Panniel v. Diaz
Superior Court of New Jersey
871 A.2d 156 (N.J. Super. Ct. Law Div. 2004)
Relevant factsFree
After an ambulance driven by Diaz struck Panniel's car, a PIP benefits arbitration between Panniel and her insurer NJM (which also insured Diaz and the hospital) found her foot injury and amputation causally related to the accident following substantial litigated evidence; Panniel then sought to use that arbitration finding to collaterally estop Diaz and the hospital, who were not parties to the arbitration, from relitigating causation in her separate tort suit.
IssueFree
Whether, under New Jersey law, the doctrine of collateral estoppel may be used to bar relitigation of an issue fully litigated and decided in an earlier binding arbitration.