Telltale Signs of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse

March 29, 2012 By

When you move your loved one into a nursing home or assisted living facility, you want their experience to be positive. You want them to spend the last years of their lives in comfort and safety, with their needs met. Unfortunately, in today’s business climate, where the focus can too often be on profit more than performance, your loved one can be the victim of abuse of neglect. How can you spot the early warning signs, so that you can take the necessary measures to protect your family members? This page identifies what to look for to recognize dangerous or unhealthy situations. If your loved one has been the victim of abuse or neglect, you want an experienced lawyer to protect them.

At Leonard & Leonard, P.A., we have been representing families for over 45 years in all types of personal injury claims such as nursing home neglect, in Morristown, Springfield, Union, Elizabeth and the surrounding communities throughout the State of New Jersey. Both of our partners have been named New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2011. For a free initial consultation, contact our office online, or call us at 973-500-3078.

The Early Warning Signs of Nursing Home Neglect or Abuse

Here are some of the things you should monitor when your loved one is in assisted living or nursing home care:

  • Do they show symptoms of dehydration or malnutrition? Are they always asking you for food or water?
  • Is their living space clean and sanitary?
  • What is the state of their personal hygiene? Is their hair combed? Are their teeth kept clean? If they need Depends or other similar products, are they changed on a regular basis?
  • Do they frequently develop infections or other illnesses?
  • Do they get the medical attention they need?
  • Do they frequently run out of medications that are ongoing?

Because many nursing home employees lack the proper education or training, they may not know how to respond when your family member fails to understand them or do what they ask. As a result, they may resort to physical violence, either out of frustration or in an attempt to get the response they want. You should look for these telltale signs:

  • Your loved one seems overmedicated
  • There are unexplained injuries or open wounds, cuts, bruises or welts
  • Your loved one complains of not being allowed out of his or her room
  • There is evidence that your loved one has been unnecessarily physically restrained
  • Your loved one has a dramatic change in behavior, often showing unnecessary fear

Contact Our Office

To set up a free initial consultation, contact us by e-mail or call the office of Leonard & Leonard, P.A., at 973-500-3078. Se habla español.

Filed Under: New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers, nursing home neglect Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Types of Accidents Causing Burn Injuries

March 21, 2012 By

Burn injuries are among the most painful and long-lasting. According to a study done by the National Institute of Health, more than two million people seek treatment for burn injuries every year, and thousands die from their injuries. Burn injuries can result from a broad range of accidents, often the result of carelessness or negligence. This blog post identifies the most common types of accidents causing burn injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a burn injury, you want an experienced lawyer to help you pursue full and fair compensation.

At Leonard & Leonard, P.A., we bring more than 45 years of combined legal experience, representing injured people throughout Morristown and Springfield, New Jersey, as well as the surrounding communities. Both of our partners have been named New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2011. For a free initial consultation, contact our office online, or call us at 973-500-3078.

The Different Types of Burn Injury Accidents

While you can suffer burns through exposure to chemicals, electricity or radiation, burns are most commonly the result of exposure to heat, whether in the form of fire, hot liquids or steam. The types of accidents most frequently associated with burn injuries are:

  • Building fires—Because most building have many flammable components, as well as the factors that can lead to fire—electrical wiring, gas appliances and furnaces—building fires are the single greatest risk of burn injury. Unfortunately, they can also be the greatest risk of fatal burns, as people can easily get trapped in a burning building, particularly a high rise structure. Studies show that 83% of civilian fire deaths are in residential fires.
  • Motor vehicle fires—Statistics obtained by FEMA show that more than 500 people die every year from motor vehicle fires, frequently when they are trapped in a car after a motor vehicle accident.
  • Burns caused by dangerous or defective products—The most common types of consumer products that have led to burn injury are space heaters, fire extinguishers, candles/candleholders and stove-top items, such as tea kettles.
  • Burns caused by flammable materials, such as clothing or furniture—Many clothing items have been subject to recall because of their potential flammable quality, such as pajamas, fleece items and scarves. In addition, chairs or sofas with cloth covering can be a fire hazard, as can drapes/curtains, carpet and rugs, and mattresses or mattress pads.
  • Gas explosions—Most gas explosions involve natural or propane gas, used for home heating, cooking or laundry. Frequently, these explosions are caused by negligence in the installation or maintenance of gas devices, such as furnaces, stoves, hot water heaters or dryers.

