Author Archives: Kevin Kutyla
Dealing with the “Open and Obvious” Defense in Slip and Fall Cases
Anyone who owns or occupies property has a legal duty to keep it safe for guests and other people who may enter upon it. When dangerous conditions exist, slip and fall accidents are likely to occur, particularly on commercial premises where there is a high volume of foot traffic. A property owner or manager can… Read More »
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accident Injuries in NJ
There is no denying the appeal of motorcycles. For many people, they represent freedom and adventure. But riding motorcycle comes with great risks. They’re less stable than four-wheeled vehicles and they provide less protection in an accident. This means not only that they are more prone to crashes but also that more serious injuries tend… Read More »
N.J. Workers’ Comp Rates Are Way Up, Benefitting the Most Disabled
The state of New Jersey recently raised the amount of benefits injured workers receive through workers’ compensation. The minimum and maximum rates for benefits paid to injured workers are 10 percent higher in 2022 than they were in 2021. This is a major change that is notably higher than the marginal increases in benefits of… Read More »
What Recourse Do You Have if You’re Injured in an NJ Hit and Run?
Being hurt in a car crash is traumatic in itself, but your anxiety level will likely be higher if the other driver fled the scene. Hit-and-run accidents present special difficulties in terms of obtaining compensation for your medical costs and other losses. Nevertheless, there are positive steps that can be taken to pursue your rights… Read More »
New Jersey’s Most Dangerous Roads
New Jersey is one of the most heavily trafficked states in the nation, and its roads are not always up to the task. Many highways pose frequent and sometimes deadly hazards. Being aware of which roads are most treacherous, as well as factors that contribute to a lack of safety, can help you avoid accidents…. Read More »
New Jersey Expands Employee Protections Against Age Discrimination
In New Jersey as elsewhere, age discrimination lawsuits have increased in recent years. Many employers have downsized their staffs of older employees in favor of hiring entry-level workers or part-timers with the goal of reducing overhead. In response, New Jersey has enacted a law that strengthens existing protections against age discrimination in the workplace. A… Read More »
The Difference Between a Wrongful Death Claim and a Survival Action
If you suffered the death of a family member due to someone else’s negligence, recklessness or intentional wrongdoing, nothing can make up for the grief and devastation you are forced to bear. However, you may be entitled to compensation for your financial losses and for those of the decedent. In New Jersey, there are two… Read More »
Can You Bring a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Even if You Weren’t Wearing a Helmet?
Motorcycle accidents can result in severe and devastating injuries, since there is nothing to protect a motorcycle rider from impact with the road, other vehicles or stationary objects during an accident. Wearing a helmet is required by law and may reduce the chances of a serious injury or fatality, but does a rider’s failure to… Read More »
Just Two Racial Slurs Can Amount to Hostile Workplace Discrimination, NJ High Court Rules
In New Jersey, an employment discrimination claim can be based on conduct severe or pervasive enough to make a person in a legally protected class believe that the working environment is intimidating, hostile or abusive. However, courts have disagreed on what level of conduct meets the “severe or pervasive” threshold. Now, the New Jersey Supreme… Read More »
Employee Hurt While Volunteering at Company Outing Is Entitled to Workers’ Compensation
The New Jersey Supreme Court has expanded the circumstances in which employees’ injuries can be considered job-related for purposes of workers’ compensation. The court ruled that a company cook who volunteered to prepare meals at a community event sponsored by her employer was entitled to workers’ compensation benefits for injuries incurred. Under New Jersey’s Workers’… Read More »