By Robert I. Feinberg | Published April 13, 2012 | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
I was reviewing some old files last month when I came across portions of a case that I handled in the 1980s. Actually, the case was begun by another attorney who went on to achieve major success in a field related to law, but not in the practice of law. That attorney started handling this Read More
Read MoreThe proposals to reform the contingency fee system have at their heart, it seems to me, a desire to remove the lawyer from the process. The question for clients should become: am I better off hiring a competent, or hopefully excellent, attorney than going it alone? It is not unheard of for an insurance adjuster Read More
Read MoreWell before the digital age, we heard the expression, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Nowhere is that more appropriate than in the personal injury context. In any kind of medical testimony, the doctor, who in effect is a teacher, should use demonstrative aids to explain his/her testimony. Not only does it make the Read More
Read MoreAt the conclusion of a trial in the judge’s charge to the jury, the instruction will often be that the “defendant takes the plaintiff as he finds him”. That is an instruction that plaintiffs want. It is known as the “eggshell rule” meaning that if someone who is more susceptible to a serious injury or Read More
Read MoreIn a recent blog I discussed the wide latitude that is given to a cross-examiner on the issue of a witness’ bias. More specifically, the latitude is especially great on the bias of an expert witness and the witness’ compensation. Experts are paid for their time. By virtue of the Rules of Professional Conduct which Read More
Read MoreThe nostalgia pull is so strong that in almost every realm people look back and feel times were better. I can get nostalgic as much as anyone but a serious look at the way civil cases were practiced is not one which deserves great nostalgia. Many practitioners will say that attorneys were nicer to one Read More
Read MoreWhen United States Supreme Court nominees testify before the Senate at their confirmation hearings the press is always talking about ‘the paper trail’. What did the nominee write either as an academic or jurist and what does that tell us about how he/she will rule? It has often been said that a candidate is better Read More
Read MoreWhere is the best forum to bring a personal injury action? Federal Court? State Court? In a diversity action- where the plaintiff and defendant are from different states- there is an opportunity to sue in the Federal Court. Bear in mind that there still must be jurisdiction over the defendant. I will discuss this jurisdictional Read More
Read MoreUnfortunately, no one in the blogosphere has addressed the Manhattan Institute’s December 2008 report promoting a loser pays rule. Loser pays, you will recall, forces the losing party of a lawsuit to pay the legal fees of the winner. The Manhattan Institute report advances the traditional argument that society needs to deter frivolous suits. The Read More
Read MoreSometimes in personal injury law things are not as they appear. This can cut in favor of the party suing or against the party suing. It depends upon the knowledge and aggressiveness of the lawyer. An example comes from statements contained in a police report. At first blush, it may seem very troubling that witness Read More
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