Damian M. Taranto
Contact Info
P: 215.789.4845
F: 215.987.2269
E: dtaranto@fhmslaw.com
Philadelphia Office
Three Logan Square
1717 Arch Street, Suite 1310
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Education
- Temple University School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2005
- Pennsylvania State University, Bachelor of Arts Administration of Justice, 1999
Bar Memberships
- Pennsylvania 2005
- New Jersey 2005
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2006
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2021
Affiliations
- Pennsylvania Bar Association
- Philadelphia Bar Association
Damian M. Taranto is a partner with over 15 years of experience defending commercial vehicle, general liability, product liability, construction accidents, and premises liability matters. He represents insureds and self-insureds in cases with questionable liability and catastrophic injuries. He has direct experience in all phases of post-accident investigations and handles all aspects of litigation from initial pleadings through jury trial.
Mr. Taranto also partners with insureds to develop and execute risk management strategies. He has represented a multinational, full-service utility contractor, a Fortune 100 global energy company, and national trucking fleets in complex general liability and commercial vehicle matters. He has also defended asbestos cases for manufacturers of industrial services and engineered heating products.
Mr. Taranto speaks frequently to industry groups and insureds on issues concerning fleet safety, vehicle technologies and data preservation, and efficient management of trucking claims. His recent presentations include:
Forensic Analysis of Surveillance Video
- Claims Litigation Management Midwest Conference, June 2019
Use of New Technology in the Preservation of Evidence: A Valuable Tool in Claims Resolution
- Claims Litigation Management Midwest Conference, June 2018
Identifying and Managing Fleet Vehicle Data
- The Graham Company Fleet Safety Workshop, June 2018
Auto Liability, PIP and Trucking Claims
- CEU presentation to Broadspire Insurance, in conjunction with The Gavel, February 2018
Impact of Safety Technologies in Trucking Industry & Claims Prevention Analysis
- Claims Management Alliance Midwest Conference, June 2017
- Settlement of a motor vehicle accident case involving the collision of a Mack truck (driven by Plaintiff and owned by the client) with a minivan that resulted from the failure of the Mack truck’s braking system. Arguments were made that the body shop performing repair work on the truck was at fault for the accident and that Plaintiff was also at fault for failure to have the truck towed and properly inspected, and for speeding prior to the mechanical breakdown. Through the use of mediation, significant expenses for extensive discovery, lengthy depositions and medical examinations were avoided.
- Settlement of a multi-million-dollar case arising from a workplace accident through a 2-day mediation. 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. The second day, with Plaintiffs present, allowed the mediator to push through difficult arguments involving comparative negligence, medical causation, and legal issues including the Statute of Repose.
- Voluntary dismissal less than ninety days after assignment in an industrial accident case involving catastrophic injuries. Plaintiff had his arm amputated after reaching into an unguarded portion of a conveyor system and sued various entities involved in the construction, design and manufacturing of the system. Through investigation of the accident, it was determined that the client could not be held liable under Plaintiff’s theory of liability and dismissal was successfully negotiated before discovery commenced without having to make a financial contribution.