Retired Judge Glenn Berman invited Scott Parsons, NJ’s preeminent personal injury and medical malpractice attorney, to participate in his May 5, 2015 radio program Sound Advice: Law Matters on the WCTC, the Voice of Central Jersey.
First, Some Background Information
This weekly show focuses on important and timely legal topics of interest to individuals and business owners here in New Jersey. Each week, Judge Berman interviews leading figures from the state’s legal community who share their knowledge, provide valuable and practical information, and answer questions from callers on a variety of subjects including corporate and business law, domestic and family court issues, criminal and municipal matters, employment related topics, and issues of particular interest to women.
Scott A. Parsons is a Partner with the Law Firm O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble, LLC. The firm is listed as a “Best Law Firm” by US News & World Report.
Judge Berman highlighted Scott Parsons’ professional accomplishments on the show, telling his audience Scott has been:
- Named in Best Lawyers in America (2007 – present)
- Named as Lawyer of the Year in Plaintiff’s medical malpractice in the Newark area (2013)
- Named as aSuper Lawyer by New Jersey Monthly Magazine, (Super Lawyer section 2006 – present)
- Is routinely named as one of the Top 100 Attorneys in New Jersey
Scott graduated Cum Laude from Grove City College (1980) and received his J.D. from Seton Hall Law School (1984).
A Difficult Proposition
The show, which aired on May 5, 2015, tackled two main topics related to medical malpractice and personal injury law:
- How the Affidavit of Merit affects case evaluations
- Choosing comprehensive auto insurance coverage
Both of these factors can be significant when bringing a case to trial.
The question of whether a plaintiff has a case or not comes into the legal conversation early on, in truth, it always has. Now, a change in New Jersey law requires that the merit of a medical malpractice case be proven by way of an affidavit. Lawyers must submit an Affidavit of Merit upon filing a malpractice suit. It states that the case has been reviewed by an expert in the same field and the claim filed is valid. This is considered the first “expert” review of the case, and it won’t be the last.
Typically, lawyers will spend $50 to $60 thousand on expert witnesses during a malpractice case. This doesn’t count the time spent on other aspects of the case, or the risk of an unfavorable verdict. With all of that in mind, attorneys have to have proof of a deviation from the standard of care before the case goes to court.
There are other surprises when it comes to personal injury litigation, especially if that injury is the result of a car accident. Parsons encouraged listeners to opt for insurance coverage with additional protections built-in.
Mainly:
- Zero-threshold coverage, so that the injuries sustained don’t have to be deemed “permanent” before a claim can be filed.
- Have Personal Injury Protection selected as the primary coverage option, not the secondary one.
- Get additional UM and UIM coverage to protect against drivers who have inadequate coverage.
The additional expense is well-worth minimizing personal financial risk.
The full broadcast of The Law Matters 5-5-15 radio show is available online at http://www.wctcam.com/The-Law-Matters.aspx
To contact Scott Parsons, a NJ’s leading medical malpractice and personal injury lawyer, for your personal injury or medical malpractice matters, contact him online, by email, or by phone at 908-928-9200.
Scott is also available for reporters and radio and TV show producers for background information and expert analysis on matters relating to personal injury and medical malpractice.