LEE v. BROWN

078043 A-7/8 September Term 2016.

178 A.3d 701 (2018)

232 N.J. 114

Hazel Hamrick LEE, individually, and as Administratrix Ad Prosequendum of the Estate of Darrell A. Hamrick and Ricky Hamrick, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Florence BROWN, The Paterson Fire Department, Thomas J. Hirz, Michael Muccio and L. Iandoli, Defendants, and The City of Paterson and Robert Bierals, Defendants-Appellants. Delton Dailey, individually and as Administrator Ad Prosequendum of the Estate of Letita Buckrham, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Florence Brown, The Paterson Fire Department, Thomas J. Hirz, Michael Muccio and L. Landoli, Defendants, and The City of Paterson and Robert Bierals, Defendants-Appellants. Homesite Insurance Company, Plaintiff, v. Florence Brown, Hazel Hamrick Lee, individually and as Adminstratrix Ad Prosequendum of the Estate of Darrell A. Hamrick and Ricky Hamrick, Rebecca Thorpe, by her Subrogee State Farm Fire & Casualty Company, Edna Brown, by her Subrogee Travelers Insurance Company, Tyrone Byard, the Estate of Latita Buckrham, the Estate of Marc Smith, the Estate of Betty Johnson, Defendants-Respondents, and The City of Paterson and Robert Bierals, Defendants-Appellants, and The Paterson Fire Department, Thomas J. Hirz, Michael Muccio, L. Iandoli and Ana Cancel, Defendants. Rebecca Thorpe, by her Subrogee State Farm Fire & Casualty Company, Plaintiff, v. Florence Brown, The Paterson Fire Department, Thomas J. Hirz, Michael Muccio, L. Iandoli and Ana Cancel, Defendants, and The City of Paterson and Robert Bierals, Defendants-Appellants, and Hazel Hamrick Lee, individually and as Administratrix Ad Prosequendum of the Estate of Darrell A. Hamrick and Ricky Hamrick, Edna Brown, By Her Subrogee Travelers Insurance Company, Tyrone Byard, the Estate of Latita Buckrham, the Estate of Marc Smith, the Estate of Betty Johnson, Defendants-Respondents. Tyrone Byard, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Florence Brown, The Paterson Fire Department, Thomas J. Hirz, Michael Muccio, L. Iandoli and Ana Cancel, Defendants, and The City of Paterson and Robert Bierals, Defendants-Appellants, and Hazel Hamrick Lee, individually and as Administratrix Ad Prosequendum of the Estate of Darrell A. Hamrick and Ricky Hamrick, Rebecca Thorpe, by her Subrogee State Farm Fire & Casualty Company, Edna Brown, by her Subrogee Travelers Insurance Company, Tyrone Byard, the Estate of Latita Buckrham, the Estate of Marc Smith, the Estate of Betty Johnson, Defendants-Respondents. Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters, Inc., a/s/o Edna Brown, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Florence Brown, Defendant/Third-Party Plaintiff, v. City of Paterson, Third-Party Defendant-Appellant, and City of Paterson Fire Department, Third-Party Defendant. Eloise Wade, as Administratrix and Administratrix Ad Prosequendum of the Estate of Betty Jean Johnson, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Florence Brown and Public Service Electric & Gas, Defendants.

Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Decided February 21, 2018.


Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Stephen M. Orlofsky argued the cause for appellant City of Paterson (Blank Rome and Archer & Greiner, attorneys; Stephen M. Orlofsky , Adrienne C. Rogove , Frank D. Allen , and William J. O'Kane, Jr. , on the briefs).

Denis F. Driscoll argued the cause for appellant Robert Bierals (Inglesino Webster Wyciskala & Taylor, attorneys; Denis F. Driscoll , Nicholas A. Grieco , Alyssa E. Spector , and Owen T. Weaver , of counsel and on the briefs).

Stewart M. Leviss argued the cause for respondent Hazel Hamrick Lee (Berkowitz, Lichtstein, Kuritskym, Giasullo & Gross, attorneys; Stewart M. Leviss , on the briefs).

S. Robert Princiotto argued the cause for respondent Tyrone Byard (Marcus & Levy, attorneys; S. Robert Princiotto , on the briefs).

Richard J. Abrahamsen argued the cause for respondent Eloise Wade (Abrahamsen Law Firm, attorneys; Richard J. Abrahamsen , on the briefs).

Dennis J. Cummins, Jr. , argued the cause for respondents Edna Brown and April Brown ( Dennis J. Cummins , on the letter-brief).

Robert F. Renaud argued the cause for amici curiae New Jersey State League of Municipalities and New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (Palumbo Renaud & Deappolonio, attorneys; Robert F. Renaud , on the briefs).

Eric G. Kahn argued the cause for amicus curiae New Jersey Association for Justice (Javerbaum Wurgaft, attorneys; Eric G. Kahn , of counsel and on the brief).

Michael A. Mark submitted a letter-brief on behalf of respondent Delton Dailey.


In this case the Court is tasked with determining whether an electrical inspector is entitled to qualified immunity under N.J.S.A. 59:3-3, or absolute immunity under N.J.S.A. 59:3-5 or -7, pursuant to the Tort Claims Act (TCA). The case stems from a tragic fire in the City of Paterson (City...

Let's get started

Leagle.com

Welcome to the leading source of independent legal reporting
Sign on now to see your case.
Or view more than 10 million decisions and orders.

  • Updated daily.
  • Uncompromising quality.
  • Complete, Accurate, Current.

Listed below are the cases that are cited in this Featured Case. Click the citation to see the full text of the cited case. Citations are also linked in the body of the Featured Case.

Cited Cases

  • No Cases Found

Listed below are those cases in which this Featured Case is cited. Click on the case name to see the full text of the citing case.

Citing Cases