ROCHELLE PARK, N.J., Oct. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Epstein Law Firm, P.A., led by attorney Michael J. Epstein, has secured a settlement in a legal malpractice lawsuit on behalf of a New Jersey woman whose original personal injury case was dismissed after her former attorney failed to properly pursue the litigation for nearly five years.
The case, Ana Felicia Cruz-Sosa v. Carlos H. Acosta, Jr., arose from a June 2, 2013, accident at Newport Centre Mall in Jersey City. Cruz-Sosa slipped on a foreign substance and suffered injuries to her left wrist, left knee and lower back. Her wrist and knee injuries both required surgery.
Cruz-Sosa retained attorney Carlos H. Acosta, Jr. shortly after the accident to pursue compensation for her injuries. Although a personal injury lawsuit was filed in May 2015, service of the complaint was not successfully completed, and the case was administratively dismissed. For nearly five years, the litigation remained unresolved.
When service was finally completed in March 2020 and efforts were made to restore the lawsuit, the court ultimately dismissed the claims with prejudice, finding insufficient justification for the lengthy delay. The New Jersey Appellate Division upheld the dismissal in January 2022.
By that point, Cruz-Sosa had lost all opportunity to pursue the underlying personal injury case through the courts.
“This case is a painful reminder of what can happen when an attorney fails to follow through on the most basic responsibilities of representing a client,” said Michael J. Epstein. “Our client suffered serious injuries and did what people are supposed to do. She hired a lawyer and trusted that her case was being handled. Instead, she lost the opportunity to have her claims decided because the necessary legal steps were not taken.”
Epstein subsequently represented Cruz-Sosa in a legal malpractice action filed in Essex County Superior Court in March 2022. The lawsuit alleged that Acosta failed to meet accepted standards of legal practice and that his handling of the underlying case deprived Cruz-Sosa of the opportunity to pursue compensation for her injuries.
The malpractice litigation included expert analysis concerning the attorney’s professional obligations, along with medical evidence addressing the extent of Cruz-Sosa’s injuries and their consequences.
The resulting settlement resolves Cruz-Sosa’s legal malpractice claims against Acosta and his insurers.
For Epstein, the case underscores an important distinction between an unsuccessful lawsuit and a lawsuit that never receives a meaningful opportunity to succeed.
“Lawyers cannot guarantee their clients a particular outcome, and no one should expect them to,” Epstein said. “But clients have every right to expect their attorneys to meet deadlines, comply with court rules, communicate honestly and take the steps necessary to protect their claims. When those obligations are neglected, the consequences can be devastating.”
The case also highlights the particular vulnerability of clients who may be unfamiliar with the legal system or face language barriers. Cruz-Sosa is a native Spanish speaker with limited English proficiency, making her reliance on her attorney’s guidance and communication especially important.
“When someone trusts you with a legal problem, they are often placing a significant part of their future in your hands,” Epstein added. “They may not understand every filing deadline, procedural requirement or court order. That’s why they hired you. The responsibility belongs to the attorney to make sure the case is properly handled and the client understands what’s happening.”
Legal malpractice lawsuits present particular challenges because they often require the injured client to establish not only that an attorney breached professional obligations, but also that the breach caused a measurable loss. In cases involving a dismissed personal injury lawsuit, that can mean reconstructing the underlying claim and examining the compensation the client may have been able to recover.
Epstein said the settlement represents closure for his client who waited nearly 13 years to receive compensation for her injuries.
“Ms. Cruz-Sosa came to the legal system looking for help after suffering serious injuries,” Epstein said. “She deserved to have her case handled with care and diligence. While we cannot undo what happened in the original litigation, we are pleased that we were able to pursue accountability on her behalf and bring this matter to a resolution.”
About The Epstein Law Firm, P.A.
Based in Rochelle Park, NJ, The Epstein Law Firm represents individuals and families injured in motor vehicle crashes, construction accidents, premises liability incidents, and other serious injury matters. The firm is recognized statewide for its litigation results and commitment to client advocacy.
Media Contact:
Bridget Mercuri
Public Relations and Earned Media Director
AMPLIFY
Phone: (908)-612-3515
Email: bridget@amplifylaw.ai
Media gallery
