We are very pleased to announce our new location in the Trevose Corporate Center. This is a very desirable location and easily accessible from any direction. Our phone and email information has also changed.

Please make sure to update our information as follows:

Law Offices of
Stephen C. Hurvitz & Associates
Trevose Corporate Center
4600 Street Road
Trevose, PA 19053

Phone: 215-354-0800
Fax: 215-322-6897

If there ever is a next time, perhaps you should consider a consultation with an unemployment compensation lawyer who understands unemployment compensation law. Virtually all cases involving wrongful discharge include the threshold question of entitlement to unemployment compensation benefits.

I have been practicing law in the Philadelphia, Bucks County and Montgomery County areas since 1974 and since that time I have won well over 300 unemployment compensation cases. My success rate is well over 90% of all cases in which I have participated. The most important thing to consider in preparing for an unemployment compensation hearing is documentation. Disciplinary memos or documentation of any probationary period is important for both sides.

Consider the reason for discharge. Is the reason documented? Can you describe the reason as intentional misconduct (the position favorable to the employer) or can you describe the reason as negligence (the position, under certain circumstances, favorable to the employee)?

Stephen Hurvitz, Unemployment Compensation Lawyer

An attorney can often make the difference between success and failure at the hearing. A skilled lawyer will conduct a better cross examination of the other side than a lay person. A skilled attorney may be able to keep out certain testimony because of a technical violation of the rules of evidence. Knowledge of legal standards involved is crucial.

Feel free to contact me. I will provide a brief consultation on the phone at no charge. Fee schedule will be provided upon request.

You can reach me at (215) 677-5300.

In the course of my practice, I have seen that many of my clients are confused by the choices offered to them when they purchase car insurance, and this letter is an attempt to clarify this confusion.

You have the option to purchase a cheaper form of car insurance called “limited tort” insurance. This insurance restricts your ability to sue for personal injuries if you are involved in an accident. You can only sue in the following three cases: a serious impairment of body function, death, or permanent cosmetic disfigurement.

The other option is “full tort” insurance, in which you have no restriction on your ability to sue.

My suggestion is that you compare the price difference between the two coverages, and then make an informed decision by balancing the price savings against what rights you are losing by your election of the limited tort option.

Note that even if you select limited tort, you still can sue for pain and suffering in certain situations. For instance, if you have been struck by a vehicle that is registered in another state, the limited tort option is not controlling. If you have been struck by a drunk driver, the limited tort option is not controlling. If you are an occupant of a commercial vehicle, the limited tort option is not controlling.

Because of the complexity of this limited tort issue, I suggest that if you are involved in an accident, feel free to contact me so your rights can be explained to you. I would also be happy to assist you in helping you to decide if your existing auto coverage is appropriate, and explain
other insurance options, such as “stacking”, “underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage”, and lost wage protection

Please call me if I can be of any assistance in these areas. There is no charge for this service.

A deposition is an interview with opposing counsel. You are asked questions under oath, with a court stenographer present to record the questions and answers. The stenographer will put the transcript into a booklet, usually at a charge of about $250 per deposition. A deposition can be taken of the Plaintiff, Defendant, or of a witness.

Preparation

The good news is that, after 30 years of experience, I can anticipate about 90% of the questions the other side will ask and I will make sure that you are thoroughly prepared for the deposition.

Many attorneys will meet with their clients only once, often an hour before the deposition. I take pride in the fact that I meet with my clients at least twice (and possibly three times) before the deposition to make sure they are comfortable and understand the process. I begin preparing my clients at least a week prior to the deposition, reviewing records and photos with them. Because of the extensive preparation, my clients are usually very comfortable at depositions.

Why is a deposition taken?

A deposition provides opposing counsel two important opportunities:

1. The chance to learn more about you and your case.

Opposing counsel wants to learn as much about you as possible. He wants to learn the names of your prior medical doctors so he can subpoena their records to learn about prior injuries. He wants to know where you worked before the accident so he can subpoena their records and learn if you had any prior injuries at work. He wants to know about witnesses to the accident or doctors with whom you treated after the accident, even for unrelated issues.

2. The chance to get your testimony on record.

A good lawyer is always looking for inconsistencies in your testimony. If you testify at deposition that your accident occurred at 1 p.m., but testify at trial that it happened at 9:00 p.m., opposing counsel has struck gold. He might ask you, “Were you lying at deposition, or are you lying now at trial?” He will also try to find inconsistencies between your testimony and your medical or employment records. If you testify at deposition that you never injured your back before your accident, but opposing counsel finds medical records that you had three prior accidents before your current accident, you lose credibility. An inconsistency like that will take all value out of your case.

The answer is best that answers least.

Because of the above, you do not want to volunteer information. If you are asked “What is the weather like today?”, keep your answer brief and to the point. Listen to the question. Answer it truthfully, but DO NOT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION!!! Make opposing counsel work to get your answers; don’t make his job easier by providing extra information.

Note: The deposition is not the time to tell opposing counsel what a great case you have; I want to get you through your deposition without making errors that will decrease the value of your case.

The importance of telling the truth.

NOTHING TAKES VALUE OUT OF YOUR CASE LIKE A LIE!!!

Opposing attorneys have gotten better and more sophisticated since I began my practice 30 years ago. They will find your prior medical records. They will learn the names of your prior doctors by subpoenaing health insurance records. They will find out if you are really taking medicine by subpoenaing pharmacy records. At times, they use surveillance to see if you really are limited in what you can lift or carry.

The best and smartest way to protect yourself from these methods is to TELL THE TRUTH!!!

Dress

I encourage my clients to wear what they would wear to church or synagogue. Men should wear a shirt with a collar and shoes (not sneakers). A tie and jacket are a nice addition, but not necessary. Women can wear a dress, a skirt, or tailored slacks (not jeans). Avoid wearing large amounts of jewelry.

Demeanor

Do not argue with or be rude to the other lawyer. He is just doing his job, and deserves the same courtesy that you would extend to a stranger. Being argumentative or rude, in my opinion, will decrease the value of your case.

Conclusion

With proper preparation, a deposition can become a tool to convince the other side to settle your case. If you perform well, it sends a message to the other side that you will be a formidable witness at trial, and they will be more inclined to settle your case.