GENERAL LIABILITY
Litchfield Cavo attorneys’ quest for excellence has earned our reputation as a premier litigation defense firm among insurers, self-insured entities and the legal community. Our attorneys are powerful advocates for those facing personal injury, property damage, contractual liability as well as negligence claims.
Thorough, Persistent Defense
Litchfield Cavo attorneys have a solid reputation of efficiently, yet successfully litigating complex matters on behalf of insurance carriers, corporations, financial institutions, regional businesses, municipalities and government entities, and individuals due to their substantial experience of complex matters, including:
- Business defense | Insured businesses rely on our attorneys to reach successful, cost-effective resolutions as they face many types of lawsuits, including allegations of negligent or insufficient training, compliance, supervision or hiring practice claims.
- Personal injury defense | Litchfield Cavo attorneys defend negligence and strict liability actions on behalf of our clients including catastrophic injury and death. This includes successfully defend lawsuits against general contractors and subcontractors in construction accidents, owners and operators of personal and commercial vehicles, and owners and managers of residential and commercial property.
- Personal torts | Litchfield Cavo attorneys defend businesses and individuals accused of wrongful conduct, including defamation (libel or slander), invasion of privacy, statute violations of debt collection, computer use or misuse of confidential data. Such accusations are frequently unfounded and our attorneys vigorously defend clients based on facts, the law and the United States Constitution.
- Property damage defense | Our attorneys vigorously defend property damage claims that can cost millions of dollars and disrupt business. Our attorneys represent clients against claims arising from construction operations, as well as personal claims against commercial and residential property managers and owners.
- Trial counsel | Litchfield Cavo attorneys understand a trial is the last resort for clients, yet are always prepared to take a case to verdict. Our attorneys place clients in the best position to prevail at trial in claims alleging failure to warn, breach of warranty, deceptive trade practices and other matters.
Our General Liability Record
- Obtained summary judgment in federal court on behalf of insurance agency sued for age discrimination by a former insurance broker who claimed damages in excess of $1.2 million.
- Jury verdict in favor of Defendant involved in a municipal construction project wherein Plaintiff sought more than $3.5 million for spinal injuries suffered when they fell into an unguarded excavation.
- Procured voluntary dismissal of hostile work environment claim after producing photographs of Plaintiff engaging in behavior that was contradictory to allegations in complaint.
- Negotiated favorable settlement for employer after three mediations in an age discrimination federal suit filed by seven former employees laid off in a reduction in force.
- Obtained jury verdict for employer after a six-day jury trial in a Title VII religious discrimination case; jury found Plaintiff to be an independent contractor rather than an employee.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of our state governmental entity client in wrongful death/civil rights case related to officer-involved shooting on an Indian reservation wherein Plaintiff was involved in a high speed chase.
- Successfully defended municipality clients concerning liability for civil rights claims against wrongful arrest and malicious prosecution.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of municipal employer sued for allegedly violating federal and state whistleblower statutes; although evidence did confirm employee submitted complaints of fraud and abuse, the trial court found there was no evidence that employee’s termination was a result of the complaints.
- Successfully moved to exclude Plaintiff’s experts’ opinions, reports, and supplemental reports, and successfully defended the state governmental entity client against Plaintiff’s motion to exclude.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf our state government division client in a civil rights case involving allegations that legislature exceeded its jurisdiction in requiring out-of-state charitable organizations to register with, and obtain a state permit before soliciting from residents; resulted in favorable outcome for our client.
- Obtained summary judgement on behalf of our governmental entity client in civil rights/commercial litigation case involving reclamation of mining property resulting in favorable outcome for our client.
- Successfully defended an assisted living community client against Plaintiff’s claim that she fell and broke her hip due to insufficient assistance while leaving her apartment during a mandated overnight fire drill.
- Obtained favorable summary judgment for property management company client and grocery store in a personal injury action wherein the court held Plaintiff’s slip and fall was caused by a natural accumulation of ice and Defendants owed no duty.
- Achieved a defense verdict in a mass flooding case in favor of two water supply companies that operate three dams controlling over 12 billion gallons of water.
- Successfully defended a gas and oil field production automation client in a property damage subrogation case, with alleged damages exceeding $11 million, against a claim that the onsite work had interfered with the emergency shutdown system at a gas compression facility.
J. Gunter Barber
Associate
TX – Dallas-Fort Worth
T: 817.945.8051
Practices: General Liability, Trucking Liability
Bridget McCormack Ciarlo
Associate
CT – Hartford area
T: 860.413.2710
Practices: General Liability, Workers’ Compensation
Andrew S. Connell, Sr.
Of Counsel (Retired)
FL – Fort Lauderdale
T: 954.689.3012
Practices: General Liability, Professional Liability: Medical
Charles B. Costello, III
Associate
NY – New York
T: 212.792.9770
Practices: Construction Liability, General Liability
Matthias J. DeAngelo
Associate
CT – Hartford area
T: 860.413.2715
Practices: General Liability, Workers’ Compensation
Claudia B. Diaz
Partner
IL – Chicago
T: 312.781.6677
Practices: Employment and Labor Law, General Liability
Trisha A. Gill
Local Office Managing Partner - Pittsburgh
PA – Pittsburgh | WV – Charleston
T: 412.291.8242
Jennifer L. Gooden
Associate
TX – Houston
T: 713.418.2037
Practices: General Liability, Workers’ Compensation
Adrian G. Gragas
Of Counsel
CA – Los Angeles area
T: 626.683.5066
Practices: General Liability, Professional Liability: Non-Medical
Stephen J. LaMonica
Associate
MA – Boston area
T: 781.309.1503
Practices: Construction Liability, General Liability
Michael T. Lynch
Partner
CT – Hartford area
T: 860.413.2708
Practices: General Liability, Workers’ Compensation
Chunwei "Vicky" Mao
Associate
NY – New York
T: 212.365.5414
Practices: Construction Liability, General Liability
Rachel M. Mohabir
Associate
NY – New York
T: 212.792.9773
Practices: Construction Liability, General Liability
Daniel A. Passer
Associate
NY – New York
T: 212.365.5423
Practices: General Liability, Insurance Coverage
Katharine E. Reisbig
Associate
CT – Hartford area
T: 860.413.2717
Practices: General Liability, Workers’ Compensation
Samantha N. Ross
Associate
NY – New York
T: 212.792.9778
Practices: Construction Liability, General Liability
Dawn M. Sigyarto
Local Office Managing Partner - Philadelphia
PA – Philadelphia | NJ – Cherry Hill
T: 215.999.5777
Stephanie Wing Tipton
Partner
IL – Chicago
T: 312.781.6636
Practices: General Liability, Insurance Coverage
Melissa M. Wolin
Partner
NY – New York
T: 212.434.0102
Practices: Construction Liability, General Liability