News & Events

Case News

On April 22, 2008, the Connecticut Appellate Court released its decision in Housing Authority of the City of West Haven v. CB Alexander Real Estate, LLC, et al. Ciulla & Donofrio, LLP represents the former owners of 63 condominium units in West Haven. In 2004, the Housing Authority took the property by eminent domain. At trial, we won an additional $1,644,998 in compensation for our clients. The Housing Authority appealed the trial court's decision and the Appellate Court affirmed the judgment. Jeffrey Donofrio tried the case and argued the appeal.

On April 21, 2008, the Connecticut Superior Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by an unsuccessful bidder for the design services contract on the $73 million Trumbull High School "renovate as new" construction project. The Court found that the Building Committee properly exercised its discretion. In its decision, the Court noted the "thorough and impartial" guidance the Building Committee received from Jeffrey Donofrio. Read the decision

On March 17, 2008, Paul Cramer argued Taylor v. Mucci, et al. before the Connecticut Supreme Court. The case involves an insurance coverage issue with respect to an automobile liability insurance policy issued by Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company ("Met P&C"). Met P&C issued a split limit policy to defendant William T. Mucci with liability coverage of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident. Plaintiff, Andrew Taylor was seriously injured in a motor vehicle accident due to the negligence of Met P&C's insured, William T. Mucci. Plaintiff's mother, Pamela Taylor made a claim for bystander emotional distress as a result of witnessing the accident. The firm represents Met P&C in the lawsuit. The parties entered into a joint stipulation of facts with trial court. The issue reserved for the trial court was whether the Met P&C policy provides for an additional $100,000 in coverage for plaintiff, Pamela Taylor's bystander emotional distress claim. The trial court (Gordon, J.) found the issue in favor of Met P&C, holding that plaintiff's bystander emotional distress claim is limited to the $100,000 per person limit. Since Met P&C paid plaintiff's son the entire $100,000, the policy was exhausted and Met P&C had no obligation to provide an additional $100,000 in coverage. Plaintiff appealed to the Appellate Court and thereafter the case was transferred to the Supreme Court to review the trial court decision.

On December 14, 2007, Paul Cramer obtained a jury verdict in favor of his client, Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company, in Middletown Superior Court. Plaintiff made a claim for underinsured motorist benefits resulting from a July 15, 2003 automobile accident. Plaintiff claimed injuries to his neck, back and right shoulder. Plaintiff underwent surgery for the right shoulder injury and claimed $46,000.00 in medical bills and $37,000 in lost wages. Attorney Cramer successfully argued that the injuries complained of were not caused by the motor vehicle accident. Specifically, evidence was introduced that the shoulder injury was a repetitive use trauma caused through the plaintiff's work related activities as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. Attorney Cramer also successfully argued that the neck and back injuries were not caused by the motor vehicle accident of July 15, 2003 and in fact were caused by a multitude of prior similar automobile accidents in which plaintiff had injured his neck and back and made claims and lawsuits with respect to same.

News/Events

Ciulla & Donofrio, LLP has been selected as a "Go-To Law Firm for Leading Technology Companies" by American Lawyer Media for 2008. In-House Law Departments at the Leading Technology Companies, published by ALM, includes the short list of elite U.S. firms that represent the top technology companies. We were selected by AT&T as a "Go-To" firm for litigation.

On September 19, 2008 in Hartford, CT Paul M. Cramer will be presenting at a seminar sponsored by the National Business Institute entitled "Building Your Civil Trial Skills". Attorney Cramer and a panel of experienced trial attorneys will address topics which will benefit civil litigators in a variety of areas. Attorney Cramer will be addressing the subject of "How To Avoid Common Ethical Pitfalls" in civil litigation.

On December 9, 2008, in Hartford, CT, Jeffrey M. Donofrio will be presenting a seminar sponsored by NBI entitled "Resolving Problems and Disputes on Construction Projects."  Attorney Donofrio will be addressing the following topics: Tackling Contract Performance Delays; Understanding Payment Settlement Options; and Effectively Resolving Disputes.

On June 5, 2008, Jeffrey M. Donofrio and Paul M. Cramer presented a construction defects seminar sponsored by National Business Institute via national teleconference and webcast. Participants from all over the country learned about the anatomy of a construction defect, indemnity law and insurance issues applicable to construction defects.  This was an encore performance of the program Jeff and Paul presented on January 22, 2008.

Jeffrey Donofrio was interviewed by the Connecticut Law Tribune for a story on identity theft in its December 17, 2007 issue. Read the article.

The November 2007 issue of Connecticut Lawyer contains articles by Jeffrey Donofrio and Paul Cramer. Attorney Donofrio's Cybersmear if You Dare....But Be Prepare to Pay discusses the legal implications of internet defamation. Attorney Cramer's article, Kelly v. Stop & Shop, Inc. : How the Supreme Court Has Changed the Odds in Premises Liability Cases, discusses the impact of a recent Connecticut Supreme Court upon the issue of liability in premises liability personal injury cases.