Author Archives: vlm

When should you seek legal counsel due to scarring and disfigurement? Scarring and Disfigurement issues due to accidents, animal bites, and corrective surgeries are more common than you would believe. It can be difficult to determine when it is necessary to contact a lawyer when faced with a scarring situation.

Scars are a visual reminder of what was probably a traumatic or life-altering experience and that alone can cause mental and emotional anguish for a lifetime. At Westmoreland Vesper and Quattrone, we are dedicated to helping you gain back your dignity and confidence after suffering the consequences of an unfortunate scarring event.

Should I seek law assistance for a scar?

Filing an injury lawsuit for a scarring incident is a necessary step for those who are struggling to continue their everyday lives due to scars or disfigurement. Typically, scarring cases that occur from accidents like burns, animal bites, or surgery issues are brought to our firm in hopes of medical expenses being rectified.

Scar tissue comes in different forms and can be a painful problem for many victims. Reconstructive surgery can be costly and despite the effort of surgeons, some victims are unable to have their skin restored to its natural state. This can cause issues when attempting to obtain certain jobs and can certainly alter your way of living. When you contact us, we will help build your case to assure that you receive appropriate compensation to get back to your normal life.

Is my scar valid for a case?

If you’ve suffered an injury that resulted in a terrible scar contact Westmoreland Vesper and Quattrone for assistance with your injury and scarring or disfigurement case, as we are determined to bring you justice and peace of mind after what could have been a traumatic event.

Have You Had Recent Scarring and Disfigurement?
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We are very excited to announce that our very own Dara Quattrone will be moderating MEDICINE FOR LAWYERS: A TO Z TRAUMA TREATMENT on Monday, June 28, 2021. This seminar is one of the programs being offered at the annual Boardwalk Seminar sponsored by the New Jersey Association for Justice.

This year marks the 40th Annual Boardwalk Seminar, which is attended by over 2,000 lawyers each year.

Dara has been working with the medical community to educate attorneys on cutting edge medical issues typically seen related to injury found in car accident, premises and other personal injury claims.

Dara has been working with the medical community to educate attorneys since the inception of this program in 2012.

The 2021 Boardwalk Seminar agenda will cover:

• Surgical Pain Alternatives
• Surgical Alternatives for Spinal Pain
• Spinal Cord Implants & Stimulators
• Modern Technology in Orthopedics
• Robotic Knee Replacement Surgery
• Robotics in Shoulder and Hips
• Latest in Spine Surgery
• Robotic Spine Surgery
• RSD Pain

The seminar is an annual event sponsored by the New Jersey Association for Justice. Boardwalk Seminar® 2021 will feature 28 programs presented in 102 separate webinars for trial attorneys and includes outstanding local and regional speakers along with top national speakers, delivered to your door as a virtual event. Social and multimedia features will be available right at your fingertips to engage with fellow attendees, speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

Dara A. Quattrone is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney with extensive trial experience in personal injury claims including injuries related to auto crashes, dangerous conditions of property and professional negligence. She is a graduate of the National College of Trial Advocacy of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, and the Plaintiff Trial Academy of the New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association.

When you are involved in an auto accident, you are often upset, feeling a little scattered and it can be hard to think clearly. People often make mistakes when they have been involved in accident that could hurt your case. Here are the top 5 mistakes people make when involved in an accident:

1. NOT GETTING IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE.

If you are hurt in an auto accident, you need to seek medical care immediately. Insurance companies will often use it against you, often arguing that if you were injured, then you would have sought medical attention. If you are experiencing any pain after being involved in an auto accident, no matter how minor you think your pain is, go directly to an ER or urgent care center in order to document your injuries.

2. NOT GETTING FOLLOW UP MEDICAL TREATMENT.

After you have received initial medical attention for your injuries, insurance companies pay great attention to whether follow-up medical treatment is necessary, is performed and is consistent. Trauma specialists often advocate beginning therapeutic modalities promptly. When follow-up treatment is delayed or inconsistent, it can lead to difficulties in getting authorizations and can affect medical-legal issues in establishing causation. To avoid these issues, it is important to seek treatment with a trauma care specialist promptly.

