Certified Civil Trial Attorneys
Admin • June 15, 2020
How do you choose the best attorney for your needs?
It’s confusing trying to choose an attorney. You may have never needed an attorney before, so you ask a friend to refer you to someone, look in the Yellow Pages where hundreds, or even thousands of attorneys are listed or use an internet search. But how do you choose one attorney over another and how can you be sure that you will choose the right attorney to handle your particular legal problem?
Finding the right attorney is to your benefit and to the attorney’s as well. That is why the Supreme Court of New Jersey has directed the Board on Attorney Certification to carry out the certification program in effort to raise the level of competence of attorneys in this State. This program is designed to help you make an informed decision when seeking and selecting an attorney.
Why Should you use a Certified Civil Trial Attorney?
Q. What is a certified civil trial attorney?
A. Certified civil trial attorney is a designation granted by the New Jersey Supreme Court to attorneys who are able to demonstrate sufficient levels of experience, education, knowledge, and skill in civil trial practice. The Supreme Court, through its Board on Attorney Certification, designates only those lawyers who apply for certification and who are able to meet the standards set by the Board and approved by the Court.
Q. What does it mean when an attorney is certified?
A. A certified attorney is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law. A New Jersey attorney who is certified by the Supreme Court as a civil trial attorney must have:
- Been a member in good standing of the New Jersey Bar for over 5 years
- Fulfilled ongoing continuing legal education requirements
- Demonstrate a substantial level of experience in civil trial law
- Been favorable evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with his or her work
- Taken and passed a written examination in civil trial law
Q. Why does New Jersey have a certification program?
A. The Certification program helps the public find attorneys who have demonstrated proficiency in specialized field of law. Certification helps lawyers by giving them a way to make their experience known to the public and to other lawyers. Certification also encourages the maintenance and improvement of attorney competence in specialized fields of law.
Q. In what areas of law does the New Jersey Supreme Court certify attorneys?
A. There are five specialty areas of practice that are approved for certification by the Supreme Court of New Jersey: civil trial law; criminal trial law; matrimonial law; workers’ compensation law; and Municipal Court law (just recently approved).
Q. How many attorneys are certified in New Jersey?
A. As of March 2014, approximately 1,600 hold Board Certification out of roughly 75,000 active lawyers in New Jersey.
Q. How does the consumer know if an attorney is Board certified?
A. Although many practicing trial attorneys now advertise in newspaper, on television, and in the Yellow Pages, only attorneys certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court are entitled to use the designation “Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney” on their letterhead, business cards, Yellow Page listing, or in their advertisements.
Q. What if I have more questions or need to find out more about certification?
A. Anyone in need of more information regarding the certification program should address his or her questions to:
Board on Attorney Certification
P.O. Box 965
Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0965
You presented your Personal Injury matter to an attorney you retained, and they successfully obtained settlement monies on your behalf. That’s great! What happens now? At Radano Orecchia, LLC , our staff investigates your outstanding medical bills to give you one less thing to worry about, and we disburse payments for only the bills rightfully owed by you that haven’t been covered by your insurance (such as co-pays and deductibles). This process can take up to 6 weeks or more, depending on the complexities involved in your case. In the meantime, your settlement proceeds are deposited into a Trust Account, which is a special type of bank account regulated by the government to ensure safe and appropriate handling of your money. While we work to disburse your funds as quickly as possible, we thought we’d take time to answer some commonly asked questions we get during this time! You Haven’t Received “Final Lien” from Medicare/Medicaid- Why Can’t I Have My Money? We understand that it can be very frustrating to have the delayed disbursement of your settlement proceeds! If you have or had Medicare or Medicaid, we are required, by law, to assess if they paid for any of your injury-related treatment. Such payments are considered “lienable”, and are required to be paid back out of judgment or settlement. Final Liens can take a minimum of 30 days to be reported to your attorney. Do I Have To Pay Taxes on My Settlement? No. The State of New Jersey has declared that compensatory damages received concerning injury or illness are not taxable. What Happens to My Settlement If I Owe Child Support? The State of New Jersey has deemed that “Any money that the non-custodial parent may be entitled to as part of a court-awarded lawsuit or settlement may be applied to past-due child support