Recent Posts

$900,000 for Injuries Sustained by Worker on Shredding Truck

51 year old employee of a paper shredding truck company recovered $900,000 after his foot was partially amputated in 2015 by the cutting blades of a mobile truck shredder when he climbed into the hopper to clear a paper jam. Our client’s boot and foot were pulled into the shredder, severing his toes and mangling his right foot. Andy Rossetti handled the case for RD. A lawsuit was filed against the manufacturer of the truck alleging that the truck was defective because the hopper should have been guarded in a way that would have prevented employees from gaining access to… Read More

Wrongful Death Actions: Familial Aspects that Can Increase Case Value

The goal of a trial attorney is to effectively highlight the family’s pecuniary losses to the jury, in an effort to substantiate and increase the value of the claim. By Andrew J. Rossetti and Dean E. Avgerinos | October 18, 2018 The death of a loved one is heartbreaking. The world stops, and the thought of moving on without a child, parent or spouse can seem impossible. They can never be replaced, yet our Wrongful Death Act severely limits family members’ recovery to pecuniary losses. Plaintiffs attorneys often rely on a statistical analysis completed by an economist regarding the hours… Read More

Victim of Product After a Recall: What Are My Rights?

New Jersey law only allows product manufacturer’s to be held accountable for their products when they contain manufacturing defects, are defectively designed or fail to contain adequate warnings of the dangers resulting in the product being unreasonably dangerous so they are unfit and unsafe for use by the public. What if, however, there was also a product recall? What are your rights? Defective and Recalled Products If you are injured as the result of a defective product, you may be entitled to seek compensation from the makers or sellers of that product. Also, if your injury occurred at work while… Read More

Sleep Deprivation Car Accidents During the Holiday Season

Car accidents are common and have many causes. Many are preventable. Accidents caused by sleep deprivation are very common, especially in today’s fast-paced world. Sleep deprivation accident statistics indicate that as much as a fourth of drivers have dozed off while driving. Studies also show that driving while lacking sleep is as bad as driving while intoxicated. As negative as it sounds, we have a high chance of being involved in a car accident at some point in our lives, and after this we will need legal help (be it a personal injury lawyer springfield illinois, or one based closer… Read More

Baxter Appointed to Board of New Jersey Trial Lawyer Organization

Melissa was recently selected to serve on the Board of Trustees of TANJ – an association of trial attorneys dedicated to promoting the litigation interests of the public, the bench, and the bar – after also being selected to serve on the Board of Governors of NJAJ – a statewide organization of trial attorneys whose mission is to protect individuals and families.

Baxter Speaks at Trial Attorney Conference

Melissa spoke at several trial attorney conferences this year including a conference in Somerset, NJ where she spoke about effective methods for trial preparation and shared tips on selecting a fair and impartial jury so as to put the case in the best position for success at trial. Melissa was once again invited to speak at the 2018 NJAJ annual trial attorney 3-day conference in Atlantic City, NJ where she shared a checklist of the most important tasks to complete during litigation as well as extra steps to take in order to maximize the full potential of a case. During… Read More

RD’s Baxter Obtains Multiple Jury Trial Verdicts

Melissa Baxter obtained a $133,121.00 jury verdict in Camden, County for a 39 year old driver of a school bus that was struck by an SUV in traffic. The defense maintained that the impact was light and that all of the injuries were pre-existing however at trial, Melissa dismantled the defense by catching the defendant lying on the stand and by successfully utilizing the testimony of defendants’ own expert witness to support the case. Using technology to her client’s advantage, Melissa also created a power point presentation to prove the case and obtain a verdict that was over $50,000 more… Read More

$1.3 Million for Tractor Trailer Crash

$1.3 Million settlement paid by two trucking companies after a tractor trailer crash left our female client with neck and back injuries requiring two surgeries. Lou DeVoto represented RD’s client in the case. Our client was operating an 18 wheel tractor trailer when she slowed due to traffic conditions at the merge of I-287 and Route 78 in northern New Jersey. She was rear-ended by a tractor trailer who in turn was then rear-ended by a third tractor trailer. Our client suffered neck and back injuries that were treated conservatively for years. The defense contended the injuries were degenerative and not… Read More

