Shareholder Michael Mikulski has won the Republican Primary for Township Committee (Southampton Township, NJ) and will be running unopposed in the General Election
Key Legislation for Realtors moves from PA House to Senate
Last week House Bill 1437 passed to the Senate Urban Action Committee for consideration. House Bill 1437 proposes to amend Pennsylvania Municipal Code and Ordinance Act, 68P.S.§1081, to:
(1) provide a more detailed definition of “unfit for habitation”
(2) define and differentiate between “substantial violation” from less severe “violations”
(3) place restrictions and requirements on municipalities to issue a certificate of occupancy based on any “substantial violations” or “violations”
(4) create and define new categories of temporary use and occupancy permits and temporary access certificates allowing sales to go forward, but requiring work to be corrected before new owner occupies the property. Continue reading
The “Business of Teams” presentation
Bill Weber and Monica Reynolds held a presentation for Suburban West Realtors on May 5th at 9:00 a.m. on the “Business of Teams”.
The location was: 100 Deerfield Lane, Malvern, PA 19355.
Patrick T. Casey, Esquire joins Connor, Weber & Oberlies
Patrick T. Casey, Esquire joins Connor, Weber & Oberlies practicing in insurance defense litigation and civil litigation.
Determining Realty Or Personalty For Liability Under PA Subdivision Tort Claims Act
Determining Whether Something Is A Part Of Realty Or Personalty For Purposes Of Liability Under The Pennsylvania Subdivision Tort Claims Act
By: Steven M. Liero, Esquire
When an action is brought against a political subdivision, such as a school district or a municipality, a question arise whether the claim falls within an exception to the immunity enjoyed by the subdivision.
Most often claims are brought pursuant to the real estate exception contained in 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 8542(b)(c). To invoke this section, the plaintiff must show that a) the injury resulted from a defective condition that b) stemmed from the care, custody or control of real estate, not personalty. Mellon v. City of Pittsburgh Zoo, 768 A.2d 921 (Pa. Cmwlth 2000). The question becomes more complicated when the real estate contains not only a building or grounds around the building, but a device attached to the building. As an example, a question arises whether a metal cleat, attached to a gym wall in a school on which a person is injured is part of the realty itself or simply an item of personalty. If the latter, the plaintiff’s injury would not fall within the real estate exception to immunity and that person could not recover for pain and suffering. Continue reading
Delay Damages in a UM Case are Based on the Molded Verdict and Not the Jury Award
By: Steven M. Liero, Esquire
On December 28, 2012, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in Marlette, et al. v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, 57 A.3d 1224 (2012) a series of consolidated cases held that delay damages in an uninsured motorist action are calculated on the verdict as molded by the Court, not on the full amount originally awarded by the jury. Continue reading
For Whom The Bell Tolls? – Widening The Scope Of New Jersey Condominium Association Alternative Dispute Resolution
For Whom The Bell Tolls? – Widening The Scope Of New Jersey Condominium Association Alternative Dispute Resolution After Bell Tower Condominium Association V. Haffert
Condominium Associations in New Jersey have recently found themselves with a new order of business on their meeting agendas – reexamining their existing alternative dispute resolution procedures between and among their unit owners and the condominium association. This year, The New Jersey Appellate Division in Bell Tower Condominium Association v. Haffert, 423 N.J. Super. 507 (App. Div.) cert. denied 210 N.J. 217 (2012) broadly construed the term “housing-related disputes” as set forth in the New Jersey Condominium Act to include a dispute between a unit owner and the condominium association board over the manner in which a special assessment was approved. However, it is the use of the word “broadly” in the opinion that has far reaching ramifications. Continue reading
NJ Superior Court Judge Dismisses Texting Lawsuit
On May 25, 2012, a New Jersey Superior Court Judge granted summary judgment in the case of Kubert v. Best, in favor of a defendant, Shannon Colonna, who was accused of sending a text message to a friend while he was driving. On September 19, 2009, Kyle Best, age 19, received a text message from a female friend while operating his motor vehicle in Randolph, Morris County, New Jersey. Mr. Best lost control of his vehicle, crossed the yellow line and struck David and Linda Kubert on their motorcycle. Both individuals suffered very serious personal injuries. Continue reading
Limits Condo Property Liability
By: Michael S. Mikulski, Esquire
(Originally Posted on: December 27, 2011)
The New Jersey Supreme Court recently decided the case of Luchejko v. City of Hoboken. This case significantly limits the potential liability of condominium associations and property managers for removing snow and ice from public sidewalks.
Brief Summary – there is no sidewalk liability for a condominium complex for failure to remove snow and/or ice as a condominium complex is determined to be residential, and therefore residential immunities apply. Continue reading
Types of Disability Coverage in Life and Health Insurance
Definition of disability
The definition of “disability” is subjective because some people can work without complaint with a condition that would disable and incapacitate others. A typical life and health insurance policy may define disability insurance as including insurance related to injury, disablement, or death resulting to the insured from accidents or sickness.
Forms of coverage
The two principal forms of disability coverage in life and health insurance are disability income insurance and waiver of life insurance premium payment during disability.
Disability income insurance
Disability income insurance pays certain monetary benefits to the insured during his disability as defined in the policy. These benefits are common in group insurance.
Waiver of life insurance premium
Waiver of premium payment during disability is a benefit whereby the insured need not pay the premium on a life insurance policy during his disability. Although the premium is considered “waived,” in effect, the insured pays a premium that provides a cash credit toward the premium on the policy in case he becomes disabled.
Copyright 2011 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.