payments.” Click here to visit the New Jersey Child Support Website. I Moved Away, and Can’t Come to the Firm To Pick Up My Check. What Happens Now? If you moved away during your case, don't worry! At Radano Orecchia, LLC , your legal team with coordinate with you to deliver your settlement funds. While we are not able to provide direct deposit, we are happy to mail you your check. The Case Was for my Child (under 18 y/o). Where Do The Settlement Proceeds Go? If your child is under the age of 18 at the time of settlement there are a few different things that need to happen. The first is that your attorney would schedule a Friendly Hearing before a judge, who will memorialize the exact terms of the settlement. Then an account will be opened for the minor at your county Surrogate's Office. The money will be safely deposited in that account and may be retried by the minor when they turn 18 years old. The Proceeds Awards are for A Deceased Party. What Happens Now? Typically, settlement proceeds or court-awarded monies go to the person who is set to inherit. If the deceased party is married, the settlement funds will go to the surviving spouse. If there is no one in line to inherit on behalf of the deceased party, the money gets sent to The Office of the Public Guardian for appropriate security and handling. We understand that you may have several questions about the details of your settlement, and we are here to help! Feel free to call us to get clarity on any and all aspects of your case with Radano Orecchia, LLC . Make An Appointment Today Hours of Operation Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 6 PM Saturday: Appointments via Text (RLINJURY to 81500) Call 856-691-2500 Email admin@rlinjury.com Text “RLINJURY” to 81500
Personal Injury Attorneys specialize in a sector of law known as “tort”, which involves an action resulting in harm or injury which may then be addressed in civil litigation. Some examples of these actions include: Motor Vehicle Accidents Premises Liability Slips and Falls Product Liability Dog Bites Medical Malpractice Wrongful Death Motor Vehicle Accidents Motor vehicle accidents are classified by a multitude of factors. First, you want to assess the types of vehicles involved (car, truck, motorcycle, etc.), the insurance coverages of both parties, and the type and severity of the injuries suffered. You may have a claim whether you were the driver, passenger, or pedestrian who suffered injury due to another’s negligence. Premises Liability A Premises Liability case arises out of injuries that have been caused by negligence or a dangerous environment at a private residence or commercial property/business. Again, you want to assess the insurance involved and the type and severity of injuries suffered. Slips and Falls Slip and Fall accidents may occur under the category of Premises Liability, but may also occur in public spaces where the city or state government may be liable for your injuries. Product Liability A manufacturer or business that allows you to access a defective product is liable for injuries that may occur out of the ownership or use of the product. All product sellers in the distribution chain are responsible for any product defect that causes injury. The law requires that a product meet the ordinary expectations of an average consumer. The product cannot meet the ordinary expectations of a consumer if said product has an unexpected defect or danger. Dog Bites Dog Bites are very frightening, and a victim can suffer severe, devastating injuries, which they may have to deal with for the remainder of their life. Most state laws hold any dog owner legally accountable for any and all damages caused by a dog bite or animal attack. The owner of any dog which shall bite a person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, shall be liable for such damages as may be suffered by the person bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of such dog or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness. Medical Malpractice Once a medical error is made it cannot be undone. You must be able to show that the medical error caused you bodily harm. Delays in diagnosis (stroke, heart attack, appendicitis, deep vein thrombosis), improperly placed prosthesis, or overdose causing death are all examples of injuries or damage that are actionable. Wrongful Death If you suspect your loved one or relative was a victim of negligent actions resulting in wrongful death you may have a claim. If you are an immediate family member of the departed, financially dependent on the deceased, or in some cases, a distant family member, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Regardless of the type of claim, a Personal Injury (PI) Attorney will navigate the nuance of the legal system specific to your accident and injuries, and fight to get you the best outcome and compensation. Their job as experts in the field is to gather and evaluate the evidence, consisting of records of your injuries and treatment, present that to the insurance and or legal counsel representing the responsible party, and negotiate equitable settlement on your behalf. Make An Appointment Today Hours of Operation Monday - Friday : 8 AM - 6 PM Saturday: Appointments via Text (RLINJURY to 81500) Call 856-691-2500 Email admin@rlinjury.com Text “RLINJURY” to 81500