$2.6 Million for Bicyclist Struck by City Sanitation Truck

$2.6 million settlement on the day of trial against the City of Clifton for damages sustained by RD’s client who was cut-off by a city garbage truck while approaching an intersection on his bicycle. RD’s client landed under the truck and sustained fractures to his arm and shoulder, scarring to his face and was subsequently blinded in one eye from a medical complication that arose during one of his scar revision surgeries. The defense claimed that RD’s client caused the crash and that he was also at fault for not wearing a helmet. Discovery uncovered that a substitute driver was driving… Read More

I Was Bitten by My Neighbor’s Dog. What Can I Do?

Every year, over 4 million people in the United States are attacked by dogs. The vast majority of those attacked, and nearly half of those seriously injured by dog bites, are children. If you are the victim of such an incident, you need to know your rights. So if you were bitten by your neighbor’s dog, here’s what you can do. Common Dog Bite Injuries Dog bites, while most often not deadly, can cause life-changing and permanent damage. The majority of dog bites affect the arms, hands, feet, legs, head and neck areas of the body. The most serious types… Read More

What Happens If Your Injury Was Misdiagnosed?

Being hospitalized is never a pleasant experience. It can take days, weeks and even months for you to fully recover from injuries or sickness. But what happens when the injury or sickness you are seeking treatment for is misdiagnosed? Often times, the results are catastrophic leading to death or serious injury. Why Does a Misdiagnosis Occur? A medical misdiagnosis can occur for a wide variety of reasons. Despite the extensive experience many doctors and nurses have, they are human, and mistakes can and do happen. Common reasons for a misdiagnosis of an injury include: Failing to recognize and understand the… Read More

What to Know about Spinal Cord Injuries

Suffering an injury is a traumatic experience, but suffering from a spinal cord injury can have life-changing ramifications. Over 11,000 spinal injuries are reported in the United States every year. In fact, young men are far more likely to suffer a spinal cord injury than any other segment of the population. If you suffer a spinal cord injury, do you know what to do? Here’s what you need to know about spinal cord injuries. Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries Traumatic Spinal Injuries The major causes of spinal cord injuries can be broken down into traumatic or non-traumatic injuries. Traumatic injuries… Read More

Slip and Fall Accidents in Amusement Parks

Amusement parks are supposed to be family-friendly fun, and that means they are supposed to be safe. For scores of people every year, however, they turn out to be a nightmare. If you are the victim of an accident at a theme or water park, what rights do you have and what can you do? Here is Rossetti & DeVoto’s guide to slip-and-fall accidents in amusement parks. Amusement Park Regulations in New Jersey In the State of New Jersey, the Carnival and Amusement Ride Safety Act governs fixed-site amusement park regulations. This act established an annual safety inspection program for… Read More

Common Vacation Injuries to Avoid

When you visit New Jersey on vacation, you will never run out of activities to enjoy. Feeling adventurous and want to have an adrenaline rush? You’ll definitely want to check out the New Jersey’s renowned Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari. Want to wind down after some hectic months? The luxurious Borgata Hotel and Casino is where you need to go. What about checking out a bit of history? Consider checking out the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart. If you’re seeking waterpark thrills, the Mountain Creek Waterpark should be your first stop. No matter what you are seeking from… Read More

What to Do If You’re Attacked on Vacation

There is nothing quite like taking a well-deserved vacation. According to a study done by the Pew Research Center, the average American works 38.7 hours a week 46.8 weeks every year, which adds up to 1,811 hours annually. We all occasionally need a vacation from the daily grind. However, there is always the possibility that your plan for fun and de-stressing goes wary. Your hotel room could be broken into and robbed, you could be mobbed while strolling in a popular tourist spot, or you could even get attacked by someone out of the blue. No matter what could potentially… Read More

Do I Have a Medical Malpractice Case?

