HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-06434
'.~' "
~,
..
~
8
,
'"
~
'"
A, ,
\ I
"
f:
~
~
"
!Ii
I;
:l
;,
'I:}
'I,
ii'
":1
:'
I
"
I,
.,
.'1
"
"
I
,
, '
",
,~
J'I~
'i'~
n
"1
.i
,j ~
"
rJ
"..~
t
-'j-'!
I . -~,
,;11
'.',\
I~
.lil
)j
''!
I
I
,/'/
(
I
I
,
,
(i
"
;'1
Iii
.,'
,.~ r'~,
)/~ (C)
"-...
-..
U, 011 MIl,)/ I~, IUU., Ihe IIl1ell~llIl/llhYSlclllll'S roport WilD aallt ~lrl!<!lIy to Ma, 1.11101111
IIll1nkolllhlp, III/Ollt or J>OrOIl~lInll. rOl/llr~llIl/lhe r IIhn li)r IlII,)IIIIontD, '('ho IIl1on<1I1111 phYllc/nn'l r.porl
clollrly I~elllln.s holh IholnJurles r""olyu,t IIrlshlll '1'011I Ihu op.rllllon ol'lhe IIIlIlor yehlcle rUl/llr,lhll/lhe
I"~hrullry ~7, 111114 hllnry nn,llhu work hllury or April ., 1U1I4,
10, Oll,IulleO, 111114, II Worlluro COlllpunlOl\llolI "'"hn Will nlu~ 1I11.1Ii1l1l work'rulnlu.1 hllury li)r
tho I~ubrullry n 1Il114 InddulI!.
II. On ,)UIIU 1:1, 11I11., norun,IIIlIlo, HIIII"~IIUln Inlurlln"u Co, 1111.1 Northweolern NIIlIoIl/l1
IlIlurlln"u Group, .lulIl..I PllIllIlIlra r"'lul'lllhr IIrol pllrlyllUllolllo,
I~, Plnllllllro III1'lmuYI"'I',"ol.,11 hllll>lIr""'\III110, HIIII.OIIUUllllournn"" Co, nnd Norl hWl'ol"m
Nnllollllllnnurllll"" Group, r.opI111Ih" ,'111. 1111.1 rL'Collol,I"I' Ih.lr .1,,,,10101110 ~ullY PIIIIIIIIIT, Pllul )0;, 1I""rl,
hellenta 011 ,Iuly ~7, IIIII~' IUI,1 ,Iuly ~H, IUIH,
A, Oil ,July :l7, IIIII~ PlnlllllJro nllorll.Y 1.I"pholl"'"lIy r.'luuII.d h) 1>,,'i'll,tlllll'l
"l1ulll, Phillip 11011.111111, r'lrllllllly r.'luulthllllhnlll.r.II.JIIIII'o r"l)llI'lIlhu ".UlU IUl.1
,.'Collohl.r IIlOlr ,1,....1.11)11 II) .1.IlY P 1I11111/T bun.llto,
II, 011 ,July :lH, IlUH, PIIIllIlllrn IIl10m.y wrole 10 11.rendlllll'n III/U/II, Phillip
1I0llulllln, r.'luuIlhlll Ihlll 1>.1'''11,111111'0 r.l)pulI Ih. "llIIe IInd reronohl.r Ih.lr
d""lololI 10 dOilY PIIIlnlllT bUII.nIU,
III. 011 AUllUol :lB, 11111,1, PIIIllllllrn Worll.r'a COlllp1lllllllll01l u1l1hn W/I.lI hMr~,
A,
nt work,
'I'hlo worker'o .01llpU1I61111011 c1l1hll wlla IIUlelld.d 10 In"huJe Ih. April ., llltl4 filii
I.. 011 H.pl.lllb.r ~a, 101I~, I>.r.lldlllll., SlJII.~lIInn IIl.urnll". Co, nlld Norlhw..lerll NIIIII)III1I
III.urnllre Group, IIl1Teed 10 reopell r1nllll .Ul.1 p'IY IlIIUle, IInd I'lnJIlIIIT, Pnul E, lIeel'o, lIulde 0 formlll
dOlllJllld from nerendnnll ror I>"Yll1enl or 10~1 WIII!l1"'
LIS, On Soplell1her :ll, 101l~, I'llIlnllfT, Pl\ul J~.lIeer6, mlldu II rornml dumnnd from nerendllnl.,
alJlte6mll1l In6urllnce CIl. nlltl Norlhwe.tern Nllllollnllnournllre Group, ror poymont of II ourlleon'o hili
from Neurolollicn! Surl/ery Lid, IlIlhe 1011.1111I10UIII or $0,3HB.aa, 11101111 wllh olher medlcnl b11l6,
10, 011 Sepl.mher :.II, 101l~, lJerentlnnl., SlJIle.lll1l1llnUllrnllreCo, IInd Norlhwe.lern Nollll/1II1
11I6urllnr.u Group, uJllJor Ih. lIulhorl~lIllon or Llnollll 1III1nken.hlp, 10611ed II wnlle 10.0 rheek 10 PllllnlllT,
I'nul E, l3oero, 10 coyor 1001 wllgeo rrom Aprlllhrough Sepl.embor or 1ll0.,
17, On aeplemher :l7, lllll~, I>lnlnllO'. nll'lrney rello'! Upoll nerel\lllllll '6llgJ'eemenllol>lIY I he
elnlmlo Inrorm We. I Shore Pol.hology, Neurologicnl Surllery 1.ld, IInd ~:I<G M.llClllles Ihllllhe nerelldnlll.
Imd nllToed 10 PIlY Ihe oyerduo blllo Ihol hlld heen .lIhmllted prevlouoly,
18,
dl.ml..ed,
On Noyemhor 0, 101l4, 1'IIIInWT, Pnul E, lIe.r6' Worker. Compellllllllon Clnlml'elllloll W/l.ll
10, Tho Workero COll1pen.olloll ,1",,1.lon Indlcllled Iho dlllm WRJI dlomlooed bee"u.e nellher
Iho Februnry ~7, 100~ or Iho April 4, 101l~ Injury w."' ,'omponllllblu untler Penn.ylynnln Worker'.«Compenllllllonlllw., A ropy or Ihlll tlod.lon10 Inrorporllleal herelll ond IIl1nched here II) /IJ\ E~hlbll "N,
:la, Mil re6ull, I'llIlnllfT, Pllul E. Iloer., WIIU 1101 elltltled 10 worker'. rompenlOl\tlon henenl.