It’s that time of year again! The summer swelters and the crisp fall breezes have been replaced by Winter Wonderland. The beautiful blankets of snow that we see on occasion truly evoke a sense of joy and wonder, and it is certainly possible to enjoy the wonders of the season while traversing in such a way as to decrease the likelihood of incident and injury. Keep reading to learn some expert tips and tricks for traveling during the winter season! Time to Stock Up While you are stocking up on holiday supplies for your home, it is wise to consider a few items to have handy in the car, in case an adverse weather event leaves you in less than favorable conditions to get to your destination. You may want to consider storing emergency supplies such as a heated blanket, flashlight, first aid kit, hand/foot warmers, a reflective vest, and a small shovel, in case precarious road conditions leave you unable to proceed on your route. This is also a good time to get a tire repair kit. If you already have one, don’t forget to check the kit’s expiration date, to ensure it’s in optimal working order! Prepare for the Drive When you are ready to head, briefly give your car a once over: -Are the car and/or headlights covered in snow? -Are your windshield wipers in good condition, or are they damaged? -Is there sufficient windshield washer fluid (with antifrost and/or de-icer) -Is your gas tank full or is it running on empty? Assessing these items may seem tedious, but can make a difference to your comfort and safety while traveling in wintery conditions. Assessing for Dangers While you are out on the road it is imperative to maintain your focus and concentration on the road. In addition to the normal hazards we face while operating a car, truck, SUV, or even motorcycle, snowy conditions may result in decreased visibility and even black ice formation. Staying alert and decreasing your speed will help to decrease the likelihood of you being involved in an accident. Know Your Limits (and Local Rules) If the roads are unclear and you don’t feel safe traveling, staying home is well worth considering. In the event that you are a seasoned driver who isn’t deterred by poor weather conditions (kudos to you!), it is always wise to be mindful of the rules and regulations in your area. Look for local news postings such as “State of Emergency”, which prohibits non-essential travel. Knowing your limits, preparing, and being on alert for unforeseen emergencies may help prevent yourself and others from becoming involved in a motor vehicle accident. Make An Appointment Today Hours of Operation Monday - Friday: 8 AM - 6 PM Saturday: Appointments via Text (RLINJURY to 81500) Call 856-691-2500 Email admin@rlinjury.com Text “RLINJURY” to 81500
Fall, or Autumn, is a favorite time of year among many New Jersey residents. It signals the start of excursions to pumpkin patches, hauling out the cozy sweaters, and lots of outdoor walks that don’t end in a sweat bath. For all of the wonders of the Fall season, it’s also important to remind ourselves to be cautious as the change of weather can bring about potentially hazardous conditions, such as wet fallen leaves. Autumn leaves are a beautiful indicator of the change of season, but left unattended can produce an unsafe traversal environment for you and your loved ones. Walking over wet leaves is known to increase your chances of having a Slip and Fall Accident. While a Slip and Fall may sound like an inconsequential event, they have caused serious injuries such as: Head Injuries, Broken Bones, Lacerations, and Back Injuries (just to name a few). As such, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and avoid areas of unsure footing. It is also important to ensure that you maintain your private residence or business in the face of these seasonal environmental changes. A Slip and Fall accident occurring on your premises falls under a section of New Jersey Law known as Premises Liability. Under this law, the responsible party (homeowner, business owner/management) has a duty to reasonably ensure the area is safe for others. This includes clearing tripping and/or falling hazards like debris, uneven walkways, and even fallen leaves! If you have fallen and become injured as a result of fallen leaves (or other hazardous debris), here are some things you may want to take note of: Where did this happen? Residential Property Who owns it? Business City Property Your Relationship with the Property Owner Take Photos of the Area Take Photos of Injuries Premises Liability cases make up a large portion of New Jersey Personal Injury cases every year, and it is advisable to find an attorney who specializes in this area to help you build your case. Radano Orecchia, LLC have represented people like you for serious injuries since 1984, with over $22,000,000.00 recovered for our clients in the year 2023 alone. Call, email, or text us to schedule your consultation today. Make An Appointment Today Hours of Operation Monday - Friday : 8 AM - 6 PM Saturday: Appointments via Text (RLINJURY to 81500) Call 856-691-2500 Email admin@rlinjury.com Text “RLINJURY” to 81500
