Marcus Rayner • To the Editor, New Jersey Law Journal
In his July 19 article, “N.J. Bill Proposes Use of Screening Panels to Thwart Frivolous Suits Against Public Entities,” Michael Booth reviews S-2184 , introduced by Senators Cardinale and Sacco, which would set up a prelitigation screening panel of retired justices to determine whether a suit is frivolous or filed in bad faith before going to trial.
It’s a solid attempt to protect taxpayers from having to pay for unnecessary litigation, and might have even prevented the City of Irvington from having to finance a $5 million personal injury verdict for the next five years. The plaintiff, who experienced a minor electrical shock in a residential basement, was initially awarded $100,000 after nonbinding arbitration.