News You Can Use
Case by Case: Are Social Security Numbers Discoverable?
A Social Security Number is discoverable in a personal injury case because it is reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence. Claims of privacy and concerns for identity theft will not bar discovery of a Social Security Number. Zbigniewiwcz v. Sebzda, 58 Misc...
Effective Cross-Examination: An Aggressive Defense Pays Off
Many jurors still have a Perry Mason like expectation of a trial. They expect a cross-examination of a witness that will expose, confront and break the witness. While this sometimes can happen, most cross-examinations of witnesses are more mundane. One of the risks of...
Case by Case: Balance of Power: “Liberal Governor” Vetoes Two Progressive Backed Drastic Tort Bills
By Thomas M. Bona. For many years, the balance of power in Albany in the Legislature was that the Democrats controlled the Assembly and the Republicans controlled the State Senate. Although the Democrats tried many times, they could not get enough votes in the...
PMT Winning in Court: Battle Tough and Trial Ready (Jan 2020)
What makes a successful trial attorney? There are many people who are able to try cases, but there is a huge difference between trying a case and winning a case. Winning a case requires special skills that not everyone has. Among the skills needed are creativity and...
Changes in Kings County As To Jury Selection and New Mandatory Alternative Dispute Resolution
By Marc H. Pillinger. New trial procedures will be going into effect on January 1, 2020, in Kings County. When you select a jury after January 1, 2020, when you finish picking, you will immediately report for assignment and be sent out for trial on that day. Under...
PMT Winning in Court: Battle Tough and Trial Ready (Dec 2019)
In our world of insurance work, we are all aware that above 90% of cases settle before trial. Indeed, some estimate that the number of cases that settle before trial could be greater than 95%. The reasons for this are simple and obvious: parties to a lawsuit,...
Case by Case: Court of Appeals: Out-of-Possession Landlord
By Marc H. Pillinger. In a recent decision, He v. Troon Mgmt., Inc., 2019 WL 5429374 (N.Y. Oct. 24, 2019), the Court of Appeals [reversed the First Department and] held that an out-of-possession landlord is liable for a violation of NYC Administrative Code Section...
Case by Case: Auto Policy Held Primary in Construction Accident
By Lawrence N. Rogak. First Mercury Insurance Co. v State Farm Mutual Auto Ins. Co., 2019 NYSlipOp 51773 (Supreme Court, New York County) (Lebovitz, j) (10/29/2019) In this declaratory judgment action arising out of an injury to a construction worker who was unloading...
PMT Announces New Buffalo, NY Location and New Partner, Kenneth A. Krajewski
PMT’s new Buffalo NY office location and new partner combine to enhance service to clients The law firm of Pillinger Miller Tarallo, LLP is delighted to announce their newest location — the firm’s ninth. The new office is located at 500 Corporate Parkway, Suite 106,...
Case by Case: Our Clients Speak
By Thomas M. Bona & John J. Tambascia. Sage Advice and Constant Support We who are in this business of defending our clients when they have an accident can become somewhat immune to the reality that when there is an accident and the client is sued, this will be a...