10 rovcr ellh.r Ihe Inddenl on F.hrlJllry ~7, 1Il1l~ or Ih'1 1'011111 worl. on April 4, 1004,
~1. III 11I00, ll~r~Il,hIlJlI, BIIII~11II1l1l IllllltllllCD Co, IlIllI NlltlhwDII~tll NIlIIIIllIlI IIlIUtlll\l'D
GtOUP tD'IIIDIID,I. 11I1.1 PIIlIIIIIII', 1'111111';, 1I0Dtl, ,1111 IlIhmlll'IIlIIIII.lopDlldolll Modl~IIIIr,'lIl11ll1lltloll,
~~, Oil MIlY III, WOO, lJo/uIlIIIlIlIl, lillll~blllllll Illlllrnll"~ Co, 1111.1 Notlhw,,"IIltll Nlllhllllll
1IIIIItllll~~ GtllUP 1I"lIrlllulllo 1'11I11l11"'llIllotll~Y lhllllhuy wllh..llolpllllhu IIl1pllhln\Ullklll hllll hulwlt'lII
lhltlt hllllt'III~D ~ollllHlny '1IIIIIh~ work~t'l ~o'nponillltlon Illlurllllco 1\1Il,1,
~n, Oil ,/l1II0 1\, WOO 1'1111111111'1 IlIl0rll~Y wrolu II) MI, 1IIIlIlk"lllhlp, 11110111 lilt lI"rOIl,lnllll,
1IIllllllllhlll Ihll ellOO WIl' 1I11lllpprllprllllo ror Iho wol'llor'o "'lmp"llilllllolllnOlltllllcU 1\11I<1,
~., Oil ,J"II~ ~~, 11I00,1'1111111111"0 Illlornoy wrlllo lolJoroll,IIIIlII, Blllllt'lll/lll IIl.UtlllleO t',.. fU1,1
Norlhwullotll NllllolllIl Illo"rlll1"" Orollp, ",\vllhllllho Wol'llor'. COIlIPOllillllhlll,!tulllD'O dod.hlll rOlld"I""\
Oil N,)vomhor 0, 10111 d."lrly 111,11"1111,,1 Ihllll'llllllllIl', I'llul g, 1I00rl, WIl,"ol. onlilloll 10 r""l)vI't wlltk.'r'l
CllmpOllillllloll hOIlOIlI., A copy orlho Workl!r'l C')IlIPOIIIHIII'III,loel.hlll WIl' .lIl'pll..llo 1)0rolldlll1l0.
~O, 011 ,Jllly ~H, WIlO, 1l0roll,fIlIlI0, tilllle.IlUIIl II1.IIt1I1)CO Co, 1111,1 Norlhwollotll Nllllolllll
IIlIUrIlIlCl! Group, .0111 Il 1l!llor r"J,~'III1I1IlIlY 11,101111011111 P"YIIIOI1I. 1111 Iho dllllll IlrWIII11I Ihlll worllor'.
cOlllpellllllllol1 hOIll!lllo wOllld flllly ':ovot Iho PllYIIIOIlIO,
~O. Corre.polld"Il"o hOlWOl!1l PIIlJIllllrl 1l1.l0tllltYIIlIl<l Derltlldlllll. hila Collllllued IllllollVIlII,
lJerelldlll1ll,IiIJllL'OIllIlIl Illlurllllclt C,), IlJllI Norlhwollet/l Nllllol1l1llllourllllce Groul', Ohio hl.ltll"I)IIII'"llllto,
contlllue 10 111.1.1 I hili I'10hlllll', 1'111111';, lIeltro', I'"Ylllltlll. .hollhl he pllhlu/lllltt I'ltlllloylvnlllll wOrller'"
cOlllpellillllloll IIlWO,
~7. 'rho Ilefolldlllll', HIJlIOOIlIIIII JlloUrlll1ce Co, 111101 Norlhweolorll Nfllhllllll III.Utllllelt Group,
conllnue 10 dllJmlhll1 Pltllllllylvlllllll'lI worker'o eOlllpollllllllon will eovltr pllYlllell1 oIltoplllt Iholt eOlllplltlo
1l/I,IIIdunlllllowlltolUO or Ihe u/lJilvorllbl" worller'. elll/lpltlllllllio/lllL'Clolo/l,
28, 011 OCloher 10, lUll/I, IJorellollllll., lilnl.ltolllllll IIl0utll/lelt Co, nllol Norlhwe.lltrll NllllolIII)
InllUrll/lCe Group, olJlllt'\lhllllhltY wouhllhrltlllolllo lIue rot ,'UIl. '~relllly pnldlr PllllnlllT, I'nul g, /leer.,
pUt.ued 10WlI Ildlolllo cOlllpol pllyulltnl lrollll lJofp.udIlUII.
211, On Odohor 17, 1000, 1'11I1uIUr. lI11orlll'y IIdvlllltol I)ltrondllnl., Blnlltolllllll Ituurllnclt Co.
nlld Norlhwo.lotll NlIlIolllIl Illourllllce Group, Ihlll Ihl!Y lire ItnWlWllg11I bIId rllllh 10 conllnlllt 10 dony
puymenl on Ihlll dllhll,
30, On Oclobot ~7, WIlO, IJltrollolnnlo, I'llnlltolllnn Inoutllnee Co. 1111<1 Norlhwonlotn NllllolllIl
ltlllurnnro Gtoup, II(!llJn rofllo'Hllo P"Y Iln,I31/l1l1llhrOlllltlled to oUo ror 1I1I1Il. nlrltlldy pllltllr I'IIIllllllT, 1'11111
E. Booro, 11IJr.uoo IltWlI IIclloll 10 COlli pol PllYlllo/lL
31. To dlllo, I'IIIlnll/l', Pllul 1'" /looro, hllJl Itxporlltllcltd IIdUIII losolt. n. rollow.:
A. Modklll Itxpen81t. . $W,181.M: IInd
/l. 1.001 wlIgoo . $1,0011.08:
O~. To dnlo, evon Ihollgh nltrolldllnl., 81111lt811llln Illllurlln<o Co. Il/Id Norl.hw...lotll Nntlonlll
Inuurnnco GtoUP, hlld prltvlouoly lIf!l'ltlt,J 10 PIlY Ihe c1nlllllllldlll rllel, hnd IIlndlt pnrlinl pnyml!nlo, Including
wOllo 100. nllrl 80llle mltdklll blllo, thlty .tllI roru.e 10 pny Iho oUI.lnndJng bllllll1ce,
33, I\Jl n rlt.UllorlJorltndllnlll, HlllloOlllllnlnlurllnclt Co, IInd Norlhwoolern Nnllollnlln.urllnco
Gtoup, rltruMI 10 P"Y, I'IIIlnllrr, Pllul I~, /lltOrll, hilI boen hllm.llltd by vllrlou. collectlollll IIKondlt. II/l11
Ihrollloned 10 bo oued ror Ihlt unpllld hlllll/l<OIl Illvolvlnlllho nll!dlclll hlllll relntlnlllo lhlll eJlllm,
.., I~IJ' Ihu '011111111101 lil,lh IIhllVO, IlIrhllUlIl/lhu 1'111111'0 1/1 Imy 1II0,lIrlll bllllunll wllh 0111 1111,1
/IlJlUllIllIlOwlooll/1/ Ihlll w1lrko,'I'''IIllPI/II",111I1II ,lollll 1\1)1 r'lYIr, Iho I/lpl/lIlUl,lIl1d Ihl/lr rlllltlllllllllhr""l. 10
IU* I'll' pruvloully /111111 bUIIOlIll, 1I0lilll,IIIIIII hllvl/ vlollllo,llho IlIlurnllru pollrY'lllIIplhtll rovolIlUlt of 1100"
1'/lIIh /111,1 I'lIlr "1/1111111, 111I.1, Ihorol'orl/, rllllllllllll/,llho rlllllllllllllllW IlIrlol' hll,l 1'II11h I'lIr whl"'l 1),'/i'lIo1l1l1l
II IIlIbll/ I'I/r lI,hlltlollllll/l'OIlOIllI~ 1111,1 IIlhor rlllllPOII",llory ,11111I111101 III Olrl/I. or Ihllll/ IIlIlhllrl,,,,1 hy ~:.!
