$6.3M in Wrongful Death
A Somerset County judge on July 1 awarded $6.3 million to a Pennsylvania man for the wrongful death of his mother by his divorced father. Roy Rambo was found guilty of murdering his ex-wife, Linda Rambo, during an argument at his Pohatcong Township dental office on Aug 16, 2002. He was found to have shot her in the back with an automatic pistol and then to have pummeled her with the gun's butt.
She was 47 years old at her death. Rambo is serving a 40 year prison sentence. He did not have a defense lawyer in the civil case. Superior Court judge Harriet Derman awarded $310,000 for wrongful death, $1 million for pain and suffering, and $5 million in punitive damages to the couple's son, Bruce, 31, who paints houses and does odd jobs in the Easton, PA area.
Bruce Rambo may be able to collect as much as $2 million from Roy Rambo's assets, which include stock investments, substantial land and a farmhouse in New Jersey and land in North Carolina.
- Lisa Brennan, New Jersey Law Journal
(In the extended entry you will find an example of interrogatory questions and answers for the plaintiff when a claim is filed. Please contact our office at 1-866-778-5500 if you have any questions)
The following are the 2002 Questions:
Form A. Uniform Interrogatories to be Answered by Plaintiff in All
Personal Injury Cases: Superior Court
All questions must be answered unless the court otherwise orders or
unless a claim of privilege or protective order is made in accordance
with R. 4:17-1(b)(3). (Caption)
1. Full name, present address and date of birth.
2. Describe in detail your version of the accident or occurrence setting
forth the date, location, time and weather.
3. Detailed description of nature, extent and duration of any and all
injuries.
4. Detailed description of injury or condition claimed to be permanent
together with all present complaints.
5. If confined to a hospital, state its name and address, and dates of
admission and discharge.
6. If any diagnostic tests were performed, state the type of test
performed, name and address of place where
performed, date each test was performed and what each test disclosed.
Attach a copy of the test results.
7. If treated by any health care provider, state the name and present
address of each health care provider, the dates and places where
treatments were received and the date of last treatment. Attach true
copies of all written reports provided to you by any such health care
provider whom you propose to have testify in your behalf.
8. If still being treated, the name and address of each doctor or health
care provider rendering treatment, where and how often treatment is
received and the nature of the treatment.
9. If a previous injury, disease, illness or condition is claimed to
have been aggravated, accelerated or exacerbated, specify in detail the
nature of each and the name and present address of each health care
provider, if any, who ever provided treatment for the condition.
10. If employed at the time of the accident, state: (a) name and address
of employer; (b) position held and nature of work performed; (c) average
weekly wages for past year; (d) period of time lost from employment,
giving dates; and (e) amount of wages lost, if any.
11. If there has been a return to employment or occupation, state: (a)
name and address of present employer; (b) position held and nature of
work performed; and (c) present weekly wages, earning, income or profit.
12. If other loss of income, profit or earnings is claimed: (a) state
total amount of the loss; (b) give a complete detailed computation of
the loss; and (c) state the nature and source of the loss of income,
profit and earnings, and he dates of the deprivation.
13. Itemize in complete detail any and all moneys expended or expenses
incurred for hospitals, doctors, nurses, diagnostic tests or health care
providers, x-rays, medicines, care and appliances and state the name and
address of each payee and the amount paid and owed each payee.
14. Itemize any and all other losses or expenses incurred not otherwise
set forth.
15. Identify all documents that may relate to this action, and attach
copies of each such document.
16. State the names and addresses of all eyewitnesses to the accident or
occurrence, their relationship to you and their interest in this
lawsuit.
17. State the names and addresses of all persons who have knowledge of
any facts relating to the case.
18. If any photographs, videotapes, audio tapes or other forms of
electronic recording, sketches, reproductions, charts or maps were made
with respect to anything that is relevant to the subject matter of the
complaint, describe: (a) the number of each; (b) what each shows or
contains; (c) the date taken or made; (d) the names and addresses of the
persons who made them; (e) in whose possession they are at present; and
(f) if in your possession, attach a copy, or if not subject to
convenient copying, state the location where inspection and copying may
take place.
