Practice Areas
Founded as a litigation firm, Belgrade and O'Donnell has substantial knowledge and expertise in a wide range of insurance, contract and tort-related matters, including the defense of injury and death claims involving construction and other employment-related accidents, products liability, premises liability, professional malpractice and other general negligence claims. The firm has also litigated a variety of complex property loss claims and disputes regarding insurance policy coverage and interpretation.
One of the firm's specialities continues to be admiralty and maritime law. Belgrade and O'Donnell's tradition and its attorneys' background in admiralty matters span over two decades, providing representation to a wide range of maritime clients, including both domestic and foreign insurance underwriters and a variety of other marine-related companies and individuals.
The following is a brief description of each of the different areas of law Belgrade and O'Donnell focuses on:
GENERAL NEGLIGENCE AND PERSONAL INJURY
Defense of actions in several areas of tort law and negligence, including premises liability, construction and other employment-related injuries, automobile accidents, professional malpractice and other injury claims.
COMMERCIAL DISPUTES
Handling of lawsuits involving contract and other business disputes, business torts, employment termination, disability claims, environmental law claims, consumer and business fraud claims, and libel and slander.
Admiralty and Maritime Law
Defense of injury and death claims of seaman, longshore and marine workers, as well as pleasure and excursion boat passengers; property damage claims involving collisions, breakaways, sinkings, allisions, pollution, fires, towage, cargo damage and marina losses.
Civil Trial and Appellate Practice Tort and Commercial Law including General Negligence
Construction Injuries
Insurance Coverage
Handling of insurance coverage disputes ranging from litigation and arbitration to rendering coverage analyses regarding policy interpretation, duty to defend, disputes between primary and excess carriers, and other insurance law issues.
Insurance Defense
Products Liability
Defense of injury and death claims relating to defective and unsafe products including industrial machinery and components, medical equipment and devices, and other commercial, recreational and consumer products.
Professional Malpractice and Environmental Insurance Litigation
Transportation Cargo and Property Loss
Handling of property damage claims relating to loss of cargo and other property including losses resulting from carriage of goods by air, ground and vessel, warehousing, bailment, theft, fire and other casualties.