A man living in Jacksonville, Florida with permanent brain damage has won a medical malpractice lawsuit against a hospital. The jury in his case determined he would be paid $177 million due to the hospital’s negligence in dealing with his weight-loss surgery complications.

The man, a 32-year-old former deputy, was told that he would live a longer and healthier life if he was able to lose some weight. He opted for gastric bypass surgery and specifically chose Memorial Hospital for their weight-loss program. He had the surgery in March 2007 and due to unforeseen challenges during and after the surgery, is now left with irreversible brain damage.

The doctors ran into difficulties during the procedure, which could not be explained, and their lack of attention to the man in the days following his accident directly led to the development of severe brain damage. It has almost been four years since the surgery and the man is unable to walk on his own, eat on his own or bathe on his own. He requires constant care to get through each day. He is grateful for the verdict but would gladly reverse the entire decision if he were able to return to his life before the surgery.

Five New Jersey construction workers were working on top of a roof at a construction site when they were injured. The workers were employed by J. G. Petrucci Co. Inc. and they were in the process of building a new roof for a convenience store, when the roof caved in.

All five of the workers fell through the roof and ended up on the ground surrounded by rubble. They all suffered different injuries, ranging from broken legs to head injuries. A few of the workers sustained such severe injuries that they were unable to return to work.

A representative from OSHA made a statement regarding the accident, claiming that the roof trusses became weak and were the reason for the collapse. A subcontractor has been deemed responsible for the support and safety of the roof trusses.

If you have been injured in a construction accident in New Jersey, please contact the New Jersey construction accident lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. by calling 800-346-5529 today.

A 63-year-old Perth Amboy man is dead after he was hit by a car while crossing the street on Saturday night.

The man was walking near the crossroads of Pfeiffer Boulevard and Columbus Drive when an oncoming car struck him. The car, a 1995 Ford Thunderbird, was traveling west on Pfeiffer Boulevard and was being driven by a 72-year-old man from Edison.

As soon as paramedics arrived on the scene, the injured man was transported to a local hospital where he passed away minutes after arriving. The investigation into the pedestrian accident is still ongoing.

Our thoughts go out to the victim’s family and friends during this tragic time.

Ford Motor Company has just announced a recall of approximately 500,000 mini-vans and SUVs due to two separate issues.

The Freestar minivan and the Mercury Monterey minivan manufactured between 2004 and 2005 are being recalled because of a torque converter problem. The torque converter output shaft on these models may stop working, thus causing a halt in power. There are 205,896 of these models involved in the national recall.

Also, 244,530 Ford Escape SUVs are being recalled because of a problem with their brake fluid cap. The 2001 and 2002 Ford Escape models have the potential to have a leaky brake fluid cap. If the cap does leak fluid, a possible fire could occur if the fluid damages the electrical connectors.

If an auto defect has caused you harm, please contact the New Jersey auto defect lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. by calling 800-346-5529 today.

A jury in San Diego has returned a $7.5 million verdict in a slip and fall accident lawsuit.

The slip and fall accident took place in a Vista Starbucks in 2008. A customer was leaving the cashier area and walking towards the pick-up counter when he slipped on the floor and struck his head. The fall resulted in a head injury, which left the customer, a chiropractor, unable to return to work.

After 2 and 1/2 weeks of deliberation the jury decided that Starbucks owed the man $7.5 million for income loss as well as medical expenses.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident in New Jersey, please contact the New Jersey slip and fall lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. by calling 800-346-5529 today.

The Build-A-Bear colorful hearts bear is facing major recalls as a choking hazard has been brought to light against the stuffed animal.

Over 300,000 colorful hearts bears have been recalled due to concerns regarding the bear’s eyes being able to pop out and potentially choke small children.  Build-A-Bear voluntarily recalled these bears, which stand 16 inches tall and are adorned with a rainbow heart pattern.

The defective bears were sold between April 2011 and December 2011 throughout the United States as well as Canada. Anyone who has one of these versions can return the bear to any Build-A-Bear location to exchange it for another teddy bear.

If you have been injured due to a dangerous toy, you need experienced representation on your side. Please contact the New Jersey dangerous childcare products lawyers of Levison Axelrod, P.A. by calling 800-346-5529 today.

Insurance.com has compiled a list of the top 10 cities with the most drunk drivers in the United States. The list was comprised of information regarding the 20 largest cities in America and the number of drunk driving citations between November 1, 2010 and October 31, 2011.

The top ten cities, in no specific order, include Los Angeles, Indianapolis, San Diego, Fort Worth, San Jose, Columbus, San Francisco, Jacksonville, Columbus and Phoenix.

Drunk driving accidents occur more frequently during the holiday season and receiving a DUI charge in New Jersey can be extremely costly. In certain areas of New Jersey, a drunk driving charge can increase auto insurance by up to $1,000 per year for three years.

If you have been injured in a car accident due to a reckless driver, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Please contact the New Jersey reckless driving lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. by calling 800-346-5529 today.

Around 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning a rare elevator accident left one person dead in New York City.

A 41-year-old woman was walking into her office building and as she was entering the elevator, it unexpectedly began rising upward. Her foot got caught in the door and her body was pushed into the elevator shaft where she died. The elevator is believed to have traveled at least two floors.

There were two additional people in the elevator who weren’t physically injured but were taken to the hospital on concern for psychological harm.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s family and friends during this difficult time.

J.P. Stevens for Animal Welfare is sponsoring Santa Paws in order to raise money this holiday season for homeless animals currently residing at the Edison Animal Center.

This event allows for animal lovers to have their pets be in a picture with Santa Claus. Each photo will cost $9, with all the proceeds benefiting the Animal Center.

Two opportunities for these pictures have already happened but there is one more chance for you to have a keepsake of your beloved animal with Santa. This Saturday, December 10, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. the Minnie Veal Community Center will be hosting the final installation of Santa Paws.

The New Jersey car accident lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. would like to wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season.

For more news regarding events in the Edison area, please visit the New Jersey Today website.

Donald J. Cook Jr., 40, of Bartonsville, died on Tuesday when he lost control of his vehicle while driving on I-80.

According to police, Cook was driving in the eastbound lane on I-80 when he lost control of his car after failing to follow a curve in the road.  He was driving a 2003 Hyundai Sonata.  The car spun clockwise into the left lane and hit the rear of a Chevy pickup truck driven by Wayne K. Goetsch, 50, of East Stroudsburg.

Cook suffered major head trauma and was rushed to Pocono Medical Center where he later died.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, contact New Jersey car accident attorneys of Levinson Axelrod, P.A. at 800-346-5529.