JI.B.C,A, Burl. 1l1171.
WlIlml';VOIU';, PlllhlllfT, 1'11111 K Iht"I'n, ,101111I11.10 rlllllp""l1l1l1ry, ,"mo"'/IIIIIIIIIII 1111,1 flllllillv"
,Imlllll/ol, phil IlIluroll, rl)oll lIil1ll1l1urlloy'o 1'."1 frl)lII Iho Ih'l"mollllll., HllIlo.1II1111 IlIollrlllll'o Co. III1.t
Norlhwonlorn NlIlIl)lIl1lll1ll1rllllro (lrollp, 11I1I1I1I1II1)'lIIlll1o.'~onn ofl:.!O,OOO.OO 1111I1111 !!.,'''llonho 1111I011111
roqulru,l I'l)r rlllllplIlll)ry IIrhltrlllll)lI.
COli NT IV
lINVAIIl"'llAlIl'; I'llAGI'ICli;H ANII CONHlIMlm 1'1I0'I'EGI'ION LAW
.0, 1'II1'1111r11pho Ilhrlllluh H IIrt' IlIr')I'pl)rlllool Il"rollllllllllllllolo rol'.roll~u h.rolo IIIlhollllh
fully lul (orlh.
.0, 1'lIr Ih. rllllll)lIn .01 'ilrlll IIhoVlt, IlIdll,lhlK tho filllllrl/ 10 PIlY 1II0,lIrlll bOllonl1 wilh 1\1111111,1
lIr1ulIl kllowloolllo 111/11 worll.r'l rOlllp.n",lllolI 01'1". nol rov.r Ih. ..flol1..I, 111101 tho r'lI1l1l1l1l1llhrollll [01
IUU I'or prevlllll.ly fllIlIl 110110111., n.f.nolllllln hllvo rl)lIl1nlll.,1 1I111'II1r 111101 oIl!Copllvo hlllhlonn prnrllr..
prohlbllool by thn I'nllllnylvllnlll lIllflllr 'I'rlloln I'rllollool 1111,1 Con.lll11or I'roloulllll1 I~IW, 71\ 1'.11. H<'<!tllm
201.101,10'100 I'or whldlllllrnn.lllnt I. If/lbln for Irobln,IIIIIIIIIIO., pili. IILlorl1ny'. foes.
WIIEIUWOIU~, 1'1111111 In', 1'11111 E, nonrl, 01011I1111,1. Iroblo oIl1mnlllll, (lllIs hll.oro.I, rOIl. nll,l
nllornoy's liml from Iho Dofendnnl., IItnlol/llllll In!lIrllllrn Co, nil'! Norlhwollorn Nnllollllllnnllrllllro
Groll(l, In IIn 1I1ll0llnl III n.on.. of Ma,~H.OO nlld In o.ro.. of Ihu 1I1ll0llnl roqlllrool I'or oO/ll(lllllory
nrblLrnllon,
COUNT VI
IJEeEI'I'
.7, 1'1l1'IIl{rnphl IlhrollHh ~o IIro IlIrorporlllool hnrolnllnollllllol" roforonro horolo /llllhollKh
fully lul I'orlh,
~a, IJnl'onol/UlL'l oonolllrL r.oIlILlLlIlo. ml.ro(lro.ont.nlloll, I'mlld nllll oI<'CollllI Ihlll 001'0110111111
knowingly, willfully IIlld/or ,'erldo..ly ronllod /Ulol 1'11110,1 to oO/ll(lly with Iho Lorlll. nlld rOll0l1111)1I1 of Iho
slIbJll<1llllSlIrlllIOn (lolley, Illelllolhlll blllnolllmllnd 10 tho polloY'1 1/11(111001 covonnlll of good fnlth nil'! flllr
donJhlll, tho sl1lllll.. of thn COllllllonwo.lth of 1'01l1l.ylvlIllllI. 111101 tho roglllntiollB of tho 11I.llrllllon
DOJIRrlmonl of Ihn COlmllollwolllth of 1'01l1llylvnlllJlj or oLhorwl.o vlolllLod II. nolllelllry, r.onlrn<llllll /11111
BlalUlory 01111101 III oIollllllg WlLh I'lnllllllT,
~O, PIIIIllllIT, 1'11111 E. BoorB, Jlllllllnbly r.II,!oI IIpOIl Dofo/lollllll'. rnpronontnLlolI.llllho polloy,
11111II10. prolontnlloll. by Iho DOrOlldrUll'. IIKonl. IIlI<IIor III Pllbllo 1I00vorLl.lnK lhlll nil r1l1hlll wOllld hn flllrly
11/101 prom(ltly JlRld, which roprosollt.nllolll woru 1'111.0 whnllmndo nlld, Ihorol'orn, Iho 1>0rO",IIIIlI'B oOllolllrL
cOlllllllllol Ihn Commoll lAW tori of Oeroll for whlrh PIIIIIlIIIT .ooks rOlllpollllRtory 111101 COIIII!<jIlIlIlLlIII
oIIIIlIIIgllS.
1'/1\11 llUU~1l
/i,Il,IU2-'iU-(I'jli5
Claim
I'Il\lU J
l'IHlllHOa 01" l',\c'r
1. 'rhu clllimllnt, 1'llllL Iluu~ll, tlllu\lul:l that hu lIul:ltainud a
wOl:k-ruliltud injll~y 'HI ~'ulJl:lI11ry n, I'J94 whun hu win hit in
thu huad by il ';O-WUI:I("I:, whilu in thu <10Ul:lIU llnd I:lcolJu of
hill umploymullt <ill a pllukur with thu dutundllnt, ADM Millillq.
Thu lIltlJ~clltiun lJutwuun thu two umployuull wall thu I:ullult of
a diuputu whiuh /1~UllU ovur ,I mi.l.lI.i.n') cuttuu cup bulon\l to
thu cQ-worl(u r, lIonlll,l W,~ t t Ii.
2. On Jllnu 6, I'J'H, thu dutundant ill15Uud IIl'loticl./ ut Workurll'
Compulllwtioll DUllillL Ull thu 'Jrollndli that thu cl/limant di.d not:
1I1lffUI: II wo~I\-r,!llltud I.njury and that thu injury WIIIl not
within thu llCOpU of hi.a umpLuymunt. ll'luticu ot WorkUI:Il'
Compunuat:i.ol1 IJunial - datu" dunu 6, 199~),
3. Thu claimallt ruapandud by tilill\l a clai.m putiti.oll in whi.ch
he alltJ\lud that thu altUI:Catioll rUllulted in a condit:iol1
describud all a Luft frulltopariutal llubacllto aubdlll:al
hamatoma. 011 April 20, 199~, I1r, WilHam lluutlur purformed
a craniotomy to I:uliuvu thi.a cunditiun.
~. In hill claim petition the clllimallt has dumandud paym~nt for
lost WBqull for full dillability trom April IU, 1991 up to and
includin\l tho pruuollt.
