PRACTICES
OVERVIEW
Joseph Kuffler is counsel in the Subrogation Department. He has investigated and litigated numerous catastrophic property damage cases throughout the country arising from a wide variety of losses, including residential and commercial fires, structural collapses, cargo (both marine and inland), and water damage. Joe also helps lead the Department’s cyber, employee fidelity and environmental contamination practice groups. He previously practiced for a number of years in the field of complex insurance coverage disputes and general commercial litigation matters.
Joe is a member of the bars of Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He has also litigated cases in 19 other jurisdictions as lead counsel with the assistance of local counsel.
In 2012, Joe was appointed to serve as Denmark’s Honorary Consul for the Eastern Pennsylvania region.
Credentials
Bar and Court Admissions
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
Education
Georgetown University Law Center, JD, 1998
Amherst College, BA, 1994
News & Insights
REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS
- Recovered over $1.1 million for the insurer of a commercial real estate developer from a prior site owner whose historical industrial operations had caused significant environmental contamination
- Obtained a $750,000 recovery for the insurer of a warehouse owner where the careless conduct of a tenant caused a fire in Miami, FL
- Recovered more than $700,000 in a malpractice claim against an auditor who failed to detect a multi-year embezzlement scheme carried out by a non-profit’s volunteer treasurer
- Using both civil litigation and by coordinating and working closely with criminal prosecutors, made numerous substantial recoveries from wrongdoers who embezzled money from employers insured by clients
- Obtained a $575,000 recovery from a general contractor for a residential ceiling collapse in Vienna, VA
- Recovered more than $450,000 from a boiler maintenance company on a claim arising from an oil-fired boiler puff-back
- Partnered with insurer-clients on claims involving various forms cyberattacks, including ransomware, “man in the middle” attacks, exposure of protected customer information, and impersonation/social engineering
- Handled numerous claims involving cargo that was lost or damaged in transit both over land and at sea, including litigating issues involving the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, the Hague-Visby Rules, the Carmack Amendment of the Interstate Commerce Act and Rule F, which limits liability in maritime actions
- Settled multiple claims involving cargo losses where the truck carrying the cargo caught on fire or was involved in a traffic accident
- Settled a claim involving a cargo loss that occurred when the freezer mechanism in the truck malfunctioned
- Recovered money for an insurer in a situation where cargo was stolen from a storage yard while awaiting further transport
- Settled claims where the cargo was damaged or lost overboard during ocean transit
BLOGS & PODCASTS
Podcasts
Subro Sessions
- Reading the Small Print: A Discussion of Contractual Impediments to Subrogation10.17.23
Gus Sara, Partner, and Joe Kuffler, Counsel, reunite to host another episode of SubroSessions, entitled, “Reading the Small Print: A Discussion of Contractual Impediments to Subrogation” to discuss common issues with contractual provisions. Subrogation professionals run into various contractual provisions, including subrogation waivers, limitation to liability and damages caps, accelerated statute of limitations, indemnification/hold harmless clauses, notices and pre-suit requirements and venue/forum clauses. Gus and Joe present relevant case scenarios and stress the importance of reading the small print and knowing what terms are enforceable.