Contact Our Office

To set up a free initial consultation, contact us by e-mail or call the office of Leonard & Leonard, P.A., at 973-500-3078. Se habla español.

Filed Under: Burn Injury, New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Slip and Fall Injuries Involving Ice on Walkways

March 8, 2012 By

In New Jersey, the owner of residential or commercial property has a duty to maintain the premises so as to minimize the risk of injury to anyone legally visiting the property. This includes an obligation to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of injury in a fall on an icy sidewalk, step, parking lot or other walkway. When you have been injured in a fall on ice on someone else’s property, you may have a claim for damages based on negligence. You want an experienced lawyer to evaluate your case and help you pursue full and fair compensation for your losses.

At Leonard & Leonard, P.A., we bring more than 45 years of combined legal experience to injured people in Morristown and Springfield, New Jersey. Both of our partners have been selected as New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2011. To schedule a free initial consultation, contact our office online, or call us at 973-500-3078.

A Property Owner’s Duty in New Jersey

A property owner in New Jersey has a legal obligation to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of anyone visiting the property. This requires that the owner monitor the premises on a regular basis to determine if any dangerous conditions exist, and that the owner take reasonable measures to either remedy the situation or provide adequate warning so that visitors can avoid any danger. A property owner must also address any conditions about which he or she should reasonably been aware.

In places like New Jersey, where ice and snow are a common occurrence, the owner of property generally has take steps to minimize the risk that others will be injured in falls caused by ice on a walkway. This may require that that the owner regularly apply salt or sand to spots that are more susceptible to the formation of ice, including heavily trafficked locations. It may also require that the owner take reasonable steps to ensure that snow does not pile up or get pack down in ways that are likely to become slippery or treacherous.

In almost every instance, the owner of residential or commercial property will have insurance to cover situations where someone is injured in a fall. Even if the property owner is someone you know—if you slip and fall at a friend’s house or place of business—you want to take the necessary steps to get full and fair compensation for your losses. The defendant will rarely have to come up with any type of payment out of pocket.

Contact an Experienced New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer

For a free initial consultation, contact us by e-mail or call our office at 973-500-3078. Se habla español.

Filed Under: New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers, Slip and Fall Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Construction Site and Road Work Zone Injuries

March 2, 2012 By

Road construction projects pose significant risk of injury to all workers involved. Even though barriers may be set up, signs used or flagmen in place, a driver’s negligence or failure to pay attention can lead to serious injury or death, not only to workers, but to other motorists. A variety of factors can contribute to an injury, making it difficult to establish who was responsible. You want an experienced lawyer to protect your rights.

At Leonard & Leonard, P.A., we have been representing injured people for over 45 years, in Morristown and Springfield, New Jersey, as well the entire State of New Jersey. Both of our partners have been named New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2011. For a free initial consultation, contact our office online, or call us at 973-500-3078.

The Risk of a Road Construction Injury

Data gathered by the New Jersey Department of Transportation supports the fact that road construction projects pose significant risk of injury to workers involved. A study by the DOT showed that between 2002 and 2009, there were more than 42,000 accidents in work zones in New Jersey. That’s more than 5,000 every year. In the last year of the study, there were 10 fatal accidents in construction zones in New Jersey.
Construction zone accidents can take a variety of forms:

  • A motorist may be traveling at an excessive speed and either rear-end or sideswipe another vehicle
  • A motorist may get too close to a barrier or cone and lose control of their vehicle
  • Traffic may be moving at very slow speeds, requiring constant attention from a driver. A brief loss of attentiveness can result in a collision
  • The road construction company may fail to provide adequate warning or signage, or may be negligent in the placement of barriers or cones
  • The detour may be unsafe, as it may include lanes that are too narrow, or curves that are too sharp, particularly for wet or icy conditions.
  • The road construction workers may leave dangerous items on the roadway, including construction dust, gravel or other objects.
  • The vision of motorists may be impaired by construction objects, including scaffolding, or bright lights used during nighttime road construction

Contact Our Office

We have a comprehensive knowledge of the laws and regulations governing roadway design or construction defects. For a free initial consultation, contact us by e-mail or call the office of Leonard & Leonard, P.A., at 973-500-3078. Se habla español.