Are you ready to welcome your community Trick-or-Treaters this year?! This year, Halloween falls on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. We recommend searching for the official Trick-or-Treat times in your area, as they may vary from county to county. In the meantime, while you are preparing your spookiest of home decor, we’d also like to prepare you with some safety tips! We may wish to ignore this fact, but the unfortunate truth is that children are twice as likely to be hit by a car on Halloween as opposed to any other time of the year. As such, it is imperative that we create the safest environment possible so that everyone may have the best experience while reducing the likelihood of serious personal injuries. Halloween typically brings about an increase in residential foot traffic, particularly those with teeny-tiny feet! Please remember to be extra vigilant in your travels in cars or on bikes on (and around) October 31st, as it is more difficult to spot those not at eye level. Turning on your vehicle lights a little earlier than usual may help increase your awareness of those traveling by foot! Trick-or-Treat commonly falls between the hours of 5:30 PM and 9:30 PM, so being conscious of the time may help you as well. If you have little ones participating in the festivities, here are some additional safety tips! Children learn by example, and this may be a great opportunity to show them how to safely cross a roadway. Take their hand and lead by example: try to find a designated crosswalk, and look both ways (twice) before proceeding. As an additional measure to increase your visibility to others,you may want to adorn yourself with a reflective material or patch, or even a glowstick (or 10, but who’s counting!). You may also want to consider costumes that don’t involve masks, as they can reduce your own visibility, or that of your child. In the event that you or your child become injured during Trick-or-Treat, we recommend getting checked by a medical professional as soon as possible, and calling Radano Orecchia, LLC for a free legal consultation. Radano Orecchia, LLC has experience representing both adult and minor clients for serious personal injuries, and we are determined to help you through this difficult process with the least amount of frustration as possible. Make An Appointment Today Hours of Operation Monday - Friday : 8 AM - 6 PM Saturday: Appointments via Text (RLINJURY to 81500) Call 856-691-2500 Email admin@rlinjury.com Text “RLINJURY” to 81500
Dog bites almost always lead to serious injuries. New Jersey has specific laws in place to address animal bite injuries. Read this article to learn more.
Poor product packages could potentially lead to injury. Learn about how you may seek a settlement from a marketing company due to poor package design.
Accidents happen. Here are some tips to remember if you find yourself at fault for an accident so you can handle the situation with as little stress as possible.
20 QUESTIONS: A guide to making safe choices when purchasing or renewing your auto insurance policy.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Family 20 QUESTIONS A guide to making safe choices when purchasing or renewing your auto insurance policy. The State of New Jersey adopted the Automobile Insurance Cost Reduction Act in 1998. The Act reduces the cost of automobile insurance by reducing the benefits available to persons who are injured in automobile accident. You may have less medical expense benefits to pay for medical treatment and you may lose the right to recover monetary damages from the careless driver who caused the accident. Compulsory Automobile Insurance Q. Am I required to purchase an automobile insurance policy? A. Yes. The law requires the owner of every automobile registered or principally garaged in the State of New Jersey to purchase an automobile liability insurance policy. Q. What happens if I do not purchase an automobile insurance policy? A. If you do not purchase insurance, you will be subject to civil and criminal penalties including fines up to $5,000.00, community service, loss of license and imprisonment. In addition, if you are injured while operating an uninsured automobile, you will not be permitted to recover any economic or non-economic damages from the negligent driver who caused the accident, even if you were not at fault. Type of Policy Q. What choices do I have when I purchase or renew my automobile insurance policy? A. You are required to choose either a Standard Policy or a Basic Policy. Q. What is a Standard Policy? A. A Standard Policy provides liability coverage to protect your assets (your property and your income) if someone makes a claim against you. This is the maximum amount of money that your insurance company will pay to someone who is injured by you, by a resident family member or by the driver of your car. In addition, a Standard Policy provides Uninsured Motorist Coverage if you or a resident family member are injured by a driver who is Uninsured. Q. What are the policy limits for a Standard Policy? A. The minimum liability and uninsured motorist limits under a Standard Policy are $15,000.00 per person/$30,000.00 per accident for Bodily Injury and $5,000.00 for property damage. However, you may purchase higher limits of liability and uninsured motorist coverage up to a single limit of $500,000.00. Q. Should I purchase a Standard Policy? A. Yes. A Standard Policy provides the best insurance coverage to protect your assets if you are sued and to provide compensation to you and your resident family members if you are injuries. Q. What is a Basic Policy? A. A Basic Policy Provides minimal coverage: A Basic Policy does not provide liability coverage if someone makes a claim against you for a bodily injury. A