September 2nd, 2010
In July, Senator Richard Codey introduced legislation in the state senate that would make New Jersey’s distracted driving laws among the toughest in the country and hopefully prevent New Jersey accidents.
If passed into law, Senator Codey’s proposed legislation will increase the penalties for violating the state’s hands free cell phone law. A person who violates the law three times, or more, within a ten year period will face an increased fine and a potential license suspension. It is against the law in New Jersey to use a cell phone without a hands free device, to text and drive, or to otherwise use a handheld cell phone while driving.
Organizations such as AAA New Jersey have already expressed support for this bill (S 2181) which is currently pending in the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee.
August 31st, 2010
On Sunday afternoon an SUV and a transit bus crashed on North Blackhorse Pike in Runnemede, New Jersey. The accident occurred shortly after 4 p.m. in the area of Ninth Avenue.
The driver of the SUV, who has not yet been identified, was killed in the crash. Of the 11 passengers on the 400 Line Bus, 10 sought medical attention. The bus driver and one passenger did not seek immediate medical attention.
According to local police, the bus driver was not at fault for this New Jersey bus crash.
August 27th, 2010
Yesterday, Johnson & Johnson issued a recall of two common hip aid systems – the ASR XL Acetabular System and the ASR Hip Resurfacing System. The recall comes from Johnson & Johnson’s DePuy Orthopaedics Unit.
According to information provided by Johnson & Johnson, as many as 1 in 8 patients need a second surgery within 5 years of receiving one of these devices.
A second surgery is necessary because patients experience pain, swelling and problems walking. Johnson and Johnson urges consumers not to ignore these symptoms. If the problem is not corrected significant problems including dislocation of the implant and a fractured hip bone may occur. Patients who have either the ASR XL Acetabular System or the ASR Hip Resurfacing System are encouraged to contact their physicians for additional tests.
This marks the second problem this week for DePuy Orthopaedics. Earlier this week, this J&J unit received a warning from the FDA for selling certain hip and joint products without FDA approval. Those products include artificial knee products and the Corail Hip System.
If you have experienced any complications that result in injuries from defective medical products then you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the experienced New Jersey defective products lawyers of Anapol Schwartz today for a free consultation.
August 25th, 2010
Last week Attorney Joel Feldman of Anapol Schwartz Weiss Cohan Feldman & Smalley discussed New Jersey traffic laws on Fox 29. Specifically, Mr. Feldman spoke about his work changing the pedestrian laws in New Jersey. Until recently the law required drivers to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks. Now, the law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. Additionally, the fines for failing to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks have increased.
The new law went into effect in New Jersey on April 1 and is meant to prevent future tragic accidents from occurring in the state.
You can watch Attorney Feldman’s clip on Fox News here.
August 23rd, 2010
Last Friday began a 17 day campaign against drunk driving in the state of New Jersey. The annual “Over the Limit, Under Arrest” program increases visible drunk driving enforcements so that drivers remember the risks and consequences of drunk driving and refrain from this dangerous activity.
How Big a Problem is Drunk Driving in New Jersey?
According to the New Jersey Division of Highway Traffic Safety, about 31% of traffic fatalities occur because of drunk driving and more than a third of those fatalities occur in the summer months.
As the summer of 2010 draws to an end, our New Jersey personal injury lawyers encourage you make it a safe one and do not drink and drive.
August 19th, 2010
In 2009, the FDA issued 1,742 drug recalls. That was more than four times the number of recalls issued in 2008 when the FDA only recalled 426 drugs.
Why the Increase in Recalls?
There are likely many reasons for the increase in recalls, though two deserve special mention. First, the FDA may be scrutinizing drugs more closely after increasing pressure to protect the public safety. Second, the majority of recalls seem to be at repackaging plants and manufacturing facilities which indicate potential problems in these areas of drug production.
At least two bills are currently before Congress that would increase the FDA’s authority and put stricter regulations on drug manufacturers. Whether these bills will pass and lead to safer drugs without the need for as many recalls remains to be seen.
August 17th, 2010
Last month, we discussed the potential problems that may result from using the generic form of the anti-seizure medication Mylan Keppra. This month, the FDA has issued a new warning about an anti-seizure medication. This time the FDA is concerned about GlaxoSmithKline’s drug Lamictal.
The FDA has warned that Lamictal can cause rare inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Specifically, the agency is warning doctors and patients that it has received information about 40 cases of aseptic meningitis between 1994 and November 2009.
Symptoms of aseptic meningitis may include vomiting, headaches, and fever. They typically present within the first month or 6 weeks of taking Lamictal.
GlaxoSmithKline reports that it will be adding a warning about the risk of aseptic meningitis to its Lamictal medication guide.
August 13th, 2010
A bill currently being considered by the New Jersey legislature would require that all drivers be tested for the drugs and alcohol if they are involved in a New Jersey motor vehicle accident that causes death or serious injury. Drivers who refuse the sobriety test would be subject to a fine and a significant license suspension.
Currently, New Jersey law only allows for drug and alcohol testing when the police have reasonable suspicion that the driver was intoxicated. The bill to make testing mandatory for all drivers involved in serious or fatal crashes has been approved by the Assembly’s Law and Public Safety Committee and is waiting to be scheduled for a vote in the full Assembly.
What do you think about the new law? Should it be passed? Will it protect the public by reducing drunk driving?
August 11th, 2010
A four vehicle crash in Toms River injured three people last Saturday. The accident happened on Route 37 East and West End Avenue. Police indicate that Joseph Scholes was driving a Jeep across Route 37 from Vaughn Avenue when he was hit by a Pontiac driven by Renee Roccia. The collision caused those two cars to hit two other cars stopped at the traffic light.
Mr. Scholes and a passenger who has not been identified were taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. A third person was taken to Community Medical Center.
Police say that Ms. Roccia was held on bond after cocaine and needles were found in her possession and that she faces numerous motor vehicle charges following this New Jersey accident.
August 9th, 2010
On Friday morning, an SUV and a motorcycle crashed at the intersection of Woodstown – Daretown Road and Commissioners Pike in Pilesgrove Township.
New Jersey state police report that the accident happened at about 10:30 a.m. when an eastbound Toyota SUV collided with a westbound Harley Davidson motorcycle. The motorcycle caught fire after the collision and the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
The identities of those involved in the crash have not yet been released. The state police indicate that their investigation is in the preliminary stage and they are continuing their work to determine what caused this fatal New Jersey accident.
This was the 6th traffic fatality in Salem County, New Jersey in 2010.
