Personal Injury Cases – Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli

What would you do if you were injured in a motorcycle accident? Sound far fetched? Sadly, motorcycle accidents are far too common. In the last decade, the number of fatal motorcycle accidents has more than doubled. In 1998, motorcycle accidents killed 2,294 people and injured more than 49,000 nationwide. In 2008, 5,290 died and more than 96,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents.

Why the increase in motorcycle accidents? Experts have cited the recent rise in the number of motorcycles on the road. In 1998, there were 3.8 million motorcycles on the road. By 2008, that number had skyrocketed to 7.7 million motorcycles. But there may be another reason for this increase. During the same time period, many states relaxed their motorcycle helmet laws.

Helmets drastically reduce the likelihood of dying in a motorcycle accident. Riders wearing helmets are 37 percent less likely to die in a crash than riders without helmets, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s why many states still require motorcyclists to wear helmets. In Connecticut, motorcyclists 17 years old and younger are required by law to wear helmets.

Unfortunately, accidents happen. In Connecticut, a total of 50 motorcyclists died in accidents in 2008.  Just recently, a 25-year-old Milford, Connecticut motorcyclist was killed in an accident in North Haven, Connecticut.

What would you do if you were injured in a motorcycle accident? Who would you trust? You need someone in your corner that will fight for your rights. You need someone who will work tirelessly to make sure you’re fully compensated for your injuries. You need the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli.

The Law Offices of Salomone & Morelli have years of experience defending the rights of motorcycle accident victims in Connecticut. We understand the law and know how to get results. We also realize insurance companies often blame motorcyclists for causing the accident, even if it wasn’t their fault.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Take action. Contact Salomone & Morelli today. We’re on your side.

No one who receives hip replacement surgery wants to go through a second operation. But a stunningly high number of people with hip replacement products manufactured by DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. are in need of a second procedure due to the failure of the products.

DePuy, a division of Johnson & Johnson, is recalling two of its hip implant products because they are prone to early failure: ASR XL Acetabular System (launched in 2004) and DePuy ASR Hip Resurfacing system (launched in 2003).

DePuy has informed the Food and Drug Administration of the recall, which involves removing the dangerous devicesFDA also has warned DePuy that the firm was marketing the TruMatch Personalized Solutions System and the Corail Hip System without the required marketing clearance or approval, in violation of FDA rules. from hospital shelves. Johnson & Johnson has had 11 recalls since September, according to reports. The

How does a recall work with a device already implanted in the body? DePuy recommends patients speak with the orthopedic surgeon who implanted the device. A doctor can scan or X-ray the hip to see how the device is performing. A blood test may be required to look at any metal particles that may indicate a problem. If a serious problem is detected, surgery may be required to replace the defective medical equipment.

DePuy has posted an FAQ about the recall on its website.

The implant may be loose or there may be a bone fracture around the device or dislocation of the implant’s ball and socket. Signs that your hip replacement device may be failing include the following symptoms:

• Pain
• Difficulty walking
• Swelling in the hip area

About 12 percent of people getting the hip resurfacing system and 13 percent getting the Acetabular System needed corrective surgery within five years. Women are more likely to need surgery than men, according to reports. DePuy says no more than five percent of patients should need a replacement within five years.

Did you or a loved one receive hip replacement surgery since 2003? If a doctor implanted one of the DePuy products in your body, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli for a free and confidential consultation. A delay may affect your rights.

Serving clients in Hartford, New Haven, and throughout Connecticut, the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone and Morelli fights relentlessly for victims injured by defective medical devices. Choose a firm with experience and resources. Tell them you mean business!

August is the deadliest month to go boating, according to statistics compiled by the U.S. Coast Guard. In 2008, more people (112 total) died in boating accidents in August nationwide than any other month of the year. Certain days and times are also much more dangerous than others. The deadliest day of the week was Saturday: 208 deaths. And the deadliest time of day was between 4:31 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., when 112 deaths occurred.

But any time any day, the risk of being killed or injured in a boating accident is real. Just recently, two people were hospitalized after a 19-year-old Connecticut boater collided into another boat and fled the scene of the accident. Deadly boating accidents on Long Island Sound occur all too often as well.  In addition, special maritime rules may apply to accidents and injuries which occur on the water, regardless of the size of the body of water or the size of the vessel upon which an injured party is operating or a passenger.

Sometimes, you don’t even have to be on a boat to sustain an injury. People often get hurt when they slip and fall on a wet dock or boat ramp.

Overall, 709 people died, 3,331 were injured and $54.2 million worth of damage was caused by boating accidents nationwide in 2008. In Connecticut, boating accidents killed 11 people, injured 31 and caused $1,133,366 worth of damage in 2008. And in nearly half the cases (four deaths) of the 11 people killed in Connecticut in boating accidents that year, alcohol was a contributing factor.

Don’t let someone else’s reckless behavior ruin your family’s lives. If you or someone in your family has been injured or killed in a boating accident, you deserve justice. You need someone who will stand up for you and defend your rights. You need the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone & Morelli. When you choose us, you get experienced, dedicated lawyers who will vigorously fight to get you the compensation you’re legally entitled to for your boating injury.

Don’t leave your future to chance. Take action. Contact Salomone & Morelli today. We mean business.