We put our full trust in doctors for any and all health concerns we have. Whether we have a cold, a broken bone, or something more serious, they are the first ones we turn to when something health-related goes wary. We expect to be taken care of in order to sufficiently heal. Unfortunately, there can be times where doctors make mistakes – whether by accident or on purpose – that can put others in a compromised situation. One day, you may find yourself thinking “do I have a medical malpractice case?” It is important to know if any medical mistakes… Read More

What to Do If You’re Injured in an Uber Accident

Uber is one of the most popular companies in the ever-expanding Sharing Economy. In November 2016, Uber hit 40 million monthly riders – that’s a lot of people. However, there’s always the possibility you could be a passenger in an Uber that gets involved in a car accident. After all, twenty to fifty million people are injured annually in car accidents. Because safety is such a necessity, Uber even has a section about safety details on its website. So, what happens if you are injured in an Uber accident? What are the steps you should take in the case you’re… Read More

Signs of Nursing Home Abuse and What to Do

If you place your elderly loved one in a nursing home, you fully expect them to be taken care of. There is a high level of trust involved. Unfortunately, many times this trust is taken for granted, and elderly nursing home patients are mistreated and abused. If you think someone you know is being abused at his or her nursing home, don’t wait to take action. You might want to speak to a legal team about your suspicions, or even give your loved one a cell phone from https://www.fanmisenior.com/cell-phones-for-seniors/ so they can call you if they need help. Luckily, there… Read More

What You Need to Know About Construction Defects

You’ve seen it before. A crack in the wall. A window that always leaks when it rains. But why does this happen? Over 80 percent of construction deficiencies are caused by poor workmanship and another 40 percent of deficiencies are caused by insufficient building material. Courts typically sort construction defects like poor workmanship or faulty materials into four categories: design deficiencies, material deficiencies, construction deficiencies, and subsurface deficiencies. Design deficiencies result in part of the home not being up to code. A leaky roof is the most common design defect. Material deficiencies, like improper window framing, can cause window leaks…. Read More

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

After a motorcycle accident, you should try and remain calm to approach the situation logically. This may be easier said than done. However, once you’ve composed yourself, you need to make sure you take the proper steps in order to avoid any potential legal problems or negative consequences of the accident. Keep reading for what you should do after a motorcycle accident, according to the New Jersey motorcycle accident attorney from Rossetti & DeVoto, P.C. Check for Injuries Immediately after your motorcycle accident, check yourself for any injuries, whether they are minor or major. Check any other victims in the… Read More

Employee Notice Obligations 101

If you’re an employee in New Jersey it’s important to know how to cover yourself legally if you get injured on the job. If you don’t, you could inadvertently forfeit your right to workers’ compensation. Here’s our guide to notice obligations for employees in work-related accidents from a New Jersey workers’ compensation attorney from Rossetti & DeVoto, PC. Workers’ Compensation “No-fault” insurance programs (including workers’ compensation) provide the following benefits to employees who suffer job-related injuries or illnesses: Medical Benefits Temporary Total Benefits Permanent Partial Benefits Permanent Total Benefits Death Benefits for those whose death was the cause or result… Read More

Insurers Are Raising Rates For Those Who Are Hit By Another Person’s Car

If you cause an accident, you expect to see an increase in your auto insurance premiums. That’s nothing new. What is new is the fact that today, anyone involved in a car accident could end up paying more for coverage, even those who are not deemed culpable. Here’s why insurers are raising rates for those who are hit by another person’s car as explained by a New Jersey car accident attorney from Rossetti & DeVoto, P.C. Not-At-Fault Accidents A recent study by The Consumer Federation of America found that people involved in, but not-at-fault for, accidents were likely to face… Read More