5 .
Thr.1 dafundant
and thu matb~r
June 22, 1994,
filud a timuly IlnllWur to thu claim petition
was 1l11lliqnud to Judgu Ul:ian G. Badar on
.6. The claimant'll avurage weekly wag a at the time of hill injury
was $6~2.0I, rUllultillg in a compunslltioll ratu of $~26.00 per
weel( .
7 .
At tho illitial hoaring hold
attornuy roquolltod and wall
claim potltioll to includo
injury occurring after tho
llurgory.
in thiu matter, tho claimant'lI
givlln permiellioll to amend the
anothor allogod work-rulated
altorclItion, but boforo tho
6. Claimallt'a counsel llxplainod that the additiollal allegation
rosultod from u fall ill a railroad caro in which the
claimant Btruck hie hoad, Claimant'll couneol allogod that
tho homatoma resultod from Olle or both of tho incidents,
oithor lloparlltoly or in conjunction with onu Illlothor.
9. At tho ill1tial hearing the claimant telltified that he haa
wox'kod for thl! dotundant llillCU ,January, 1992. lie statod
that hill job involvud packing flour into 100 poulld sackll and
putting them all Bkids.
L'iIlll lluunl
1:i,1:l.liI~-'iil-h'Hl'i
I.':Llllm
l'il'.l'J 4
VIHPIHOH 0' ,^CT(ountLnuudl
LO. 'l'hu o.:L,llmllnt Iltlltud thllt IIpproximllluly onu wuuk lJuforu thu
aLluro.:lltlun in Latu PulJruary, L994, ~ o.:o-worklll: by thu namu
uf lIollnlu Wlltt.1I IICoJUIIUd him ill front of a L~r'Jo group ot
puopLu ot Iltuallll'J hill o.:offUIJ 0.:111'1,
II. 'l'hu 0.: L'Iimllllt ut,llud th'lt "etlll' thia lIoJcullatlrJII hu avoldud
Mr, W,lttlJ IInd walltud 1I0thill'l tu ,10 with him,
12. 'I'hu clal.ll\lllIt tuatitiud that un l"ubnlllry ~7, I'J94, hu lutt
wurk lit allpruXl.mlltulr 3130 p.m. lIu luft thu prumillulI of. tho
dufundant a 11,1 11/1111 dr vin':) alOlllj a ro.ld whulI Mr. Wattll pullt!d
111 frollt uf him an,i '.lot IIUt of hl.li vuhl.clu and appl'ollohtld
thu claimant.
13. Tht! claimant uxplaillud that Mr, Wattll thun qrabblld him and
attumptud t,l pull him out uf hia trllck. 'l'hu two of l;hull1
"tou""ht a Littlu bit" and tlllln "kl.lld ,If auttlud it."
L4, Thu claimallt tuatifl.ud that hu waa IItruck by Mr. Wattll on
thu luft Ilidu af hill faeu 011 thu chuul,. 'l'hu claimant alao
tltatud that hu hlld II plll.n in hill huad it hu Ilhauk hill huad
quicllly,
15. The clal.mllllt did not Iluuk allY mudlcal attulltion all a rCllult
of thitl altercation, 1I0r did hu mitltl any wurk bucauae of it.
16. The claimant altlo tulltifiud all to tho othur alleged
work-related l.njury which hu tltatud occurrud on April 4,
1994. The claimant atatud that ho watl in the proccss of
cleaning out a railroad car that had boell ulled for
tran6porting flour. lIu explainud that his job watl to go
inal.de the rail car and tlcrapu out thu old flour off of the
walla. Thu claimallt uxplainud that thu intlide of thu rail
cars did not havu laoldura and, thureforu, hu hod to lower
himself into tht! car from tlomu tlupport buamtl. Tho claimant
stated that hu slippud off of OIlU of t~u buams and fell to
the bottom of thu car, a ditltancu of about 15 to 20 feet.
17. The claimant statud that as a rutlult of thu fall he scraped
up the whole loft IIl.du of his body and had a big knot on his
head. Thu claimant illdicatud that tho lump on his head was
directly above his luft ear.
le, The claimant did not go to the ho~pital or suek any medical
attention immediately aftor thu injury.
19. On April le, 1994 the claimallt wont to Health Care 24
because he was sufforillg from bad huadache~ and dizzines~,
Tho claimant tuatifiud that the headaches had been goill9 011
~
~
.
~
t.,
~
c-'
I;'
.)0 C'"
~ ~
..
1~
0't
. .
,
~
'. , .'~ )
I' I....; ~
I .. , .' "J
I,'; ~
H,f I.,
, .;
I
, " , '..-
" ,
I'l , ., I
I,.' ! '"
I ~. 1
I .'. I
'.' 1;1
. ,
.
, .
l 01.'1 1\73 hfi"
~ 1I1II;lllpl till
CullUhll1 Mull
IiI Illtoll'.1I 1" . '1\11"'111 ,.",\.11.,.'
" 111'/1', 11'1'111'111I' I, IIHI'II'1II'IIII,,11\41111
of)l"> """""1"
Sfnlc.IlIiJl1 j~/lotulJ/1L.c. (1,'01/),1111
'flht"WlI/~t~ j,J,(..I\, e~t.~I.'oJJ '
:rl'\J.lull~I'..1I11 11 ~Ih oJ 1(1
, $ 1.Ul
I" 1, to
lio,' "j..
~ ..,' 1.10
i " $ J.21
t.'"
-, "
~ NO'l"lllllllr n, 1996
~
. i BINDIAI
-1;ampIaI._ I _"11..__,
-Co.... _ ~. lo. ond lb.
, I 'l'~ ~nwnt Md addtwH on.... tlYltMorlhlltonn "WI" WlCM'''1Mn1hl1
-t"oJ:' J:loom 10"" lronl" "" ""'....-,.. '" "" _ M _ _ noI
I .er",~~iI..... A_ A_ad'",,,,, n~ bolo. "" _.-.
-The AII,,""1tCIipl '-'W)IM' 10 \IQ)m....IItJdt... dlWYlfld Ind lilt dill
1-'
:1
:Jta"~5Inan 111&llruDCI) ~O",I."ln'y
0450 ',~dbttliJld :~()L'd
P.O. ('ox >lon'J
In<.lla,"d"ol ib, HI 46l4ll
.
I 1110 willi 10 racllve Ihe
IoIowtng NfYIct. ('or 11I1 ,
.m'H)1 J';
1. [J AdoIf...H'. MelliN
2. [J Rtlll1c1td D.llv.ry
ConIUlI pIlIlmultr'or IH. J:
.t
tJ 7 3 6';"
',;~U". \. CI c.llI: j
A'II of 0 InlUred f
... 0 COD i
J
, ~ d'
. , 1
. ; I i ~
,i I
") I j
I ,
,tit
/.\.
'I I
., )
."
I" ."
I " ".
II" ".
, ,
\:
, "
\ 1;,1
I "I.
.
7.
