| 1. INTRODUCTION |
| 1.1 |
Ten County Selection Process |
1 |
| 2. INITIAL CORRESPONDENCE/FORMS |
| 2.1 |
Welcome Letter to Client |
3 |
| 2.2 |
Welcome Letter to Client - Medical Malpractice Case |
4 |
| 2.3 |
Initial Client Letter Enclosing HIPAA and CFA |
5 |
| 2.3.1 |
Alternative Initial Client Letter - Enclosing Packet |
6 |
| 2.3.1.1 |
HIPAA-Compliant Medical Authorization |
7 |
| 2.3.1.2 |
Contingent Fee Agreement |
9 |
|
Practice Pointer - Contingent Fee Agreement |
11 |
| 2.4 |
New Client Reminders |
12 |
| 2.5 |
Thank You Letter to Referring Attorney |
13 |
| 2.6 |
Letter Requesting Medical Records |
14 |
|
Practice Pointer - Medical Records Fees |
15 |
|
Practice Pointer - Electronic Ordering of Medical Records |
16 |
| 2.7 |
Letter to Client Confirming Medical Records Ordered |
17 |
| 2.8 |
Client Status Letter - Medical Malpractice Case |
18 |
| 2.9 |
Client Status Letter - Construction Accident Case |
19 |
| 2.1 |
Client Status Letter - Product Liability Case |
20 |
| 2.11 |
Client Status Letter - Dram Shop |
21 |
| 2.12 |
Client Status Letter - Tractor Trailer Accident Case |
22 |
| 2.13 |
Client Status Letter - Unsafe Drug Case |
23 |
| 2.14 |
Client Status Letter - Medical Device Case |
24 |
| 2.15 |
Letter to Referral Attorney - Status |
25 |
| 2.16 |
Letter to Medical Provider Requesting Disability Statement |
26 |
| 2.17 |
Letter to Physician/Medical Provider Requesting Comprehensive Report - General |
27 |
| 2.18 |
Letter to Physician/Medical Provider Requesting Comprehensive Report - Detailed |
28 |
| 2.19 |
Letter to Employer Requesting Wage Loss Confirmation |
29 |
| 2.2 |
Letter to Client Verifying Wage Loss Accuracy |
31 |
| 2.21 |
Request for Preservation of Video/Digital Recordings |
32 |
| 2.22 |
Letter Requesting News Videos, 911 Transcripts/Recordings, EMS Reports, Police Reports |
33 |
|
Practice Pointer - Ordering News Videos - Time Limits |
34 |
|
Practice Pointer - 911 Recordings - Time Limits/Subpoenas |
34 |
| 2.23 |
Letter Requesting Ambulance/Emergency Responder Report |
35 |
| 2.24 |
Spoliation Letter - Preservation of Evidence - Tractor Trailer Accident |
36 |
| 2.25 |
Notice Letter to Governmental Unit |
38 |
|
Practice Pointer - Form 95 |
39 |
| 2.25.1 |
Form 95 |
40 |
| 2.26 |
Notice Letter to Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
42 |
| 2.27 |
Notice Letter to Defendant - Motor Vehicle Case |
43 |
| 2.28 |
Notice Letter to Defendant - Premises Liability Case |
44 |
| 2.29 |
Letter to Liability Insurer to Verify Coverage - Premises Liability |
45 |
| 2.3 |
Letter to OSHA Requesting Investigative Report - Freedom Of Information (FOIA) Request |
46 |
| 2.31 |
Letter to FMSCA - Freedom of Information (FOIA) Request |
47 |
| 2.32 |
Letter Requesting Weather Report |
48 |
| 2.33 |
Letter to Investigator - Motor Vehicle Case |
49 |
| 2.34 |
Letter to Investigator - Premises Liability Case |
50 |
| 2.35 |
Letter to Investigator - Dram Shop Case |
51 |
| 2.36 |
Rejection Letter - Client |
52 |
| 2.37 |
Rejection Letter - Client - Referral Attorney |
53 |
| 2.38 |
Rejection Letter - Referral Attorney |
54 |
| 3. PRE-LITIGATION |
| 3.1 |
Letter to Client Enclosing Unsafe Drug Questionnaire |
