Kenneth Mr. Vercammen was included in the 2020 “Super Lawyers” list published by Thomson Reuters.

To schedule a confidential consultation, email us at VercammenAppointments@NJlaws.com, call or visit www.njlaws.com

(732) 572-0500

Sunday, May 16, 2021

ESTATE OF LAURA CHRISTINE SEMPREVIVO, ET AL. VS. HASSAN LAHHAM, ET AL. (L-2343-18, ATLANTIC COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) (A-2505-19)

 ESTATE OF LAURA CHRISTINE SEMPREVIVO, ET AL. VS. HASSAN LAHHAM, ET AL. (L-2343-18, ATLANTIC COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) (A-2505-19)

This appeal implicates the proper application and limitations of Rule 1:13-7, an administrative "docket-clearing rule." The court considered two issues: (1) whether the good cause or exceptional circumstances standard applies for reinstatement of the complaint in a multi-defendant case, where no defendants have appeared in the case and participated in discovery; and (2) whether the rule empowers the trial court to dismiss a complaint with prejudice in response to a motion filed by the nondelinquent party.

The court concluded the trial court misapplied the exceptional circumstances standard under Rule 1:13-7, thereby preventing adjudication of plaintiffs' claims on the merits. In that regard, the trial court mistakenly exercised its discretion by denying plaintiffs' motion to reinstate their complaint. The court also held that Rule 1:13-7 neither empowers a trial court to dismiss a cause of action with prejudice nor authorizes a party in a case to affirmatively seek such a drastic sanction as a form of relief.

Accordingly, the court reversed and remanded the order under review so the underlying medical malpractice action can be decided on the merits.