N.J. Federal Judge Dismisses Attorney’s Fees Request in First-Party Sandy Insurance Claim Action

CAMDEN, N.J. — A New Jersey federal judge has dismissed without prejudice a request for attorney’s fees in a Superstorm Sandy coverage action, explaining that the complaint asserts only a first-party insurance claim, and New Jersey law prohibits an award of attorney's fees for such a claim.

In a July 31 order, Judge Noel L. Hillman of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey explained that if discovery reveals that the policyholder has a viable bad faith claim against the insurer, the request for fees may be renewed.

The 213-15 76th Street Condo Association filed a claim …