19. If you claim that the defendant made any admissions as to the
subject matter of this lawsuit, state: (a) the date made; (b) the name
of the person by whom made; (c) the name and address of the person to
whom made; (d) where made; (e) the name and address of each person
present at the time the admission was made; (f) the contents of the
admission; and (g) if in writing, attach a copy.
20. If you or your representative and the defendant have had any oral
communication concerning the subject matter of this lawsuit, state: (a)
the date of the communication; (b) the name and address of each
participant; (c) the name and address of each person present at the time
of such communication; (d) where such communication took place; and (e)
a summary of what was said by each party participating in the
communication.
21. If you have obtained a statement from any person not a party to this
action, state: (a) the name and present address of the person who gave
the statement; (b) whether the statement was oral or in writing and if
in writing, attach a copy; (c) the date the statement was obtained; (d)
if such statement was oral, whether a recording was made, and if so, the
nature of the recording and the name and present address of the person
who has custody of it;
(e) if the statement was written, whether it was signed by the person
making it; (f) the name and address of the person who obtained the
statement; and (g) if the statement was oral, a detailed summary of its
contents.
22. If you claim that the violation of any statute, rule, regulation or
ordinance is a factor in this litigation, state the exact title and
section.
23. State the names and addresses of any and all proposed expert
witnesses. Set forth in detail the qualifications of each expert named
and attach a copy of each expertÃs current resume. Also attach true
copies of all written re-ports provided to you by any such proposed
expert witnesses.
With respect to all expert witnesses, including treating physicians, who
are expected to testify at trial and with respect to any person who has
conducted an examination pursuant to Rule 4:19, who may testify, state
each such witness's name, address and area of expertise and attach a
true copy of all written reports provided to you. If a report is not
written, supply a summary of any oral report provided to you. State the
subject matter on which your experts are expected to testify. State the
substance of the facts and opinions to which your experts are expected
to testify and a summary of the grounds for each opinion.
24. State whether you have ever been convicted of a crime. YES ( ) or NO
( ). If the answer is "yes", state: (a) date; (b) place; and (c) nature.
TO BE ANSWERED ONLY IN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT CASES
25. Do you have insurance coverage and/or PIP benefits under an
applicable policy or policies of automobile insurance? As to each such
policy provide the name and address of the insurance carrier, policy
number, the named insured and attach a copy of the declaration sheet.
If you are making a claim for property damage to a motor vehicle,
provide answers to the uniform interrogatories contained in Form B,
questions 1 through 18.
RULE 4:17. INTERROGATORIES TO PARTIES
4:17-1. Service, Scope of Interrogatories
(a) Generally. Any party may serve upon any other party written
interrogatories relating to any matters which may be inquired into under
R. 4:10-2. The interrogatories may include a request, at the
propounder's expense, for a copy of any paper. (b) Uniform
Interrogatories in Certain Actions.
(1) Limitations on Interrogatories. In all actions seeking
recovery for property damage to automobiles and in all personal injury
cases other than wrongful death, toxic torts, cases involving issues of
professional malpractice other than medical malpractice, and those
products liability cases either involving pharmaceuticals or giving rise
to a toxic tort claim, the parties shall be limited to the
interrogatories prescribed by Forms A, B and C of Appendix II, as
appropriate, provided, however, that each party may propound ten
supplemental questions, without subparts, without leave of court. Any
additional interrogatories shall be permitted only by the court in its
discretion on motion.
(2) Automatic Service of Uniform Interrogatories. A party
defendant served with a complaint in an action subject to uniform
interrogatories as prescribed by subparagraph b(1) of this rule shall be
deemed to have been simultaneously served with such interrogatories. The
defendant shall serve answers to the appropriate uniform interrogatories
within 60 days after service by that defendant of the answer to the
complaint. The plaintiff in such an action shall be deemed to have been
served with uniform interrogatories simultaneously with service of
defendant's answer to the complaint and shall serve answers to the
interrogatories within 30 days after service of the answer to the
complaint. In all actions commenced prior to September 5, 2000, however,
answers to uniform interrogatories shall be demanded by letter of demand
served upon all adverse parties within the time prescribed by R. 4:17-2,
and answers shall be served within the time prescribed by R. 4:17-4(b).
(3) Claims of Privilege, Protection. Privileged information need
not be disclosed provided the claim of privilege is made pursuant to R.
