New Jersey Accident and Injury Law Blog : New Jersey Injury Lawyer & Attorney : The Grossman Law Firm : Serving Monmouth County, Bergen County

 Driving under the influence of prescription medications is on the increase, and it poses a serious threat to motorist safety. The large numbers of Americans, who are on some kind of medication means more numbers of people driving under the influence of medication side effects, many of them which they are not aware of. It doesn't make it easier that there are new prescription drugs coming out every year in the US, and that doctors may not be aware of many of the side effects of using these. It means motorists driving under the influence of impaired judgment, enhanced risk taking impulses, inability to judge distances, delayed response times, drowsiness, fatigue and a whole range of other side effects.

 

According to the New York Times, there are far too many challenges involved in cracking down on drivers impaired by medications. There are not enough drug detection officers who can detect the presence of these drugs, and not enough technical resources to determine that a person is driving under the influence of these drugs. Sometimes, there may be more than one prescription drug involved, which taken individually might be safe, but in combination, may create side effects that impair driving. Patients are not always aware of the ingredients of the medications they are using, and the side effects of these. Besides, lack of patient awareness about the right ways to take medications, is another factor. There may be errors in dosage, and mistakes made while combining these drugs with certain kinds of foods or other medications. All these errors may impact the person’s ability to drive. Obviously, these are great challenges for New Jersey accident lawyers and law enforcement agencies.

 

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For many parents, it's one of the biggest dilemmas they will ever face. Buying a first car for your teenage motorist is a major decision. For a parent, the statistics are sobering. Auto accidents continue to be the number one cause of death for teenagers between 15 and 19 years of age. 44% of all teen deaths every year occur during accidents.

With facts like this, you need to make a safe, informed decision that considers your child's safety first and foremost. The best thing you could do for your child is to ignore his preferences while making a decision. Teenagers tend to like fast, high performance cars, and these are not the ideal vehicles for them. So, what should you look for while choosing a car for your teenager?

 

However, some experts warn that buying a new car for your teen could encourage speeding and reckless driving. They believe a used car is a better option. Still others believe that a teenager should only be allowed to use the family car. This allows you to maintain control over his driving. Ultimately, it comes down to your teenager's personality. You know your child best, and if you feel he or she would be safer in a slower, used car, by all means make that decision.

Fortunately, new cars come with enhanced auto safety features. Electronic Stability Control systems, side air bag systems and antilock brakes are just three features that can keep your child safe in an accident, and that are increasingly available on many models.

The American Automobile Association as well as Consumer Reports suggests a passenger car as a teenage motorist’s first car. These cars are easier to handle, unlike sports utility vehicles and pickup trucks which may be your child's favorite, but are at a high risk of rollovers.

Before you make a decision, check the car’s safety ratings on the websites of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as well as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Scott Grossman is a New Jersey injury lawyer, representing injured victims of auto accidents across New Jersey.

 

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As a New Jersey dog bite attorney, I often see that dog bites involve animals who are simply fearful of new situations and new people. It is the reason why I recommend that dog owners take time to socialize their puppies, or for that matter, dogs of any age. A well socialized dog is comfortable around people and other dogs, and is less likely to pounce or attack out of fear.

Dog safety experts advise that you begin the process of socializing your puppy when it is about six weeks of age. However, older dogs can be socialized too. There are several benefits to socializing your dogs. Dogs that are well socialized, are less likely to develop behavioral problems. In the absence of socialization, dogs can become fearful and anxious when they are suddenly exposed to new people. 

A young puppy is easier to socialize than older dogs simply because younger pups learn new things quicker. However, that doesn't mean that you cannot socialize older dogs at all. Basically, socialization involves exposing your dog to a variety of people and environments. That means that you take your pet to a number of different places where there are people around. The point is to expose the dog to a wide variety of people, so don't take your dog to the same kind of place every day. However, it's important that you talk to your veterinarian about taking your puppy out.

It's also a good idea to get your puppy used to a lot of the different ways that people may handle him as he gets older. For instance, he will be handled differently while at the vet’s office, and he needs to be trained for it. He may be petted while he's around children, and he must be comfortable with that too. As a New Jersey dog bite lawyer, I know that none of this is an easy process, but it is part of good dog ownership, and comes with the responsibility of having a pet dog.