~
n b 'I 1\ '7 1 I, 5 B
HIlQulpl tilt
Cmlllllllt MIIII
tj'! hl~III,II\1 j' I 1,",11 'lIP' PI'] ..111,.1
11011;11111111' t'I' If'IIIPljllllllUI Mild
IfH'"1111\111",'1
~rl\\v.UlLYll ~\ IL"il~l,I~, . Il'I'
+'I;rl4ul~"tI fJJ. C".li.A.jJJ.
:J: 11d UjIJ()I~.lp"J. 4 ((1.)'1(1
, $ I,C/
I /0
~
"
i
-'
!
lC!
/,/0
--
$'~ 'J
.' ,
!\\Ovem/,(r ,J), 1(1q(J
-
a. Recllved By: (Prin' N.m.'
111I10 W111h 10 ,lIIlIlvI 1Il1
following ..lYIe.. (10111I1
lid" '"l: i
1. Cl Add"....'1 Add"..
2. Cl RIlIr1clld Olllvlry
Conaull poolmlll" 10' I... I
. Ul1 It
I
I
.
1
I
"', I
lQomtllolllltml t W14I" ".. tddI__.
'ComP".111f1'll ~, .,. Illd cb.
I ,,"'"' VN"""" .,ld 1IW,..,oolht ,,'tel" ollhll lonn 10 thai WI U" 'M"n lhIl
oonllo~.
.""ach thlt tooo 1Q In. tU.N1l 01 lh.mlilpltol. Of on 'I'll bldl.UlplKl doM ~
I 1e::;:IAtlllm R_ Roqu..'I'I' on UlI'noJIllIIoI billow'" III'''' nuoril".
.nll Allum Rant WI. .how 10 VlMm UlIMIdI... dt!Iytfld In4lh' dill
I doll'''''.
, '[ Alllcll Md'II'" 10:
NOl:I'llwCh,.~q'tt ;it.il"lOnul
LnbUl"ll!Il,'.. '.;rou,',
Ut.I)\] ~'h~bot" t lQld hl.hld
P.O. 1.10)\ , n7
Indlillhll.ol1'" LI~ 46~4C
6'Jll
IlIl Clrtlned
O. d.., '....Ionly II requ..,1d
4Md '.11. plillfr .
omostlc Retum Receipt
.
"'"
r '"
i ..
Ill" ..
i')
Ii:'! "
I
(,'JI
I' ,
(,1. \
,
j
I \
" I
I
, , I
\
a..Txrxa~T. or e..vxa.
This is to certify that n true and oorrect copy of the
within
Praecipe for APpearanqe hall lJelSn Qerved upon
")
by U, s, mail, postag" prepaid, thilJ 9
.
~, 191? , at the following addreslll
pavid J, spotts, msquirll
Law Offioes of Ron Turo
3~ south Pedford Street
Carlisle, pa 17013
00UI1III1 of
I\ay of
c\1j..re or~,
~~r
P T(i;;92~ UGL~ / p, C,
_ J/
0- _.._-~~. {
By,.'. . '1 -.
PALJil S, P , 6
~~~
\
I
i
\
i
I
I
I
.
-
,
....-l.
,
......
;
ANSWIR, NIW HATTIR and COUNTBReLAIH
AND NOW, clImo tho JJlJflJl1dlll1ta , Sl:llttllilmlll1 II1/.!uranolll
Company IInd I'/orthwl!ltltern National Inlilurancll Group, by Bnd through
it/.! attornQYB, Pel'lIliclI ,. PO\l\JlllfJ, I'.C" and fllfls and fJel'vell the
within Al1fJwer to the PIa inl: if f 'II Compla il1t, Bud aSBel."tll New
MBttel." and Counterclaim therllOl1, averrinll in Bupport thereof I
ANBWBR
1. Admitted.
2, Penierj. Hathor, it is affirmatively averred that
Defendant, Northwestern National Insurance Group is a holding
oompany which ill neither an inourer nor a domestio corporation
which is authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania,
A. Admitttlld.
B, Denied for the aforementioned reasons.
3. Admitted.
A. Admitted,
B. Admitted,
4. Denied. Rather, it is affirmatively averred that,
on February 27, 1994, Plaintiff was injured at the hand of a
criminal and that such injury, if any, was not, in any manner,
related to the operation of uny motor vehicllll.
5. After reasonable investigation, these Defendants
are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief
as to ~he truth or falsity of the averments contained in
J;llll:aguph I) of I'lal.ntiff' a Complaint, All lI11ah, tholle aVllrmllntll
lire deem"d to be denied, placed at illau8, and IItrict proof
thereof is demanded,
G, Aftel: reaaonable inveatigation, thelle Pefendanta
are without knowledge or information sufficient to form II belief
all to the truth or falaity of the avel.'mentll contF,lintld in
paragl.'Bph G of Plaintiff' 13 Complaint. Aa allah, tholle avel.'mentll
al.'e dtlellled to be denied, placed at iallue, and atrict proof
thereof ia demanded,
7, After reaaonable investigation, these Defendants
are without knowledge 01.' infol.'mation sufficient to form a belief
as to the truth 01." falsity of the nV'aI.'ments contained in
paragraph 7 of t>laintif f' 13 complaint. Aa auah, those averments
are deemed to be donied, placed at isaue, and strict proof
thereof is demanded.
6. Denied as stated. Rather, it is affirmatively
averred that Plaintiff requested First Party Benefits on May 16,
1994, The remaining aVHrmentll in pal.'agrsph 8 of Plaintiff's
Complaint are admitted,
9. Admitted in part, It is admitted that the
attendant physl.cian's I.'epol.'t was sent to an agent of Defendant,
The remaining averments contained in paragraph 9 of Plaintiff's
Complaint contain variolls conclusions of law to which no response
is required, To the extent that a responae may be deemed to be
required, it ia affirmatively averred that the attending
physician's report is a document which speaks for itself.
10, After rellaollilPle illVetJtigatioll, these Def.endllnta
are without Imowledqu or illl:o~-mllt ion auf tidellt to f01:1I\ a IJeliet:
aa to the tl:uth 01: fllh.ity of the lIVI!ll:lI\llnt/l cOlltained in
pal:agl:'aph 10 of Plaintiff' a Complaint, A/l /luch, thcae /lVfll:mOlnta
al:'e deemed to pe denied, plnced at issue, LInd strict pl:oof
thel:eof ia demanded,
11, Admitted in part, It is admitted that Dllfendant
Statesman InalJrance Company denied Illa int if f' s I:equest for Firat
Party Benefita, It is denied that Defl!lndllnt NOl:thwestern
National Insurance Group denil!ld any such request, ~a Defendant
NorthweBtern National Inaurance Group is not IIn inaurer, nor did
it have any contractual relutionahip with Plaintiff,
12, Afte~' relll:lonable inv19atigation, thia Defendant is
without Imowledge or infol:ll1atJ.on sufficient to form a belief am
to the truth or falsity of the averments contained il\ paragraph
12, including subparagraphs ^ and B thereof of Plaintiff' a
Complaint, As Buch, thol:le averments al:G deemed to be denied,
placed at issue, and strict: proof thereof is demanded,
13, After reasonable investigation, this Defendant is
without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as
to the truth or falBity of the IlvermentB contained in paragraph
13, including subparagraph A thereof cf Plaintiff's Complaint,
As Buch, those averments are deemed to be denied, placed at
iSSUll, and strict proof thereof is demanded.
