Attorneys’ Fees Unrecoverable in Superstorm Sandy Homeowners Insurance Case, N.J. Judge Rules

TRENTON, N.J. — A New Jersey couple battling their homeowners insurer over coverage of wind damage caused by Superstorm Sandy is not entitled under state law to recoup attorneys’ fees should they succeed on their claims, a federal judge has ruled.

In a Sept. 2 decision, U.S. Dist. Judge Joel A. Pisano ruled that awards of attorneys’ fees are generally not extended by New Jersey Court Rules to an insured filing a direct suit against an insurer to enforce casualty or other first-party direct coverage.

Plaintiffs Alfio & Jennifer Leone did just that when they filed a complaint earlier this …