After suspending civil and criminal jury trials on March 17, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas resumed in-person civil jury trials on March 4, 2021. This decision was based on public health guidance and the recommendations of the CDC, as well as state and local public health officials. As of April 7, 2021, nearly 400 civil cases […]
News | 7 Apr 2021 | by IFTSStacey
As we approach the one-year anniversary of the New Jersey Statewide “shutdown” due to COVID-19, it is worth assessing how the New Jersey Courts adapted. Apart from jury trials, the New Jersey courts barely missed a beat keeping litigation in step. With little lag time required to figure out the technical aspects, the courts promptly switched to virtual hearings on discovery motions, substantive motions, […]
The Supreme Court heard two cases involving Ford Motor Company during its October 2020 term and issued a ruling on these cases on March 25, 2021. Ford Motor Co. v. Mont. Eighth Jud. Dist. Ct., 589 U.S. ____ (2020). In each, the State’s highest court held that it had personal jurisdiction over Ford Motor Company in a products-liability lawsuit stemming from a car accident. […]
Florida Supreme Court Adopts Federal Summary Judgment Standard On December 31, 2020, the Florida Supreme Court decided to scrap the established state law standard for summary judgment in favor of adopting the more lenient federal standard articulated by the United States Supreme Court in the trilogy of cases of Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317 (1986), Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. […]
About the Firm | 6 Jan 2021 | by Defense Counsel
New Year, New MSZL&M Calendar. To celebrate the new year, MSZL&M attorneys Larry Sarowitz and Alex Krasnitsky have created a 2021 MSZL&M photo Calendar. Larry and Alex have been making a yearly calendar of their photos for more than five years, and nothing makes them happier than to share it with their friends and colleagues. If you would like a copy, please email Kate […]
With Profound Sadness We Mourn the Loss of Jason G. Wehrle Our Valued Partner, Dear Friend, and Admired Colleague (1971-2020) Jason Wehrle, the Managing Partner of our firm’s Pittsburgh Office, passed away on December 19, 2020 following a short illness. Above all else, Jason was the loving and devoted father to his two children, Emma and Brady, and an adoring son to his mother, Cathy […]
About the Firm | 23 Nov 2020 | by Defense Counsel
November 17, 2020 Sandra T. Carson of MSZL&M’s Maryland office obtained summary judgment on behalf of a large local car dealership group in a personal injury action arising out of a collision involving a loaner vehicle it had rented to one of its customers. Plaintiff’s car was struck nearly head-on when our client’s vehicle crossed a double-yellow line and entered plaintiff’s lane. Plaintiff, who […]
About the Firm | 19 Nov 2020 | by Defense Counsel
MSZL&M is proud to welcome Laura Schinella to the team! We are pleased to announce that Laura Schinella, has joined our Central Florida office as an associate attorney. Ms. Schinella focuses her practice on representing clients in civil and commercial litigation claims involving automobile and first party insurance, premises liability, coverage issues, government liability, and other tort claims. Prior to joining MSZL&M, Ms. Schinella […]
JURISDICTION FOR MEDICAL PROVIDER CLAIMS IN THE NEW JERSEY WORKER’S COMPENSATION DIVISION MAY BE IMPACTED BY JURISDICTION FOR THE UNDERLYING CLAIM By: James Backenson In 2012, the Legislature in New Jersey gave medical providers the opportunity to file claims for payment of services rendered to employees who suffer a compensable injury under the Worker’s Compensation Act (N.J.S.A. 15:34-1 et .seq.). In doing so, the […]
Great win for Katie Pakler of MSZL&M’s Western Pennsylvania Office! Plaintiff brought a premises liability action against our client, a Fortune 100 retailer, in which Plaintiff claimed he sustained personal injury after tripping and falling in the parking lot of the store. According to Plaintiff, he parked in a parking spot containing cracks, debris and trash and that while walking to the store, his […]