14 , Admitted,
15, Admitted,
16, Admittfld,
17, Aftar rea~onable investigation, these Pefendants
arr! without knowledge or information aLfficient to form a belief
as to the truth or falnity of the avermenta containlld in
paragraph 17 of Plaint i H' a complo int , All auch, thosfl IIVeL"mentl3
are deemed to bfl dllnied, placed lit issue, and strict proof
thereof ia demanded,
18, After real30nable inveatigation, theae Pefendanta
are without knowledge or information aufficient to form a belief
IUI to the truth or falsity of the averments ccntained in
paragraph 18 of Plaint if f' 13 complaint, As such, thoae avermentl3
are deemed to be denied, placed at issue, and atrict proof
thereof ia demanded,
19, Denied, Rather, it is affirmatively averred that
Exhibit "A" ape aka for itaelf,
20, The avermenta contained in paragraph 20 of
Plaintiff'a Complaint contain varioua conclusiona of law to which
no response is required,
21. Admitted,
22, After reasonable inveatigation, thene Defendants
are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief
as to the truth or falsity of the averments contained in
paragraph 21 of Plaintiff's Complaint. As such, those averments
are deemed to be denied, placed at issue, and strict proof
thereof is demanded.
23. Admitted.
:l4, Admitted.
:lIS, Donied sa stated, Rather, it ia atHrlllativllly
averred that Detendant'a lllttor is a doculllent which apeaka tor
itseH,
:l6, Denied as atatod, Rather, it is IIttirlllatively
averred that Defendantl!l' and Plaint if f' Ii GOrl:eapondanoe spllal(a
for itl:leH.
27, Denied aa I:Itatlld, Rather, it ia affirmatively
averred that Defendant Stnteolllan Inl:lurance Company naaerta that,
at no relevant time did Plaintiff Bustain 1111 compenaable Firat
Party Benefita claim.
28, After reasonable invQatigation, theaa Defendants
are without Imowledge or information aufficienl; to form a belief
as to the truth or falaity of the averments contained in
paragraph 28 of Plaintiff'a Complaint. As such, those averments
are deemed to be donied, placed at issue, and strir;;t proof
thereof is demanded,
29, After reasonsble investigation, these Defendants
are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief
as to the truth or falsity of the averments contained in
paragraph 29 of Plaintiff'a Complaint. As such, those averments
are deemed to be denied, placed at issue, and strict proof
thereof is demanded.
30. After reasonable investigation, these Defendants
are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief
as to the truth or falsity of the averments contained in
pAragraph 30 of Plaintiff's complaint, As Buch, thos~ averments
are deemed to be denied, plaaed at issue, and strict proof
thereof is demended,
31. After reasonable investigation, these D<'Ifendants
are witbout lmowledge or information aufficirtllt to form a belief
as to the truth or falsity of the avermenta contained in
paragraph 31 of Plaint if f' s Complaint. fls such, those avermenta
are deemed to be dellied, pleced at issue, and strict proof
thereof is demanded,
32, Admitted,
33. After reasonable investigation, those Defendants
are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief
as to the truth or falsity of the averments contained in
paragraph 33 of Plaintiff's Complaint. fls such, those averments
are deemed to be denied, placed at issue, and strict proof
thereof is demanded,
34. After reasonable investigation, these Defendants
are without knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief
as to the truth or falsity of the averments contained in
paragraph 34 of Plaintiff's Complaint. fls Buch, those averments
are deemed to be denied, placed at issue, and strict proof
thereof is demanded,
35, The averments contained in paragraph 35 of
Plaintiff's Complaint contsin various conclusions of law to which
no response is requir~d.
COlffl'l' I
3G, In response to Plsintiff's inco~poration, these
Pefendants inoorporate h~rein by reference thereto the responses
oontained in pangraphs 1 through 38, inclusive, of this pleading
as if more fully set forth at length,
37, Admitted.
30, The averments contained in paragraph 38 of
Plaintiff's complaint contain varioue conclusions of law to which
no response is required, '\'0 the extent that a response may be
deemed to be required, it is denied that Plaintiff has nacisfied
any condition precedent or subsequent to qualify for coverage
pursuant to the terms of his contract with Defendant Statesman
Insurance company.
39, The avermellts contailled in paragraph 38 of
Plaintiff's Complaint contain varioun conclusions of law to which
no response is required. To the extent that a response may be
deemed to be required, it is denied that at any relevant time,
the Defendants breached any portion of their contract with
Plaintiff.
WHEREFORE, Defendants have denied that they are, in any
manner, liable to Plaintiff and requent that the action against
them be dismissed and that judgment be entered in their favor.
COlffl'l'II
40, In response to Plaintiff's incorporation, these
Defendants incorporate herein by reference thereto the averments
contnined in paragraphs 1 through 39, inclusive, of this pleading
a~ it more tully set forth at length,
~l, The averments contained in paragraph ~l ot
Plaintiff's Complaint contain varioua concluaiona of law to which
no response is required, To the extent that a responoe may be
deemed to be required, it is denied that Defendant's conduct wao,
at any rl!llevant time, in bad faith,
42. The avermenta contained in paragraph ~2 of
Plaintiff's Complaint contain various conclusions of law to which
no response io required, '1'0 the extent that 0 responoe may be
deemed to be required, it is denied that Defendant'o conduct wao,
at any relevant time, in bad faith,
WHEREFORE, Defendants have denied that they are, in any
manner, liable to Plaintiff and requeot that the action against
them be diemiooed and judgment be entered in their favor.
COUNT I II
43. In reaponse to Plaintiff'o incorporation, these
Defendanto incorporate herein by reference thereto the averments
contained in paragrapho 1 through 42, incluaive, as if fully
pleadeci at length.
44, The averments contained in paragraph 44 of
Plaintiff's Complaint contain variouB conclusions of law to which
no response io required. To the extent that 0 response may be
deemed to be required, it is denied that 42 Pa, C.S,A. ~0371
applieo, in any relevant fashion, to Plaint iff's Complaint.
WIlIEREI"ORl!:, Deffl/ldllntB hllve denhd that they au/ in IIny
manner, 1 hbh to Plaint if f and requeBt that the lIot iOIl againBt
thllm be dillmilillHld and jud\Jmant bo entered in their favor,
COUN'l' IV
45. In response to Plaintiff's incorporation, theBe
Defendants incorporate herein by reference thereto the averments
contained in paragraphs 1 through 44, inclusive, ns if fully
pleaded at length,
46. The averments contained in paragraph 46 of
Plaintiff'B Complaint contain various conclusionB of law to which
no response is required, To the extent that u reBponse may be
deemed to be required, it ia denied that 73 P.S.. ~201,1 et. seq,
applies, in any relevllnt fashion, to Plaint if f' 13 complaint.
WHEREFORE, Defendants have denied that they are, in any
manner, liable to Plaintiff and request that the action against
them be dismissed and judgment be entered in their favor,
COUN'l' VI
47, In response to Plaintiff's incorporation, these
Defendants incorporate herein by reference thereto the averments
contained in paragraphs 1 through 46, inclusive, as if fully
pleaded at length.
