is taking part in the investigation being led by the NTSB.

While the cause of this small plane crash has yet to be determined, aviation accidents involving commercial jetliners, ambulance helicopters, charter planes, government planes, small planes, private planes, and other aircraft may be caused by poor aircraft maintenance, defective plane equipment, air traffic controller error, pilot error, crew fatigue or intoxication, and factors related to weather conditions.

As this particular plane crash demonstrates, those fortunate enough to survive an aviation disaster may suffer serious injury. If an investigation determines that there was negligence or defects in the design or manufacture of the aircraft that contributed to an accident, injured individuals and/or their family members may seek compensation for unpaid medical bills, physical pain, suffering, disability, disfigurement and loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages, and, in some cases, wrongful death damages.. The New Jersey plane crash lawyers at Blume Goldfaden have significant experience successfully handling aviation negligence cases. Call us at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation and evaluation of your potential aviation accident claim.

DuPont Agrees to Test for Chemicals in Contaminated Pompton Lakes Area

An explosives factory ran by the DuPont Chemical company, which operated for many decades in the Pompton Lakes area of New Jersey, left contaminated groundwater under 400 homes in the 1980’s. According to an article on NorthJersey.com, the cleanup has yet to be completed; however, progress has been made and the company has agreed to test for 61 chemicals in both the indoor air and sub-slabs of residents’ homes. Previously, DuPont had only agreed to test for 10 chemicals in sub-slabs.

An environmental group started by a Pompton Lakes resident, Citizens for a Clean Pompton Lakes (CCPL), began a letter writing campaign to state officials asking for help with regard to the New Jersey toxic exposure tests. On December 1, 2010 good news came to the group from DuPont stating that it would test for all 61 chemicals in both indoor air and sub-slabs underneath houses. However, in a statement from DuPont’s Public Affairs Manager, while the company will test for all 61 chemicals in the sub-slabs, they will only take responsibility for the removal of the original 10 chemicals.

Two years ago, test samples showed the presence of two chemicals in the air released from the contaminated groundwater, one being Tetrachloroethene (PCE), an ingredient found in dry-cleaning solutions, and, the other, Trichloroethene (TCE), a chemical found in scented candles.

Studies of the area have indicated a higher rate of cancer cases. There is no confirmation that the vapors are the direct cause of the types of cancer found in the area at increased rates, but these chemicals are known to cause cancer.

Toxic exposure can dramatically alter a person’s life, oftentimes irreparably. At Blume Goldfaden, our experienced New Jersey personal injury attorneys understand the difficulties that individuals who have suffered illness due to toxic exposure often face. In residential areas, it is possible for multiple family members to be affected. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to ground water, soil or air contamination in New Jersey, call our firm at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation about your possible cases.

North Wildwood Boiler Explosion Causes Burn Injury to Resident

A boiler tank explosion occurred in December 2010 and caused a burn injury to a North Wildwood, New Jersey resident, according to an article in The Cape May County Herald. Steam pressure built up in the tank, which caused it to shoot through the wall of an apartment building into the neighboring building, causing significant damage to both structures. A man in his 60s was taken to the Cape Regional Medical Center for treatment of second degree burns. While the boiler explosion did not cause a fire, fire fighters from both North Wildwood stations were dispatched to respond to the emergency.

Where a piece of equipment, such as a boiler tank, malfunctions, or, is not properly monitored or maintained, and, an explosion occurs, the responsible parties may be held legally responsible for their negligent conduct and any resulting injuries or property damage.

Burn injuries in New Jersey, whether resulting from exposure to fire, steam, chemicals, or another source, are painful and can result in permanent scarring and disfigurement. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), scalding burns, which are typically attributed to hot liquid or steam, account for 33 to 58 percent of all burn patient admissions in the United States. Additionally, individuals aged 65 and older often require more extensive treatment for burns than a younger person since age related health issues play a role in healing and recovery time.

If you have sustained a burn injury in New Jersey and you suspect that someone else’s negligence may have caused that injury, contact the experienced New Jersey burn injury attorneys at Blume Goldfaden. To schedule a no cost consultation to find out how we can help you, call 973-635-5400.

Anticoagulant Drug Heparin Recalled for Possible Contamination

Lots of the anticoagulant medicine Heparin have been recently recalled because of possible contamination. According to a news report in The Los Angeles Times, pharmaceutical company B. Braun Medical Inc. issued the recall for seven lots of the drug because of the presence of oversulfated chondroitin sulfate (OSCS).

It is the responsibility of pharmaceutical manufacturers to put safe, uncontaminated products into the stream of commerce and to timely notify the public and appropriate governmental agencies of any potential dangers associated with the use of their products. No drug is devoid of side effects. Minor side effects are quite common and the risks of these side effects are often outweighed by the benefits of the medication. However, when a drug causes serious or fatal side effects, the general public and the healthcare community must be properly warned of the risks and contraindications pertaining to the use of the drug.

A drug manufacturer may be held liable for the injuries, damages and losses their products cause. This is especially true when patients are unaware that the drugs they are taking could put them in danger of a serious health risk or even death.

The New Jersey pharmaceutical liability attorneys at Blume Goldfaden have handled numerous claims involving pharmaceutical negligence. If a dangerous drug has harmed you or a loved one, please call our offices at 973-635-5400 for a no-cost consultation and comprehensive evaluation of your potential unsafe drug claim.