| Interrogatory
Questions and Discovery The Answer is followed by a request for written
interrogatories. These are questions that must be answered by each
party. The Superior Court has set up certain "Form" Interrogatories
which are contained in the Rules of Court. Generally, written interrogatories
are followed by the taking of depositions, which is recorded testimony
given under oath by any person the opposition wishes to question.
The deposition is just as important as the trial itself. In the event
you are deposed during the course of this action, you will receive
detailed instructions as to procedure and will be requested to watch
a videotape. After taking depositions, the case will be set down for
an Arbitration. If the parties do not settle after the Arbitration,
the case will be given a trial call date. Altogether, these procedures
may take from six months to several years, and your patience may be
sorely tried during this time. However, it has been our experience
that clients who are forewarned have a much higher tolerance level
for the slowly turning wheels of justice. An injured person and their
attorney must answer Court Rule Interrogatory Questions Form A, plus
supplemental questions propounded by the attorney for the defendant.
The Court Rules require plaintiffs provide answers. If answers are
not provided your case will be dismissed.
You must answer each and every question as detailed as possible.
Do not answer any of the questions with, "see doctor's report"
or "see bills." We strongly recommend you visit the accident
site if possible to refresh your recollection as to distances and
buildings nearby. Your attorney will later type up your answers
and mail a copy back to you for your records.
In Kenneth Vercammen's law office we will have already served
a demand upon the defendant's attorney with interrogatory questions
for the defendant to answer.
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 expertís 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.
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