Articles Posted in Injuries

Recent headlines regarding the after effects of head injuries sustained by former professional football players has brought the issue of concussions and youth athletes into the focus once again. Just last week, Hall of Famer Tony Dorsett disclosed that he was suffering from the early stages of a degenerative brain disease – chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which has been linked to repeated brain injury.⁽¹⁾

Dorsett is the third living pro football player known to be suffering from CTE and was one of thousands of players who filed suit against the National Football League over injuries related to concussions. Those players received a $765 million settlement from that suit this past August.⁽¹⁾

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Although most area schools won’t start classes for another couple of weeks, preseason is in full swing for their fall sports teams. Participation in school sports can benefit our children’s health, self-confidence and social development. That same participation, however, can lead to serious injuries unless necessary precautions and safety guidelines are followed.

According to statistics from the American Academy of Pediatrics and Safe Kids USA/Worldwide:
• more than 30 million children play sports annually;
• over 3.5 million, age 14 and younger, are treated for sports-related injuries; (1)
• 1.35 million student athletes ended up in the emergency room last year; (2)

• most injuries — 62% — occur during practice sessions, not the actual sporting event. (1)

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A NY-standard yield-to-peds sign on Roosevelt Island, New York City. New Jersey drivers are now required to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Failure to stop for pedestrians in marked crosswalks may soon result in tougher penalties for some motorists. A panel of the New Jersey Senate recently approved a bill that would increase the penalties for drivers who hit and kill a pedestrian as a result of failing to stop at a crosswalk, moving the bill forward for full Senate consideration. The new bill would carry fines of up to $1,000 and a six-month community service sentence. Additionally, the bill would give judges the ability to sentence drivers to prison for 90 days and/or suspend their driver’s license for up to one year. (1)

Since 2010 motorists in New Jersey have been required to not only stop but to remain stopped for any pedestrian in a marked crosswalk. Current penalties for failure to do so include a fine of $200, fifteen days of community service, two points against a driver’s license and possible insurance surcharges. (2) Prior to 2010, motorists were required only to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk. The law was changed after the death of Bayonne resident Mary Tait, who was struck by a car trying to pass a slower vehicle and several double parked trucks. (1)

Hunterdon County Route 604 – New Jersey (Photo credit: Dougtone)

After writing the article on “Drivers and Pedestrians Share Responsibility for Safe Roadways,” we learned that eight Hunterdon County communities will receive traffic warning signs as part of October’s “Hunterdon County Pedestrian Safety Month.” (1)

The signs, which will read “Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalk,” will be on display in Califon, Clinton, Delaware (Seargentsville), East Amwell (Ringoes), Flemington, Frenchtown, Lambertville, and Milford thanks to HART Commuter Information Services. Other communities will update their existing “yield to pedestrian” signs with new decals. (1)

Pedestrians cross road in Mong Kok (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

At least one Hunterdon County town is taking a stronger stand against motorists who fail to yield to pedestrians, and this action is bringing to light the responsibilities not only of drivers but of pedestrians as well. (1) If you have been involved in a pedestrian traffic accident, contact the Hunterdon County personal injury attorneys at Ragland Law Firm.

Recently it was reported that police in the Borough of Flemington would be taking a harder look at drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians in an effort to make the Borough’s streets safer, especially for children walking to and from school. Initially police would issue warnings to remind drivers of the State law and the consequences for ignoring that law. The warnings would be followed by tickets. (1) Similar actions are being taken further south in Atlantic Highlands, NJ where police recently acquired a grant from the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety to be used for the education and enforcement of pedestrian safety measures. (2)

Professional baseball bats are typically made of ash or maple; hickory used to be popular, as well. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The family of a Wayne, NJ teen injured while playing baseball reached a settlement for $14.5 million in a lawsuit that questioned whether the use of metal baseball bats should be permitted in youth league games. (1) If, after reading the following, you need assistance with a similar situation, particularly in Hunterdon County, contact the personal injury lawyers at Ragland Law Firm of Lebanon.

In June 2006 Steven Domalewski, then 12 years old, was hit in the chest by a ball while pitching; the ball had been hit off of a metal bat. The ball hit Steven at the precise instant between heartbeats, sending him into cardiac arrest. Although CPR was administered quickly, Steven’s brain had been deprived of oxygen for more than 15 minutes. The incident left him brain-damaged and today, at age 18, he is still unable to perform daily functions independently. (1)

The batteries died in my speedlite and Ginger thought it was now safe to look into the camera and smile. BURN! Pop up built-in flash! (Photo credit: colorblindPICASO)

You may consider Rover a member of the family, but the NJ State Supreme Court does not, at least when it comes to awarding emotional damages. If, after reading the following, you need the assistance of a Hunterdon County lawyer with an emotional damages lawsuit, contact the personal injury attorneys at Ragland Law Firm in Lebanon, N.J.

The ruling stems from a case first reported in this blog in August 2011. The case was filed by Joyce McDougall, who, while walking her Maltese-poodle mix in a Morris Plains neighborhood, witnessed the dog being mauled to death by another, larger dog. The owner of the second dog, Charlot Lamm, admitted liability. McDougall filed a lawsuit seeking the cost of replacing her dog as well as emotional damages from witnessing the attack. (1)

138-365 Retake of Daily Shoot DS132 Sidewalk Scene (Photo credit: krossbow)

Who is responsible for maintaining sidewalks in New Jersey? The answer to that question is about as gray as the concrete the sidewalks are made from, but it can be very important to anyone involved in an accident resulting from a hazardous walkway. If, after reading the following, you need assistance with a slip-and-fall accident on a faulty sidewalk, particularly in Hunterdon County, contact Victor A. Rotolo and the personal injury lawyers at Ragland Law Firm.

Essentially sidewalks are considered public areas, meaning the public has the right-of-way to access that area without being at risk of trespassing. (1) As such, there is an obligation to keep those walkways safe and in good repair. Whose responsibility that is right now depends largely on what kind of property abuts the sidewalk.

English: Barking Dog (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

You may be entitled to recover damages through a personal injury lawsuit if the injuries you have suffered are due to the negligence of others. Laws governing personal injury cases vary by state and the lawsuits themselves can be complex. The following provides some information on evaluating your personal injury case, but if you need a personal injury attorney who is experienced in such matters, contact Ragland Law Firm located in Lebanon, NJ.

Personal injuries have numerous causes: vehicular accidents of any kind (car, bus, boat, motorcycle), falls, defective products, industrial accidents, certain medical procedures including childbirth, and even dog bites. The key to distinguishing between an unfortunate accident and a personal injury case is whether or not the accident was caused by the carelessness or negligence of another party.

Schloss Rosenstein (Photo credit: Sapperlott)

Earlier this month, a $4.2 million settlement of a lawsuit against the Ramsey School District by the family of a former student who was left paralyzed as a result of a bullying incident was announced. This settlement is thought to be the largest yet in a personal injury lawsuit involving bullying. (1) If, after reading the following, you need the assistance of a Hunterdon County lawyer with a similar situation, contact the personal injury attorneys at Ragland Law Firm in Lebanon, N.J.

Back in 2006, Sawyer Rosenstein, then 12, reportedly was punched in the stomach by classmate Kenneth Major. Later that day, Rosenstein complained of back pain and, two days later, he was brought to the hospital in excruciating pain. A blood clot had formed interrupting blood flow to the spine. Despite several surgeries, Rosenstein has been left permanently paralyzed from the waist down. (2)