55 |
| 3.1.1 |
Questionnaire for Unsafe Drug Claim |
56 |
| 3.2 |
Letter to Expert Requesting Certificate of Merit |
60 |
| 3.3 |
Letter to Treating Physician Requesting Expert Report |
61 |
| 3.4 |
Letter to Expert (Physician Specialty) Requesting Expert Report - Medical Malpractice |
62 |
| 3.5 |
Letter to Expert (Engineer) Requesting Expert Report - Product Liability |
63 |
| 3.6 |
Letter to Expert (Toxicologist) Requesting Expert Report - Dram Shop |
64 |
| 3.7 |
Letter to Expert (Bar Practices) Requesting Expert Report - Dram Shop |
66 |
| 3.8 |
Letter to Expert (Economist) Requesting Expert Report |
68 |
| 3.9 |
Letter Requesting Private Health Insurance Lien |
69 |
| 3.1 |
ERISA Letter to Health Insurance Carrier |
70 |
|
Practice Pointer - ERISA Status |
71 |
| 3.11 |
Letter Requesting Workers' Compensation Records |
72 |
| 3.12 |
Letter Requesting Workers' Compensation Lien |
73 |
| 3.13 |
Letter Requesting Department of Public Welfare Lien |
74 |
|
Practice Pointer - Medicare Liens |
75 |
| 3.14 |
Letter to Medicare Requesting Lien Information |
76 |
| 3.15 |
Letter to Client Enclosing Medicare Proof of Representation Form |
77 |
| 3.15.1 |
Proof of Representation |
78 |
| 3.16 |
Letter to Medicare Enclosing Executed Proof of Representation Form |
79 |
| 3.16.1 |
Letter to Medicare Enclosing Engagement Letter |
80 |
| 3.17 |
Notification Letter to Medicare Coordination of Benefits - Request Lien |
81 |
| 3.18 |
Letter to Client - Enclosing Complaint for Verification |
82 |
| 3.19 |
Referring Attorney Status Letter - Quarterly Report - Medical Malpractice |
83 |
| 3.2 |
Referring Attorney Status Letter - Quarterly Report - Construction Accident |
84 |
| 3.21 |
Referring Attorney Status Letter - Quarterly Report - Dram Shop |
85 |
| 3.22 |
Referring Attorney Status Letter - Quarterly Report - Unsafe Drug |
86 |
| 3.23 |
Referring Attorney Status Letter - Quarterly Report - Medical Device |
87 |
| 4. PIP - PERSONAL INJURY PROTECTION |
| 4.1 |
Letter of Representation to Client's Insurance Carrier |
89 |
| 4.2 |
Request for Driver/Vehicle Information |
90 |
| 4.3 |
Letter of Representation to Defendant's Insurance Carrier |
94 |
| 4.4 |
Letter to Client Enclosing Insurance Application for Benefits |
95 |
| 4.5 |
Letter to Medical Provider Providing PIP Carrier Information |
96 |
| 4.6 |
Letter Forwarding Completed PIP Application to Insurance Carrier |
97 |
| 4.7 |
Affidavit of No-Insurance |
98 |
| 4.8 |
Letter Requesting PIP Carrier to Reimburse Private Health Insurer |
99 |
| 4.9 |
Letter to Insurance Company Requesting Copies of Waivers |
100 |
| 4.1 |
Letter to Client's Carrier Requesting PIP Payout Log |
101 |
| 4.11 |
Letter to Insurance Company Requesting Exhaustion Letter |
102 |
| 4.12 |
Letter to Client Enclosing Copy of Exhaustion Letter |
103 |
| 4.13 |
Complaint for First Party Benefits and Bad Faith |
104 |
| 5. COMPLAINTS/INITIAL FILINGS & SERVICE |
| 5.1 |
Praecipe for Writ of Summons |
109 |
|
Practice Pointer - Rule 4003.8 - Pre-Complaint Discovery |
110 |
| 5.2 |
Praecipe for Writ of Summons in Aid of Preparing Complaint |
111 |
| 5.2.1 |
Notice of Deposition in Aid of Preparing Complaint |
112 |
| 5.3 |
