Melissa Terranova (Associate-Madison, NJ) authored “How Much Deference Makes a Difference?” which appeared in the May 14, 2024, issue of New Jersey Law Journal. The article presents a comparison of New York and New Jersey appellate standards of review on pain and suffering awards in medical malpractice actions. Melissa identified two cases to demonstrate “the significance and sweeping implications of the words that govern the appellate standards of review.” The terms “shocks the judicial conscience” versus “deviates materially” are not merely semantics – they have been proven invaluable in either affording or depriving a litigant of millions.