 

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As a New Jersey dog bite lawyer, I have been following the case of a horrific dog bite attack on a little 3-year-old in Alloway in Salem County at the end of last month. The owner of the dog that was involved in the attack has now been charged.

The attack occurred when the little girl walked into a barn on Robert Taffet’s property. The girl fell down, and the Rhodesian Ridgeback allegedly lunged at her, ripping off one of her ears. The girl underwent a surgical procedure for reattachment. According to animal control officers in Alloway Township, Robert Taffet has been charged with owning a vicious dog. Taffet has a number of champion dogs that have won several local dog shows. They also seem to have dragged Taffet to court several times in relation to bite incidents in the past.

 

The Rhodesian Ridgeback can be a furious hunter, but can also be a gentle and obedient dog. These breeds may also not be at their best behavior with small children, mostly because they tend to knock kids over with their rough play. They can also become extremely unmanageable when they don’t have enough mental and physical exercise. They have a great amount of stamina and need to have long daily walks and lots of place to run.  In the absence of physical exercise, they can display signs of destructive and aggressive behavior.

Any dog bite that involves a little innocent child who has no way of understanding why things happen the way they do, must be taken seriously.. It’s hard to understand how a pack of dogs that had been involved in four different attacks in the past, was still allowed to roam freely among people.

Scott Grossman is a New Jersey dog bite lawyer representing victims of dog bite attacks in Monmouth, Bergen, Passaic and Ocean Counties and across New Jersey.

 

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The Alliance for Rabies Control and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention marked World Rabies Day on the 28^th of September.

Fortunately, the US has been free of the canine rabies virus since 2007, mainly due to mandatory vaccinations and licensing standards. However, even though dogs may not contract the virus from another dog, they may still be at risk of contracting the virus from skunks, raccoons and other carriers, which is why owners are still required to vaccinate their dogs.

Although rabies may not be a major issue after a dog bite, you will still need basic first aid for the wound.  You may also need antibiotics, and your doctor may also recommend a Tetanus shot. In case of a child dog bite victim, it's best to seek immediate medical attention. This is especially true if the dog bites are located on the face, head or neck. If the dog can be traced to an owner, vaccination records will show whether it was vaccinated or not. However, in case of a dog that attacks and flees the scene with no owner nearby, and no way of tracing the owner, then your doctor may suggest a rabies vaccine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 4.5 million people every year suffer dog bites. One in five of these will be injured severely enough to require medical treatment for their injuries.   Not surprisingly, children are at a higher risk of serious injuries in a dog bite attack.  Adults aren’t completely safe either. In August, an elderly couple in Georgia was mauled to death by a pack of dogs owned by a single owner.

In New Jersey, dog owners are liable for any damages caused by a dog bite involving their pet, even if their dog has never previously showed any signs of being dangerous or vicious.

Scott Grossman is a New Jersey dog bite lawyer representing dog bite attack victims in Monmouth, Bergen, Passaic and Ocean Counties, and across New Jersey.

 

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As a New Jersey brain injury lawyer, I keep myself updated on the latest research trends and developments related to the treatment of traumatic brain injuries.  These injuries can severely impact a person's normal functioning abilities, as well as his quality of life. Brian injuries are often seen in severe car accidents/truck accidents and industrial accidents. Many of these injuries in fact, occur in devastating high impact accidents, like those caused by a driver impaired by alcohol.

A new study suggests however, that brain injury patients, who have consumed alcohol just before the injury, may have a higher chance of survival than patients with no alcohol in their system at the time of injury. The research, conducted by experts at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, seems to suggest that persons who have consumed alcohol before a brain injury may have a lesser chance of secondary brain injury. 

The researchers studied 38,019 patients who had suffered moderate to severe brain injuries, and had been tested for alcohol when they entered the hospital. For every 100 severe brain injury patients who had no alcohol in their systems and died, only 88 brain injury patients who tested positive for alcohol, died. The researchers insist however that alcohol can cause a host of other complications that can limit a brain injury patient's chances of survival. So, the study's findings are not to be taken as a thumbs up for drunk driving, which is one of the most foolish and dangerous behaviors out there.

However, I am intrigued by some of the possibilities that the research suggests. The researchers believe that there is scope for further study on how alcohol could impact the survival rate of brain injury patients, if given in tiny amounts after the injury. The amount of alcohol itself would have to be just right. Too little or too much could cause no impact at all.

As a New Jersey brain injury lawyer, I hope that more research can be funded to pursue these possibilities.