Product Liability Complaint - Defective Design |
114 |
| 5.4 |
Product Liability Complaint - Crashworthiness |
127 |
| 5.5 |
Medical Malpractice Complaint |
138 |
| 5.5.1 |
Certificate of Merit - Medical/Professional Malpractice |
153 |
| 5.6 |
Unsafe Drug Complaint |
156 |
| 5.7 |
Unsafe Medical Device Complaint |
166 |
|
Practice Pointer - Unsafe Medical Device Complaint |
171 |
| 5.8 |
Motor Vehicle Accident Complaint - Intersectional Collision |
172 |
| 5.9 |
Motor Vehicle Accident Complaint - Arbitration - Rear End Collision |
178 |
| 5.1 |
Tractor Trailer Accident Complaint |
185 |
| 5.11 |
Premises Liability Complaint - Defective Sidewalk |
192 |
| 5.12 |
Premises Liability Complaint - Snow and Ice |
196 |
| 5.13 |
Construction Accident Complaint |
201 |
| 5.14 |
Dram Shop Complaint |
218 |
| 5.15 |
Complaint Specific Forms |
229 |
| 5.15.1 |
Philadelphia County Civil Cover Sheet |
230 |
| 5.15.2 |
Montgomery County Civil Cover Sheet |
234 |
| 5.15.3 |
Delaware County Civil Cover Sheet |
235 |
| 5.15.4 |
Allegheny County Civil Cover Sheet |
237 |
| 5.15.5 |
Chester County Civil Cover Sheet |
241 |
| 5.15.6 |
Luzerne County Civil Cover Sheet |
243 |
| 5.15.7 |
Bucks County Civil Cover Sheet |
244 |
| 5.15.8 |
Westmoreland County Civil Cover Sheet |
246 |
| 5.15.9 |
York County Civil Cover Sheet |
248 |
| 5.15.10 |
Berks County Civil Cover Sheet |
249 |
| 5.16 |
Notice to Defend - Philadelphia County (English/Spanish) |
250 |
|
Practice Pointer - Notice to Defend |
251 |
| 5.17 |
Letter to Court Enclosing Complaint for Filing |
252 |
| 5.18 |
Letter to Sheriff Enclosing Complaint for Service |
253 |
|
Practice Pointer - Original Service Forms |
254 |
| 5.18.1 |
Philadelphia County Sheriff's Service Form |
255 |
| 5.18.2 |
Montgomery County Sheriff's Service Form |
256 |
| 5.18.3 |
Delaware County Sheriff's Service Form |
257 |
| 5.18.4 |
Allegheny County Sheriff's Service Form |
260 |
| 5.18.5 |
Chester County Sheriff's Service Form |
264 |
| 5.18.6 |
Luzerne County Sheriff's Service Form |
267 |
| 5.18.7 |
Bucks County Sheriff's Service Form |
270 |
| 5.18.8 |
Westmoreland County Sheriff's Service Form |
271 |
| 5.18.9 |
York County Sheriff's Service Form |
274 |
| 5.18.10 |
Berks County Sheriff's Service Form |
276 |
| 5.19 |
Letter to Process Server Enclosing Complaint for Service |
277 |
| 5.2 |
Letter to Counsel Enclosing Complaint for Service with Acknowledgment of Service |
278 |
| 5.20.1 |
Acknowledgment of Service |
279 |
| 5.21 |
Letter to Defendant Serving Complaint via Certified and Regular Mail |
280 |
| 5.21.1 |
Affidavit of Service |
281 |
| 5.22 |
Letter to Court Enclosing Affidavit for Filing |
282 |
| 5.23 |
Stipulation to Dismiss Party |
283 |
| 5.24 |
Plaintiff's Memorandum of Law in Response to Defendant's Petition to Transfer Venue |
285 |
| 5.25 |
Preservation/Spoliation - Truck Case |
294 |
| 6. DISCOVERY |
| 6.1 |
Philadelphia County Standard Plaintiff's Interrogatories - Motor Vehicle |
295 |
| 6.2 |
Philadelphia County Standard Plaintiff's Interrogatories - Premises Liability |
309 |
|
Practice Pointer - Objections to Standard Form Discovery |
318 |
| 6.3 |
Plaintiff's Interrogatories - Premises Liability/Ice and Snow |
320 |
