Ocean County Workers' Compensation Law Blog

When fewer cars are on the road, some people may be tempted to drive too fast just for the thrill. This may make it less likely that speeding will affect another driver but it does not change the inherent danger. This is why speeders often face reckless driving charges if their car or truck ends up endangering someone's health or property.

Police believe that speeding may have been a factor in an Ocean County collision the injured several people. The incident began when a sedan hit another car and then collided with the back of a vehicle with four people inside. The driver and one of the passengers were taken to a local hospital by air.

Many jobs have a lot more risks inherent than others. For example, someone is more likely to be injured on the road than in an office under most circumstances, so professional drivers may face more occupational risks than office workers. As a result, some employees may know more about what to do if they are hurt on the job. If you're uncertain about what to do after a workplace injury, here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

• What is the first priority after a workplace injury?

The first thing to seek is emergency help. If there has been a sudden incident that results in a trauma, a call to 911 or a trip to the hospital may be the next move. If someone has gotten ill due to work conditions, a call for a doctor's appointment may be enough. The next thing to do is make sure the conditions that caused the problem are managed.

• What can employers do after an injury?

If you hurt your leg enough to bother with medical treatment, you can usually tell whether or not you should be on the way to the doctor. A large or sudden swelling could indicate a problem, while broken bones may come with serious pain or visual clues. But a brain injury is unfortunate in many ways, including the difficult of detecting them.

This is why potential victims of brain injuries should have specific screenings conducted by medical professionals. Another good habit is to know the possible effects of a brain injury, so you and your loved ones have clues to your condition if it changes.

Is it time to consider the future of your assets? If you can understand this question, the answer is probably yes. People often think that estate planning, like writing a will and arranging bequests, is a matter to handle later in life. But we never know when "later in life" may be, and we often give our friends and family some security by recording our preferences.

• Is it just a matter of writing a will?

Wills are more complicated than they seem, as they need to be written in accordance with any regulations that may apply and it must be registered with the appropriate court. But a living trust is a way of letting others prepare for ownership of assets without necessarily losing control of it.

• Why would someone create a living trust?