Curtin & Heefner LLP maintains a solid reputation in the community and among our peers for experience and results in matters of civil litigation. A substantial focus of our Litigation Group includes handling personal injury cases representing both plaintiffs and defendants, as well as effectively resolving disputes involving property damage, disability, bad faith, and civil rights litigation.
Firm attorneys are recognized in both state and federal courts, as well as in alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation. Our successful track record is a product of thorough preparation and significant experience; these qualities, combined with our ability to approach matters with innovation and fresh perspective, have established our reputation as formidable opponents in the courtroom and across the conference table.
PERSONAL INJURY
Personal injury law encompasses a wide range of situations in which injury to a person is caused by the act or omission of another. These circumstances may include auto accidents, product defects, medical malpractice, and premises liability, among others.
Curtin & Heefner LLP is recognized throughout the region as a formidable presence in the realm of personal injury law. With a cadre of attorneys seasoned through substantial courtroom experience, we represent plaintiffs and defendants in all matters relating to personal injury. Our attorneys possess the experience to quickly and accurately assess each individual case in order to assign responsibility, estimate proper compensation and deploy strategies to achieve successful outcomes. As skilled negotiators, we frequently achieve favorable settlements and avoid costly trials and negative publicity. However, should the need arise, our lawyers have the experience and track record to vigorously represent our clients' interests in the courtroom setting.
Attorneys in the firm's Personal Injury Group undergo continual training and education in order to maintain their leadership position in this area of the law. We are frequently called upon by the Bar Association and other organizations throughout the area to address our colleagues on topics relating to personal injury litigation. Many of our lawyers have been honored by their peers and within the community, and have received accolades including being named "Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics Media and Philadelphia magazine, as well as having received numerous community and civic awards.
PROPERTY DAMAGE
The firm has developed a specialized practice involving property damage issues. Property damage issues arise in matters relating to real estate, personal property and motor vehicles and often involve an insurance policy including homeowner, commercial, landlord/tenant, marine and motor vehicle policies.
With substantial experience in this specialized practice, we represent plaintiffs and defendants in all matters relating to property damage. Our representation often includes filing suit for civil insurance fraud on behalf of insurers.
BAD FAITH
Our attorneys are at the forefront of this emerging area of the law. Attorneys at the firm were among the first to specialize in this field when the bad faith law was enacted in 1991. Our attorneys are often asked by local and state bar associations, as well as national organizations, to participate on panels addressing bad faith.
The breadth of our collective experience includes cases involving allegations of:
- Breaching the common law or statutory duties of good faith and fair dealing
- Creation of coverage because a policy was not properly canceled
- Life insurance coverage in the face of the beneficiaries' participation in the insured's death
- Disputes between excess and primary carriers
- Violating the Unfair Insurance Practices Act
- Issuing the wrong type of policy to insure a property
- Underpaying or under evaluating a claim
Firm attorneys were lead counsel with successful verdicts upheld on appeal in frequently quoted bad faith cases such as O'Donnell v. Allstate and Adamski v. Allstate.
INSURANCE COVERAGE
Our attorneys are well versed in the nuances of coverage analysis and provide opinions, reservation of rights letters and disclaimer letters to our insurance company clients. We also prosecute declaratory judgment actions to judgment frequently handling policy language being judicially analyzed for the first time.
DISABILITY LAW
Firm attorneys provide representation in the area of Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income, as well as in disability insurance claims, bad faith relative to disability claims and ERISA lawsuits.
We provide representation at hearings before Administrative Law Judges; requests for waiver of overpayment of benefits; reconsideration requests; appeals to the Social Security appeals counsel; and lawsuits at the federal court level. The firm also provides representation in appeals from denials of long term disability insurance claims; terminations of long term disability insurance benefits; and bad faith lawsuits against insurance companies. Our attorneys have developed particular experience assisting disabled individuals whose insurance policy falls under the jurisdiction of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA).
Feel free to contact our office to schedule a consultation to discuss questions or concerns regarding your disability matter.
News and Legal Updates
- Robert T. Horst Speaks at 2013 IFPA Annual Conference
April 15, 2013 - Robert T. Horst to speak at the PA Insurance Fraud Conference April 1st and 2nd
March 18, 2013 - C. Scott Rybny to speak at the Pennsylvania Association of Mutual Insurance Companies’ Annual Claim Conference on April 3, 2013.
March 15, 2013 - Robert T. Horst to speak at Annual Meeting of the Property Loss Research Bureau on March 18th and 19th.
February 18, 2013 - C&H Litigation Partners to present on “The Present & Future of Concussion Litigation” at the Insurance Society of Philadelphia on March 1, 2013.
January 31, 2013 - Robert T. Horst Joins Curtin & Heefner as Partner in Litigation Section
April 25, 2012 - Curtin & Heefner Names Trial Lawyer Carolyn M. Angelaccio Partner of Firm – Two Named Senior Associates
April 11, 2012 - Bonnie Stein Speaks at Defense Research Institute's Insurance Coverage and Claims Institute
April 4, 2012 - Financial Exposure Arising from Signed Contracts
February 27, 2012
