AREAS OF PRACTICE
Practice areas:
Employment and Civil Rights
The firm handles complex employment and civil rights cases in federal and state courts, the EEOC and state administrative agencies. These matters include claims involving violations of the New Jersey Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), the New Jersey Law against Discrimination (LAD), federal and state constitutional claims under Section 1983, 1985 and 1988, and claims involving workplace harassment, retaliation, constructive discharge, violations of the New Jersey Wage Payment Law, breach of employment contracts and other employment and civil rights cases. The firm also handles prerogative writ litigation involving claims against public entities and officials.
As plaintiff's counsel, Mr. Seelagy's clients include employees who have claims against their private or public employers and those who have suffered violations of their constitutional rights.
As defense counsel, Mr. Seelagy represents New Jersey municipalities, elected municipal officials and employees, police and fire departments and their personnel.
Personal injury and Wrongful Death
The firm handles complex personal injury and wrongful death matters arising from automobile, slip and fall and construction accidents involving persons who suffered serious injuries resulting in permanent disability, loss of income and a significant disruption of their quality of life, including the following types of injuries:
- spinal injuries requiring surgery, including fusion surgery, discectomy, disc replacement, and laminectomy and laminotomy surgeries;
- injuries to the hands, wrists and shoulders, including cases requiring carpal tunnel and shoulder surgeries
- knee injuries requiring arthroscopic surgery or arthrotomy, or total knee replacement;
- traumatic brain injury;
- compound fractures;
- reflex sympathetic dystrophy;
- thoracic outlet syndrome
As plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Seelagy has successfully represented numerous clients who have suffered debilitating, life-changing injuries resulting from neck and back injuries that involve disc herniations causing nerve compression requiring spinal fusions, disc replacement surgery, discectomies or laminectomies to the spine; cases involving multiple fractures to various areas of the body; traumatic brain injury cases where the client suffered a significant loss of concentration, impairment of vision, a loss of balance and impairment of gait, sleeplessness and other cognitive deficits.
As defense counsel, Mr. Seelagy has represented numerous companies in defense of claims alleging serious injuries that involve spinal surgeries, traumatic brain injury, substantial economic losses, and an inability to work. In such cases, the firm has achieved significant success obtaining dismissals on motion practice of at trial, of cases based upon questionable liability, the verbal tort threshold defense, the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, or in cases where the claimant is not able to establish all elements of his/her affirmative case.
Construction and Consumer Fraud
The firm handles complex construction and consumer fraud litigation involving contractors and subcontractors related to residential and commercial projects, including contract disputes, mechanics liens, and the arbitration and mediation of claims.
Complex Products Liability
The firm handles claims on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants involving serious personal injuries arising from a worker's or other person's use of defective machinery and equipment. These cases involve claims for design defect, a manufacturing defect and/or a failure to warn, governed under the NJ Products Liability Act.
Insurance Coverage and First Party Claims
The firm represents individuals and insurance companies in litigation involving insurance coverage disputes and claims, including claims for PIP benefits, subrogation, property damage claims, and claims seeking to compel liability coverage.
Worker's Compensation Claims
The firm represents Petitioners, or injured workers who suffer work-related injuries regardless of the nature and complexity of the injuries, from inception of the case through settlement and/or trial.
Contract Review and Commercial Litigation
The firm reviews, drafts and provides counsel to clients with regard to employment contracts, commercial leases and the formation of business entities. The firm also litigates contract disputes through arbitration or trial, and cases in which the client seeks injunctive or other equitable relief.
Estate Planning and Administration
The firm prepares Wills, Living Wills and Powers of Attorney for clients, and handles the administration of estates, including the representation of Executors and Administrators after the death of a decedent through closure of the estate. The firm also engages in litigation of estate matters in the New Jersey Courts.