| 6.4 |
Plaintiff's Interrogatories - Unsafe Drug |
329 |
| 6.5 |
Plaintiff's Interrogatories - Unsafe Medical Device |
340 |
| 6.6 |
Plaintiff's Interrogatories - Medical Malpractice - Physician |
352 |
| 6.7 |
Plaintiff's Interrogatories - Medical Malpractice - Hospital |
369 |
| 6.7.1 |
Plaintiff's Cooper Interrogatories to Defense Expert |
383 |
| 6.8 |
Philadelphia County Standard Defendant's Request for Production of Documents |
388 |
| 6.9 |
Philadelphia County Standard Plaintiff's Request for Production of Documents |
392 |
| 6.1 |
Request for Production of Documents - Unsafe Drug |
396 |
| 6.11 |
Request for Production of Documents - Unsafe Medical Device |
412 |
| 6.12 |
Request for Production of Documents - Medical Malpractice |
430 |
| 6.13 |
Request for Production of Documents - Product Liability |
433 |
| 6.14 |
Request for Admissions |
437 |
| 6.14.1 |
Request for Admissions - Premises Liability - Snow and Ice |
441 |
| 6.15 |
Letter to Client Enclosing Defense Counsel Interrogatories |
446 |
| 6.16 |
Letter to Client Enclosing Draft Response to Interrogatories |
447 |
| 6.17 |
Letter Serving Discovery Requests |
448 |
| 6.18 |
Letter to Opposing Counsel Regarding Overdue Answers to Discovery |
449 |
| 6.19 |
Letter to Opposing Counsel Requesting More Specific Answer to Discovery |
450 |
| 6.2 |
Letter to Client Regarding Scheduled Defense Medical Examination |
451 |
| 6.21 |
Letter to Client Confirming Deposition Date/Time |
452 |
| 6.22 |
Deposition Notice - Defendant |
453 |
| 6.23 |
Deposition Notice - Corporate Designee |
455 |
| 6.24 |
Deposition Notice - Physician/Expert Witness for Trial |
457 |
| 6.25 |
Deposition Notice - Videotaped Deposition |
459 |
| 6.26 |
Letter Serving Deposition Notice |
461 |
| 6.27 |
Letter to Client Regarding Additional Documents Requested During Deposition |
462 |
| 7. MOTIONS |
| 7.1 |
Letter to Court Enclosing Motion for Filing |
463 |
|
Practice Pointer - Motion Court Cover Sheets |
464 |
| 7.1.1 |
Philadelphia County Motion Cover Sheet |
465 |
| 7.1.2 |
Montgomery County Motion Cover Sheet |
467 |
| 7.1.3 |
Delaware County Motion Cover Sheet |
468 |
| 7.1.4 |
Allegheny County Motion Cover Sheet |
472 |
| 7.1.5 |
Chester County Motion Cover Sheet |
476 |
| 7.1.6 |
Luzerne County Motion Cover Sheet - No Cover Sheet |
| 7.1.7 |
Bucks County Motion Cover Sheet |
485 |
| 7.1.8 |
Westmoreland County Motion Cover Sheet |
487 |
| 7.1.9 |
York County Motion Cover Sheet - No Cover Sheet |
| 7.1.10 |
Berks County Motion Cover Sheet |
491 |
| 7.2 |
Motion to Amend Complaint |
495 |
| 7.3 |
Response to Motion to Dismiss |
507 |
| 7.4 |
Motion to Remand - Citizenship |
513 |
|
Practice Pointer - Motion to Remand |
516 |
| 7.5 |
Letter to Defendant Advising of Intent to File Motion for Default Judgment |
517 |
| 7.5.1 |
Notice of Intent to File for Default |
518 |
| 7.6 |
Motion to Consolidate |
519 |
| 7.7 |
Motion for Extraordinary Relief |
527 |
| 7.8 |
Motion to Compel Discovery |
531 |
| 7.9 |
Motion to Compel More Specific Answers to Discovery |
538 |
| 7.1 |
Motion to Strike Objections and Compel Answers |
546 |
| 7.11 |
Motion to Compel Deposition |
553 |
| 7.12 |
Motion to Compel Expert Report |
