Badge - Rated by Super Lawyers Victor A. Rotolo
Badge - Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Badge - Multi Million Dollar Advocates Forums
Badge - New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Attorney
Badge
Badge - New Jersey's Best Lawyers For Families 2018
Badge - Rated by Super Lawyers
Badge - AV Preeminent Victor A. Rotolo
Badge - Client Champion Gold 2019
Badge - Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce
Please click Award & Selection Criteria & Methodology for information regarding the specific criteria used for selection of each of the above awards.

$1 Million Paid Family of Man Killed at Central

RARITAN TWP. – Hunterdon Central High School’s insurance carrier has paid a $1 million settlement to the family of an excavator killed when a trench collapsed on him in 1994.

Matthew Pfenninger, 29, of Raritan Township was crushed to death on Aug. 24, 1994, when the walls of an 8 or 9 foot ditch caved in while he was working.
The trench, which had no supports, was for drainage of the school’s varsity baseball fields.

Clinton Township attorney Victor Rotolo of Rotolo & Midlige, who represented Mr. Pfenninger’s wife, Lisa Pfenninger, said the case was settled March 8.  Central’s insurance company, Selective Insurance, made the payment last week.

Hunterdon Central Public Information Officer Sheila Fernekes would not comment.  Often when defending lawsuits, insurance companies decide to settle because they fear that if they went to trial and lost, their payment would be even higher.  About 23% of the settlement, or $238,000 will go to the attorneys, according to Mr. Rotolo.

He said the original architect drawings called for Mr. Pfenninger, owner and operator of Countrywide Excavating Co., to install the poly pipe without entering the ditch.

“The school supplied the incorrect piping.  They supplied PVP pipe.  If poly pipe was supplied, Mr. Pfenninger would’ve never entered the trench,” Mr. Rotolo said.  “They gave him the wrong materials and that changed how to do the job.”

Ms. Pfenninger, who has two sons and has since remarried, originally sued the Board of Education and the architect firm of A.J. O’Sullivan, claiming the school and firm did not properly supervise the work and supplied the wrong type of pipe for the job.

On March 13, 2001, the state Supreme Court voted 4-3 to send the case back to trial after Superior Court Judge Edmund Bernhard previously dismissed the suit.

The Appellate Division reversed Judge Bernhard’s decision.  The case against the architects was dismissed last year.

By David Catanese
Hunterdon County Democrat
April 4, 2002

What Our Clients are Saying
★★★★★

The absolute BEST!!! I have a family of attorneys but needed someone local. Victor was recommended to me and words cannot describe how pleased I was with his firm. The outstanding service and attention each member of his staff gave to me surpassed any and all expectations. Victor surrounds himself with a hardworking team that he leads. I felt it was money spent wisely. I will continue to recommend Victor and his associates.

- Stephanie
★★★★★

Mr. Rotolo has helped me numerous times in legal matters and has continued to support and help me through countless hardships. He is dedicated to providing the best service and is a true professional. I will continue to consult with him regarding any legal issues in the future. He is a respectable, hardworking, kind hearted man and I would recommend his legal services to anyone.

- Matthew
★★★★★

I am an attorney and have practiced law for 26 years. I hired Vic to handle a very difficult family matter because I do not handle family law. Vic was extremely competent and obtained a result far beyond my expectations. Without his counsel my son's and family's life would have been changed forever. Thank you Vic for your good lawyering. I very much appreciate the personal attention and time dedicated to this matter. I highly recommend Vic.

- Anthony
★★★★★

We recently had a situation where we needed to hire an attorney. We selected Kearns Rotolo Law and I can honestly say that we were above and beyond satisfied with Vic and his team. We would absolutely recommend this firm to anyone should the need arise. We blindly picked the firm out of the phone book because I liked his ad. Now I believe that God was pointing us in the right direction. Thank you Vic and Kearns Rotolo Law for being there for us in our time of need.

- Kim
★★★★★

Victor's expertise, due diligence, and empathy for his client made my first experience with the law (and last) a non-stressful one. Before the case, I did my research and looked over about 20 lawyers before choosing Victor. All my sources pointed to him as the best and they weren't off even a bit. Victor treated my case like it was his own and kept me up to date with all my appointments, breakthroughs in the case, and guided me step through step in a process that I never thought that I had to come to endure. If Victor's not available Susy will go out of her way to take care you. The productivity and efficiency in that office is second to none. Thank you Victor!

- Michael