48. The averments contained in paragraph 48 of
Plaintiff's Complaint contain various conclusions of law to which
no response is required.
49, 'I'he avermentu Gontuined in paragJ:llph 49 of
l'hintiff'll complaint contain varioull conclullionll of law to which
no responll6 is requir~d,
WIIERli:lrOI~Ii:, Pefendanta !lave denied that they are, in any
mlll1l1er, liable to t'laintHf alld requl!lIt that the nction lI'jJninst
them be dhmil!lfJed and judgment be entenld in their favor,
NEW NATTieR
50, Plaintiff'l!I Complaint failn to atate a claim upon
which relief can be granted,
51, Plaintiff hall failed to exhaUllt remedies,
52, Plaintiff hna failed to mitigate damag611,
53, At all relevant timea, Pefendant has acted in good
feith,
54, Defendant Northweatern National Insurance oroup is
not an inllurer alld did not have, at any relevant time, a contract
with Plaintiff,
55, At all relevant timen, Defendant has complied with
the terms and conditiona of the Pellnsylvania Motor Vehicle
Financial Reaponaibility Law, 75 Pa. C,S,A, 551701 et. seq,
156. At no relevant time did Plaintiff auatain an
injury which ia compenaable within the meaning or purview of 75
Pa, C.S,A. 951701 et, aeq,
57, Pennsylvania law prohibita Count IV of Plaintiff'a
Complaint,
56, Penn~ylvania law prohibit~ Count II of Pl~intiff'~
Complaint,
69, LJllnnaylvanill law prohibita Count III of
I)l~intiff' a Complaint,
60. At all relevant t1mes, Plaintiff has failed to
oomply with the terms, oonditions and provision~ of 75 Va, C,S,A,
~U701 et;, l!Ieq,
61, At all relevant time~, Plaintiff d~ceived
Defendant into maldng payments undeJ:' the policy when Plaintiff
knew, or reasonably ahould hav~ known, that no coverage was owed
by Defendant,
62, Plaintiff' a illjury, if any, did not ariae out of
the maintenance and/or u~e of a motor v~hicle within the meaning
of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial R~~ponaibility Law,
WHER8PORJi;, theae Defendants have r.tenied that they are,
in any manner, liable to Plaintiff anr.t requeat that the action
against them be diamissed and judgment be entered in their favor,
COUNTIRCLAIM
Statelman Inluranae Company v. Paul I. Beere
G3. The averments contained in paJ:'agraphs 1, 3, 6, 14,
15, 16 and 17 of Plaintiff's Complaint and the averments
contained in paragraphs 50 through G2 of this pleading,
inclusive, are incorporated herein by reference thereto as if
more fully set forth at length,
?,: (\/ ,.
"'I~ f'o;
t'jj) l~ "i 0'';
~(': )".
"~I
1;:' Il, !..!
~1:' erl 'ii
, I"
G!~'~ . . IV')
. .
Jl.; , ,~
I _. "
.
I,. ,..., d
l:; ~
PAUL ~, DEmllS,
JI/Jlllllllr,
IN 'I'm: COllIl'l' (W COMMON 1'1,~1N:l
ClJMIII~IU.ANIJ COlJN'I'Y, JlI';NNIlY/,vANIA
No: UO'O.II. CIVil, 'I'ImM
CIVil, AC'I'JON ' I,AW
:
I
I
:
:
ll'I'NI'Ir.IlMAN INlllJllANC~1 co, 1111.1 I
NOll'I'HWI~Il'l'lmN NA'I'IONAl. INBlJllANCI'; I
OltGUJI, :
))ol'ulloIlIlIls :
v,
,llJllY '1'1lIA" IlJo:MANlllm
rLAIN'Ill11iANtlWlm TO 1)1r,1~~D~Hl1EW_MA1~nillANllJ.iillJm:gillJ1AI.M
AN)) NOW, 001ll1l6 thll PIIlIIlIIfT, 1'111111';, Illlllrll, hy 1I11,IIhroHINh hlllllLlorneYlI, Iho Lnw omelln Ilf'
Illm '1'lIro 111101 II1111wor6 the Defe1l0l1l1lL'5 Nllw MIILlllr 1111,1 COlllllerdlll1ll 116 I'.Jllows:
fLAI N'I'I FF '8 ANIiWEID:!JJJ 1';VI~rlL!Mi1:'1illli.w.1tLITruIl
50, 'l'hls 16 II eOlldllllloll of IlIw Lo whkh 110 ,'ellpoll51l III "'lUes","'y, '1'0 IIw ulOll1 lhllL II
rospolllO II1ny bll dooll1e,llll'<o,,,,"'y, IL III oIllnled IInol IIlrloL proof I horoof II ,IOIIIIIII,lellllllrlllJ.
IH, Thill 15 II rono/llllloll of IlIw lo whkh 110 rllllpollsll III Ill'<!ell"'lry, '1'0 Ihll Ilxllllll lhlll II
"OSpOIlBO II1ny bll deoll1llol Iloue,,,,"'y, IL III dlllllllol IIJl1J IIlrl<llJI'oof lhorllol' III dllll1l1l1,loollIL lrln!.
1l2, 'I'hlll III II 00lldll6101l of Inw 10 whluh 110 rllspoll61l II IIllClls"'lry. '1'0 Ihll oxlOIlL Ihlll II
rospOlllO II1I1Y bll oIOllll1edIlI1UIlII..,ry, IL I. oIllllle<l 111101 slrl", proof Ihereol' III ,Ielll/lllde<l IIllrlnl.
1l1I, This II II eOllelllllloll of Inw l'l whluh 11'1 rll6ponso Is IlOUIll5llllry, '1'0 (hll oxlOIlL lhllL II
ruaponlo nl/lY be oIllllll1oolnllCllsllIIry, IL I. dOllle,llIllol 61 rl<l proof lhorllof II oIoll1/1ll,lool 1I11rlllJ.
54. Mer rOIl.ollllble InveslllllILloll, Pllllnllrr III wllhoUl kllowlll.lllo or InrO'llllllloll II1100dllnL III
I'ormll billieI' I\lllo Ihe lrlllh or I'lIlnlLy oflho II1I1Ller. ronlJdnool theroln. HOllro, It I. dlllllll<l IIn,l.trlrt proof
Ihereof 15 oIell1l1noleol III Lrlnl.
Illl, 'l'hls 10 II oono/lIsloll of Inw 10 whluh no r06pollllll Id Ill'eesllllry, '1'0 Iho exlent LhnL II
rospollsl/ mny be 0I01l1l100l 1ll'C1l""Il'Y. It I. denlo<l 1111<1 51rlul proof lherool' I. oIolll/lndo<l III trllll.
00. Thill 15 II rono/lI"loll of Inw lo whlrh no Nsponsll III nouosllIIry. 1'0 Ihll oxllllll Lhllt II
rOlponle IIlIlY be oIeemool Ileuo.oary, It III oIonlllol /lnol IIlrkt proof Lhoroof III oIllll1l1ndool IIllrlnl.
1l7. Thl. II II oono/lI.lo/l of IlIw to whloh no rllllponRIl I. neuoOBRry. '1'0 the extllnt thnl /I
rosponoe IIlIlY bo oIllllll1ed 1l11U06611ry, It III donlool IInd IIlrkt proof Lhllroof III oIOllllllldod /II Irllll.
