January 31, 2017
MICHAEL J. RANKIN reports a recent case dealing with trip cancellation insurance coverage and the policy's exclusion of coverage for a pre-existing medical condition.
Plaintiff purchased a trip to St. Lucia for himself and his family. On May 19, 2014, two days before his scheduled departure, Plaintiff purchased trip cancellation coverage (the "Policy") from the Defendant.
On the Policy's effective date, May 20, 2014, Plaintiff sought treatment from his dentist and was diagnosed with acute pericoronitis (inflammation of the gum tissue surrounding the crown portion of a partially erupted tooth). Plaintiff was advised by his dentist not to travel and thus cancelled his trip to St. Lucia. He also filed a claim for reimbursement under the Policy. Defendant denied Plaintiff's(...)
January 17, 2017
MICHAEL J. RANKIN reports a recent case where the Court granted the Defendant Township's motion for summary judgment because the Plaintiff failed to produce an expert report in discovery to prove liability against the Township's police officer who arrested him.
Plaintiff alleged that he was at his home when officers from the Township's police department arrived in response to a call that there was an altercation between him and his adult son. Plaintiff was arrested, and one of the officers allegedly injured Plaintiff's right shoulder while handcuffing him, causing a tear in his rotator cuff. Plaintiff alleged that the officer was negligent in the manner he handcuffed him.
The Defendant Township moved for summary judgment arguing Plaintiff's failure to serve it with a liability(...)
January 5, 2017
MICHAEL J. RANKIN reports a recent case where the Court granted Plaintiff's request to file a Notice of Claim outside of the ninety (90) day filing requirement prescribed by the New Jersey Tort Claims Act (TCA).
Generally, the TCA applies to tort actions against public entities (including State, any county, municipality, district, public authority, public agency and any other public subdivision or public body in the State) and their employees, and requires persons with claims against public entities and/or their employees to notice them of the claim within 90 days of accrual of such claims. Failure to satisfy the notice requirement can result in an absolute bar to recovery against a public entity and its employees.
In this case, Plaintiff was injured due to a slip and fall in(...)
November 21, 2016
On behalf of Kozyra & Hartz, LLC and the Nutley Family Service Bureau, we want to thank you and all of the other attendees and guests for your participation in Kozyra & Hartz, LLC's 2016 Annual Wine Down & Holiday Food Drive.
As always, it was a pleasure to see old friends and meet new ones and to introduce you to each other in a relaxed and festive atmosphere where we can talk to each other, but it is especially rewarding when we can share our good fortune with others. You helped us raise needed cash donations and deliver a carload of food for the needy, which will be available for the upcoming holidays and in the weeks after for those in need.
The Law Firm has been hosting this event for several years now, and we hope you will join us in future efforts.
Thank you again for(...)
November 1, 2016
MICHAEL J. RANKIN reports that Governor Christie recently signed into law a Transportation Trust Fund bill which made material changes to the New Jersey Estate Tax. Commencing on January 1, 2017, the New Jersey estate tax exemption will increase from $675,000 to $2,000,000. Beginning on January 1, 2018, the New Jersey estate tax will be eliminated in its entirety.
The New Jersey inheritance tax is unaffected by the new law. However, the changes to the New Jersey estate tax should reduce the death tax burden for many New Jersey families.
Please contact Michael J. Rankin if you have any questions or need any assistance in connection to this subject.
