Manalapan New Jersey Legal Blog

Distracted driving is an epidemic in New Jersey, as elsewhere in the U.S., and it may be more dangerous now than drunk driving. DUI deaths have been reduced by a third over the past 30 years thanks to the efforts of law enforcement and activist groups, but more and more people are being distracted by smartphones, in-car navigation systems, and other technologies. A survey showed that 63 percent of motorists are more afraid of distracted drivers than of intoxicated ones.

In the same survey, 75 percent of drivers said that they see other motorists using their phones every day. Texting, talking on the phone, and talking to passengers are among the most common sources of distraction. Because current laws do not punish distracted driving as severely as DUI, for instance, many drivers do not feel motivated to break their habits.

New Jersey people whose work environments are noisy may have high levels of cholesterol and high blood pressure, raising their risk for heart disease. This information comes from a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The two main risk factors for cardiovascular disease are high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Cardiovascular disease also ranks first in the causes of death in the nation while loud noise is a primary workplace health hazard. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at the CDC reports that almost 41 million people in the United States, just about a quarter of all workers, have reported being exposed to loud working environments.

People rely on the care and hard work of nurses, aides and other hospital workers when they are at their weakest and most vulnerable. Those who work in these stressful settings often sacrifice their own well-being for the care and comfort of their patients.

In some cases, the injuries suffered by hospital workers can leave them unable to continue their jobs. Back injuries, as well as serious knee injuries and other joint problems, can cause ongoing pain, reduced strength and difficulty performing the necessary tasks at work. Illnesses acquired at work, such as MRSA or bloodborne illnesses acquired through an accidental needle stick, can also end someone's medical career. When that happens, these workers should absolutely consider filing for workers' compensation.

Following a seven-year effort to address trench and excavation accidents, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the issue to be the organization's primary focus for 2018. This effort includes a national stand down on excavation work to facilitate a safety dialogue in New Jersey and across the United States.

It's not hard to understand the reasoning behind this national focus. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, injuries related to excavations and trenches in 2016 were five times the average of the previous five years. The goal for 2018, according to OSHA, is increasing awareness of hazards in trench construction, reducing the number of collapses and educating workers on cave-in prevention strategies.