3. ADOPTING A WAIT AND SEE APPROACH.

It is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after being involved in an auto accident. In accident case, there may often be important evidence that needs to be preserved. Some claims require that notice of claim to the potential adverse party. If you wait, you can be sure that the insurance company is working to limit their exposure to pay you less.

4. TRUSTING THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

Insurance companies often want you to believe that they are on your side, but this is not always the case. You need to be cautious and be aware of quick cash offers which will not accurately reflect the full economic and non-economic value of your claim. Before you accept any cash offer to settle your injury claim, contact an experienced attorney first.

5. TALKING WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY BEFORE TALKING TO AN ATTORNEY.

After an being involved in an auto accident, you will need to contact your insurance company and property damage adjusters in order to report the claim and subsequently schedule an inspection of your vehicle. These are important and should not be avoided. But, there are a few things to consider before when talking to your insurance company before talking to an attorney. First, the insurance company may try to record a statement from you, which they may use against you to deny your claim. Or they may ask you to sign something that ends you claim altogether, which usually results in very low offers than which your are entitled.

If you or a family member has been injured, due to the negligence of others, please call us at (609) 645-1111 to learn more. We would be happy to arrange for a confidential free consultation.

We recently celebrated Tom Vesper’s, 50th year as a member of the Atlantic County Bar Association. It was a great honor to be among the many Honorable Judges, Lawyers, and Community Supporters.

Tom Vesper is being awarded the Gerald B. O’Connor Award at the New Jersey Association for Justice dinner on 2/23/23. The 2023 Gerald B. O’Connor Award will be presented to:

• Clarence A. Barry-Austin, Esq.;
• ​​​​Donald A. Caminiti, Esq.;
• Donald M. Lomurro, Esq.;
• Kathleen M. Reilly, Esq.; and
• Thomas J. Vesper, Esq.

The NJAJ Board of Governors created the Gerald B. O’Connor Award to honor the memory of Gerald B. O’Connor, who was an extraordinary trial lawyer who earned the respect of colleagues and adversaries alike for his brilliant skill and professionalism as well as his humanity. The award is presented to veteran current or former NJAJ members who, like Gerald B. O’Connor, have had a stellar legal career and:

1. Have exhibited skill as a trial attorney

2. Have exhibited creativity as a trial attorney

3. Have exhibited professionalism as a trial attorney

Congratulations to Tom on this great achievement!

WV&Q partners, Dara Quattrone and Tom Vesper will be speaking at the New Jersey Association for Justice Educational Foundation, Inc.’s Winter Seminar scheduled for Thursday, February 24, 2022, at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, NJ. Dara, who is also the co-chair of the program along with Reno Ciccotta, will be delivering a message about a success story related to Cina (Auto) Spinal Injuries with Surgery cases and Thomas will be delivering a 45 minute speech about Wrongful Death cases.

Learn More

We would with our friends at RE/MAX Platinum Properties like to put out this handy guide to buying, selling and renting a home. Thanks RE/MAX for allowing us to share our knowledge on the legal process of buying and selling a home.

View The Guide

Our firm has undergone many changes over our years in business, including in our range of practice areas. In case you haven’t yet noticed, we’ve also undergone a name change. We are now Westmoreland, Vesper & Quattrone.

As you may know, our firm was formerly Westmoreland, Vesper, Quattrone & Beers. Our fourth partner, Ms. Kathleen Beers, is a well-respected and successful attorney who faithfully served our clients and the community for many years. She and the firm have recently parted ways amicably as she pursues her individual goals. We’re profoundly grateful for her service to the firm through the years and we wish Ms. Beers nothing but the best in her future.

