Methfessel & Werbel

The Leading Insurance and Claims Attorneys

Case Alert – SPECIAL REPORT – UM/UIM Bad Faith Legislation Poised for Passage

On January 10, 2022, the New Jersey State Legislature passed the “New Jersey Insurance Fair Conduct Act.” As Governor Murphy is likely to sign the Act in the near future, prudence dictates attention from all carriers who write auto insurance in New Jersey.

The crux of this legislation is that an uninsured/underinsured motorist claimant may assert a “bad faith” cause of action against an automobile insurer under certain circumstances. Read the full Case Alert.

Subrogation Industry Heavyweight Jim Cullen Joins M&W as Partner

James (Jim) Cullen, a nationally recognized subrogation attorney with 28 years of experience exclusively in the practice of subrogation recovery, is joining Methfessel & Werbel as a Partner, effective immediately.

In conjunction with Jim joining Methfessel & Werbel, the firm has expanded geographically by opening its newest office at 101 Federal Street in Boston. Read the entire press release.

M&W Named Insurance Law Litigation Department of the Year for Sixth Time in Eight Years

The New Jersey Law Journal has named Methfessel & Werbel New Jersey's top insurance law firm of 2021, making the firm an unprecedented six time winner in the eight year history of the award.more

The excellence of the firm in the fields of first party, third party and subrogation work is once again recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal. Read the full press release.

Case Alert – NJ Supreme Court Adopts “Ongoing Storm Doctrine” as Advocated by M&W’s Bill Bloom

In a case successfully briefed and argued by M&W's Bill Bloom, the New Jersey Supreme Court - overturning the Appellate Division - has expressly adopted the ongoing storm doctrine, which holds that a commercial landowner does not have a dutymore

to remove snow and ice on its property until the precipitation has ended. The ruling allows for 2 limited exceptions and will make dismissal of claims arising from falls during storms more common than trial. Read the full Case Alert here.

Case Alert – Appellate Division Reiterates Affidavit of Merit Deadline but Upholds Claims Against Professional Defendant

In Yagnik v. Premium Outlet – a case handled by Bill Bloom of M&W - the Appellate Division ruled that the filing of an Amended Complaint does not reset the clock to serve an affidavit of merit against a professional defendant. However,more

the court held that extraordinary circumstances existed which warranted relaxing the rule and allowing the malpractice claim to go forward. Read the full Case Alert here.

What's New

10/29/21	Methfessel & Werbel Fall Highlights
8/26/21	Subrogation Industry Heavyweight Jim Cullen Joins M&W as Partner
8/13/21	M&W Named Insurance Law Litigation Department of the Year for 2021 by the New Jersey Law Journal

Recent Articles

2022	M&W Case Alert – SPECIAL REPORT – UM/UIM Bad Faith Legislation Poised for Passage
2021	M&W Case Alert – NJ Supreme Court Adopts “Ongoing Storm Doctrine” as Advocated by M&W’s Bill Bloom
2021	M&W Case Alert – In Case Handled by Bill Bloom, Appellate Division Reiterates Affidavit of Merit Deadline, Upholds Claims Against Professional Defendant