General Liability
Overview
The General Liability Practice Group of Marshall Dennehey regularly defends insureds, insurance companies and self-insured entities.
The general liability practice area includes such diverse types of defense litigation as:
- Owners and contractors protective liability
- Owners, landlords and tenants coverage
- Bailor/bailee
- Premises liability
- Assault and battery
- Security
- Commercial liability
- Advertising injuries
- Defamation
- Privacy
- Elevator incidents
- False arrest
- Malicious prosecution cases
- First-party and third-party property damage cases
- Fire legal liability litigation
We understand that every client is concerned with the extent of legal fees and costs incurred. Savings are achieved in a number of ways. With offices situated within a seven-state region, we are able to provide our clients with defense attorneys who are close to and very familiar with the litigation forum. Secondly, we are cognizant of the need to deliver legal services in a prompt and efficient manner, coupled with considerable emphasis on being results-oriented.
Published Works
Appearance of Impropriety by Arbitrator Insufficient to Vacate Arbitrator’s Award
It Was Just a Mistake! Or Was It Negligence? Ohio Supreme Court Defines Mistake for Contract Principles
Luzerne County Court Denies Amendment to Add Punitive Damages for Post-Incident Conduct in Dog-Bite Case
New Jersey Supreme Court Holds One-Year Statute of Limitations for Defamation Also Applies to False Light Claims
Appeals Court Reverses Punitive Damages Award, Finds Late Trial Amendment to Add Recklessness Prejudiced Defense
Results
Defense Verdict Obtained in a Theft Case in New York Civil Court
We obtained a defendants’ verdict in New York Civil Court where we represented an appliance company and their employee, who was accused of stealing a Rolex watch. The client’s employee installed a light fixture in the plaintiff’s residence. After the installer left the residence, the 85-year-old plaintiff could not locate his $31,000 Rolex watch. He filed a claim with his homeowner’s carrier and received $500 because the watch was not scheduled. He also filed a police report.
Obtained Reversal of Non-Final Order in a Wrongful Death Case
We obtained reversal of a non-final order in a wrongful death case against a dive captain, dive master and the corporate entity dive companies. A woman drowned while scuba diving on a chartered tour. Following her death, the toxicology report revealed high levels of illicit drugs and alcohol.
Summary Judgment Secured in a Case Involving a High-Speed Chase with a Rental Car
We successfully obtained a motion for summary judgment, dismissing our client from a negligence case. We represented a car service which was acting as a rental agent for Avis Rent-A-Car. Our client had repeatedly rented vehicles to the defendant/third-party defendant (renter) in the case. At the time of each rental, the renter would produce a valid driver’s license that was run through a system to confirm its validity. Several days after renting a vehicle to the renter, the renter was involved in a high-speed chase with the Nassau County Police Department.
Successfully Defended SEPTA in a Wrongful Death and Survival Case
We successfully defended the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in a wrongful death and survival case in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. The case involved the death of a pedestrian, Vincent Boykin, struck by a SEPTA bus, with the plaintiff, his father, disputing the Philadelphia Medical Examiner’s suicide ruling. The defense presented a forensic psychiatrist’s testimony confirming Mr. Boykin’s high suicide risk. Although SEPTA was found 40% negligent, the decedent’s 60% negligence barred recovery of damages.
Summary Judgment Secured in New Jersey Water Damage Case
We achieved summary judgment for our client, a commercial plumber, in the Cape May County Superior Court. The plaintiff alleged water leakage in the parking garage of a beach resort hotel resulted from defective plumbing work by the defendant. Specifically, the plaintiff argued that improper connections between the plumber’s pipes and the drainage system caused the leaks.
News & Events
News
Eric Scott Thompson Joins Marshall Dennehey’s Wilmington, Delaware Office As Special Counsel
Eric Scott Thompson has joined Marshall Dennehey’s Wilmington, Delaware office as Special Counsel in the firm’s Casualty and Workers’ Compensation Departments. Previously, he was a Principal at Franklin & Prokopik, P.C. in Newark.
Marshall Dennehey’s Bill Gianaris Named Managing Attorney of the Firm’s Westchester County, NY Office
Marshall Dennehey shareholder Bill Gianaris has been named Managing Attorney of the firm’s Westchester County, NY office.
Marshall Dennehey Welcomes Accomplished Litigator Kyle T. McGee to its Professional Liability Department in Pittsburgh
Marshall Dennehey announced that veteran professional liability attorney Kyle T. McGee has joined the firm’s Pittsburgh office as a shareholder.
Six Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Selected 2024 “Top Lawyers” By Delaware Today Magazine
Marshall Dennehey announced today that six attorneys from its Wilmington, Delaware office have been selected 2024 “Top Lawyers” by Delaware Today magazine. Each year, the publication invites all practicing attorneys in the Delaware Bar to participate in a peer nomination process to select Top Lawyers in numerous practice areas across the state. The recognized attorneys include the following.
Marshall Dennehey Bolsters Florida Casualty Practice With Addition of Litigation Trio in Orlando
A trio of attorneys – two with extensive trial experience in casualty litigation matters – has joined Marshall Dennehey’s Orlando office. Trial attorney Raychel Garcia joins as Shareholder; Brian Catelli as Special Counsel; and Matthew Wykes as Associate. All three previously practiced at Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. in Orlando.