The post What should you know about helmets? first appeared on Serafini & Serafini - (973) 595-9500.
]]>What should motorcyclists know about the helmets they wear, though? Understanding the basic science can allow motorcyclists to make more informed decisions when selecting protective gear and wearing their equipment.
Integris Health examines the science behind helmets. One of the most crucial things that they point out almost immediately is this: different helmets provide different forms of protection. In other words, a football player would not use a motorcycle helmet while on the field. A motorcyclist should not rely on a bicycle helmet. Each helmet has its own purpose and design, and if a rider uses the wrong kind, it can actually decrease the efficacy of a helmet’s ability to prevent injury.
Next, they point out how crucial fit is. Helmets should generally fit snugly over the head, tight enough to not wiggle around or move but not so tight that it causes discomfort or makes it difficult to see. Riders should use all straps and attachments as intended, tightening them to the appropriate degree and wearing them at their intended placements.
In a way, it is similar to seatbelts. A seatbelt can only do its most efficient job when used exactly as intended by the manufacturers. Thus, it is important for riders to take a look at the instruction manual of their unique helmet to ensure full compliance and maximum safety.
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]]>The post Amendment seeks employer accountability to boost workplace safety first appeared on Serafini & Serafini - (973) 595-9500.
]]>These injuries may arise from accidents that happen anywhere — or they may be the result of negligence. Employers who violate Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements increase the safety risk of employees and, according to InsiderNJ, a new amendment to OSHA may require publicizing these violations.
Studies observed that anytime a local paper goes public with news that an employer or company violated OSHA, it seems that other workplaces push for greater compliance.
As worded in the Keeping Workers Safe Act, the OSHA statutes would require the administration to publically disclose any civil penalties above $60,000 to local media as well as relevant labor and trade organizations. This aims to generate more reports that may help boost overall workplace safety.
The proposed amendment has support from several organizations, but it is unclear when the legislature may vote on the Keeping Workers Safe Act.
While this reporting may lead to more companies shoring up their compliance, accidents still happen. Whether an accident occurs through employer negligence, non-compliance or faulty equipment is cold comfort to someone injured on the job.
It is important for people suffering from a workplace injury to have all the facts so that they may pursue compensation in the way that suits their needs best. Depending on the circumstances, employees may find a third-party personal injury claim more appropriate for their case.
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]]>The post What do you know about third-party liability? first appeared on Serafini & Serafini - (973) 595-9500.
]]>The Nassau County Bar Association explains the basics of third-party liability personal injury cases. Find out if your workplace injury also qualifies as a personal injury.
Third-party liability claims happen when a company or individual separate from your company played a part in your workplace accident. If you hurt yourself using commercial equipment, your injuries may stem from a design or manufacturing defect. Another example is a drunk driver colliding with a delivery driver working on the clock.
Say a delivery driver gets into an accident with an intoxicated driver. The accident qualifies for worker’s comp coverage, but the driver may also have a personal injury case against the drunk driver. Depending on the workers’ comp claim’s worth, the settlement may not cover all the employee’s lost income and medical bills. If the driver also suffered mental anguish, she cannot collect pain and suffering damages through workers’ comp. She may only do so through a third-party liability claim.
Injured employees who file third-party injury claims bear the burden of proof. They must prove the third party owed a duty of care and neglected to uphold that responsibility. With third-party claims against manufacturers, harmed parties could file a strict liability claim. That means holding the company responsible by showing a product defect caused harm.
A third-party claim could help you recover the damages you deserve. By understanding your legal options, you know how to hold responsible parties accountable.
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]]>The post The high cost of tetraplegia first appeared on Serafini & Serafini - (973) 595-9500.
]]>Spinal cord injuries fall into one of four categories. The most severe of those categories include two types of tetraplegia: complete and incomplete.
According to the University of Alabama at Birmingham, tetraplegia refers to paralysis that interferes with an injured person’s ability to voluntarily move the upper or lower parts of the body. Most people know this condition as “quadriplegia.” Though the affected areas may include the neck, head and shoulders, the most common include the hands, arms, legs, feet, chest, fingers and toes.
There are two forms of tetraplegia. The first is incomplete. What this means is that there is some evidence of remaining motor function, and there exist spared connections between the brain and a point below the level of injury. These connections play a vital role in recovery.