560 |
| 7.13 |
Motion to Compel Inspection |
567 |
| 7.14 |
Motion to Award Delay Damages |
574 |
| 7.16 |
Motion to Withdraw as Counsel |
582 |
|
Practice Pointer - Motion to Withdraw as Counsel |
587 |
| 7.17 |
Response to Motion for Summary Judgment |
588 |
| 7.18 |
Motion to Enforce Settlement |
596 |
| 8. MEDIATION/ARBITRATION |
| 8.1 |
Letter to Counsel to Appoint Defense Arbitrator |
599 |
| 8.2 |
Letter to Selected Plaintiff's Arbitrator |
600 |
| 8.3 |
Letter to Proposed Single Arbitrator |
601 |
| 8.4 |
Letter to Defense Counsel to Appoint Neutral Arbitrator |
602 |
| 8.5 |
Letter to Client Confirming Arbitration Hearing |
603 |
| 8.6 |
Arbitration Memorandum |
604 |
| 8.7 |
Itemization of Medical Treatment |
606 |
| 8.8 |
Letter to Defense Counsel Enclosing Arbitration Package |
607 |
| 8.9 |
Letter to Counsel Regarding Agreements Made |
608 |
| 8.1 |
Letter to Client Regarding Binding High-Low Arbitration and Trial |
609 |
| 8.11 |
Letter to Client Enclosing Arbitration Decision |
610 |
| 8.12 |
Letter to Client Regarding Arbitration Appeal Process |
611 |
| 8.12.1 |
Notice of Appeal from Award of Board of Arbitrators |
612 |
| 8.13 |
Letter to Court Enclosing Appeal from Arbitration Award |
613 |
| 8.14 |
Motion to Remove Case from Arbitration |
614 |
| 8.15 |
Letter to Client Explaining Mediation Process |
616 |
| 8.16 |
Letter to Mediator Enclosing Plaintiff's Mediation Memo |
617 |
| 8.17 |
Mediation Memorandum - Construction Accident |
618 |
| 8.18 |
Mediation Memorandum - Dram Shop |
629 |
| 8.19 |
Mediation Memorandum - Tractor Trailer Accident |
634 |
| 8.2 |
Letter to Client Enclosing Defense Mediation Memo |
643 |
| 9. TRIAL |
| 9.1 |
Letter to Client Regarding Trial Date |
645 |
| 9.2 |
Letter Enclosing Trial Submissions |
646 |
| 9.3 |
Voir Dire - Medical Malpractice |
647 |
| 9.4 |
Voir Dire - Product Liability |
651 |
| 9.5 |
Pre-Trial Memorandum |
655 |
| 9.6 |
Plaintiff's Offer of Deposition Testimony |
660 |
| 9.7 |
Stipulation Regarding Medical Bills |
661 |
| 9.8 |
Stipulation to Dismiss Party |
662 |
| 9.9 |
Plaintiff's Motion for Directed Verdict by Plaintiff |
664 |
| 9.1 |
Jury Questions |
665 |
| 9.11 |
Motions in Limine/Response to Motions in Limine |
| 9.11.1 |
Abortions/OBGYN History |
668 |
| 9.11.2 |
Alcohol Abuse |
673 |
| 9.11.3 |
Alcohol Use |
679 |
| 9.11.4 |
Alcohol/Drug/Tobacco Use |
684 |
| 9.11.5 |
Chlamydia |
689 |
| 9.11.6 |
Citizenship |
694 |
| 9.11.7 |
Conviction/Incarceration |
699 |
| 9.11.8 |
Cumulative/Unqualified Expert |
704 |
| 9.11.9 |
Diabetes |
713 |
| 9.11.10 |
Domestic, Sexual Abuse |
|
| 9.11.11 |
DUI |
724 |
| 9.11.12 |
Hearsay |
730 |
| 9.11.13 |
Hepatitis |
735 |
| 9.11.14 |
Late Expert Identification |
740 |
| 9.11.15 |
Prior Abuse and Psychiatric History |
746 |
| 9.11.16 |
Response in Opposition to Motion in Limine |
752 |
| 9.11.17 |
Seatbelt Use |
757 |
| 9.11.18 |
Supplemental Defense Expert Report |
763 |
| 9.11.19 |
Irrelevant Testimony |
769 |
| 9.11.20 |
Response re Contradictory Reports |
776 |
| 9.12 |
Letter to Defense Expert Physician - Document Subpoena for Trial |
787 |
| 9.12.1 |
Subpoena Ad Testicandum and Duces Tecum for Trial |
788 |
| 9.12.2 |
