By Robert I. Feinberg | Published April 13, 2012 | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment
At 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
Read MoreFather Knows Best (and Mother too) In a previous blog, I addressed traumatic brain injury and objective tests which depict them. We have come to hear of CT scans, CTA’s and MRI’s and, most recently, PET and SPECT scans. A recent study undertaken by Boston University Medical School also offers objective evidence, that of a Read More
Read MoreRobert I. Feinberg Those of us who deal with personal injury cases have become familiar with the diagnostic tools available to the medical profession. Two classics are the history the doctor obtains from the patient and the clinical exam. Obviously, however, every bit is important is the diagnostic testing in the formulation of a diagnosis. Read More
Read MoreFor decades, actually until the 1970s, when Massachusetts adopted the rule of Comparative Negligence, a slightly different doctrine was in effect: the rule of contributory negligence which was a complete bar to the plaintiff’s recovery. Thankfully that standard has changed. If a plaintiff is found negligent in an amount of 50% or less, he/she can Read More
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