4:10-2(e). Nor need information be disclosed if it is the subject of an
identified protective order issued pursuant to R. 4:10-3.
(4) Obligation to Answer Every Question. Except as otherwise
provided in subparagraph (b)(3) of this rule, every question propounded
by a uniform interrogatory must be answered unless the court has
otherwise ordered.
4:17-2. Time to Serve Interrogatories
Interrogatories may, without leave of court, be served upon the
plaintiff or answers demanded pursuant to R. 4:17-1(b) after
commencement of the action and served upon or demanded from any other
party with or after service of the summons and complaint upon that
party. Except as provided in R. 4:17-1(b)(2), initial interrogatories
shall be served by plaintiff as to each defendant within 40 days after
service of that defendant's answer and each defendant shall serve
initial interrogatories within said 40-day period.
4:17-3. Number of Copies Served; Form of Interrogatories
The party serving the interrogatories shall furnish the answering party
with the original thereof. The interrogatories shall be so arranged that
after each separate question shall appear a blank space reasonably
calculated to enable the answering party to have the answer typed in.
4:17-4. Form, Service and Time of Answers
(a) Form of Answers; By Whom Answered. Except as otherwise provided in
this rule, interrogatories shall be answered in writing under oath by
the party upon whom served, if an individual, or, if a public or private
corporation, a partnership or association, or governmental agency, by an
officer or agent who shall furnish all information available to the
party. If a party is unavailable, the interrogatories may be answered by
an agent or authorized representative, including a liability carrier who
is conducting the defense, whose answers shall bind the party. The party
shall furnish all information available to the party and the party's
agents, employees, and attorneys. The person answering the
interrogatories shall designate which of such information is not within
the answerer's personal knowledge and as to that information shall state
the name and address of every person from whom it was received, or, if
the source of the information is documentary, a full description
including the location thereof. Each question shall be answered
separately, fully and responsively either in the space following the
question or on separate pages. Except as otherwise provided by paragraph
(d) of this rule, if in any interrogatory a copy of a paper is
requested, the copy shall be annexed to the answer. If the interrogatory
requests the name of an expert or treating physician of the answering
party or a copy of the expert's or treating physician's report, the
party shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (e) of this rule.
(b) Service of Answers; Time; Enlargement of Time. Except as
otherwise provided by R. 4:17-1(b)(2), the party served with
interrogatories shall serve answers thereto upon the party propounding
them within 60 days after being served with the interrogatories. For
good cause shown the court may enlarge or shorten such time upon motion
on notice made within the 60-day period. Consent orders enlarging the
time are prohibited.
(c) Copies; Service by Propounding Party. The original of the
answers shall be served upon the propounding party, who shall then serve
a copy of the interrogatories and answers upon each of the other
parties. Parties against whom default has been entered need not,
however, be served, and parties represented by the same attorney need be
served with one copy.
(d) Option to Produce Business Records. Where the answer to an
interrogatory may be derived or ascertained from or requires annexation
of copies of the business records of the party upon whom the
interrogatory has been served or from an examination, audit or
inspection of such business records, or from a compilation abstract or
summary based thereon, and the burden of deriving or ascertaining the
answer is substantially the same for the party serving the interrogatory
as for the party served, it is a sufficient answer to such interrogatory
to specify the records from which the answer may be derived or
ascertained and to afford to the party serving the interrogatory
reasonable opportunity to examine, audit or inspect such records and to
make copies, compilations, abstracts or summaries.
(e) Expert's or Treating Physician's Names and Reports. If an
interrogatory requires a copy of the report of an expert witness or a
treating physician, the answering party shall annex to the interrogatory
an exact copy of the entire report or reports rendered by the expert or
treating physician or a complete summary of any oral report. The
answering party shall further certify to not knowing of the existence of
other reports of that expert or treating physician, either written or
oral, and if such become later known or available, they shall be served
promptly on the propounding party, but in no case later than the time
provided by R. 4:17-7. If the answer to an interrogatory requesting the
name and report of the party's expert or treating physician indicates
that the same will be supplied thereafter, the propounder may, on
notice, move for an order of the court fixing a day certain for the
furnishing of that information by the answering party. Such order may
further provide that an expert or treating physician whose name or
report is not so furnished shall not be permitted to testify at trial.