News

Dennis Chow, a member of the firm’s Insurance Coverage & Bad Faith practice group, recently presented a webinar on errors and omissions and statutory regulatory liability coverage under garage/auto dealer policies.  The webinar provided training to insurance professionals for claims under the Truth in Lending Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Federal Regulation 455, and… Read More ❯

Andrew Spaulding, Alison Fleming, and Matthew Vodzak recently obtained dismissal of a subrogation action filed against FHMS’s clients, a commercial landlord and property manager. A tenant’s insurance company filed a subrogation action in Philadelphia state court action against FHMS’s clients for claims from a fire loss. FHMS successfully argued that the terms of the lease… Read More ❯

Allan Molotsky and Matthew Vodzak recently obtained summary judgment in Philadelphia in an insurance coverage action. FHMS represented an insurance company that insured a restaurant under a general liability policy. One of the restaurant’s employees killed a co-employee while at work. The deceased employee’s estate sued the restaurant, and the restaurant sought insurance coverage from… Read More ❯

Matthew Vodzak litigated a successful appeal in the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in a slip-and-fall case. The plaintiff was at the home of FHMS’s client for a personal-training session. The plaintiff slipped and fell on an icy sidewalk, and fractured her leg. FHMS successfully obtained summary judgment in the trial court, and the plaintiff appealed…. Read More ❯

Justin Boehret obtained a defense verdict in a jury trial in Bucks County.  Mr. Boehret, who practices in FHMS’s Allentown office, represented a driver in a contested intersectional accident.  The jury found our client free of any negligence.

Founding FHMS partner, Andrew J. Spaulding, and Roy DeCaro of Raynes Lawn Hehmeyer presented a CLE on Friday, November 1, 2019 titled “Civility in Civil Litigation”.

Joe Fowler and Jacqui Campbell obtained a defense verdict after 8 days of trial in Griffin v. Advanced Disposal Services in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas before Judge Messiah Jackson on October 30, 2019.  The case was tried over 8 days.  Plaintiff’s demand at the start of trial was $5 million.  At the end… Read More ❯

Greg Hirtzel and Cody Kauffman spoke at Donegal Insurance on October 15, 2019 on best practices in evaluating, handling and defending Traumatic Brain Injury claims.

FHMS was proud to be an elite level sponsor for the 2019 Counselor’s v. Cancer Charity Golf Classic held on September 30, 2019 at the Westfield Country Club, Westfield Ohio.  This annual event serves to raise funds for the American Cancer Society and bring increased awareness to the importance of ACS’s role in funding research… Read More ❯

Jacqueline Campbell of Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding recently presented a webinar for a local insurance carrier.  The webinar focused on strategies for making and pursing outbound tenders.  The presentation reviewed the different types of risk transfer, information needed to evaluate and pursue outbound tenders, factors that should be considered in making the tender, and… Read More ❯

On September 25, 2019, Jacqueline Campbell and Frances Lettieri presented a webinar on snow removal standards and risk transfer issues in snow and ice cases.  This webinar focused on the various snow removal standards and how they impact litigation.  The seminar also addressed risk transfer issues, discussing the language in snow removal contracts needed to effectuate the… Read More ❯

Joseph Fowler and Lee Eckell of FHMS, along with accident reconstruction experts Robert Lynch, P.E. and Dr. Justin Schorr of DJS Associates, recently presented a seminar at Pure Insurance.  The two hour seminar to a group of personal transportation claims handlers focused on emergency response to catastrophic motor vehicle accidents, forensic evidence gathering techniques and… Read More ❯

Gregory Hirtzel and Cody Kauffman of Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding recently presented a webinar discussing the investigation and evaluation of Traumatic Brain Injury (“TBI”) claims. The webinar focused on strategies for defending what often are highly subjective and potentially significant damage claims.  This presentation reviewed the science behind traumatic brain injury and the pertinent… Read More ❯

Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding is pleased to announce that the following attorneys have been selected to the 2019 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list: Joseph R. Fowler, Gregory S. Hirtzel, Joseph F. McNulty, and Andrew J. Spaulding. The Super Lawyer designation is limited to no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in Pennsylvania. FHMS is… Read More ❯

Frances Lettieri presented a CLM Continuing Education Course on Evaluating Additional Insured Coverage to Glatfelter Claims Management, Inc. The CLM is the largest professional association in the insurance business with a membership of more than 45,000 professionals in the claims resolution and litigation management industries.

Jacqueline Campbell was a featured speaker to the more than 200 attendees at the 3rd Annual National Conference of The Gavel.  The conference was held in January at the Boca Raton Resort and Club, in Boca Raton, Florida. Ms. Campbell, a partner in the Philadelphia office of FHMS, joined by fellow Gavel member Sandy Eloranto from Sutton Booker, discussed… Read More ❯

John Sparks, who is Of Counsel to Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding, has been selected as one of five finalists for the Claims Litigation Management Alliance Outside Counsel of the Year. The nominees will be introduced, and the winner identified, on March 13th at the CLM’s 2019 Annual Conference in Orlando.