In complete tetraplegia, all the connections below the site of injury sustained damage. Therefore, people with complete tetraplegia will not have any remaining sensory or motor function below the level of injury.
The cost of living with tetraplegia can be staggering. According to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the average yearly cost of tetraplegia for the first year is between $347,484 and $1,064, 716, depending on the level of tetraplegia person sustains. The estimated costs for each subsequent year are between $42,206 and $184,891. These estimated costs only include health care and living expenses, and not any indirect costs, such as lost wages, home services, fringe benefits and the like. The foundation estimates that indirect costs average approximately $72,000 each year.
Tetraplegia can adversely affect all aspects of a person’s life. Individuals — or families of individuals — who sustained tetraplegia in an accident could benefit from the guidance of an aggressive personal injury lawyer.
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]]>The post How do you know what caused a truck to collide with you? first appeared on Serafini & Serafini - (973) 595-9500.
]]>If you suffer a catastrophic injury in a collision with a commercial truck, you may be eligible for significant financial compensation to help cover medical bills, rehabilitation, home modifications, lost wages and other accident-related expenses. Determining the cause of the crash is likely to be critical, though.
Like commercial airplanes, many tractor-trailers have event data recorders, often called black boxes. These black boxes record details about the truck’s operation, including the following:
Many black boxes save memory space by overwriting old details with new ones. Drivers and trucking companies also may have the ability to delete information in a black box. Consequently, you may need to take prompt legal action to preserve the contents of the truck’s event data recorder.
To further research the cause of the crash, you may want to employ the services of an accident reconstructionist. These professionals use complex models and available reports to identify why trucks collide with other vehicles.
Finally, when exploring your legal options, you may want to interview anyone who may have witnessed the crash. Eyewitnesses often have useful details about how accidents unfold. Ultimately, though, by using all available means to determine the cause of the crash and to assign blame for it, you may improve your odds of receiving the compensation you deserve.
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]]>The post Should you accept a settlement? first appeared on Serafini & Serafini - (973) 595-9500.
]]>FindLaw explains a personal injury settlement requires negotiations. You should never accept the first offer that comes your way without taking the time to carefully consider it.
Upon receiving any settlement, you need to assess whether it will properly cover your losses. You want to make sure it will handle any medical bills and other costs you have had so far and those you will have in the future related to the injury. You also want to consider other losses and how well the damages seek to cover those. Many times, a settlement offer is low, to begin with, and you will have to negotiate to raise the offer.
The settlement may include other provisions. You should make sure that you look at every aspect of the agreement. Make sure there are no other points that you object to, such as limiting your access to insurance coverage or taking away benefits you currently receive.
You will always have more leverage with a personal injury settlement negotiation if you have a strong case. You will want to look at how your case stacks up to other cases in which people won jury verdicts. Consider the evidence you have and any weaknesses. These aspects will all play into how much negotiation power you have and whether you have the ability to request a better settlement offer.
A settlement is quite common in a personal injury case, and the chances are your case will end in one. However, you should never jump at an offer before you consider all the aspects of your case.
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]]>The post Amputees may have phantom pain first appeared on Serafini & Serafini - (973) 595-9500.
]]>After losing a limb, you may sometimes feel like your limb is still part of your body. The Mayo Clinic says that you may feel pain in this missing limb, a phenomenon known as phantom pain. You may notice this pain in the initial days after your procedure. However, sometimes these sensations may take several months to materialize.
Doctors think these pains occur because your brain receives mixed signals. Your brain used to have neurological connections to your limb. After the amputation, your brain no longer receives signals from this part of the body. As the brain adjusts, it may change some of the sensory circuitry in your body so that it still receives the information it needs. However, these changes may result in pain.
Phantom pains may also stem from growths on your nerve endings. Additionally, the memory of pain can result in this phenomenon. If you experienced chronic aches in your knee, for example, you may feel phantom pains in this area after the amputation because your brain expects to receive pain signals.
Your phantom pains may manifest themselves in many ways. You may feel like your missing limb is always in pain or you may only feel this pain periodically. This phenomenon may feel like a burning or shooting sensation. However, you may also feel that your missing limb is cramping.
