William A. Krais

Principal

Overview

Bill, in speaking of his plaintiffs personal injury clients, says, "I have sat in the living room of parents as they shared the tragic circumstances of their teenage daughter’s death, watched as a physical therapist coaxed a neurologically impaired child to feed herself, listened to a young boy describe horrific abuse at the hands of a caregiver, and counseled a young mother diagnosed with terminal cancer as she made plans for her children." In the face of such tragedy, these people have displayed both great strength and extreme vulnerability, especially when confronted by an increasingly complex legal system.

"These people, our clients, turn to us to protect their rights and interests. We, in turn, support them with a team of professionals that not only includes experienced litigators, but also legal nurse consultants, trained paralegals, and legal assistants. Through hard work, compassion, and an unwavering commitment, we serve our clients in their time of need."

"We have tried and settled many different kinds of medical malpractice and serious personal injury cases, including cases involving, for example, babies injured during childbirth, orthopedic injuries, delayed diagnosis of cancer, surgical errors, traumatic brain injuries, wrongful death, and those injured in accidents. We handle these types of cases in both New Jersey and New York."

In addition to representing victims of serious personal injuries, Bill also counsels attorneys in respect to issues of legal ethics. Given his experience as former chair of the District X attorney ethics committee, multiple appointments by the New Jersey Supreme Court to serve as a Special Ethics Master and Hearing Chair, and as a speaker at seminars addressing attorney ethics, Bill can both counsel attorneys to avoid ethics transgressions and represent them when faced with an ethics grievance or complaint.

Recent Results

  • $3,375,000 - Settlement for neurosurgical error causing paraplegia
  • $2,500,000 - Verdict for loss of vision in one eye due to failure to diagnose and treat a benign growth in the brain
  • $2,250,000 - Settlement for wrongful death due to delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer
  • $1,975,00 - Settlement for neurologically-impaired infant
  • $1,600,000 - Settlement against obstetrician and radiologist for failing to diagnose down syndrome in fetus
  • $1,500,000 - Settlement for injuries to an infant from IV infiltration
  • $1,500,000 - Settlement from wrongful death and personal injuries due to auto accident
  • $1,500,000 - Settlement for personal injuries due to construction negligence by roofing company
  • $1,300,000 - Verdict against obstetrician in shoulder dystocia/brachial plexus case
  • $1,250,000 - Settlement for pedestrian's orthopedic injuries following collision with SUV in shopping center parking lot
  • $1,250,000 - Settlement against obstetrician and radiologist for failing to diagnose spina bifida in fetus
  • $1,200,000 - Settlement for bicyclist who sustained a degloving injury to her leg when struck by a delivery truck
  • $1,200,000 - Settlement for loss of vision due to alleged failure to treat neurologic condition
  • $1,123,250 - Settlement against physiatry team for failing to diagnose cauda equina syndrome
  • $1,000,000 - Settlement for wrongful death due to delayed diagnosis of cervical cancer
  • $1,000,000 - Settlement (pre-suit) for orthopedic injuries sustained by motorcycle driver
  • $1,000,000 - Settlement for personal injuries against landowner and tenant for failing to install a handrail on exterior staircase
  • $980,000 - Settlement for vascular injuries following ankle surgery
  • $975,000 - Settlement against obstetrician in shoulder dystocia/brachial plexus case
  • $850,000 - Settlement (pre-suit) for wrongful death of college student in auto accident
  • $800,000 - Settlement for wrongful death against emergency room staff
  • $750,000 - Settlement in medical malpractice case for wrongful death following bariatric surgery
  • $750,000 - Settlement against two surgeons relating to patient's alleged wrongful death following bariatric surgery

Recognition

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. 

  • Included in the New Jersey Super Lawyers "Top 100" list: 2015, 2017 - 2018; New Jersey Super Lawyers list, Personal Injury Plaintiff: General, 2012 -2023.
    A description of the selection process can be found here.
  • Included in The Best Lawyers in America® list, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2014 - 2024), Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (2015 - 2024).
    A description of the selection process can be found here.
  • Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney.
  • 2021 "Professional Lawyer of the Year" (Morris County), New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law.

Memberships

American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow

American Board of Trial Advocates

  • Member, Board of Trustees, Northern NJ Chapter, 2016 - present

 New Jersey State Bar Association

  • Member, Board of Trustees, 2010-2016
  • Nominating Committee
    • Chair, 2017-2018
    • Member, 2015-2016
  • Election Committee, 2019-present
  • Medical Malpractice Committee, 2009-present
  • Membership Committee, 2007-2016
  • Finance and Operations Committee, 2011-present
  • Amicus Committee 2016-present
  • Member of following Ad Hoc Committees
    • Attorney's Fees and Attorney Advertising
    • Professional Malpractice
    • Nominations and Elections
    • Metadata 
    • Political Action Committee

 Morris County Bar Association

  • President, 2005
  • Trustee, 1996–2006
  • Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments/Judicial Due Diligence Committees, 2009-present
  • Civil Practice Committee
    • Chair, 2017-present
    • Member, 2002–present
  • Nominations Committee, various years

 Morris County Bar Foundation

  • President, 2003
  • Trustee, 2000–present
  • Chair, Lawyers for Kids 5K, 2005–2014

 New Jersey State Bar Foundation

  • Board of Trustees, 2014-2016
  • Ad Hoc Strategic Planning Committee, 2016

 New Jersey Supreme Court appointment to the District X Ethics Committee

  • Chair, 2001–2002
  • Member, 1998–2002

New Jersey Board of Bar Examiners, Committee on Character and Fitness

  • Member, 2021–present 

 Trial Attorneys of New Jersey

  • Trustee, 2000–2006

 Matheny Medical and Educational Center

  • Board of Trustees, Member, 2002–present
  • Chair, 2018-present
  • Vice-Chair, 2008-2018
  • Secretary, 2004-2008
  • Chair, Corporate Compliance Committee, 2009-2014

News

Speaking Engagements

  • "Leadership Skills Series: A Seat at the Table--Serving on a Board," NJ ICLE, 1/14/2021
  • "What is My Personal Injury Case Worth: A Review of Damages, Insight from the Bench, and an Interactive Program on Case Value", Morris County Bar Association Legalpalooza, 11/18/2020
  • "Civil Case Law Update," Morris County Bar Association Civil Practice Committee Webinar, 9/15/2020
  • "Hot Topics in Civil Trial Practice," Morris County Bar Association – Legalpalooza, 10/18/2019
  • "Crime Victims' Rights - Representing the Victim of a Violent Crime in a Civil Case," NJ ICLE, 9/12/2019
  • "Everyday Ethics," Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, 6/14/2017
  • "Ethics for Paralegals," Paralegal Association of New Jersey, 4/25/2017
  • "Ethical Cliffhangers for Civil Trial Attorneys: Concerns for the Plaintiff's Attorney," NJ ICLE, 11/11/2016
  • "The Leading Cases in Civil Law from 2015 to the Present," Morris County Bar Association MCLE Program, 6/15/2016
  • "Expert Qualifications in Medical and Nursing Malpractice Cases and Responsibilities of a Legal Nurse Consultant," New Jersey Chapter of the American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants, 1/13/2016

Media Mentions

Prior Relevant Experience

  • Chief Judge Sarah D. Grant, Arizona Court of Appeals, Phoenix, Arizona, Judicial Clerk, 1990–1991