If you’ve been injured, talk to a knowledgeable Woodbury personal injury lawyer today for help navigating New Jersey law.

According to the New Jersey Department of Health, unintentional injury was the fourth most common cause of death in 2020. It was the number one cause of death for New Jersey residents ages 15 to 44. Nearly 4,800 people died from accident-related injuries in 2020 in the state, and thousands more live with permanent health issues.

Most accidental injuries can be prevented. When they occur, it’s often because someone failed to take reasonable care to prevent harm.

If you’ve been injured, reach out to an experienced Woodbury personal injury attorney. The team at Petrillo & Goldberg is here to assist those who have been injured in Gloucester County and surrounding communities.

Common Causes of Personal Injuries in Woodbury

In 2020, Gloucester County recorded 76.7 accident-related deaths per 100,000 population – one of the highest rates in New Jersey. Neighboring Camden, Salem, Cumberland, and Atlantic Counties also recorded some of the state’s highest fatal injury rates.

Common causes of personal injury, including fatal personal injury, in New Jersey in 2020 included:

Slips, trips, and falls. Falls were the second most common cause of fatal injuries in New Jersey in 2020, beating out motor vehicle accidents. Falls also cause thousands of survivable injuries each year.

Car accidents. 12.5 percent of all unintentional injury deaths in New Jersey in 2020 resulted from motor vehicle accidents. These accidents can also cause catastrophic injuries that change the course of a person’s life.

Pedestrian and bicycle accidents. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents are on the rise nationwide. The rate at which these crashes cause death is rising as well.

Workplace injuries. Falls at work, being struck or pinned by objects or equipment, and exposure to chemicals, extreme temperatures, and other dangerous environments are common causes of workplace injuries.

Medical errors. Preventable medical errors are one of the top causes of death nationwide, according to a 2016 Johns Hopkins study. Common medical errors that cause injuries or death include misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose, surgical errors, and medication errors.

Dog bites. While most dog bite injuries aren’t fatal, they can cause serious pain, scarring, and other medical issues. In 2023, New Jersey ranked 12th in the nation for dog bites, according to the US Postal Service’s dog bite rankings.

Other types of serious injuries and accidents can also occur. After an injury, it’s important to speak to an attorney who can advise you about your legal rights in Woodbury or another Gloucester County locale.

Common Types of Injuries in Woodbury Personal Injury Claims

Many situations can result in a preventable injury. Injuries can occur to any part of the body. Serious accidents often cause multiple injuries or harm to multiple body parts.

Common types of serious injuries in Woodbury personal injury cases include:

Head, neck, and back injuries, including fractured skulls, herniated discs, damaged vertebrae, and injuries to soft tissues and organs. Facial scarring or disfigurement can be both physically and psychologically difficult to endure.

Brain and spinal cord injuries. The skull and bones of the spine protect the brain and the spinal cord – essential systems that regulate, run, and maintain the rest of the body. Brain and spinal cord injuries are among the most expensive medical conditions. They are also difficult to treat. The consequences of these injuries can be lifelong.

Broken bones. The force of an accident can break bones and cause damage to surrounding body parts. Many broken bones require surgery to fix. Additional surgeries may also be needed to promote healing or adjust hardware.

Injuries to organs and soft tissue. From neck sprain (commonly called whiplash) to major organ damage, an accident can cause serious injuries to muscles, nerves, soft tissues, and organs in the body.

Scarring and disfigurement. Whether from the accident itself or from necessary surgeries, permanent scars, missing limbs, and other forms of disfigurement may occur. These can cause ongoing psychological and social challenges, especially if they are highly visible.

Psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression are also common. An accident and serious injury turn your life upside-down. These symptoms are a normal reaction to a highly abnormal situation. They deserve the same consideration and professional care as any physical symptoms.

What to Expect in a New Jersey Personal Injury Claim

For many Woodbury residents and workers, their injury is the first time they’ve had to consider facing the Gloucester County court system. Even if you’ve been to court before, you may be unfamiliar with the basics of personal injury claims.

Time Limits

In New Jersey, an injured person has two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury claim. Typically, this two-year window starts on the date of the injury. The claim must be filed before the two-year time limit expires, or it cannot be brought to court.

There are certain exceptions to the two-year rule, but they are narrow. Talk to an attorney as soon as possible to protect your right to file your claim. Reach out even if you suspect the two-year deadline has already passed. A lawyer can determine the proper deadline in your case and help you identify other options if the time limit has passed.

Compensation

To receive compensation, you’ll need to prove to a court that (a) another party had a duty to use reasonable care to prevent your injuries, (b) that party breached their duty, (c) their breach caused your injuries, and (d) you have losses that can be compensated.

Common losses that result in compensation in Woodbury personal injury claims include:

Medical bills, including bills for surgery, follow-up care, and future medical needs,

Lost wages, both wages you lost while you healed and wages you will lose if your injuries prevent you from working again,

Compensation to repair or replace damaged property,

Compensation for pain and suffering,

Compensation for the loss of activities you used to enjoy or the loss of the ability to do household chores, participate in raising your children, or doing other household tasks.

Whether this is your first personal injury claim or you’ve been involved in past cases, it’s important to work with an experienced attorney. Every personal injury claim is unique. The facts of the accident, the injuries you suffered, and what you face afterwards are all new. An attorney can help you make a case for the compensation you need.

Wrongful Death Claims After a Fatal Injury

In a personal injury case, the injured person brings the claim to seek compensation. When an injury claims a life, however, that person cannot bring their own case. Instead, the injured person’s surviving family members or estate brings a wrongful death claim.

The wrongful death claim seeks compensation for the deceased person and for their estate or surviving family members. In addition to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and similar losses, a wrongful death suit can seek damages for:

Funeral and burial expenses,

Compensation for the deceased person’s conscious pain and suffering before death,

Compensation for the surviving family members’ loss of a loved one.

If you’ve lost a loved one to an accident or injury, talk to an experienced Woodbury wrongful death attorney today. A lawyer can help you understand your options and prepare the case.

What To Do If You’ve Been Injured in Woodbury or Gloucester County

If you’ve suffered an injury:

Put safety first. Immediately after an accident or injury, do what you can to keep yourself and others safe. In a car accident, this might mean moving vehicles out of the road. In a workplace accident, it might mean clearing the area so others aren’t injured as well.

Contact 911. Call 911 or have someone else do so. Emergency medical first responders can provide essential care, while law enforcement secures the scene and creates a record of the accident.

Get medical care ASAP. For severe injuries, emergency medical teams will typically transport individuals to a nearby hospital or emergency center. If you didn’t get emergency care, see a doctor as soon as you can. For workplace injuries, report your injury as soon as you can and ask for a list of approved doctors from your employer.

Save all your paperwork. Save all bills, receipts, and other paperwork related to your accident or injury. This paperwork can help you establish your need for compensation.

Finally, reach out to an experienced attorney. A lawyer can help you plan ahead, manage your paperwork, and bring order to chaos after an accident.

Speak to An Experienced Woodbury, NJ Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Serious injuries turn your life upside-down. What started as a normal day ends in pain, fear, and uncertainty. You may wonder if you’ll ever return to your previous life. Will you be able to go back to work? Will you enjoy your old hobbies? Which daily tasks like eating, walking, or getting dressed will you learn again – and which are gone forever?

With so much at stake, your stress levels may be high. You’re not alone. The experienced Woodbury personal injury attorneys at Petrillo & Goldberg are here to help. Let us handle the insurance companies and your legal case, so that you and your family can focus on recovery. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation.