July 5, 2023 – Rankin Savidge, PLLC Promotes John S. Meade IV to Partner

Rankin Savidge, PLLC is excited to announce that John S. Meade IV has been elected as a Partner of the firm. The firm is proud to recognize John’s exceptional legal expertise, dedication to our clients, and valuable contributions to the firm’s success.

John joined the firm as a Senior Associate in June of 2021 and quickly proved himself to be an outstanding attorney whose insight, zealousness, and ability to navigate complex legal issues ensure that our clients receive the very best representation.

Congratulations to our new Partner John on this well-deserved promotion!

August 18, 2022 – John Meade selected to Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2023

Senior Associate John S. Meade IV has been recognized in the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for his work in the fields of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation. For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers has been regarded—by both the profession and the public—as the most credible measure of legal integrity and distinction in the United States. “Ones to Watch” attorneys are selected by their peers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice during the first decade of their careers.

June 16, 2022 – Rankin Savidge negotiates settlement following cross-examination at trial in Supreme Court, Suffolk County

Partner Edward Savidge successfully negotiated a favorable settlement at trial in Suffolk County following his cross-examination of the plaintiff, who claimed multiple significant injuries following an alleged trip and fall in front of the defendant’s premises. Mr. Savidge’s cross-examination so damaged the plaintiff’s credibility that the case resolved for $15,000, less than 10% of the plaintiff’s demand at the start of the trial.

May 25, 2022 – Rankin Savidge secures dismissal in Suffolk County

Rankin Savidge secured a dismissal pursuant to CPLR § 1021 in a matter venued in New York State Supreme Court, Suffolk County involving a plaintiff who sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident. The plaintiff thereafter died, unrelated to his claimed injuries. Deceased plaintiff’s counsel thereafter failed to substitute a party for the plaintiff or otherwise resolve the case. Defendant then moved the Court to have the matter dismissed pursuant to CPLR 1021 due to plaintiff’s counsel’s failure to effectuate timely substitution of the plaintiff. The Court granted Defendant’s motion, dismissing the action in its entirety

April 29, 2022 – Rankin Savidge secures defense verdict in 7 week damages trial in Kings County

Partner Carolyn Rankin secured a defense verdict following a nearly eight week long trial in a damages only case in New York Supreme Court, Kings County. Plaintiff Igor Konstantinov alleged to have sustained a traumatic brain injury as a result of a rear-end motor vehicle accident. Plaintiff was awarded partial summary judgment on the issue of liability in 2011 and sought damages in excess of $10 million.

Plaintiff was treated in the emergency room for dizziness, disorientation, and complaints of pain to the neck and back. Plaintiff began treatment one week later for headaches dizziness Insomnia and memory loss by an internist who referred him for psychological treatment, cognitive testing, and cognitive therapy. Cognitive testing showed significant declines in executive function, memory, organizational skills, processing speeds, and verbal communication.

Over five weeks of testimony, Plaintiff submitted evidence of profound deficits as a result of the motor vehicle accident. This evidence included MRI volumetric analysis, diffuse tensor imaging testing, QEEG findings, as well as the testimony of two neuropsychologists, a neurologist, a physical therapist, psychiatrist, and a biomechanical expert. Additionally, the plaintiff’s economist offered evidence of future medical care and loss of earning capacity to be between $3.8 and $6.7 million.

The defense successfully refuted the Plaintiff’s submissions through expert testimony from a neuroradiologist, neuropsychologist, neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, psychiatrist, and biomechanical expert, as well as critical impeachment and demonstrative evidence. Following just under two hours of deliberations, the jury unanimously found that the plaintiff’s alleged traumatic brain injury did not meet the serious injury threshold.

April 14, 2022 – Rankin Savidge secures summary judgment dismissal in Bronx County

Rankin Savidge secured a summary judgment dismissal in the matter of Reyes-Morel v. Moises Vargas, et al., Supreme Court, Bronx County on cross-motion pursuant to the Graves Amendment, successfully dismissing the action against Rankin Savidge client Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

The Supreme Court, Bronx County, quoting Clarke v Hirt, 46 Misc. 3d 571 (N.Y. Sup. Ct. 2014), stated “there is no question that the Graves Amendment preempts all state statutes to the extent they hold those owners in the business of renting or leasing motor vehicles vicariously liable for the negligence of drivers, except when there is negligence or criminal wrongdoing on the part of the owner.” See Clarke, 46 Misc. 3d at 571. The Court further goes on and states that in the instant matter, “the record [presented nothing] to suggest that the car was not properly maintained or that mechanical failure contributed to the accident. Upon review and consideration of the defendants’ EAN’s motion, this court finds that there is no dispute that the defendant, EAN, is a leasing company and therefore cannot be held liable as a lessor unless the vehicle was not in good and safe operating condition at the time of the accident.”

The Court further stated that plaintiff’s “hopeful” expression in its opposition papers of finding liability against our clients was insufficient to defeat our cross-moving papers as well as our reply papers.

April 8, 2022 – Rankin Savidge secures defense verdict in Queens County

Partner Edward Savidge secured a defense verdict in Supreme Court, Queens County as the jury determined that the defendants’ negligence and code violations were not a proximate cause of the accident. Plaintiff claimed that he fell down a flight of stairs at defendants’ premises resulting in two knee surgeries.

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March 7, 2022 – Rankin Savidge secures summary judgment dismissal in Kings County

Rankin Savidge secured a summary judgment dismissal in the matter of Wade v. City of New York, Supreme Court, Kings County, pursuant to Administrative Code § 7-210. The case involved a plaintiff who sustained injuries on a New York City public sidewalk. The Court found that the insured, the property owned adjacent to the sidewalk upon which the plaintiff fell and suffered her injuries, was not liable for the injuries suffered by the plaintiff. Defendant proved to the Court through the parties’ deposition testimony that the insured’s property was a residential property and that the insured did not create the defect, thus satisfying the requirements of Administrative Code § 7-210.