0 1 Blog News RLS Media and NJ.com recently reported that a worker was killed after an industrial accident at a Newark bakery, where authorities said the employee became trapped in machinery. According to the report, emergency responders found the worker pinned between a malfunctioning horizontal conveyor and a lower stainless-steel tray, and the incident remains under investigation. This accident occurred on Hudson Street in Newark, New Jersey, not far from our Elizabeth, New Jersey office. First and foremost, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family during this difficult time. Tragic workplace machine accidents like this are devastating for families, coworkers, and entire communities. They also raise important legal questions that often go beyond a traditional workers’ compensation claim. Workers’ Compensation After a Serious Workplace Accident In New Jersey, workers’ compensation may provide medical benefits, wage replacement, permanent disability benefits, and, in fatal cases, death benefits to eligible dependents of workers who die as a result of their employment. A workers’ compensation claim is generally directed through the employer’s insurance system. It may be available even where no one has yet determined exactly who was at fault for the accident. When a Workplace Machine Accident May Also Involve Product Liability When a workplace accident involves industrial machinery, conveyors, manufacturing equipment, presses, forklifts, packaging lines, or other mechanical systems, there may also be a separate products liability claim against a third party. That distinction matters. A workers’ compensation claim is generally handled through the employer’s insurance system. A products liability claim, by contrast, may involve investigation into whether a machine or product was defectively designed, defectively manufactured, lacked appropriate warnings, lacked proper guards, or failed to operate safely under foreseeable workplace conditions. New Jersey product liability law recognizes claims where a product was not reasonably fit, suitable, or safe because of a manufacturing defect, inadequate warning, or defective design. Why Third-Party Claims Matter in Industrial Machine Accident Cases In serious machine accident cases, it is important to investigate whether responsibility may extend beyond the employer. Depending on the facts, potential third parties may include: A machine manufacturer A product designer A distributor or seller An installer A maintenance contractor A repair company A safety contractor Another outside company responsible for machinery, equipment, guards, inspections, or warnings These cases require close review of how the machine was designed, installed, maintained, modified, guarded, and used in the workplace. Evidence Can Disappear Quickly After a Machine Accident These cases require fast and thorough investigation. Evidence can disappear quickly. Machinery may be repaired, altered, moved, cleaned, replaced, or returned to service. Maintenance records, safety manuals, incident reports, inspection history, surveillance footage, machine guarding, lockout procedures, and witness statements may all become critical. In serious machine accident cases, it is important to determine not only what happened, but why it happened — and whether another company, manufacturer, distributor, installer, maintenance contractor, or equipment designer may bear responsibility. Mintz & Geftic Handles Serious Workplace Injury and Defective Product Cases For approximately 50 years, lawyers at Mintz & Geftic have handled serious workplace injury matters, including cases involving both workers’ compensation and claims arising from defective or dangerous products. The firm’s history includes representation of injured workers and victims of workplace accidents, product defects, construction accidents, and other serious negligence matters. Bryan H. Mintz, a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, has successfully recovered millions of dollars for individuals and families impacted by workplace machine accidents and other serious injury matters. Bryan has also been selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers list for 13 straight years. Speak With a New Jersey Workplace Machine Accident Lawyer At Mintz & Geftic, we understand that a serious workplace accident can affect every part of a family’s life. When a worker is severely injured or killed in a machine-related accident, the legal issues can be complex and time-sensitive. Our firm investigates every potential avenue of recovery, including workers’ compensation benefits and third-party claims involving defective machinery, unsafe equipment, or negligent outside parties. If you or a loved one has been injured in a workplace machine accident, contact Mintz & Geftic to discuss your legal rights and options. Call or text 908-352-2323. Estimated reading time: 5 minutes FAQS Can a workplace machine accident involve more than workers’ compensation? Yes. In New Jersey, workers’ compensation may apply after an on-the-job injury or death. However, if a defective machine, unsafe product, missing guard, inadequate warning, negligent maintenance company, or other outside party contributed to the accident, there may also be a separate third-party claim. What is a third-party claim after a workplace accident? A third-party claim is a legal claim against someone other than the employer. In a machine accident case, this may include a manufacturer, distributor, installer, maintenance contractor, repair company, or another outside company responsible for the equipment or safety systems. Why is an immediate investigation important