Basic Policy provides only $15,000.00 of medical expense benefits if you or a resident relative family member is injuries (up to $250,000.00 for brain or spinal cord injury.) A Basic Policy does not provide uninsured motorist coverage if you or a resident family member are injured by a careless driver who is uninsured. A Basic Policy does not require your insurance company to provide you with an attorney to defend you if you are sued, even if you are not at fault for the accident. Q. Should I purchase a Basic Policy? A. No. A Basic Policy does not provide adequate insurance coverage to protect your assets if you are sued and does not provide adequate compensation to you and your resident family members if you are injured. Medical Expenses Q. Does the Standard Policy provide coverage for medical expenses? A. Yes. The Standard Policy provides medical expense benefits (PIP) coverage, which includes medical expenses up to $250,000.00 per person per accident. You may elect to purchase less coverage in the amounts of $15/50/75/150,000; however, if you do, you may not have enough insurance to obtain all of the medical treatment you need or to pay for all of your medical bills. Q. Who pays my medical bills if I also have health insurance coverage? A. If you are injuries in an automobile accident, your automobile insurance is primary and will pay our medical bills. You may elect to make your health insurance primary; however, your health insurance plan may not provide coverage for automobile accidents and may not cover all of your family members. Also, some of your bills may not be paid because of deductibles and fee schedules. Q. If I am injured, can I make a claim or file a lawsuit against the negligent driver who caused the accident? A. If you purchase a Standard Policy, you are required to elect a “Lawsuit Option” that will determine if you have the right to make a claim. You must either select either the “Limitation or Lawsuit” option or the “No Limitation on Lawsuit” option. If you purchase a Basic Policy, you are assigned the “Limitation on Lawsuit” option. Q. What is the “Limitation on Lawsuit” Option? A. The “Limitation on Lawsuit” option (also known as the “verbal threshold”) eliminates the legal rights of yourself, your spouse and any children who reside with you to make a claim for monetary damages or to file a lawsuit against a careless driver unless you sustain one of the following types of injuries: Type 1 – Death Type 2 – Dismemberment Type 3 – Significant disfigurement or scarring Type 4 – Displaced fractures Type 5 – Loss of fetus Type 6 – Permanent injury (when a body part has not and will not heal to function normally) Q. What is the “No Limitation on Lawsuit” option? A. The no limitation on lawsuit option (also known as “no threshold” or “zero threshold”) permits you to make a claim or to file a lawsuit against a careless driver for any and all personal injuries. Q. Who benefits if I purchase a policy with the “Limitation on Lawsuit” option? A. The careless drivers who cause the accidents and their insurance companies will benefit because they may have no responsibility for your economic loss or your personal injuries. The insurance companies who provide coverage for careless drivers will benefit because they may not have to pay any monetary damages for your injures. Types of Coverage Q. How can I protect myself and my family if we are sued? A. A Standard Policy provides liability insurance with minimum limits of $15,000.00 per person/$30,000.00 per accident if you are your family are sued. You should purchase additional coverage to protect your assets. Q. How can I protect myself and my family if we are injured by a careless driver who is uninsured? A. A Standard Policy automatically provides coverage for injuries caused by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver in the amount of $15,000.00 per person/$30,000.00 per accident. You should purchase additional coverage up to the amount of your liability coverage. Q. How can I protect myself and my family if we are injured by a careless driver who is insured but does not have adequate coverage? A. The amount of your recovery from a careless driver may be limited by the amount of liability insurance purchased by that driver and by the owner of the vehicle. You should purchase underinsured motorist coverage up to the amount of your liability coverage. WARNING: You must specifically name all resident relatives, employees and all other drivers as “named insured” so that they receive the same amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage that you have purchased for yourself. Q. Can I purchase other insurance protection in addition to automobile insurance? A. Yes. You can purchase a personal catastrophe liability umbrella at a reasonable cost that will provide you with additional coverage if a claim is made against you or any resident family member for injuries sustained by another person. Q. How much coverage do you recommended? A. The law requires the owner of every automobile registered or principally garaged in New Jersey to purchase an automobile insurance policy with liability limits and uninsured motorist limits of $15,000.00 per person/$30,000.00 per accident. However, insurance companies are required to offer coverage up to at least $250/500,000.00 split limits or $500,000.00 single limits. Most insurance companies offer the following choices: