Teresa Ficken Sachs

Pursued successful appeal to Superior Court from trial court's grant of new trial after jury returned a defense verdict in medical malpractice case.  The Superior Court found that the trial court abused its discretion in granting a new trial based upon a juror's alleged failure to disclose certain information, where the information would not have been a basis to strike the juror for cause.   

Successfully defended appeal to Superior Court in legal malpractice action by principals of telecommunications company against their prior counsel. 

Pursued successful appeal to Supreme Court of Ohio in wrongful death case involving application of an arbitration clause to a lawsuit by the decedent's estate. 

Successfully defended appeal to Superior Court in declaratory judgment action seeking UIM benefits from carrier than had paid all applicable coverage in motor vehicle death case.  

Successfully defended Third Circuit appeal, after obtaining summary judgment in favor of insurance carrier, in declaratory judgment action involving enforceability of policy exclusion regarding insureds to whom coverage would be extended.  

Successfully defended Third Circuit appeal in declaratory judgment action challenging coverage denial to insurance broker in claim alleging payment of more than $1 million due to fraud by broker. 

Successfully defended Third Circuit appeal in brain cancer death case against university and health system.  The decedent was a university research scientist; the plaintiff claimed that the decedent's brain cancer was due to alleged radiation exposure in the university research facility.  The issues included applicability of the federal Price-Anderson Radiation Act standards as well as claimed medical malpractice.  

Successfully defended Third Circuit appeal in case seeking damages in excess of $12 million arising from construction of natural gas pipeline.  The plaintiff alleged negligent misrepresentation under the Bilt-Rite doctrine with respect to certain design activities; the Third Circuit affirmed that the Bilt-Rite doctrine did not apply to impose a duty on the defendants.    

Successfully defended Third Circuit appeal in suit alleging deceptive conduct under multiple state and federal laws in a sale of property. 

Successful defense on appeal of judgment for defendants in premises liability death case.

Represented large university in successful defense of post-trial motions following verdict in university’s favor in case involving catastrophic injury to student, and affirmance of that result on appeal.

Represented major university health system in successful defense of Superior Court appeal involving issues of first impression regarding expert witness requirements in alleged nursing malpractice case, and ongoing defense in Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Represented insurance carrier in successful appeal to Superior Court and successful defense in Supreme Court resulting in reversal of seven-figure judgment arising from shooting during armed robbery.

Represented Northeastern Pennsylvania college in successful appeal to Superior Court and successful defense in Supreme Court, resulting in reversal of $2.5 million judgment against the college and remand for entry of judgment in its favor in case arising from campus construction project and involving complex issues including college’s control over the worksite.