Author: Marc S. Berman
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A Case Of Delayed Drunkenness, Or Why It Pays To Leave The Bar Quick
If a drunk driver injures you in a car accident, you can sue him for damages. You can also sue any bar that served him alcohol after he was visibly intoxicated. Douglas D. was injured by alleged drunk driver Justin B. Douglas sued the bar that served Justin alcohol. One of the bar’s defenses was…
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The Case of The Unwarranted Inspection
Garfield has an ordinance that allows its construction official to make inspections to determine the condition of residential dwellings. (For those of you not familiar with the municipal law, Construction Official is a Latin term that means “an engineer who knows a politician.”) The ordinance allows the construction official to enter all dwellings at any…
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The Case Of The Delegating Doctor
We all have had medical tests administered by employees of our doctors, rather than by the doctors themselves. This allows our physicians to devote more time to the things that only physicians can do: Diagnosing those difficult cases, keeping current on the latest medical research findings, managing their stock portfolios, refining their golf swings, etc.…
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The Case Of The Pilfered Purse
A gentleman named Davon was removed from a bus in Clinton because he allegedly was carrying a machete. He was incarcerated in the Hunterdon County jail for several weeks, awaiting trial. Davon claimed that he could not afford a private lawyer. Attorney Hermenia Moreira of the Hunterdon County Public Defender’s office was assigned to represent…
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The Case Of The Repo Man Who Ran Off With The Car Owner
Annette failed to make her car loan payments. This default resulted in a visit from Ted the repo man. When Ted was about to drive away with Annette’s car, Annette decided that it was a good time to remove some personal items from the trunk. Ted, being a conscientious employee, wasn’t deterred. He drove off…
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The Case Of The Pathetic Payroll Company
Identity theft is a major problem. A criminal steals sensitive personal information and uses it to obtain loans, credit cards, and drivers’ licenses. The victims are left with unpaid bills, traffic fines and ruined credit ratings. Kathy R. and Patricia P. worked for a law firm in Roseland. The law firm uses a large payroll…
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Supreme Court To Bicyclists: You’re On Your Own Out There
Five experienced bicyclists were riding downhill on the westbound shoulder of Parsonage Hill Road in Millburn. One of the bicyclists, whom we’ll call Martha, was riding behind the pack. Martha’s bicycle hit a sharp depression in the road. The depression measured two feet in diameter and was about an inch and a half deep. Martha…
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The Case Of The Disfigured Face
Robert M. worked as a foreman at a construction company. One day, he used a gas-powered saw to cut a plastic pipe. The blade kicked back, lacerating his face and disfiguring him. Robert sued the saw’s manufacturer. He claimed that the gas-powered saw was defectively designed and manufactured. He also claimed that the manufacturer failed…
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Fallen At The Church, Or The Case Of The Profitable Parking Lot
As far as New Jersey state law is concerned, homeowners are not responsible to maintain the sidewalks next to their homes. Therefore, if a pedestrian trips and falls because of a defect in such a sidewalk, the homeowner generally can’t be sued. On the other hand, businesses are responsible to maintain their sidewalks. If someone…
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Behind Every Successful Man You’ll Find A Successful Woman
A woman in a long-term marriage who has been supported by her husband is usually entitled to receive alimony after a divorce. (The same goes for the less typical situation of a man supported by his wife.) Ideally, the amount of alimony should be enough to maintain the wife in the same lifestyle that she…