Filed Under: defective roadways, Road Work Zone Injuries Tagged With: , , ,

PRESS RELEASE – Attorney Todd J. Leonard Named To Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum

February 17, 2012 By

 Attorney Todd J Leonard Named To Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. *No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Contact:
Todd J Leonard
Leonard and Leonard, PA
165 Washington Street
Morristown, NJ 07960

Telephone: 973.984.1414
Firm website:  www.lawleonard.com

The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is pleased to announce that attorney Todd J Leonard of Morristown, New Jersey has been certified as a life member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is recognized as one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States.  Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts, awards and settlements.  The organization was
founded in 1993 and there are approximately 4000 members located throughout the country.

Fewer than 1 % of U.S. lawyers are members.  Forum membership  acknowledges excellence in advocacy, and provides members with a national network of experienced colleagues for professional referral and information exchange in major cases.  Members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum must have acted as principal counsel in at least one case in which their client has received a verdict, award or settlement in the amount of one million dollars or more.

Members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum must be Life Members of the
Million Dollar Advocates Forum and must have acted as principal counsel in at least one case which has resulted in a multi-million dollar verdict, award or settlement.  Mr. Leonard has been approved for membership  in both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Todd J Leonard is a graduate of Delaware Law School and his practice focuses on plaintiff
personal injury law such as traumatic brain injuries, birth injuries, nursing home abuse and neglect, burn and inhalation injuries, car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, dangerous roadway accidents, wrongful death, and work-related injuries.

For further information regarding membership and qualifications, see www.MillionDollarAdvocates.com.  The Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum was established in 2007.  There are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum (established 1993) who may have had multi-million dollar cases but who have not applied for membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum although they may be qualified.  Membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum is not intended to imply that a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum may not have had multi-million dollar cases.

At Leonard & Leonard, P.A., has been representing families for over 45 years in all types of personal injuries, in Morris County, Union County, Essex County and throughout the State of New Jersey. Both of our attorneys have been selected as New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2011. For a free initial consultation, contact our office online, or call us at 973-500-3078.

Filed Under: Press Releases Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Contruction Site and Road Work Zone Injuries

February 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Construction Site and Road Work Zone Injuries

Road construction projects pose significant risk of injury to all workers involved.  Even though barriers may be set up, signs used or flagmen in place, a driver’s negligence or failure to pay attention can lead to serious injury or death, not only to workers, but to other motorists.  A variety of factors can contribute to an injury, making it difficult to establish who was responsible.  You want an experienced lawyer to protect your rights.

At Leonard & Leonard, P.A., we have been representing injured people for over 45 years, in Morristown and Springfield, New Jersey, as well the entire State of New Jersey. Both of our partners have been named New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2011. For a free initial consultation, contact our office online, or call us at 973-500-3078.

The Risk of a Road Construction Injury

Data gathered by the New Jersey Department of Transportation supports the fact that road construction projects pose significant risk of injury to workers involved. A study by the DOT showed that between 2002 and 2009, there were more than 42,000 accidents in work zones in New Jersey. That’s more than 5,000 every year. In the last year of the study, there were 10 fatal accidents in construction zones in New Jersey.

Construction zone accidents can take a variety of forms:

  • A motorist may be traveling at an excessive speed and either rear-end or sideswipe another vehicle
  • A motorist may get too close to a barrier or cone and lose control of their vehicle
  • Traffic may be moving at very slow speeds, requiring constant attention from a driver. A brief loss of attentiveness can result in a collision
  • The road construction company may fail to provide adequate warning or signage, or may be negligent in the placement of barriers or cones
  • The detour may be unsafe, as it may include lanes that are too narrow, or curves that are too sharp, particularly for wet or icy conditions.
  • The road construction workers may leave dangerous items on the roadway, including construction dust, gravel or other objects.
  • The vision of motorists may be impaired by construction objects, including scaffolding, or bright lights used during nighttime road construction

Contact Our Office

We have a comprehensive knowledge of the laws and regulations governing roadway design or construction defects. For a free initial consultation,contact us by e-mail, or call the office of Leonard & Leonard, P.A., at 973-500-3078. Se habla español.

