(Middlesex County, New Jersey) - WSHB is proud to announce that the New Jersey office secured a significant victory in a property management case involving a severe injury claim. Under the supervision of partner Jill Mucerino, and led by senior associate Alison McClave, the case was successfully resolved in favor of the client, the owner and manager of an apartment building, after a successful motion for summary judgment in Middlesex County.
WSHB defended the client against claims of Plaintiff, who alleged to have been injured due to a fall down a flight of interior stairs, which he claimed to be defective. While in route to the hospital, the ambulance was involved in a motor vehicle accident. The plaintiff claimed to have sustained a severe ankle fracture requiring open reduction with internal fixation surgery and further claimed to have sustained a back injury necessitating a discectomy and a fusion.
Following the completion of discovery and depositions, including the deposition of Plaintiff's liability expert, we moved for summary judgment on behalf of the client. The motion was expertly drafted and argued by Alison, who demonstrated that the plaintiff could not establish the existence of a dangerous condition on our client's stairway as the plaintiff's liability expert’s opinion amounted to nothing more than a net opinion. The Judge agreed, but to prepare the record for an appeal, His Honor called an evidentiary hearing. Considering the testimony proffered by the expert at the hearing and at his deposition and based on the arguments put forth in the motion, the Judge granted summary judgment in our client's favor, thus eliminating any risk to our client for the ankle and back injuries and safeguarding the client from significant financial exposure.
"This victory is a testament to Alison's dedication to our clients, her development and execution of an aggressive defense strategy, and strong legal briefing, which she implemented to ensure the best result for our client, which ultimately was absolved of any liability," said New Jersey managing partner Jill Mucerino. "Her ability to navigate the complexities of this case and secure a favorable outcome reflects her exceptional skills as a trial attorney."
Alison added, "I am honored to have represented our client in this matter and pleased that the court recognized the insufficiency of the plaintiff's claims. This decision not only protects our client from unjust liability but also sets a strong precedent in similar cases."
Congratulations to Jill, Alison and their team on a job well done!
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Experience the power of a proven industry leader in the law. Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) is renowned globally for our exceptional trial results and expertise in handling complex litigation. With our nationwide network of almost 500 lawyers across 42 office locations, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive litigation and counsel to both public and private companies. From start-ups to Fortune 100 corporations, we deliver unrivaled legal representation that consistently achieves favorable outcomes for our clients.
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