Overview

Over the past 40 years, Pat has developed a very impressive track record for success in civil trials in very high exposure matters in both New York and New Jersey as well as in contested administrative matters before state agencies. He has extensive experience in representing insurance interests in mass tort claims (asbestos, breast implant, environmental damages, tobacco, and latex exposure). His trial and agency representation includes representing hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare practitioners in tort actions and in licensure matters before the Office of Professional Medical Conduct and the Office of Professional Discipline.

His trial experience includes defending Fortune 40 and smaller companies in toxic tort claims, successfully defending products liability claims including medical devices, pharma products, and intentional torts resulting in serious personal injury and wrongful death. In additional he has handled numerous commercial cases and civil rights claims. He has achieved similar success in representing plaintiffs in a variety of tort actions.

Representative Experience

  • Rama v. JHMC, 707327/14 Queens, NY.  Obtained a $4 million settlement for a patient who suffered unexplained blindness during emergency bowel surgery.
  • Moreira v. Peixoto, 2015 NJ Super Unpub Lexis 2171. Obtained a settlement of $3.7 million for a carpenter who suffered severe back injury despite first having received workmen’s comp benefits and also received a jury verdict dismissing fraud claims against the plaintiff by the defendant’s insurer.
  • Princeton Healthcare System v Netsmart NY Inc., 422 NJ Super 467 (2011). Prosecuted a Consumer Fraud Act claim for non-conforming IT system.
  • Appalachian Ins. Co. Gen. Elec. Co., 8 N.Y. 3d 162 (2007). Successfully represented the plaintiff in a several hundred million dollar disputes over the availability of insurance coverage for asbestos claims.
  • Byrne v Times Square Dist. Mgmt. Assn., 03CV5488(DLC). Obtained a $2.25 settlement for the family of an au pair struck by a public safety vehicle.
  • Ifraimov v. Phoenix Indus Gas, LLC, 4A.D. 332 (2nd Dept. 2004). Defended against a claim of defective propane tanks which were spoliated.
  • Yale Univ v. CIGNA Ins Co, 224 F. Supp 2d 402 (D.Ct.2002). Defended a carrier against a claim for remediation of asbestos in university buildings.
  • Maryland Cas. Co. v. WR Grace 7 Co., 128 F.3d 794 (2d Cir.1998). Defended insurance interest against claim for coverage for property damage due to asbestos.
  • Avondale Industries v. Travelers, 887 F2d1 200 (2d Cir. 1989). Defended insurer against claims by another insurer to indemnify it for environmental damage in Louisiana.
  • Morales v. City of NY, 70 NY 2d 981 (1988). Successfully defended a petroleum company against claims for improper sale of accelerant resulting in a conflagration that killed 25 and injured 14 in Bronx, NY.
  • Mears v. Connolly 24 F. 4th 880 ( 3rd Cir. 2022) obtained a reversal and reinstatement of a state created danger claim against NJ healthcare providers arising out of the beating of a visitor to a state psychiatric hospital.

Professional & Community Activities

  • President Princeton Youth Wrestling, 2006-2014

 

Professional Recognition

  • Editorial Advisory Board Journal of Anesthesia Malpractice, 2005-2012

Further information on methodologies is available via these links.

Representative Experience

  • Rama v. JHMC, 707327/14 Queens, NY.  Obtained a $4 million settlement for a patient who suffered unexplained blindness during emergency bowel surgery.
  • Moreira v. Peixoto, 2015 NJ Super Unpub Lexis 2171. Obtained a settlement of $3.7 million for a carpenter who suffered severe back injury despite first having received workmen’s comp benefits and also received a jury verdict dismissing fraud claims against the plaintiff by the defendant’s insurer.
  • Princeton Healthcare System v Netsmart NY Inc., 422 NJ Super 467 (2011). Prosecuted a Consumer Fraud Act claim for non-conforming IT system.
  • Appalachian Ins. Co. Gen. Elec. Co., 8 N.Y. 3d 162 (2007). Successfully represented the plaintiff in a several hundred million dollar disputes over the availability of insurance coverage for asbestos claims.
  • Byrne v Times Square Dist. Mgmt. Assn., 03CV5488(DLC). Obtained a $2.25 settlement for the family of an au pair struck by a public safety vehicle.
  • Ifraimov v. Phoenix Indus Gas, LLC, 4A.D. 332 (2nd Dept. 2004). Defended against a claim of defective propane tanks which were spoliated.
  • Yale Univ v. CIGNA Ins Co, 224 F. Supp 2d 402 (D.Ct.2002). Defended a carrier against a claim for remediation of asbestos in university buildings.
  • Maryland Cas. Co. v. WR Grace 7 Co., 128 F.3d 794 (2d Cir.1998). Defended insurance interest against claim for coverage for property damage due to asbestos.
  • Avondale Industries v. Travelers, 887 F2d1 200 (2d Cir. 1989). Defended insurer against claims by another insurer to indemnify it for environmental damage in Louisiana.
  • Morales v. City of NY, 70 NY 2d 981 (1988). Successfully defended a petroleum company against claims for improper sale of accelerant resulting in a conflagration that killed 25 and injured 14 in Bronx, NY.
  • Mears v. Connolly 24 F. 4th 880 ( 3rd Cir. 2022) obtained a reversal and reinstatement of a state created danger claim against NJ healthcare providers arising out of the beating of a visitor to a state psychiatric hospital.

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