As a firm, we will continue to serve our clients in the Atlantic City area and surrounding areas. Our practice areas still remain in the realm of personal injury, wrongful death and compensation, and we represent every client zealously. Our attorneys thoroughly review all of the facts of every case we take on, and we are always willing to go to trial and represent your interests in a courtroom when necessary.

We are proud of our continued record as a successful law firm, and we’re proud of our record of success with our former partner and friend Kathleen Beers. Our firm has been successful for over 50 years largely as a result of word of mouth and referrals, and we continue to represent Atlantic City residents and visitors in car accidents, truck accidents, slips and falls, and more.

We may have experienced a name change. We are now Westmoreland, Vesper & Quattrone. But our dedication to our clients and our work ethic remains the same. If you’ve experienced a preventable injury or the unexpected death of a loved one, reach out to us today. We will fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.

We’re trading in our holiday gift baskets and cookie trays for something more meaningful. This year, we will be sending holiday gift cards and gift donations to The Community Food Bank of NJ in the name of our intended recipients.

2020 has seen a radical shift in the way we work, learn and interact with our communities.

In the spirit of change, Westmoreland Vesper & Quattrone is celebrating the holidays a little differently.

With so many businesses working remotely and people unemployed, we couldn’t think of a better cause to celebrate. This is our small way of giving back to the community at the close of what has been a difficult year for many.

The Community Food Bank of NJ does some truly wonderful work to end food insecurity, providing over 66 million meals every year. Having forged partnerships with soup kitchens, pantries and shelters across New Jersey, they help families access nutritious meals and essential hygiene supplies.

1 in 3 NJ students has to grapple with hunger on a daily basis. The Community Food Bank of NJ has partnered with over a dozen on-campus pantries to help out 2,300 students and counting.

“Our firm has been lucky enough to experience some humbling successes over the years. This is our way of paying the kindness forward. The Community Food Bank has created a phenomenal food distribution program that positive impacts every corner of NJ for the better. We’re proud to stand behind such an amazing effort.”

Spread a little love. Check out their website to find out how you can get involved this season.

Happy Holidays!

Let’s look at how scammers are taking advantage of stimulus checks during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the news that many citizens will be receiving a federal stimulus check for $1,200 or more comes the inevitable scammers who want to take advantage of people during tough times.

While this is likely cultivating in all different ways across the country, in New Jersey, this has surfaced as a phone call, email, or social media message that is claiming to need your bank account information along with other important personal information. The scam goes as far as to say that you will NOT receive your money unless you provide the information, which is swaying people to oblige. This information is SO far from correct.

Everyone’s eligibility for this stimulus money is different, so you’ll want to check yours. You can do so directly through information provided by the Federal Trade commission. No one knows your eligibility better than them, so be sure to head straight to the source!

How to Spot Scammers Taking Advantage of Stimulus Checks

• You are not required to “sign up” for anything when it comes to the CARES Act. There is no form to fill out, no information that needs to be collected, etc. Everything would be based on either your 2018 or 2019 tax return, so as long as that was filed, you’re good to go!
• The IRS won’t be messaging you on social media or giving you a call to claim they can fast track your money. If you have ANY questions, YOU should contact the IRS directly. Not the other way around. If the IRS has your account information from past tax returns, they will be able to automatically deposit. If they don’t, they can mail a check. The IRS already has your information, so there would be no need for anyone to request it again, and doing so is a big red flag!
• There is no fast track! If someone reaches out to you to say they can get you your money sooner than everyone else, they are a scammer. Many of these scams will act as if your response is a time sensitive manner. The sense of urgency is used as a scare tactic. Stay up to date with the resources provided in this article and you’ll be “in the know”.

For updates directly from the IRS, visit here: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know

If you feel you’ve been contacted by a scammer, don’t be silent! You can report them directly to the Federal Trade Commission here: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1

Besides reporting them, it’s important for us to work together to warn people about these scammers and ultimately make their efforts unsuccessful. You can do so by sharing this article with friends, family, and on your social media accounts. Spread the word and help a neighbor avoid being taken advantage of!