Environmental & Toxic Tort Litigation
The litigation of environmental and toxic tort claims at Methfessel & Werbel has increased dramatically in recent years. We have successfully implemented our philosophy of economical claim handling in this area, which is traditionally one of the most dangerous areas of litigation in terms of cost-control. In doing so we have placed our clients at a considerable tactical advantage over other litigants whose counsel do not operate with the same level of efficiency.
Early intervention has been one of the keys to our success in this area. We are often called during the early stages of a loss to assist in the investigation and to act as a liaison between the carrier, the property owner, regulatory authorities and claimants. This approach has also made possible the identification and pursuit of other potential responsible parties.
Whether the loss involves chemicals, petroleum, lead, latex, asbestos, or mold, we have the expertise to handle the issues that arise on either 1st or 3rd party claims.
Representative Published Cases:
- Farmers Mutual Insurance Company of Salem v. NJPLIGA -–NJ— (2013)
- Farmers Mutual v. Property Liability – (NJ Supreme Court 2013)
- New Jersey Schools Development Authority v. Marcantuone – (NJ App. Div. 2013)
- State Farm Fire and Casualty Co., A/S/O Kimberly Dunbar Rossi, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Timothy Shea, Defendant-Appellant. Cumberland Mutual Fire Insurance Co., A/S/O Timothy Shea Plaintiff, v. Kimberly Dunbar Rossi, Defendant. – N.J. Super – (App Div. 2012)
- New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection v. Occidental Chemical Corp., — N.J. Super. – (App. Div. 2012)
- Farmers Mutual Fire Insurance Company Of Salem v. New Jersey Property-Liability Insurance Guaranty Association, — N.J. Super. – (App Div. 2011)
- Janicky v. Point Bay Fuel, Inc., 410 N.J. Super. 203, 981 A. 2d 96 (App. Div. 2009)
- Smith v. Northridge At Edison, — N.J. Super. – (App Div. 2009)
- Franklin Mut. Ins. v. Metro. Prop. & Cas. Ins., 406 N.J. Super. 586, 968 A. 2d 1191 (App. Div. 2009)
- Cleary v. Wallace Oil — N.Y.S. — (N.Y.S. App. Div. 2008)
- Leon v. Parthiv Realty Co., Inc., 360 N.J. Super. 153, 821 A. 2d 1167 (App. Div. 2003)
- Quincy Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Borough of Bellmawr, 172 N.J. 409, 799 A.2d 499 (2002)
- Housley v. Wave Energy Systems, Inc., 343 N.J.Super. 574, 779 A.2d 453, Prod.Liab.Rep. (CCH) P 16,145 (App. Div. 2001)
- Federal Pacific Electric Co. v. New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection, 334 N.J.Super. 323, 759 A.2d 851, 31 Envtl. L. Rep. 20,165 (App. Div. 2000)
- Lenox Inc. v. Reuben Smith Rubbish Removal, 91 F.Supp.2d 743, 50 ERC 2110, 30 Envtl. L. Rep. 20,454 (D.N.J., Apr 04, 2000)
- Green Tp. Educ. Ass’n v. Rowe, 328 N.J.Super. 525, 746 A.2d 499, 164 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 2180, 142 Ed. Law Rep. 418 (App. Div. 2000)
- Ruiz ex rel. Ruiz v. Kaprelian, 322 N.J.Super. 460, 731 A.2d 118 (App. Div. 1999)
- U.S. v. Compaction Systems Corp., 88 F.Supp.2d 339 (D.N.J., Dec 02, 1999)
- Kentopp v. Franklin Mut. Ins. Co., 293 N.J.Super. 66, 679 A.2d 701 (App. Div. 1996)
- Nunn v. Franklin Mut. Ins. Co., 274 N.J.Super. 543, 644 A.2d 1111 (App. Div. 1994)
- New Jersey Property Liability Guaranty Ass’n v. Brown, 174 N.J. Super. 629, 417 A.2d 117 (App. Div. 1980)