Newsroom
Defense Verdict for Radiologist
On Thursday, July 11, 2024, Jack Shusted and Nikki Mosco obtained a defense verdict on behalf of their client, a Radiologist, after a four-day trial in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas in Doylestown, Pennsylvania.
At trial, Plaintiff claimed that the Radiologist failed to identify and report distal phalanx fractures of the 3rd and 4th digits of the Plaintiff’s right hand which Plaintiff further claimed caused a delay in treatment and led to worsening arthritic changes in the right long finger DIP joint as well as persistent pain, deformity, stiffness, and altered function.
The defense showed that even if the fractures were initially diagnosed, the outcome would have been the same. Specifically, the defense proved that the fractures healed uneventfully, there was no evidence of significant posttraumatic arthritis as a result of the fractures, the patient has a fully functional right hand including his 3rd and 4th digits, and a slight 10 degree loss of distal joint extension is typical for a treated mallet finger. Thus, any alleged delay in reporting the fractures did not impact the ultimate result.
Andre J. Webb Presents at ALFA’s 2024 Hospitality & Retail Practice Group Seminar
Next week at the ALFAI 2024 Hospitality & Retail Practice Group Seminar, Andre J. Webb will moderate a discussion titled Seeing is Believing, or Is It? Artificially generated and altered images or recordings, commonly referred to as “deepfakes,” are becoming increasingly common and complicating the authentication of information. As “deepfakes” continue to evolve, they will inevitably find their way into the courtroom. During this roundtable, the panelists will discuss the importance of authenticating evidence and advance planning for confronting the challenges this emerging technology will present.
Matthew J. McColgan Presents at the 2024 ALFA Transportation Seminar
Matt attended the annual ALFA Transportation Seminar in Colorado Springs this month to present, in conjunction with the ALFA Future Leaders Practice Group, a diversity, equity and inclusion panel: “All Aboard! Hopping on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Bus Before You Get Left at the Station!
GGM Announces 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
GGM is pleased to announce that Gary R. Gremminger, John P. Shusted, Jeffrey D. Laudenbach have been named Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, and Jacob C. Lehman, Andre J. Webb, and Matthew J. McColgan have been named Rising Stars for 2024.
Matthew J. McColgan Presents at Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel
In February 2024, Matt moderated an CLE program with Rajan Rai of Digistream Investigations hosted by the Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel discussing investigatory methods in litigation, titled: Savvy Surveillance Tactics, Ethically Speaking”.
GGM Sponsors Barristers Annual Awards & Scholarship Gala 2024
The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia’s Annual Awards & Scholarship Gala will be held on May 11, 2024. Since 1976, in honor of the significant contribution of Black attorneys dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, justice, equal opportunity and positive change, The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Inc. has held an annual dinner to celebrate up-and-coming law students, practicing attorneys and jurists who embody professionalism, dedication to the profession as well as a commitment to the Black Philadelphia legal community and public communities.
The Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia honors deserving local law students with Barristers’ Scholarships, and select awards are presented to outstanding legal professionals.
Andre J. Webb Presents at ALFA International’s GIG Economy Regional Seminar – 2024
This week at the ALFAI 2024 Gig Economy Regional Seminar Partner, Andre J. Webb will moderate a discussion on AI & The Legal Profession: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges. Artificial intelligence is not a new invention, but it may well be the most rapidly evolving technology, disrupting almost all sectors of the economy. This evolution offers both vast opportunities and risks at the same time. From a legal perspective, this presentation is intended to highlight the recent developments of artificial intelligence in three areas: corporate advice, litigation, and in-house legal counseling. Whereas corporate counsel may fear their replacement by more efficient software, attorneys with a focus on litigation might have to challenge their trust in images and videos, and in-house counsel might be able to hope for a much more efficient way to search and find data already available in the company. The panel will offer specific examples of AI tools that may ease the burden of litigation while also addressing the potential harms of the tools, including how the plaintiff’s bar is utilizing AI to assist in litigation.
GGM is pleased to announce its newest Litigation Associate Evan Baker
GGM is pleased to announce the addition of a new litigation associate, Evan Baker. At GGM she will focus her practice on the defense of medical malpractice matters. Prior to joining German, Gallagher & Murtagh, Evan worked as an associate at a boutique firm where she represented individuals in personal injury cases, specifically in vaccination injury claims. She has assisted with trials, prepared expert and lay witnesses for hearings, presented oral arguments in court, and has significant drafting experience, including briefs and motions.
Evan is a graduate of Penn State University where she received her B.A. in Sociology, magna cum laude, with a minor in French and Francophone Studies. Evan then earned her Juris Doctorate from The Villanova Charles Widger School of Law. During her time at Villanova Law School, Evan was an SBA Class Representative, SBA Student Group Liaison, Student Admissions Ambassador, and a member of the Professor Selection Committee.
Jacob C. Lehman and Michael G. Balabon Obtain Dismissal of Plaintiff’s Appeal to New Jersey Supreme Court for National Marine and Vehicle Brokerage Firm
Jacob C. Lehman and Michael G. Balabon obtained the successful dismissal of a Plaintiff’s Petition for Certification to the Supreme Court of New Jersey in a lawsuit alleging fraud and breach of contract against their client, a National Marine and Vehicle Brokerage firm. The appeal concerned Plaintiff’s challenge to the validity of a forum selection clause in a contract executed between the parties. Plaintiff , who utilized the services of Defendant for the sale of a recreational vehicle, commenced the action in the Superior Court of New Jersey, alleging breach of contract and fraud by the Defendant. We successfully moved to dismiss this action, as the contract in question contained a forum selection clause which mandated that any lawsuit filed related to the contract would have to take place in Florida. Plaintiff then filed an appeal with the Appellate Division, claiming that the contract was an invalid contract of adhesion. The Appellate Division disagreed, and our office was again successful in dismissing this action. Following dismissal by the Appellate Division, Plaintiff initiated an Appeal with the Supreme Court of New Jersey by filing a Notice of Petition for Certification. Plaintiff then filed a Petition for Certification, which we opposed. Taking all of the pleadings into account, the Supreme Court ultimately agreed with the arguments presented by the GGM team, and denied Plaintiff’s Petition for Certification.
Mr. Lehman and Mr. Balabon regularly handle commercial litigation matters such as this one in the trial and appellate courts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. If you would like more information please contact Mr. Lehman at lehmanj@ggmfirm.com
Jeff Laudenbach Honored to be a Speaker on the Panel at ALFA International Regional Workers’ Compensation Seminar 2024
Jeff Laudenbach was a speaker at the ALFA International Regional Workers’ Compensation Seminar in St. Louis entitled: LET’S GET THE ZAMBONI ON THE ICE: TIPS AND TOOLS FOR
RESURFACING RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR TPA. The panel discussion focused on developing collaborative team efforts between employers, counsel and TPA to improve handling claims.
