Lawnside New Jersey Workers' Compensation and Personal Injury Law Blog

Why car accidents occur

On behalf of Arnold Fishman of Fishman & Fishman, LLC posted in Car Accidents on Friday, February 15, 2019.

There are many reasons drivers in New Jersey can get into accidents. The insurance claims adjuster and law enforcement have to determine the causes of accidents to determine who is at fault. This information is important to the police because it helps identify who should receive a ticket. It is also important for the insurance company because it helps determine who is to receive a claims payment and the amount the payment is to be.

Being lost in an area or being unfamiliar with local laws can result in many accidents. Drivers who are lost may unknowingly exceed the speed limit or may get completely turned around in an unfamiliar place.

A head injury can quickly ruin your medical career

On behalf of Arnold Fishman of Fishman & Fishman, LLC on Thursday, February 7, 2019.

Working in the field of medicine in any capacity requires you to keep a clear mind and maintain your ability to focus under pressure. In many instances, keeping your focus may even mean the difference between life and death for a patient.

Any injury you may receive on the job can affect your ability to perform your duties, and some injuries can prove more destructive than others. If you receive a head injury, you may not even realize how much it impacts your abilities and focus until you see serious consequences.

OSHA urges improved tractor safety

On behalf of Arnold Fishman of Fishman & Fishman, LLC posted in Workers' Compensation on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.

New Jersey workers dealing with tractors and other heavy equipment on the job may face particular risks of injuries. Every year, around 130 farmworkers are killed across the country in accidents involving tractor rollovers. As a result, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a guide to educate workers and employers about steps they can take to improve tractor safety on the job. The guide recommends the use of protective structures that can prevent rollovers, including roll bars or cage frames. OSHA says that these items can improve tractor safety overall, especially for people who are operating the equipment.

In addition, OSHA said that employers should provide training in tractor safety before a job begins and on an annual basis. If a tractor does roll over, it is important to replace protective equipment, as it can be damaged and lose its protective capacities in case of a rollover incident. It is also critical to make sure that these structures meet OSHA standards for tractor protection, as inadequate protection may lead to a false and dangerous sense of security.

Study shows more drivers using phone in dangerous ways

On behalf of Arnold Fishman of Fishman & Fishman, LLC posted in Car Accidents on Monday, January 28, 2019.

New Jersey drivers might be using their cell phones to make calls less frequently, but the incidence of using them to text, email or in other ways while behind the wheel might have increased. According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety released on Jan. 24, in 2018, it was 57 percent more likely that drivers would be seen using their phones for non-calling purposes compared to 2014. However, fewer drivers were using the phone to make calls in 2018.

It can be difficult to get good information on the number of fatal accidents caused by distracted driving and how much distracted driving is due to the use of phones. Experts say that texting, emailing, using apps or other actions that take the driver's attention away from the road can be particularly dangerous. Even talking on the phone can be distracting as can talking to children in the car or sipping from a drink.

Habits that make the roads dangerous

On behalf of Arnold Fishman of Fishman & Fishman, LLC on Thursday, January 24, 2019.

Most people have their own style of driving. Some strictly follow the hands at 10 and 2 rule while others are comfortable steering with only one hand. Some people feel more comfortable sitting closer to the steering wheel while others prefer to put as much space as possible between their bodies and the dash. Some people like to listen to loud music as they drive while others prefer the windows down and the wind in their hair. Unfortunately, there are some driving habits that make certain drivers more dangerous than others.

While advances in technology and safety features have helped reduced the number of car accident related vehicles, there are still approximately 35,000 deaths due to traffic accidents every year. Many of these accidents are due to driver error or bad habits. Here are the top bad behaviors that make the roads dangerous.

Reporting a workplace injury in New Jersey

On behalf of Arnold Fishman of Fishman & Fishman, LLC posted in Workers' Compensation on Tuesday, January 22, 2019.

When an employee is hurt on the job in New Jersey, it is their responsibility to inform a supervisor or someone else with authority. The worker should report the incident either immediately after it happens or as soon as they are able to do so after receiving medical attention. Employers in the Garden State also have a set of responsibilities on their end. First of all, they must notify their insurance carrier immediately after an injured worker reports an incident.

By reporting the incident, an employer sets the rest of the workers' compensation process in motion. The employer's insurance provider then files a First Report of Injury with the state. The claim is subsequently evaluated by the insurance carrier to determine if it meets the criteria dictated by WC law. After a decision is made, the employer's WC insurer will contact the employer, the injured employee and their medical provider. If the compensation claim is accepted, the insurer will direct the affected employee to an authorized medical provider to receive treatment.

Avoiding collisions with large trucks in New Jersey

On behalf of Arnold Fishman of Fishman & Fishman, LLC posted in Truck Accidents on Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

According to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System of the U.S. DoT, there were 3,986 large truck crash fatalities in 2016. Approximately 66 percent of the fatalities were passenger vehicle occupants compared to 17 percent who were truckers. One expert has said that 70 percent of all collisions between a large truck and a passenger vehicle are the fault of the passenger vehicle driver. This is why it's important to know how to act around commercial trucks.

One thing that drivers should never do is tailgate a truck. It's important to maintain at least 500 feet behind a truck; this gives drivers more time to react to the unexpected. Drivers should also try to stay one fourth to one half of a mile ahead of a truck in their lane. They can then act accordingly if they notice brake lights or vehicle emergency lights in the distance.

How nurses can stay safe at work

On behalf of Arnold Fishman of Fishman & Fishman, LLC posted in Workers' Compensation on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

Those who work in the nursing profession in New Jersey often find their work to be rewarding. However, they may also find that there are safety risks involved with doing their jobs. Thankfully, there are steps that nurses can take to stay safe and healthy while on the job.

First, it is a good idea for individuals to wash their hands whenever possible. While it may be a basic step to take, it can prevent a person from getting sick or spreading an illness to others. Another basic step that a person can take is to get a flu shot. As with hand washing, getting a flu shot can prevent an illness from being spread to others a nurse may come into contact with. Nurses should work together whenever possible to transfer a volatile patient or to move a heavy object.

Your rights as an injured nurse in New Jersey

On behalf of Arnold Fishman of Fishman & Fishman, LLC on Tuesday, January 8, 2019.

Workers in any industry can become injured at work through no fault of their own. Some industries are inherently more risky, however, due to the nature of the work involved. Since nursing is a relatively active role, it is much more high risk than a typical desk job.

Workers employed by the vast majority of employers in the state of New Jersey are legally protected by workers' compensation when they become injured. This means that under the right circumstances, they are entitled to receive compensation for a portion of their lost wages, as well as compensation for any necessary medical bills associated with the injury.

An overview of thoracic spinal cord injuries

On behalf of Arnold Fishman of Fishman & Fishman, LLC posted in Back Injuries on Monday, December 31, 2018.

The thoracic spine is made up of 12 vertebrae, numbered from T-1 down to T-12, in the upper and middle part of the back. Connecting the spine in the neck to the spine in the lower back, it helps keep the body upright and stable. Injuries to the T-1 to T-12 nerves will have different results. New Jersey residents who know someone who has suffered a spine injury should know what these differences are.

The T-1 to T-5 nerves help control the rib cage, diaphragm and lungs in addition to the muscles in the abdomen and elsewhere that help one breathe. Injuries to any of these can affect the abdominal and lower back muscles and the legs, resulting in paraplegia. Except in T-1 injuries, patients normally retain full function of their hands and arms.