after a machine accident? Evidence can change quickly. Machinery may be repaired, cleaned, altered, moved, or returned to service. Records, video footage, inspection documents, maintenance logs, manuals, and witness statements should be reviewed as early as possible. What types of equipment can be involved in workplace machine accident cases? Workplace machine accident cases may involve conveyors, presses, forklifts, manufacturing equipment, packaging lines, industrial machinery, safety guards, electrical systems, and other mechanical equipment used in factories, warehouses, bakeries, construction sites, and industrial workplaces. What should families do after a fatal workplace machine accident in New Jersey? Families should make sure the workplace accident has been reported, request information about workers’ compensation benefits, and speak with an attorney about whether a third-party investigation should be started before important evidence is lost or changed. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Award selection process and methodology information can be found through Super Lawyers. 1 Newarkpersonal injury lawyerworkers-compensationWrongful Death Accident Related Posts Super Lawyer 2024 – Bryan Mintz Named to List Again! NJ personal injury attorney Bryan Mintz has received the Super Lawyer honor once again! Bryan, who represents injured victims of car and truck accidents, has now made this list eleven straight years! This honor is a credit to Bryan and the whole team at Mintz & Geftic Personal Injury Law Firm. 2024 – The Super Lawyer Selection Process Only five percent of attorneys across the whole state of New Jersey are designated as Super Lawyers each year. In order to be eligible for this prestigious title, an attorney in New Jersey must go through a rigorous selection process. Candidates must first be nominated by… 0 0 0 30 Apr 2024 $25,000 For Rear-End Accident While Working $25,000 settlement for our client for serious injuries suffered in a rear-end accident. Our client suffered back injuries as a result of an automobile accident in which an out-of-state driver struck his vehicle from behind in Springfield, New Jersey. His back injuries from this crash resulted in a L4-L5 and L5-S1 discectomy and decompression surgery. Our client was working at the time of this rear-end accident, so his medical treatment was covered by workers’ compensation insurance. He also was able to file a workers’ compensation claim, which is currently still pending. We will update this result and the additional settlement once our workers’ compensation… 0 0 0 09 Dec 2022 $400,000 Settlement of a Wrongful Death Accident $400,000 Settlement of a wrongful death accident case. Plaintiff was an elderly man on the way to his doctor appointment when he encountered a ramp at the building entranceway to the doctor’s office. The ramp was too steep and did not contain railings to steady his progress. Plaintiff then lost his balance, backpedaled and fell hitting his head on the ground causing a skull fracture that triggered a deteriorating condition culminating in his death three months later. This wrongful death accident case ensued resulting in the recovery of wrongful death damages. (Union County, 2016). 0 0 0 12 Jan 2017 $32,000 for NJ Turnpike Accident Injuries $32,000 settlement for our client who was a passenger in an accident that occurred in Newark on the NJ Turnpike. As a result of the NJ Turnpike accident, our client endured injuries and severe back pain. She had MRIs showing C3-C4, C4-C5, and C5-C6 broad based disc bulges. Our client underwent chiropractic treatment to help with her pain. The case resolved without the filing a lawsuit. (NJ Turnpike, Newark, NJ, essex county, 2022) MINTZ & GEFTIC – Top-RATED NJ ACCIDENT INJURY LAW FIRM All cases involving a rear-end accident, truck accident, car accident, slip and falls accident, or work-related accident require NO FEE unless… 0 0 0 02 Dec 2022 New Jersey Heat Wave Safety: Protecting Workers from Danger New Jersey Heat Wave Safety: Protecting Workers from Dangerous Heat Exposure When we think of extreme heat, states like Arizona and Texas naturally come to mind. But recent heat waves in New Jersey remind us that dangerous heat can strike anywhere, posing significant risks, especially to outdoor workers. Cities such as Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, and Elizabeth are frequently experiencing record-high temperatures, making heat safety a top priority. Understanding the Risks of Heat Exposure In A Heat Wave Extreme heat exposure isn’t just uncomfortable—it can lead to serious health conditions, including heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and potentially life-threatening heat stroke. Every year, dozens of… 0 0 0 24 Jun 2025 Top St. Patrick’s Day Lawsuits St. Patrick’s Day is here again. Many of us are wearing green and a few might even be displaying one of those “kiss me, I’m Irish” buttons. St. Patrick’s Day parades are on tap in many cities, as are the pints of Guinness in many Irish pubs. Many Irish Americans (and some non-Irish Americans) will be enjoying some corned beef and cabbage. Some kids will be on the hunt for those silly leprechauns to see what kind of mischief they might be up to. While some of us that saw the 90’s horror movie Leprechaun might still be trying to erase the image of this… 0 0 0 16 Mar 2018 60,000 For Slip and Fall Accident On Stairs $60,000 settlement for our client who had a slip and fall accident in Newark, New Jersey when falling down a neighbors’ stairs. This slip and fall accident occurred as a result of the dilapidated front porch stairs. The condition of these stairs