A six day trial in Lancaster County arising from an alleged slip and fall ended with a verdict in favor of Mike Socha’s client, a snow removal contractor who Plaintiff alleged improperly performed snow removal services.   As a result of the alleged fall, Plaintiff claimed to have suffered a concussion and traumatic brain injury… Read More ❯

The lawyers and staff of Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding are proud to continue their support for the annual holiday toy drive of the Support Center for Child Advocacy.  The Support Center advocates for victims of child abuse and neglect, with the goal of securing safety, justice, well-being, and a permanent, nurturing environment for every… Read More ❯

Frances Lettieri, a partner in Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding’s Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Department, addressed the 38th International Risk Management Institute conference. Ms. Lettieri addressed the conference on the topic of Effective Contractual Risk Transfers: The Power of Checklists.

Lee Eckell successfully resolved a construction injury case where a 27-year-old Plaintiff sustained serious injuries after falling from a roof. Plaintiff’s injuries included fractures to the left and right wrists, orbital bone, and sphenoid bone; bilateral knee contusions with left distal vastus medialis/oblique muscle tear; and post-concussion syndrome with alleged cognitive impairment and depression. The… Read More ❯

FHMS was the proud sponsor of Partner Lee Eckell’s family team at the Alzheimer’s Walk in Wilmington Delaware on Saturday, October 20, 2018. This walk is just one of many that the National Alzheimer’s Association holds throughout the country in order to raise money and awareness for the disease. Mr. Eckell’s family walks as part… Read More ❯

The Golden Gavel Award is a formal monthly recognition program in which Westfield Insurance recognizes outstanding achievement by their outside counsel.  Allan Molotsky received the Golden Gavel Award from Westfield in April, 2018 for his and his team’s work in providing outstanding advice and counsel in a matter where a million dollar policy limit was… Read More ❯

Quinn McCusker of FHMS’ New Jersey Office will serve as a panelist at the CLM South New Jersey Chapter Education & Networking Event on October 24, 2018. During his presentation, McCusker will examine a complex litigation and catastrophic loss litigation scenario from the perspective of litigation by outside counsel. As part of the panel, he… Read More ❯

Joe McNulty had a case dismissed through preliminary objections. Plaintiff was injured in a motorcycle accident allegedly caused by a dog that ran onto the road and into Plaintiff’s path. The dog had escaped from its owners property despite the presence of an electric fence. Our client is a neighbor of the dog owner. The… Read More ❯

John Sparks, Of Counsel with FHMS, recently was part of a panel presentation at the Defense Research Institutes Managing Partners and Law Leaders Annual Conference. The panel, titled “The Business of Law,” featured a discussion focused on the need for firms to create an innovative and sophisticated business model to respond to changed business realities…. Read More ❯

Lee Eckell successfully defended a local pest control company as co-counsel during a two week negligence trial involving the alleged improper use of a pesticide during a termite application.  Plaintiff alleged that FHMS’ client failed to properly seal cracks in the basement foundation wall of the split level home before applying the pesticide which allegedly… Read More ❯

Damian Taranto, a partner in the Philadelphia Office of FHMS, presented at a CLM course in Chicago on June 15, 2018, regarding comprehensive data collection and the role it plays in the early resolution of claims. During his presentation, Taranto discussed the ways in which carriers and companies look to technology to assist in proactive… Read More ❯

Andrew Spaulding and Damian Taranto spoke on “Identifying and Managing Fleet Vehicle Data” at The Graham Company’s Fleet Safety Workshop. Their presentation focused on the vast amount of data that is present in both DOT and non-DOT fleet vehicles and strategies and best practices that employers can use to manage this data.

Frances Lettieri, a partner in the Philadelphia Office of FHMS will be instructing a Claims Litigation Management course. The course will be held on May 22, 2018 for insurance professionals, and will focus on the avoidance and defense of bad faith. Ms. Lettieri is a member of the Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Department at… Read More ❯

Joe Fowler and Jacqueline Campbell obtained a defense verdict in a three-week trial in Philadelphia County. The Plaintiff sustained significant and permanent injuries after a tractor that he hot-wired ran over his foot. He alleged a crush injury to his foot, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, and an injury to his neck that required a cervical… Read More ❯

Lee Eckell successfully defended a national supermarket wholesaler at trial in an automobile negligence case. Plaintiff, a married forty-six year old union electrician with four children, had not returned to work after being rear-ended by Eckell’s client. He asserted a multi-million dollar economic loss claim along with permanent injuries to the neck, vestibular system and… Read More ❯

Damian Taranto, a partner in the Philadelphia Office of FHMS, presented at a CLM course in Chicago on June 15, 2018, regarding comprehensive data collection and the role it plays in the early resolution of claims. During his presentation, Taranto discussed the ways in which carriers and companies look to technology to assist in proactive… Read More ❯

Andrew Spaulding and Damian Taranto spoke on “Identifying and Managing Fleet Vehicle Data” at The Graham Company’s Fleet Safety Workshop. Their presentation focused on the vast amount of data that is present in both DOT and non-DOT fleet vehicles and strategies and best practices that employers can use to manage this data.

Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding is pleased to announce that the following attorneys have been selected to the 2018 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list: Joseph R. Fowler, William L. Thrall, III, Gregory S. Hirtzel. The Super Lawyer designation is limited to no more than 5 percent of the lawyers in Pennsylvania. FHMS is also pleased to… Read More ❯

Frances Lettieri, a partner in the Philadelphia Office of FHMS will be instructing a Claims Litigation Management course. The course will be held on May 22, 2018 for insurance professionals, and will focus on the avoidance and defense of bad faith. Ms. Lettieri is a member of the Insurance Coverage and Bad Faith Department at… Read More ❯

The Gavel, a nationwide network of vetted insurance industry attorneys, has selected Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding to be its exclusive firm representative for eastern and central Pennsylvania as well as southern New Jersey. The Gavel network includes firms who have been qualified through a 3 step process that includes referral by industry professionals, completion… Read More ❯

Joe Fowler, managing partner of FHMS has been named the chair of the Public Relations Committee of The Gavel. His responsibilities include response to media requests regarding industry issues as well as the presentation of The Gavel’s message and philosophy to industry members and the national media.

The Gavel, a nationwide network of vetted attorneys serving the insurance industry, will hold its 2nd annual conference from January 15th to the 17th in Boca Raton Florida. Among the business and industry professionals who will address the conference are two attorneys from Fowler Hirtzel McNulty& Spaulding. Firm managing partner Joe Fowler will chair a panel concerning the… Read More ❯

Quinn McCusker of Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding’s New Jersey office received a no cause/defense verdict for his client after a jury trial in Essex County, New Jersey. The plaintiff fell on interior stairs in an apartment building owned by our client. The 55 year old union insulator suffered a closed fracture of the right… Read More ❯

Frances Lettieri argued a case to the Superior Court in which our client, a large insurance carrier wrote a general liability policy to a daycare. The daycare and its principals entered into a series of agreements related to a lease, which it allegedly breached. The daycare’s landlord brought suit to enforce these agreements. FHMS filed a… Read More ❯

Jacqueline Campbell has been named a partner at Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding. Ms. Campbell, who practices in the firm’s Philadelphia office, focuses her practice on the defense of commercial vehicle, construction accident and general casualty matters. She handles all aspects of litigation in significant matters, including jury trial and appellate work. Ms. Campbell also works… Read More ❯

FHMS received a number of awards at Westfield’s annual Defense Days meeting. Bill Thrall received an award for his creative case resolution of a Westfield matter Greg Hirtzel and John Sparks were recognized for their work with the Blue Ocean think tank, with Sparks named Blue Ocean  “MVP” for collaboration and issue analysis. Bill Thrall… Read More ❯

Lee Eckell extricated his developer from a case in which a construction worker fell three stories and suffered severe injuries. When a subcontractor’s carrier repeatedly ignored a proper indemnification request, suit was brought against them. The carrier eventually accepted the tender without a reservation of rights and repaid the self-insured developer for legal fees and expenses…. Read More ❯

Bill Thrall used aggressive expert analysis to temper a Traumatic Brain Injury claim. The case originally had a seven figure demand.  The early reports led to the case getting to mediation quickly, where a fair resolution was reached without the need for extensive discovery.

Joe Fowler and Damian Taranto used a 2 day mediation to settle a multi-million dollar case arising from a workplace accident. The case involved a power surge conveyor, life changing injuries ,multiple defendants and significant legal and factual disputes. The first day of mediation was with defendants only, in order to establish a hierarchy of liability…. Read More ❯

Damian Taranto, a partner in the Philadelphia office of FHMS  will be part of a panel presentation at the Claims Litigation Management’s  Mid-West conference. The meeting will be held on June 16th in Chicago. Mr. Taranto will speak on  the Impact of Safety Technologies on the Trucking Industry and Claims/ Prevention Analysis. The panel includes… Read More ❯

Joe Fowler, managing partner of Fowler Hirtzel McNulty & Spaulding presented a webinar on May 3rd  for The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance. The webinar, presented with Cara Wright from Zurich North America, was titled, An Overview of the Transportation Industry’s Injury of Choice This year: Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) and Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome… Read More ❯

John Sparks of FHMS served as a panelist at the Claims Litigation Management Annual Conference, which was held in Nashville. The 2017 CLM Conference was attended by over 2000 people. Mr. Sparks spoke regarding the continuing difficulties in hourly billing issues on a panel entitled, From Adversaries to Allies—How to Use the Billing Process to… Read More ❯

Joe Lynam has joined FHMS as Chief Operating Officer. Joe has extensive experience working with growing professional service firms. He is a financial and accounting executive with deep and varied expertise in Strategy Development, Human Resource Management, Office Administration, Facilities Management and Marketing.  Joe has a broad range of responsibilities at FHMS, including day to… Read More ❯