Document Subpoena Addendum |
790 |
| 9.13 |
Letter to Plaintiff's Expert Witness for Appearance at Trial |
792 |
| 9.14 |
Notice to Attend |
793 |
| 9.15 |
Notice to Attend - Doctor |
794 |
| 10. SETTLEMENT |
| 10.1 |
Demand Letter - Dog Owner Liability |
797 |
| 10.2 |
Demand Letter - Construction Accident Case |
800 |
| 10.3 |
Demand Letter - Dram Shop |
801 |
| 10.4 |
Letter to Client Confirming Rejection of Settlement Offer |
803 |
| 10.5 |
Third-Party Bad Faith Letter |
804 |
| 10.6 |
Letter to Court Requesting Settlement Conference |
805 |
| 10.7 |
Settlement Memorandum - Medical Malpractice |
806 |
| 10.8 |
Settlement Memorandum - Motor Vehicle Accident |
812 |
| 10.9 |
General Release |
815 |
| 10.1 |
Pro Tanto/Dollar Release |
818 |
|
Practice Pointer - Releases |
820 |
| 10.11 |
Letter to Healthcare Requesting Compromise |
821 |
| 10.12 |
Letter to Court Advising That Case Has Settled |
822 |
| 10.13 |
Letter to Defense Insurance Company Confirming Settlement |
823 |
| 10.14 |
Letter Forwarding Release and Settlement Documents to Client |
824 |
| 10.15 |
Statement of Settlement and Distribution |
825 |
| 10.16 |
Affidavit of No Child Support Lien |
826 |
|
Practice Pointer - Child Support Obligations |
827 |
| 10.17 |
Letter to Opposing Counsel Enclosing Signed Release |
828 |
| 10.18 |
Letter to Medicare Confirming Lien and Transmitting Payment |
829 |
| 10.19 |
Letter Forwarding Payment to Healthcare Provider |
830 |
| 10.2 |
Petition to Approve Settlement and Distribution of Wrongful Death and Survival Actions |
831 |
| 10.21 |
Order to Settle, Discontinue and End |
836 |
| 10.22 |
Letter Forwarding Settlement Check to Client |
837 |
| 10.23 |
Letter Forwarding Referral Fee to Referral Attorney |
838 |
| 11. UM/UIM |
| 11.1 |
Notification of UIM Claim |
839 |
| 11.2 |
Letter to UIM Carrier Providing Proof of Claim |
840 |
| 11.3 |
Underinsured Motorist Bad Faith Letter |
841 |
| 11.4 |
Letter to Insurance Carrier Requesting Appointment of Defense Counsel |
842 |
| 11.5 |
Post-Koken Letter to Insurance Company Requesting Arbitration |
843 |
|
Practice Pointer - Koken |
844 |
| 11.6 |
Letter to Client Advising of UM/UIM Hearing Award |
845 |
| 11.7 |
Letter to Client Advising of UM/UIM Arbitration Hearing |
846 |
| 12. WORKER'S COMPENSATION |
| 12.1 |
Standard Contingent Fee Agreement |
847 |
| 12.2 |
Initial Letter to Client Enclosing Fee Agreement and HIPAA |
848 |
| 12.3 |
Letter of Representation to Insurance Company |
849 |
| 12.4 |
Entry of Appearance |
850 |
| 12.5 |
Letter to Employer re Electronic Filing of Claim Petition |
851 |
| 12.6 |
Letter to PA Bureau of Worker's Compensation Enclosing Claim Petition for Filing |
852 |
| 12.7 |
Letter to PA Bureau of Worker's Compensation Requesting Copy of Bureau File |
854 |
| |
Practice Pointer - Worker's Compensation Website Information |
855 |
| 13. APPENDIX - FORMS BY COUNTY (see companion cd-rom for county forms) |
| 13.1 |
Philadelphia County |
| 13.2 |
Montgomery County |
| 13.3 |
Delaware County |
| 13.4 |
Allegheny County |
| 13.5 |
Chester County |
| 13.6 |
Luzerne County |
| 13.7 |
Bucks County |
| 13.8 |
Westmoreland County |
| 13.9 |
York County |
| 13.1 |
Berks County |