made them a serious injury risk. Our client suffered a patellar tendon tear from the fall on the stairs. His personal injury required surgery. The house was unfortunately unoccupied and in foreclosure and we were fortunate to be able to obtain some settlement monies for our client. He ultimately recovered physically after extensive physical therapy. MINTZ & GEFTIC – SLIP AND FALL… 0 0 0 07 Dec 2022 $475,000 For Construction Accident Injuries $475,000 for serious injuries suffered in a New Jersey construction accident where our client fell from a roof while working. Our client was painting a house in Union County, New Jersey, while standing on a sloped roof. The general contractor did not provide any safety harness or take any steps to insure that workers had fall protection while working on the roof. Our client fell from the roof sustaining a number of serious injuries. These injuries included multiple fractures to the head and face, knee fracture, shoulder fracture, hand fractures,. Our client endured significant pain and suffering as a result of this construction accident… 0 0 0 24 Jan 2022 Election Day – The Top 5 Weirdest Ballot Initiatives Ever Mintz & Geftic Law Firm is here with some BREAKING NEWS–there’s a big election going down this week! Kidding, of course. In fact, even a New Jersey resident currently living under a rock has reportedly been complaining about this election getting too much coverage. We urge everyone to get their ballots in ASAP and ensure that their voices are heard. It is not hyperbole to say that this is one of the most important elections we have ever faced as a nation. The choice for president is clearly the most discussed element of the 2020 election (and with good reason). However, in some cases… 2 0 2 01 Nov 2020 Top 5 Reasons Why Santa Needs A Lawyer Some of you may have caught our worker’s compensation blog post about the most dangerous jobs in the US. While jobs on that list certainly qualified as dangerous, there was one that clearly got overlooked. That oversight is Santa Claus and the many workplace hazards he faces in his profession. Let’s consider the full scope of the big guy’s work and point out just a few examples of why he needs to have a lawyer on retainer ASAP. To clear up any concerns regarding a conflict of interest, our law firm does not cover the North Pole region (we are New Jersey Personal Injury and… 0 0 0 22 Dec 2023 $125,000 for Serious Injuries from Multi-vehicle Accident Involving Truck Mintz & Geftic’s client, a New Jersey worker, was involved in a multi-vehicle accident. While driving his truck for work, our client was struck by a car that was pushed forward after it was struck by a truck. Our client suffered with serious injuries as a result of the accident. Injuries included herniated C4-5 and C5-6 discs in his neck. Our client underwent epidural injections for pain, as well as physical therapy. The case settled shortly after a settlement conference at Union County Courthouse for $125,000. Our client also received a settlement from this corresponding workers’ compensation case. (Union County, 2019) MINTZ & GEFTIC … 0 0 0 11 Nov 2019 $150,000 Settlement for Pedestrian Accident $150,000 settlement for our client injured in a pedestrian accident. Our client was a pedestrian crossing Routes 1 & 9 in Elizabeth when he was struck by driver. He suffered serious injuries including pelvis fracture and scapular fracture, and underwent open reduction and internal fixation of both fractures. Sadly Mr. Johnson passed away during the lawsuit of causes unrelated to his accident. The case was ultimately resolved by his estate before trial. (ELIZABETH, Union County, New jersey 2022) MINTZ & GEFTIC FREE CONSULTATIONS AND NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN YOUR CASE All cases involving truck accidents, car accidents, slip and falls accidents and work-related… 0 0 0 01 Dec 2022 The Top 5 Halloween Lawsuits Fall is in the air. Pumpkin spice is everywhere. Tombstones and skeletons are sprawled across the front lawns in your neighborhood. Huge spiderwebs are covering front porches. It must be time for Halloween. Otherwise, it is time to strongly consider moving. 2 0 2 30 Oct 2024 Bryan Mintz Named Super Lawyer for 10th Straight Year! New Jersey top personal injury attorney Bryan Mintz has received the Super Lawyer honor for the tenth consecutive year! An attorney being recognized as a New Jersey Super Lawyer in any one year is no small feat. Accomplishing this for a full decade is a major credit to Bryan and the team at Mintz & Geftic Personal Injury Law Firm. 2023 – The Super Lawyer Selection Process Only five percent of attorneys across the whole state of New Jersey are designated as Super Lawyers each year. In order to be eligible for this prestigious title, an attorney in New Jersey must go through a… 0 0 0 08 Jun 2023 $100,000 For Back Injuries From Accident Involving a Truck $100,000 personal injury settlement for our client who suffered back injuries (herniated discs) from a serious car accident. Our client’s vehicle was struck by a truck causing serious injuries. These accident-related injuries included herniated discs in her cervical spine. She ultimately underwent a series of epidual steroid injections to ease her pain and suffering. MINTZ & GEFTIC FREE CONSULTATIONS AND NO FEE UNLESS WE WIN YOUR CASE All cases involving a rear-end accident, truck accident, car accident, slip and falls accident, or work-related accident require NO FEE unless we are successful in securing you a recovery to compensate you for your injuries and pain and… 0 0 0 24 Jan 2022 Leave a comment Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment.
