Attorney Bruce Stern was sworn in over the weekend as Secretary of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) at the organization’s annual convention in Los Angeles, CA. The AAJ is the world’s largest trial bar, which works to promote justice through the legal system for people injured by the negligence or misconduct of others.
Continue Reading Bruce H. Stern of Stark & Stark Sworn in as 2016-2017 Secretary of the American Association for Justice
Fireworks and Party Safety on the 4th of July—How to Avoid Injuries
It happens every year. Someone is careless with fireworks and ends up seriously injured. Someone falls and breaks an arm or leg at the company picnic. Worst of all, someone is careless at the pool and a child is injured or drowns. This year make sure you and your family stay safe with these tips
Stark & Stark Names Bryan Roberts Shareholder
Stark & Stark is pleased to announce that attorney Bryan M. Roberts has been elected as a new Shareholder of the firm.
Bryan M. Roberts is a member of the firm’s Accident & Personal Injury Group in the Lawrenceville office. Mr. Roberts concentrates his practice in the areas of wrongful death and catastrophic injuries as
Think You Are Entitled to a Second Opinion Under NJ Workers’ Comp? Think Again
When an injury occurs on the job, you are usually covered under the workers’ compensation insurance policy paid for by your employer. You are also typically required to visit a physician selected by the insurance company to assess your condition and get treatment. But what if you don’t agree with the doctor’s assessment or treatment plan? Can you go somewhere else for a second opinion? In New Jersey, the answer is almost always “No.” You can request it, but are not “entitled” to get it. The insurance company has the right to decide whether or not a second opinion is warranted.
There are two common situations that prompt patients to seek a second opinion in workers’ comp claims:
- When the doctor says you no longer need treatment and you don’t agree with him/her; and,
- When the doctor recommends surgery or an invasive procedure and you want to be sure it is the best option.
Continue Reading Think You Are Entitled to a Second Opinion Under NJ Workers’ Comp? Think Again
Stark & Stark Recognized in NJLJ’s Top NJ Verdicts & Settlements of 2015
Stark & Stark earned six spots on the New Jersey Law Journal’s Top NJ Verdicts & Settlements list for 2015. Congratulations to our Personal Injury team for doing what Stark & Stark does best—putting the law to use for our clients and getting the best outcomes. Top mentions went to:
| Delgado v. Stony Brook Sew |
Robert Bratman, Denise Mariani, & Evan Lide to Present “Automobile Insurance” Seminars
Stark & Stark Shareholders J. Robert Bratman, Denise Mariani, and Associate Evan J. Lide will be presenting “Automobile Insurance: Understanding Your Policy & How to Protect Your Rights,” a series of seminars that will be held at the YMCA Trenton on June 2, 9, and 23, 2016. The seminars will explain the key components of the average auto insurance company, including what coverage and benefits are typically included. This will also cover what kinds of auto policies are available, and what a person should know when they are involved in an automobile accident or collision.
Continue Reading Robert Bratman, Denise Mariani, & Evan Lide to Present “Automobile Insurance” Seminars
Bicycle Safety Blog Series Part 2: Types of Injuries from Bike Crashes
This is the second entry of my three part series on Bicycle Safety including information on reducing risk, types of injuries, insurance issues, liability, and litigation.
In our crowded urban environments, cyclists inevitably face significantly higher risks of crash-related deaths than would be faced by the occupant of a motor vehicle. How significant is the risk? Consider these statistics: despite the fact that only 1% of all trips in the United States are reportedly taken by bicycle, data from the CDC reveal that, in 2013 alone, over 900 bicyclists were killed, and an estimated 494,000 visits to the E.R. due to bicycle-related injuries. And data from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) indicates that 33% of bicycle crashes with motor vehicles resulted in serious injury or death.
While we often refer to them as “accidents”, a collision between a car and a bicyclist is usually anything but an “accident.” That is, they don’t “just happen”. To the contrary, most collisions occur because of poor decisions or careless actions, such as when a motorist fails to yield. As such, the term “crash” is generally a better word because it doesn’t remove the concept of accountability for what occurred. Unfortunately, in a car vs. bike crash, the solid object into which the cyclist “crashes” is either a 3500 lb. car or the unforgiving pavement. The result of a crash can be VERY severe and, all too often, the result is even life-altering.
Continue Reading Bicycle Safety Blog Series Part 2: Types of Injuries from Bike Crashes
Understanding the Injury known as CRPS or RSD
CRPS stands for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and is sometimes referred to as Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, or RSD. CRPS is a rare but serious form of chronic pain resulting from nerve damage that generally affects arms or legs after trauma to that part of the body. CRPS arises most frequently as a result of a traumatic workplace injury involving damage to a nerve root, or as a result of one or more surgeries to repair a fracture, burn, or some other injury.
One of the most common traits of CRPS is that pain appears to be greater than what would be expected for the injury or as a result of normal activities. Symptoms of CRPS include severe swelling, a “waxy” appearance, discoloration, unusual temperature changes, and/or unusual hair growth to the extremity. There is no decisive test to confirm CRPS for an injured worker. However, some tests do provide guidance. One is a bone scan, which may indicate a degree of bone loss associated with CRPS. Another test is to prescribe nerve blocks and then evaluate how the extremity responds.
Continue Reading Understanding the Injury known as CRPS or RSD
Join Stark & Stark at the Capital City Book Fair
Stark & Stark will be attending the second annual Capital City Book Fair event in Trenton, NJ on May 14th, 2016 from 11:00am to 6:00pm. The Capital City Book Fair is a two-day event taking place all day Friday and Saturday, and is intended to be a celebration of all the local booksellers, indie presses, authors, and bibliophiles in central New Jersey. In addition to the Book Market, the fair will include a Scrabble tournament, a mystery writing panel, a poetry slam, and a variety of readings and performances for children.
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Michael G. Donahue, III, Esq. Elected Managing Shareholder of Stark & Stark
Stark & Stark is pleased to announce the election of Michael G. Donahue, III, Esq. as Managing Shareholder of the firm, effective May 1, 2016. In this new leadership role, Mr. Donahue will oversee the day-to-day operations and long-term strategic planning of the firm. His election to Managing Shareholder coincides with his upcoming June installation as President of the New Jersey Association for Justice (NJAJ) for the 2016-2017 term, where he also serves as co-chair of NJAJ’s Amicus Curiae Committee.
Mr. Donahue, who has been with the firm since 1995, is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney and focuses his practice on products liability and serious personal injury litigation. He is a prolific legal presenter, a member of several New Jersey-based law associations, and very active in area charitable and philanthropic organizations, including Boheme Opera New Jersey, the Trenton Area YMCA, the Greater Princeton Youth Orchestra, and Theater Exile in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Continue Reading Michael G. Donahue, III, Esq. Elected Managing Shareholder of Stark & Stark