Filed Under: New Jersey Car Accident Attorneys, New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers, Types of Injuries Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Major Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury

February 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Major Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury is essentially any injury caused by a single blow, or multiple blows, bruise or impact to the brain. Even seemingly minor trauma involving the brain can have serious consequences. A closed head injury, such as a concussion, can nonetheless result in internal bleeding, memory loss or impairment of cognitive or motor function. This blog post identifies the principal causes of traumatic brain injury. If you or your loved one have sustained any type of brain injury, you want to talk to an experienced lawyer, so that you can learn your rights and options.

At Leonard & Leonard, P.A., we have been representing victims of traumatic brain injuries for more than 45 years in Morristown and Springfield, New Jersey and throughout New Jersey.  Both of our partners have been selected as New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2011 and are members of  The Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey.  To schedule a free initial consultation, contact our office online, or call us at 973-500-3078.

The Events That Lead to Traumatic Brain Injury

According to a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the single leading cause of traumatic brain injury is falls, which accounted for more than a third of these injuries (35.2%). With children and with senior citizens, the rates are significantly higher. Almost 2/3rds (61%) of traumatic brain injuries sustained by people over the age of 65 result from falls. Approximately half of the brain injuries suffered by children under the age of 15 come from falls.

Motor vehicle accidents account for 17.3 percent of all traumatic brain injuries, and result in the highest rate of TBI-related deaths (just under 32%). The CDC found that 16.5% of traumatic brain injuries occurred when someone either struck their head against an object or was hit in the head by another object, and that 10% of TBI resulted from physical assault. More than one in five traumatic brain injuries resulted from unknown or other circumstances. (See the CDC report for more information)

You can suffer traumatic brain injury even if you are not struck on the head or your head does not strike an external object. The brain in encased in the skull (which is designed to protect it from many forms of contact). However, if you are in a situation involving rapid acceleration and then come to an immediate stop, the force of the stop can cause your brain to collide with your skull, leading to serious injury. For example, if you are in a car traveling at a high rate of speed, and you either slam on  the brakes or strike another object, your brain can be slammed into your skull, leading to a traumatic brain injury.

Contact Our Office

For a free initial consultation, contact us by e-mail or call the office of Leonard & Leonard, P.A., at 973-500-3078. Se habla español.

Filed Under: Brain Injury Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Car Accidents on Icy Street or Highways

February 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Car Accidents on Icy Streets or Highways

It is very important during the winter months to be aware of the changing weather conditions and the rapidly changing  road conditions as well.  It is very important to drive carefully and make sure you have the proper distances between you and the vehicles in front of you when the roads are snowy and icy.  Sometimes motorists are in a hurry to get somewhere,  or because they simply forgot to pay attention to conditions and adjust their driving, they will slide through an intersection, fishtail in front of you on the highway, or crash into the back of your car at a light. Often, the principal or a contributing factor is the other driver’s failure to properly remove ice or snow from their car before getting on the road. If you have been injured following an accident as a result of someone elses negligence for not operating their vehicles carefully for the weather conditions, you want an experienced lawyer to help protect your legal rights so that you may receive full and fair compensation for your injuries.

At Leonard & Leonard, P.A., we have been representing New Jersey residents for more than 45 years in all types of personal injury cases in Morristown and Springfield, New Jersey and throughout New Jersey.  Both of our partners have been selected as New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2011. To schedule a free initial consultation, contact our office online, or call us at 973-500-3078.

When You Are Injured in a Car Crash on Snowy or Icy Roads

When you get behind the wheel of a car in New Jersey, you assume a duty to act as any reasonable person would in the same circumstances. If there is snow or ice on the road, you must operate your vehicle in a prudent way. Generally, this requires that drive at slower overall speeds, and that you pay close attention to your need to brake, tapping rather than slamming brakes. It also involves
properly preparing your vehicle to minimize the risk of injury to others. This can include:

  • Taking the time before you get on the road to remove all ice and snow from windows, hood or roof of your car, so that your view of road conditions is not impeded .
  • Ensuring that your heating and window defrosting system are properly functioning, so that your windows are clear.
  • Allowing your vehicle to warm up before you get on the road, so that your defrosting system is fully functional before you get on the road.
  • Making certain that brakes are working and that your tires have adequate tread.

If you are involved in an accident, you should safely pull to the side of the road and contact your local police department.  If you are injured, you should seek immediate medical care.
In 2010, New Jersey legislature passed a new law, known as the “Ice and Snow Removal Law,” whereby motorists may be ticketed for failing to properly remove ice and snow
from windshields, windows, side view mirrors, hoods and roofs of their cars.
Since October, 2010, thousands have been cited for violating this law.

Contact the Attorneys at Leonard & Leonard, P.A.

For a free initial consultation, contact us by e-mail or call the office of Leonard & Leonard, P.A., at 973-500-3078. Se habla español.

Filed Under: New Jersey Car Accident Attorneys Tagged With: , , ,

Defective Roadways / Road Defects

January 23, 2012 By

There are many accidents that occur where the hazardous road conditions contribute to the accident. For example, roadways such as Route 287, Route 24, Route 22, Route 80, Route 10, Route 46, Route 23, Route 15, Garden State Parkway, New Jersey Turnpike, may have road conditions that may contribute to an accident or cause an accident.

For example, there may be improper maintenance, including:

  • potholes
  • sinkholes
  • depressions
  • ruts
  • inadequate signage
  • missing necessary signage and/or barriers
  • Improper or inadequate drainage which can cause water to pond or stand on the road causing hydroplaning or icy conditions in the winter months. These conditions can be hazardous and dangerous and can cause serious and/or fatal accidents.

When hazardous road conditions contribute to an accident the legal quest becomes who is at fault. The issues of responsibility in such accidents require a complex analysis including the use of various experts, including accident reconstructionists and traffic engineers to evaluate the cause of the accident.

In New Jersey, if a governmental entity is responsible there are strict limitations on when legal actions must be taken against a governmental agency, such as the Department of Transportation. Such law suits proceed under different rules than laws suits against private individuals and require the skill of a New Jersey accident attorney experienced in this type of case. For example, most cases you must file a 90 day notice of your intention to file a claim or your claim will be barred

Consult with a New Jersey defective roadway accident attorney.

The Law Firm of Leonard & Leonard, P.A. has tremendous experience in handling all different types of road defect cases including inadequate and poor drainage, drop-offs, rutting of the roadway, improper signage, no safety barriers and/or dividers, improper cross-slope, as well as many other road defects.

Contact Leonard & Leonard, P.A. on line or call 973-500-3078 and schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help evaluate and investigate your case and recover compensation for your losses.

Filed Under: defective roadways, New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bicycle accidents in New Jersey

January 17, 2012 By

In New Jersey each year, bicyclists are injured or killed due to bicycle crashes. And many of the crashes involve collisions with motor vehicles which result in death. A serious type of injury in a bicycle accident with a motor vehicle is a head injury which is the most common cause of death among bicyclists.

Safety is key when riding a bicycle on public roadways and every bicyclist should observe the following safety tips:

  • Obey all traffic laws
  • Ride on the right
  • Obey all signals
  • Travel no more than two abreast
  • Wear an approved bicycle helmet
  • Maintain your bicycle in good working order
  • Wear reflective clothing conducive to weather conditions
  • Ride within your abilities
  • Avoid busy highways
  • Ride a properly sized bicycle
  • Do not attempt stunts or tricks
  • Do not weave in and out of traffic
  • Do not ride against traffic
  • Do not ride at night without lights

Consult with a NJ bicycle accident attorney

Bicycle accidents often contain unique factors and require an experienced NJ bicycle accident attorney who understands the process. Contact Leonard & Leonard, P.A. online or call 973-500-3078 and schedule a free consultation to learn how we can help you recover compensation for your losses.

Filed Under: bicycle accidents Tagged With: ,
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