What is the Reptile Theory? The reptile theory is a somewhat new strategy that plaintiff attorneys are using to obtain large jury verdicts at trial. It is called the reptile theory because reptiles go into attack mode when threatened or frightened (i.e., don’t mess with an alligator and it won’t mess with you). The plaintiff attorney wants to use fear to threaten a jury […]
Yearly Archives: 2018
News | 21 Mar 2018 | by Defense Counsel
MSZL&M is serious about our clients’ data security. Cyber theft is on the rise, and law firms, with minimal cybersecurity defenses and a treasure-trove of sensitive and confidential data, are the latest targets. While the majority of high-profile data breaches have targeted financial institutions, retail establishments, and medical providers, breaches and security concerns have recently increased for law firms. Sensitive and Confidential Information Law […]
About the Firm | 21 Mar 2018 | by Defense Counsel
To better serve our clients in jurisdictions throughout Northern Florida and the “Panhandle,” MSZL&M is pleased to announce the expansion of our law firm into the City of Jacksonville, Florida. Our new office is now open for business, and is located at : 4651 Salisbury Road Suite 400 Jacksonville, FL. 32256 Tel: 904-516-0900 Fax: 904-701-0307 www.defensecounsel.com
Mintzer Sarowitz Zeris Ledva & Meyers LLP recently secured a summary dismissal of the defendant in a personal injury case by appositely arguing New Jersey’s evolving precedent governing statutes of limitations. The dismissal implicated the interplay between considerations of interjurisdictional equity and New Jersey’s policy of repose. The plaintiff timely filed suit in New York state court for personal injuries that he allegedly sustained […]
Jury Awards Only 25 Percent of Final Settlement Demand MSZL&M Partner Louis Hockman recently secured an outstanding verdict for a national retail store when a jury awarded the plaintiffs roughly 25 percent of the plaintiffs’ final settlement demand (and approximately 40 percent of the lowest settlement recommendation made by the trial judge). In this action, filed in Philadelphia County, the injured plaintiff tripped and fell in […]
About the Firm | 21 Mar 2018 | by Defense Counsel
Motion for Summary Judgment Granted in Subcontractor Case MSZL&M recently represented a well-respected general contractor that had entered into a contract for various renovations on a high-end condominium in Miami, Florida. After securing the renovation contract with the owner, our client then subcontracted with a carpentry company to manufacture wooden doors and cabinets, and install them in the condominium. Although our client and the […]
Mintzer Sarowitz Zeris Ledva & Meyers LLP recently secured a summary dismissal of the defendant in a personal injury case filed in Pennsylvania by arguing that the plaintiff failed to establish in the record a prima facie case of negligence. The plaintiff, a restaurant patron, proceeded to the restroom after being served her meal. While walking through the lobby, she fell, injuring her arm. […]
Recently, Peter Frucchione of our New York City office prevailed on a Motion for Summary Judgment which attacked the claim that the plaintiff had sustained a “serious injury” pursuant to New York State’s Insurance Law threshold standards. Typically, threshold motions involve collateral attacks on one of the many cubby holes, set forth in the Insurance Law, such as whether the plaintiff sustained a “permanent collateral limitation […]
(NEWARK, NJ) – The Superior Court of New Jersey has dismissed a premises liability claim brought by a plaintiff against a property owner after a slip and fall accident, ruling that a property owner’s non-delegable duty to maintain its premises is not absolute. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit against a property owner, seeking to recover damages stemming from a slip and fall incident on […]
MSZL&M Relies Upon Appellate Division Decision to Successfully Defend a New Jersey Insurance Company from Taxicab Passenger’s Claims for Uninsured Motorist Benefits A vehicle owned by Andy Auto and operated by Danny Driver (“Driver 1”) was involved in a motor vehicle accident with a vehicle driven by Darius Driver (“Driver 2”). At the time of the accident, Driver 1 was operating his motor vehicle […]