Phantom pain may sometimes improve in the months and years after your amputation. However, sometimes you may need to work with a doctor to find a way to manage this pain.
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]]>The post What are traumatic brain injuries? first appeared on Serafini & Serafini - (973) 595-9500.
]]>According to the Mayo Clinic, a serious impact to the head can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Understanding the effects of TBI is crucial if you or someone you love has experienced this injury as a result of a motorcycle accident.
The effects of TBI depend on the severity of the injury. Mild injuries often entail loss of coordination, nausea, headache, and fatigue. Confusion and disorientation are also common, as well as blurred vision, light sensitivity, and tinnitus. While these effects typically resolve without lasting issues, the injured person still requires timely medical treatment.
Moderate to severe injuries have some of the same effects, but they also involve loss of consciousness, vomiting, abnormal pupil dilation, worsening headache, changes in behavior, and significant confusion. Serious TBI requires immediate medical treatment via emergency personnel.
Most doctors recommend bed rest and monitoring for mild TBI. With more serious injuries, emergency medical staff will take steps to stop bleeding and reducing swelling in the brain. Your doctor may provide medication to limit damaging effects, while surgery can address skull fractures and lacerations if present.
Many people require ongoing therapy and rehabilitation to restore function. Physical therapy can help enhance muscle strength, while vocational rehab focuses on helping the patient adapt to new limitations. While some people make a full recovery, very serious injuries are often accompanied by lifelong effects.
While you cannot stop other motorists from driving carelessly, you can take steps to protect yourself. Always wear a helmet, even when driving short distances. Remain alert and aware of your surroundings at all times and try to maintain a reasonable speed.
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]]>The post What should I know about vocational rehabilitation? first appeared on Serafini & Serafini - (973) 595-9500.
]]>Vocational rehabilitation is a collection of benefits New Jersey offers as part of its workers’ compensation program. You may not be able to go back to your old job, but you may find a job that you can handle with some retraining and other forms of assistance.
If you are not sure where to start looking for a job, you may seek vocational counseling to help you figure out what jobs may be suitable for you. These services help you to develop skills like how to write a resume and how to do an interview. Some forms of vocational rehabilitation include job training such as supported employment or training or coaching on the job.
Certain forms of vocational rehabilitation help restore you to a state where you can work again. A diagnostic evaluation may reveal whatever medical, psychological or physical barriers you have to employment. From there, you may undergo emotional restoration services to help you with mental or emotional problems, or use physical restoration that may meet your therapeutic needs, including the use of artificial limbs, braces or hearing aids.
Because of your injuries, you may receive government benefits like SSD and SSI. If so, you may worry that going back to work could impact your ability to receive benefits when you need them. Vocational rehabilitation offers benefits counseling to evaluate your future prospects for receiving benefits if you take a new job.
Since vocational rehabilitation takes many different forms, the services you need will depend on your personal circumstances. Know that these services are available for workplace injury victims so that you can pursue them if you wish.
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]]>The post Dangerous roads in Passaic County and beyond first appeared on Serafini & Serafini - (973) 595-9500.
]]>Review the data about some of the most hazardous places to drive near Passaic County.
If you’re planning a drive to Paramus, avoid the crossing of Routes 4 and 17. NJ.com reported that this intersection ranks among the most dangerous in the Garden State because of the difficulty merging to the left to stay on 17. Drivers also display dangerous behaviors like speeding and failing to signal.
In July 2021, Somerset County announced plans to revise one of its most dangerous intersections. Bridgewater Patch reported that the sharp curve on Vosseller Avenue near the crossing with Hillcrest Road was the site of more than two dozen accidents from 2016 to 2016. Workers will remove trees to lower visibility and reduce the road’s grade in an attempt to reduce the high rate of head-on and sideswipe accidents here.
Earlier this year, Newark Patch reported on National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration data about New Jersey highway fatalities. Two of the most dangerous roads in the state pass through the Newark metro area. State Route 21 has an average of 24.4 fatalities per 100 miles each year. Interstate 280, which runs horizontally across the state, averaged 23.8 annual fatalities per 100 miles. In contrast, the nationwide average fatality rate is 11.5 per 100 miles.
If you suffer a serious auto accident injury, you may have legal recourse if another driver caused the collision.
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