Tips For Swimming And Boating Safely With Your Family

Human beings as a species are pathetically incompetent in the water. Compare the best human swimmer with even the worst fish and you’ll see just what we mean. With this in mind, it’s essential to consciously practice a conservative attitude of respect and caution if and whenever you’re swimming. Here’s our guide to swimming and boating safety to keep your head above water and avoid a wrongful death situation from the experienced New Jersey wrongful death attorney at Rossetti & DeVoto, P.C. Swimming Safety Tips Here are our top three tips for keeping yourself and your children safe while swimming…. Read More

How To Pick The Right Car For Safe Teen Driving

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that of all parents who purchase vehicles for their children, 83 percent buy used cars. However, while such cars may have a price advantage over something brand-new, they may not be “good as new” in terms of safety. Here are some factors parents should consider if they want their teenagers to drive something safe, reliable, and economical from the New Jersey car accident attorney team at Rossetti & DeVoto, P.C. Focus on Crash Test Ratings Car companies and independent researchers conduct these tests for a reason: consumers demand them. For vehicles of… Read More

Maximizing Your Car’s Visibility At Night

Driving at night can be dangerous. But driving at night with limited visibility, that can be deadly. Here are some tips and tricks on how to keep yourself safe by maximizing your car’s visibility at night. The experienced New Jersey personal injury attorney team from Rossetti & DeVoto, P.C. is here to explain how you can maximize your car’s visibility at night, making it safer for you and other drivers. Your Car’s Visibility People chronically overestimate their own skills behind the wheel. That is just a fact. It’s a psychosocial phenomenon referred to as “overconfidence bias,” which is prevalent in… Read More

Your Car Crash Survival Guide

There is an alarming rate of twenty to fifty million people injured in car accidents every year. Some of these are merely minor accidents, some are more serious and require you to find the best car accident attorney in your area for you to find compensation and justice. Due to the high rate of car accidents, there is a high chance that you or your loved ones may be in an accident at some point in time. It may be a minor accident or it may be major. Regardless, we’re here to make sure you know exactly what to do…. Read More

Returning to the Job After a Workplace Injury: Light Duty

You’re working, are involved in an accident, and are injured. This scenario happens every day and, unfortunately, affects individuals and families across the state. Thankfully, New Jersey has a law in place called the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). It exists specifically to help you and your family in these sorts of situations. The FMLA makes sure that you’re protected from being physically incapacitated and unable to work due to a work-related injury. Perhaps, more importantly, the FMLA ensured that your employer is required to pay your workers’ compensation until you’re able to return to the job. What happens… Read More

Am I Liable for Texting a Driver Who Crashes?

Let’s start with the facts: Twenty-five percent of all motor vehicle accident involves a cell phone. This amounted to over 340,000 accidents in 2013 alone. There are nine people killed every day in car crashes due to distracted driving, many of which involve texting and driving. All of these are different ways of telling the same story – texting while driving is incredibly dangerous. This is common knowledge. What isn’t so readily apparent, though, are the dangers that come from texting someone who is driving. According to New Jersey’s Appeals Court, you can be held legally responsible for texting someone… Read More

Bike Riding Safety Tips

There were more than 800 bicyclist deaths in 2015. While this number is not as high as, say, motorcycle accident fatalities, it is still much higher than it should be. Cyclists, motorists, and even pedestrians could stand to learn a few valuable bike riding safety tips. Thankfully, we are here to teach you how to stay safe while cycling. We are New Jersey’s premier wrongful death law firm and have learned a thing or two about safety over the years. Keep reading to find out valuable tips and don’t hesitate to call us today at 856-354-0900 if you have been… Read More

When is An Injury a Workplace Accident?

Thirty-four percent of all Americans work in the ‘gig economy’. The 21st century has brought new technology, new opportunities, and new challenges. Work is as old as agriculture, but the working world of today is wildly different from what it was even ten years ago. Telecommuting, Uber, and the new definition of the workplace have impacted a wide variety of people. The challenges people have are reflected in the law. Case law is constantly developing, and lawmakers institute new statutes every day to try and keep up with the times. As workers’ compensation lawyers, we want to help you stay… Read More