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The results of a study released earlier this month, show that the number of fatalities from unintended injuries increased by 11 percent between 1999 and 2005. Most troubling of all has been the sharp increase in the number of people killed in accidental falls and poisonings.

Researchers at the John Hopkins School of Public Health say that there were approximately 20,000 more deaths from unintentional injury in 2005, compared to 1999. Approximately 89 percent of the increase in fatalities could be traced to two causes –

• Accidental poisonings in the age group of 15 to 64
• Fall accidents in those above 45 years of age

Poisoning death rates seem to have risen among all racial groups, but have doubled in Asian and Native American men. Among whites, the increase in poisoning deaths has been dramatic - there has been a 104 percent increase for men and a 172 percent increase for women. Most poisoning deaths, according to the researchers, can be traced to the abuse of prescription drugs. The spike in poisoning deaths has been easy to explain. During the study period, the use of opioid analgesic increased, enhancing the risk of addiction and abuse. 

In the case of deaths from fall accidents, the increase has been the most significant in whites above the age of 45. Drilling down further, the increase was much sharper for women than men. Rates for white women dying in fall accidents increased by 64 percent in the 45-64 age group, and 48 percent for women above 65 years of age. The researchers are at a loss to explain the increase in the number of fall accident deaths, and say further studies are necessary to identify the reason for this increase.

Scott Grossman is a Bergen County slip and fall accident attorney, representing victims of slip and fall accidents in Bergen County, and across the state of New Jersey. 

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New Jersey motorcycle riders continue to be involved in many deaths and serious injuries on our densely populated and over crowded roads.  As a matter of fact 87 deaths occurred between 2006 and 2007 according to a Trenton Times article which cites recent NJ motorcycle accident statistics from the New Jersey State Police. The good news is motorcycle fatalities decreased 15.5 percent – from 103 to 87. The bad news is 87 fatalities is the second-highest total recorded in the last 12 years. Furthermore, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation in 2005, 27 percent of all fatally injured motorcycle operators had BAC levels of .08 g/dl. Forty-five percent of fatally injured motorcyclists did not wear helmets. Motorcyclists need to be more responsible with how much alcohol they drink and wearing helmets. Those two irresponsible acts can easily be avoided and help lower fatalities. New Jersey compared with recent national statistics has made some positive strides in reducing motorcycle fatalities but 87 deaths is still too many and we have a long way to go.

Who is at fault for this high number of deaths? Both the motorists and motorcyclists are at fault and need to be careful when sharing the road with each other. Motorists need to make sure they double-check their side and rearview mirrors for motorcycles passing by and motorcyclists need to take higher safety precautions when driving on busy roads.

Furthermore, motorcyclists need to become more aware of highway dangers and avoid making poor decisions. An example of a poor decision would be when there is heavy traffic on the roads so a motorcyclist decides they don’t want to wait in traffic so they drive in between lanes. Let’s say one of the cars decided to make a turn, that would put the motorcyclist in danger and at high speeds could result in a serious injury or even death. Motorcyclists do many things to cause their own danger. Other examples are speeding, making sharp turns, and driving too close to cars. Let’s make a better effort to become more aware of dangers and to make better choices.

While motorists make many mistakes on the road nothing is more deadly then a motorcyclist making a mistake. When driving a motorcycle you need to take extra precautions like driving the speed limit and always being aware of your surroundings.

Motorcycle fatalities have gone down statistically but what can we do to further reduce these incidents of serious motorcycle accidents in New Jersey? One idea is to further educate the public. May is now being recognized as the New Jersey Motorcycle Awareness Month in an effort to remind all motorcyclists and motorists to be responsible when sharing the road. Hopefully education will provide awareness of dangers on the road and what precautions drivers can take. Together we can lower the fatality numbers and make the road a safer place.

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In January 2008, Governor Corzine signed a law which allows cities across the state to install cameras at intersections for the purpose of catching folks who run red lights. Here's how it works: you run red light, and the camera would take a color photo of you mid violation. Then you'd get a ticket in the mail. The bill has its share of supporters and detractors. Some say that the cameras are a good thing because they save lives by preventing accidents and the presence of the cameras reduce the number of red light violations. Others contend that the cameras deny alleged violators the right to confront an accuser in court, that they could possibly lead to innocent drivers being charged and overall their presence will do nothing to deter unsafe motorists.

