Hoagland Longo's litigation teams have more than 30 years of experience representing insurance carriers and their insureds in a variety of insurance law and coverage matters. The firm has established itself as one of New Jersey’s leading insurance litigation firms, and this reputation is best reflected by our clientele, which consists of numerous preeminent insurance companies in New Jersey and around the country. The litigation teams consist of partners and associates with extensive knowledge and experience who are committed to providing superior client service. With the firm’s sophisticated technology and case management strategies, Hoagland Longo provides an efficient and effective defense to achieve the best possible result– whether through motion practice, settlement, or trial. We are experienced trial lawyers, who have tried a multitude of cases to verdict in the federal and state courts of New Jersey and the tri-state area. We also have extensive experience in litigating matters on appeal. The litigation practice includes numerous attorneys designated as Certified Civil Trial Attorneys by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.Our attorneys are active in professional organizations and trade associations and are familiar with emerging trends and industry issues.
In all New Jersey civil litigation, a party is normally entitled to obtain discovery of non-privileged documents held by the other party. However, the attorney-client privilege protects any communications between a party and their own lawyer from discovery. There is also a related, yet distinct privilege for “work product” created in anticipation of litigation.
In personal-injury trials, defense counsel question plaintiffs’ credibility in various ways. Where applicable, one method is by offering evidence of a plaintiff’s symptom magnification, exaggerations or malingering – euphemisms for simply faking it. However, a New Jersey Appellate Division decision, Rodriguez v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 449 N.J. Super. 577 (App. Div. 2017), has limited the use of such evidence. The Rodriguez case has been granted certification to the New Jersey Supreme Court.
In the past, identified defendants drew the shorter straw when it came to involvement of culpable but unidentified tortfeasor, such as operators of phantom vehicles. The courts would not allow the identified defendant to request the jury to apportion fault with a John Doe defendant, which usually meant the identified defendant was the only defendant listed on the jury verdict sheet and was left holding the bag at the time of verdict.