Catastrophic/Excess Liability

Catastrophic claims require tested trial attorneys with the ability to rapidly respond, analyze the multiple issues presented, and immediately develop the events of such claims with a constant view toward trial preparation so as to best position the client. Our attorneys in this area have available a team that responds quickly to requests for assistance in claims involving wrongful death, cognitive impairment/brain injury, quadriplegia, paraplegia or psychological injury. In addition, members of this team commonly involve themselves in catastrophic commercial property damage losses involving business interruption, destruction of business, inventory, loss, commercial property and other types of property damage.

The services offered by this team involve counseling immediately after a catastrophic event occurs so as to guide the client through any regulatory inquiry as well as in protecting evidence including witnesses, involved products, and documents. In addition, representation involves trial activity on behalf of excess insurance carriers who wish to associate in trial counsel of their choosing.

Representative Matters

Superior Court of N.J., Bergen County-commercial trucking accident which rendered plaintiff wheelchair bound. Retained as lead counsel five days before trial commenced. Case settled for $2.9 million after three days of jury selection. Eve of trial demand was $4.9 million.

Superior Court of N.J., Middlesex County-fatal bus accident involving a two-year-old pedestrian girl. Retained as co-counsel at conclusion of discovery. Settled on eve of trial for $2.65 million.

Superior Court of N.J., Middlesex County-commercial premises/products liability claim brought by delivery driver alleging infectious process from food waste caused total disability. Retained during discovery. Settled during trial for $8.85 million.

Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County-products liability case involving residential furniture retailer/manufacturer which arose from death of 3 -year-old female. Retained as lead counsel after discovery. Settled at mediation for $2.3 million.

Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County-commercial motor vehicle accident case which rendered 40-year-old father catastrophically brain-injured. Retained as lead counsel after discovery. Settled on eve of trial for approximately $10.6 million.

Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County-premises liability case in which a 30-year-old plaintiff medical student suffered debilitating spinal injuries. Retained as lead counsel after discovery and one-month prior to trial. High-low agreement secured during trial resulted in $18 million settlement after three-week jury trial verdict for $85 million.

Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County-construction site fatal accident where construction worker killed from fall down elevator shaft. Retained as lead counsel after discovery. Settled on eve of trial in excess of $4 million.

Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County-products liability case involving commercial refrigeration equipment discharging refrigerant damaging material inventory of stored product. Retained as lead counsel during discovery. Trial demand was $26 million. Jury verdict of $5 million.

Superior Ct. of N.J., Essex County-fatal commercial trucking accident involving plaintiff physician and a nationwide trucking company. Retained as co-counsel near the conclusion of discovery. Settled for $1.75 million, below the excess carrier's layer of coverage.

Superior Ct. of Delaware, Kent County-commercial trucking accident case in which the plaintiff college student lost his leg due to a head-on accident. Retained after discovery. Pre-trial settlement of $2.9 million.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pa.-products liability case involving nationwide retailer and garage door opener manufacturer where four-year-old plaintiff was rendered a spastic quadriplegic when she was trapped beneath a garage door. Retained as co-counsel. Pre-trial settlement of $4 million with $2.2 million structured.

Court of Common Pleas, Lehigh County, Pa. -premises liability case involving a catastrophically brain-injured and permanently disfigured 12-year-old boy. Retained as lead counsel for resort shortly before trial. Case settled three days into trial for approximately $4.8 million.

Court of Common Pleas, Westmoreland County, Pa. -products liability case involving industrial manufacturer of packaging equipment which allegedly caused 29-year-old forklift operator spinal injuries rendering her wheelchair-bound. Retained as lead counsel and settled on first day of trial for $700,000.

Court of Common Pleas, Allegheny County, Pa.-products liability case involving manufacturer of cherry picker in which plaintiff electrician alleged permanent disability due to electrocution. Retained during expert discovery as lead counsel. Settled at mediation for $3 million, below excess coverage.

Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County-products liability case involving handgun manufacturer in which 8-year-old plaintiff was shot in head by 15-year-old resulting in significant head and brain injuries. Retained as co-counsel after discovery. Settled on eve of trial for $1.3 million.

Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County-products liability case involving a vehicle dealer which arose from passenger van rollover causing four deaths and seven injuries. Retained as lead counsel after discovery. Settled after multiple mediation sessions below the excess carrier's layer of coverage

Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County-products liability case involving nationwide manufacturer of an underground propane tank which allegedly leaked causing a home to explode, killing a 32-year-old father of two. Retained as co-counsel. Settled during the first day of trial for $9 million.