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The results are in! The AAA Clubs of New Jersey biannual transportation survey published the results which revealed that the top five safety issues on our roads are:

1. impaired drivers
2. text messaging while driving
3. big trucks that tailgate
4. aggressive driving
5. using a hand-held cell phone while driving.

New Jersey motorists surveyed also identified the top five driver distractions:
1. reading
2. using a PDA or Blackberry
3. personal grooming
4. talking on a cell phone
5. eating or drinking.

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Hey New Jersey residents... I know you know this already, but as of March 1, 2008, you can be stopped, ticketed and fined for driving while talking on your handheld cell phone. Get a hands free attachment or use the speakerphone option, or better yet, don't use the phone just to catch up with old friends while you are driving.... Remember, driving while distracted is very dangerous and has led to quite a number of auto accidents... According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 80 percent of all crashes are the result of driver inattention.

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Late last month, New Jersey became the second state in the country to ban driving while sending text messages (Washington State is the first). Text-messaging is a dangerous distraction to drivers, just much as talking on a cell phone, listening to loud music, eating, drinking, attending to children, and watching television can be. Driver distraction is responsible for 30% of all motor vehicle accidents, according to the federal government.

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The Star Ledger reported last week that a New Jersey state legislative committee voted unanimously to force state regulators to redraft the price controls on over 1,000 medical procedures and devices relating to the treatment of victims of automobile accidents. The insurance industry as well as the state Department of Banking and Insurance have been working towards capping the costs of these medical expenses as they cite that the average dollar amount for medical claims per auto-accident victim is $11,000, twice the national average. What this amounts to is another screwing of the New Jersey insurance buying, law-abiding citizen. These price caps, if implemented, will not save you a dime in premium, folks; it will only increase the almighty insurance companies’ profits.

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Earlier this week that members of the New Jersey Assembly have introduced some legislation to enhance toy safety and protect New Jersey consumers. One bill would make it illegal to sell a toy labeled as unsafe by federal or state government. Another bill would mandate that retails remove recalled toys from their shelves within 48 hours of receiving notice of the recall. Potential fines for violating these proposed bills could be as high as $20,000. It’s a very good step in the right direction.

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I read this article on MSN Health recently, announcing some promising news for men who suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED) resulting from from spinal cord injuries. A French study of about 200 male spinal cord injury patients revealed that the ED drug Cialis significantly helped treat the patients' ED. The study noted that only one-fourth of male spinal cord injury patients are able to have erections that are adequate for intercourse.

After the 12-week treatment period during the study, researchers found that the patients who took Cialis were 75.4 percent successful when attempting penetration and 47.6 percent successful when attempting intercourse, compared with 41.1 percent and 16.8 percent, respectively, for the men in the study who took the placebo.

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Late last week, a friend of mine called the office to tell me about a co-worker who fell victim to the ever-increasing incidence of pharmacy error. The co-worker, let’s call her “Janet,” hadn’t been feeling well and visited her physician, who diagnosed a common infection and prescribed a course of antibiotics. Janet filled the prescription at her local chain pharmacy located in Western Monmouth County. Within a day or two after starting the medication, Janet was feeling increasingly sicker, and at one point, thought she was having a stroke, as one side of her body lost all sensation. Janet’s husband rushed her to the emergency room; at first, the ER doctors thought she was suffering from a rare allergic reaction to the antibiotic, but soon learned that the pharmacy filled the prescription with the incorrect dosage, double the dosage originally prescribed by the doctor! After a few days in the hospital, the drug was flushed out of her system and thankfully Janet was discharged from the hospital and did not suffer any permanent damage. My friend suggested she call me to talk about her experience, something she was not comfortable doing. I respect that, as I am sure she wants to leave the experience in the past, but I cannot stress enough the importance of reporting these types of errors. Pharmacy errors happen all the time, and while many of them do not result in permanent injury, plenty of them can and do. I believe that there is great value to you, the prescription-consuming public, to report every occurrence of pharmacy error and invite anyone who has experienced pharmacy error, whether it be a dosage error, a dispensing error, or an error in how to take a medication, to write me (anonymously is okay) here at the blog and share your story. (You can, of course, call me for a free, confidential consultation, as well). There is power in information and power in numbers. The more anecdotal evidence we can compile about this often swept-under-the-rug threat to public safety, the more ammunition we will have to demand more accountability, and obtain better more effective safeguards and protections.

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