Imparato v. Rooney

Following a jury trial in which the trial court directed a verdict as to liability, plaintiff was awarded damages of $105,000. Defendant appeals, contending that: (1) he was denied a fair trial when plaintiff’s counsel was allowed to interject defendant’s insurer throughout the voir dire examination; and (2) the trial court erred in directing a verdict for plaintiff. The relevant facts follow.

Prior to jury selection, plaintiff’s counsel informed the court of his intention to question the prospective jurors as to whether they or any of their close friends or family were ever insured by or had…