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SUBROGATION

Kearns Duffy & Vaccaro has 25 years’ worth of subrogation experience.  Since 2004, Paul R. Duffy, Esq. has been qualified to be a Subrogation Recovery Professional (CSRP) pursuant to the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP).  Additionally, Kearns Duffy & Vaccaro was a founding member of NASP.

Subrogation

Kearns Duffy & Vaccaro, P.C. has had extensive experience in all aspects of subrogation, including, but not limited to, property and casualty, products liability, personal injury protection (PIP) and motor vehicle liability actions. 

 

At the time of this writing, this firm performs these services for Cumberland Mutual Insurance Company, Palisades Safety and Insurance Association, Empire Insurance Company, MetLife Insurance Company, Peerless Insurance Company, First Trenton Insurance Company and Sentry Claims Service.  Kearns Duffy & Vaccaro is a charter member of the National Association of Subrogation Professionals (NASP).

Our mission is to maximize your recovery potential, while providing you with a high level of customer service.  We are fully prepared to handle your subrogation cases from the initial investigation through arbitration or trial.

What is Subrogation?

Subrogation is the substitution of one person, or entity, in place of another person or entity, with reference to a lawful claim, demand or right, so that he who is substituted succeeds to the rights of the other in relation to the debt or claim, and its rights, remedies and securities.  Black’s Law Dictionary

Insurance companies, guarantors and bonding companies generally have the right to step into the shoes of the party whom they compensate and sue any party whom the compensated party could have sued.  Black’s Law Dictionary.

Successful performance of services in this field requires knowledge of insurance contract interpretation, products liability law and trial experience.  Persistence is also required.  This firm consistently meets all these requirements and regularly returns a successful recovery for its clients.

Client Service Philosophy

Client Service begins with respect for you and for the rigorous demands of the insurance industry.  We recognize your budgetary concerns and understand the importance of keeping you regularly informed about the status of your files.  Further, as members of the National Association of Subrogation Professionals, we are committed to staying on top of the issues that will affect your recovery efforts in the future.

We have utilized technology to the fullest, to design a highly efficient practice.  As a result, we can broaden the range of “cost effective” cases, and handle some cases that might otherwise be disregarded, without reducing service and cutting corners.  Your files will be handled personally by Mr. Duffy or Mr. Vaccaro, experienced subrogation attorneys.

Please contact the following attorneys to discuss how we may assist you in reaching your subrogation goals:

 

Paul Duffy

Email: prd@kdvlawyers.com

Phone: (908)647-7773, ext. 200


Michael Vaccaro

Email: mcv@kdvlawyers.com

Phone: (908)647-7773, ext. 300


William Kearns

Email: wjk@kdvlawyers.com

Phone: (908)647-7773, ext. 100

Links to download:

Alternate Living Expenses Worksheet

Our Services

New Losses:  Our attorneys are available around the clock, seven days a week, to assist you with new losses.  We are prepared to respond immediately with primary investigators to determine the cause and origin of the loss.  Relevant evidence will be identified and secured.  All potentially responsible parties will be identified and placed on notice.   If necessary, and only with your authorization, we will retain secondary experts, such as engineers, chemists and metallurgists.  Based upon the facts of the loss, the strength of the evidence and the applicable law of the jurisdiction, we will provide you with a detailed analysis of the recovery potential and advise you accordingly.   Based upon the recovery potential, we will work with you to develop an appropriate recovery strategy.

Open Files: When we receive an assignment based on a pre-existing file, we will immediately review the file for critical dates to ensure that recovery is not precluded by statute.  Next, we will review the file in depth to make sure that all potential theories of liability were considered and that the correct parties were placed on notice.  We will confirm the location and status of secured evidence.  We will review all previous actions and the defendant’s response, if any.  Next, we will prepare and send a demand package or follow-up on previous demands.  If the responsible party, or its insurance company, refuses to negotiate we will proceed into arbitration or suit.

Closed File Evaluation: For various reasons, some files are closed prematurely.  When mistakes happen and theories are missed, a potential recovery may be lost.  Under these circumstances, you are understandably reluctant to abandon the claim. We are happy to review closed files and provide you with a second opinion as to their recovery potential.  As with other previously opened files, we will immediately review the closed file for critical dates to ensure that recovery is not precluded by statute.  Next, we will review the file in depth to make sure that all potential theories of liability were considered.  If we believe that a viable theory was overlooked, or that the file was improperly closed for any other reason, we will advise you accordingly and will work with you to develop an appropriate strategy going forward.

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