New Jersey will receive aid from the federal government after a superstorm tore through the state, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake.

Hurricane Sandy killed at least 12 New Jersey citizens after making landfall Monday night. The storm created high tidal surges that flooded coastal areas, destroying numerous homes and businesses.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been called to the area. It is currently assessing the storm’s damage and figuring out how best to distribute its aid. It will begin that process within the next 48 hours. The American Red Cross is providing needed help until FEMA’s deliberations are complete. However, New Jersey residents can already apply for aid that includes temporary housing, loans to help cover uninsured belongings, and help rebuilding homes.

The personal injury lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A., hope you and your family made it through the hurricane safely and wish you a quick return to normal daily life.

The maker of anti-psychotic drug Risperdal have settled a lawsuit accusing it of using illegal methods to market the drug. The $181 million settlement is being divided among 36 states with New Jersey receiving $5.3 million.

Risperdal is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Lawsuits against Risperdal’s maker, Janssen Pharmaceutical Inc, allege the company made covert efforts, namely ghost writing articles in medical journals, to market the drug as a treatment for dementia. This practice is expressly prohibited.

Janssen, a subsidiary of Johnson and Johnson, denies any wrongdoing in the matter and wants to move past the allegations now that they have been settled.

Manufacturers of all products, not just pharmaceuticals, are obligated to market their goods in a way that does not betray the public trust. If you have been hurt by a product as a direct result of deceptive marketing, you may be able to hold the manufacturer liable. Contact the product liability attorneys of Levinson Axelrod, P.A., at 800-346-5529 to learn more.

A woman is suing a 13-year-old boy for throwing a baseball that hit her in the face two years ago. She is seeking $150,000 in compensation for her medical costs and other damages.

The woman’s lawsuit alleges that the boy intentionally threw the ball at her while she was sitting at a picnic table near the baseball park’s bullpen. The Little League player’s father holds that the ball hit her accidentally, claiming that most young children have trouble maintaining decent aim.

Little League provides insurance coverage for coaches and players, but not spectators.

When a person is hurt through no fault of their own, they have a limited time in which to file a lawsuit. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. If you have been hurt in an accident, contact the personal injury lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A., at 800-346-5529.

Last week, the journal Pediatrics published a study that explored self-injury in young children. Researchers interviewed 665 children living in Denver and central New Jersey.

In the study, many children reported injuring themselves as early as age seven. Of the 197 third-graders studied, almost 8 percent of them admitted to intentionally causing themselves harm through various methods including cutting, hitting, and burning. Nearly 13 percent of the ninth-graders interviewed also reported self-injury.

The University of Denver researchers who headed the study believe there is a chance that children are turning to this behavior to cope with emotional stress. Physical pain causes the body to release endorphins, chemicals that are believed to calm the mind.

Children who have practiced self-injury are more likely to contemplate suicide. If your child is injuring himself or herself, they may be experiencing emotional trauma due to abuse. If have lost a child to suicide, it may be a result of some outside negligence. Contact the wrongful death lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A., at 800-346-5529 to discuss this possibility.

MTV reality television star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro may be sued for his involvement in a fight last Friday, where he repeatedly punched a man in the face.

Justin Viterito, who is the potential plaintiff, and the Jersey Shore star were drinking at Bamboo Bar when a friend of Viterito was pushed from behind by someone affiliated with the show. When Viterito went to check on his friend, Ortiz-Magro punched him in the face.

A fight broke out, and Viterito alleges that one of the bar’s bouncers proceeded to put him in a headlock and allowed Ortiz-Magro to continue punching him. Viterito plans to sue MTV, claiming that it encourages the cast of the show to behave this way to maintain high ratings. The bouncer is also facing a tort lawsuit.

If you have been injured by someone’s irresponsible actions, contact the personal injury lawyers of Levinson Axelrod, P.A., at 800-346-5529.

A pit bull terrier named Cleo bit a Seaside Park police officer at the L Street beach on Saturday.

The officer was called to the scene after a complaint that someone was allowing his dog to run freely along the beach. The L Street beach has a strict policy that requires pets to be kept on leashes at all times. When the officer arrived, the dog was safely on his leash.

As the officer approached the dog’s owner, it became upset and started growling and thrashing. The owner lost control of his pet, who proceeded to lunge for the officer. The dog bit the policeman’s index finger before its owner was able to regain control. Because Cleo’s owner did not have proof that the animal had received a rabies shot, the dog was supposed to be taken into quarantine.

However, before he could be secured, Cleo escaped from custody, ran into the ocean, and began swimming. He was nearly half a mile into the sea before a Seaside Park Fire Company Water Rescue Unit boat was able to locate and rescue him. Cleo was exhausted and did not attack his rescuers.

If you have suffered a dog attack, contact the Monroe dog bite attorneys of Levinson Axelrod, P.A., at 800-346-5529 for a free case consultation.