Recent Cases
Frier Levitt has achieved substantial results on behalf of clients in personal injury, product liability, wrongful death and employment matters. In some cases, we are barred by Confidential Settlement Agreements from mentioning the names of our clients or the names of the defendants. However, we are permitted to reveal the types of claims and the amount of money we recovered by way of jury verdict or settlement.
Example of Product Liability and Wrongful Death Litigation; $1,500,000.00
In October 2001, a Frier Levitt client was tragically killed by a defective truck manufactured by a Japanese company. We aggressively commenced suit days after the accident, arguing to the Assignment Judge that we needed to take immediate possession of the defective truck. Agreeing that the defendants or some other party might alter the truck from its defective condition, the Assignment Judge ordered that the defective truck be held at a police station until further Order of the Court.
After 15 months of complex product liability litigation pending in New Jersey, the Japanese truck manufacturer and its United States distributor agreed to pay the surviving spouse $1,500,000.00.
Example of Motor Vehicle Accident Non-Binding Arbitration Award; $1,250,000.00
Confidential Arbitration Award, Superior Court of New Jersey, Warren County. Our client was injured when the defendant made an unsafe lane change, causing plaintiff’s truck to overturn onto its roof. Our client required multiple surgeries. In January 2007, we obtained a non-binding arbitration award for our client in the amount of $1,250,000.00.
Example of Automobile Accident - Settlement; $372,000.00
Malik v. MECO, Schorr DePalma, State of New Jersey
Katelyn Malik was a passenger in a car driven by her sister in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Two different flagmen from MECO Construction Company motioned Samantha to continue through the intersection and they were broadsided by a state Transportation Department van. Katelyn suffered a degloving injury to her right hip, needed surgery, has a scar and indentation. Prior to trial, settlement was made with MECO for $265,000.00, State of New Jersey for $12,000.00 and $95,000.00 from Samantha Malik’s carrier.
Example of Wrongful Death; $350,000 Settlement
Willner v. Kaufman, United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
On March 21, 2002, Izik Willner, was tragically killed in an automobile accident. He was 75 years of age and retired. We retained several expert witnesses, including a forensic pathologist to address pain and suffering and an economist to provide an opinion on the family's economic loss. In November 2004, we settled this matter on behalf of our clients for the sum of $350,000.00.
Example of Personal Injury: $332,500.00
J.T. v. Anonymous Facility, et al., Superior Court of New Jersey, Union County
Our client, J.T. was injured in an automobile accident and suffered a low back injury. L.T. underwent a lumbar laminectomy. During jury selection at trial, the defendants offered and plaintiffs accepted the sum of $332,500.00.
Example of Personal Injury Litigation; $126,000.00 Jury Verdict
In the Winter of 2001, one of our clients was walking in the parking lot of an Atlantic City Casino. Her left ankle was caught in a 1/2" to 1/8" depression, causing her to trip and fall. The Casino took a "no pay" position until after we presented all evidence at trial in April 2003. We brought into court a poster-board sized blow up of an internal casino memo stating that the parking lot posed a "tripping hazard". Nevertheless, the Casino argued that the accident was our client’s fault. The jury disagreed and returned a verdict of $126,000.00. The defendants did not appeal.
Example of Motor Vehicle Accident; $120,000 Jury Verdict
Price v. Gifford, United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Our client, Edward Price, was struck in the back by a car driven by the defendant, Shelly Gifford, while he was walking in the parking lot at the A&P in Hoboken, New Jersey on June 6, 2003. Mr. Price, who was 92 years old, fell to the ground suffering a fractured right wrist, which ultimately required carpal tunnel release surgery, as well as a right hip injury. On behalf of the Defendant, Allstate Insurance Company offered nothing until the time of trial. At trial Allstate offered $40,000.00, which we rejected. On November 15, 2004, the jury found the driver "negligent" and awarded our client $120,000.00 plus pre-judgment interest and costs of suit.
Example of Personal Injury Accident; $100,000.00
S.B. v. Anonymous Nursing Facility, et al., Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County
Our client, S.B. who was handicapped and confined to a wheelchair since birth, was severely injured when his Home Health Aid negligently transferred him out of his wheelchair. He sustained a displaced femur fracture requiring two operations with the insertion of a metal rod. We achieved a pre-trial settlement for our client in the amount of $100,000.00.
Example of Motor Vehicle Accident; $92,500.00
Korsonsky v. Bella Hacking Corp., et al., United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
Our client, Anita Korsonsky, was a pedestrian struck and injured by a motor vehicle in April 2005. We obtained a settlement for our client at the first court conference in November 2005 in the amount of $92,500.00.