~~ C'I ',-
,..', I,
,
.,
,.:, 1 ~ ,"
.,
.,~ 'I".
. ~II ~l.. :.)
)1 '.
[~L n:l U
I }rJ
ti.l.'l' !,. I r~l
r' .1 ,IH~
.. "/ 1
~.l ,- d
IJ1
4, Thu dllllglld Injurlllb susl,llnl!tl hy IllI! pllllnllff did n'll drlbll oul of Ihu
"nhllnlllnanco or USIl" of hlb vllhlclll, ,Ib rl!'lulrml hy Ihll PIlllnsylv,lI1111 Molor Vllhlclll
Flnolnclall{llspnmlblllly LoIW t11l!rlllnllfll!r rl!fl!rrl!d I,) lIb "MVFI{L").
5, PUrSlhlJlI 10 Ihll PlInl1bylv.II1I,1 MVfI{L, Ihll dl!fllndilllls worll justiflud In
denying first purty bllnl!flts 10 Ihl! plillntlff.
6. Pumhlnl to rl!cl!nl PI!I1I1SyIV,II1I" e,IS(/ lilW, Ihll dufllndmllS wlIre IUlllfled In
denying first pnrly bl!n'lflts 10 the plillnlllf.
7, Defend,lIlt hilS never i1ch!d 111 bmJ filllh, as pl,llntlff alleges In his
Complaint,
O. AI alltlrlles relevanlto Ihls ,Kllon, thl! dl!fendants have acled In 81l0d faith
and pursuant to Ponl16ylvanlll L.1W.
9. A Motion for SUllllllllrY Judgl11enlls ilpprnprllltoly gr.1nled when no genuine
lalues of material fact exlbt and lh\! moving party Is entitled 10 judgment i1S a mailer of
law.
10. Defendants' Motion for SUl11mary Judgl11ent should be granted by Ihls
Honorable Court beclluse It Is c1eur that plillnllff hus no couse of acllon ugoll15ttho
defendants, and there are no genuine I$sues of l11aterlul fllCt,
WHEREFORE, defendants Slatesmlln Il15urance Company and Northweslern
Nallonallnsurnnco Company respeclfully request this Honorable Court to Brant Ihelr
Motion for Summary Judgment and to enter judgment In their favor and ogall15t Ihe
plaintiff,
I ~ ",n ..1111
'''' 1.1
,t}' I ~ '1'1 11111 77 ~ .1
'011'1111 '1111
'1I11'1'111I1"'IIII~ 'I I'
0, 011 Ma~ I~, lIlU~, lha ULLUII,IIIl~ phYNIo:llln'l "pori Wna 1""1 "lrll<:lI~ hI ~h. 1.11101111
IllunkalllhJp, IVlnl III' nlrlll"anl/l, rOll1'r,jltlV Iho dallll 1'01' P"YIIlIIIIII, 'I'he aLLolI"lJl~ phYIIIIllln's rllporL
cl..,ly I".nlln.. bolh Iho InJurtol r""llva,j nrlalnv frllllllha opurnlllln Ilf Ih. IJ)I)lllr vahkle rllVllrdln~ Ihll
Flbl"Ulll')' n IUU4 II~uI1 "nolll1l1 ""orll Injury 'II' April .1, IUII~,
10. 011 Jill" U, 111114, " Workarl COlllpOllo'llIon d4l1ll W"" fllod .Uoylnv wol'il'r.llllo,lllIjljry 1'01'
U,a l'ahrllAry ~'1, 11104 IlIuloIlllIL.
11, 011 ,111111 13, 111114, IJllrlln,lnnLa, SIJlI"aIlHIIl lJlsWlllcO Cn, "",1 Norlhwulom /'I.lllnll..1
lllallrftnOa GrOllI', 'I.nlaol PlnllllUfl rll'lllalll r,'r flrsl I'nrLy h.IIUllll.
I~. P"linlllra n""moy rO'llIlIlIlo,llllllllJ.l'lllldlllll.., HtnIIlIlIlIlHIIII""t1lllc. Cn. nnd /'/'Jrlhw."'Il'1l
Nnllolllll Inour"nc. Groul', rllopllll Lhu Oil'. nn" r<""lIllllolllr lh.lr "<-:Isllllllo ,j.IlY "h,lnIUI', P,,,li I~. "'11I1'.,
hallarll.a 'IIl,Jllly ~7, IUO~, "",J ,)Ill.y ~U, 101l~,
I\. 011 .luJy :17, lOO~ I'lnlllLlII's nLLIlI'IIIlY 10lapllollll>IUy ""'lu.stll<l III DofrlflolnnL'.
"SOIlL, Phillip HolI.lllln. rllrllllllly rll'llllllllllll lhlll Uof.lltl/lnL'1I rllol'''lllh" ,,,1ft" Illld
r""ollalol"r thlllr "llcl,loll LIl ,ICilY I'III.1nllll' bOllof1ll.
11, 011 ,Iuly ~IO, IOO~, 1'IIIIIILIJl'a IIUOrllllY wrllLIl III l)lIf.nollllll'l "UCIII, Phillip
HollolHlI1, rs'luootllls lhul 1l0f.Il..III1L'0 U"p/lll Lh. "Ia. IIl1d rccolllllolor lh"h'
011:<'101011 t,) "UIlY 1'1411111I1' hOIlIlIlI.II,
10, 011 AUsuIl 28, lliiH, "llllnLlII's W'lrll.r'l COIlll'ollalllloll claim wna hoard,
I\-
41 work,
'I'hlll wor~or's Clllllll"nMtll)lI "~IJIIl w,lJInmoll".ol '.I) In<lll". Lhn Aprll~, IOIH rllll
U, 011 BOlllember 20, 1004, O.I'.II""nLs. SIlILllllll1l1nlnOllr"nr. Co, "n.. NorlhwelLorn Nllllol1l1l
lnIurllllea Group, Ilwood III roopoll d..11II IIn" l"lY lIllJllO, nll.l 1'llIll1tlff, 1'11111 I,:. J3.erll, 11I11"" a ronl1111
".lIll1lld frolll OQfdllWlnl1l for PIlYIllOIlI of 100L wIIKell.
I~, 011 B.plftlUbllr ~l, 100~, I'I/llllIllT.I'.ul ~;. J3llllrn, m....1I formal oI.mllnd /'r01ll Dllfell,tlllllll,
6t.alullllln ll1SUrllllcII C". IIJ\d Northw..lllrtl Nlltlol1.J 1I111l1rllllCU Group, for Pll)'lll.nl of n surllonll'o bill
from N.uroloJlicnI Bursery Ll", In Lhll lOW Illuo'ml of '11,1\80.00, olollg with oLhor medlcll! billa.
10. On BIIllldlllber :.u, 100-1, DorululAn.... BlALelIn)lllllll4\lml1Oll Co. "nu NortI"",,,l.enl NIILIollllftj
[nAurlll'c. Group, Im".r lhll lIulhorltnllnn of L1nolln n1llnkOl1l1hlp, 11I5u<..1 n wIllla luu rh""h, Lo I'llIlllLlff,
1'4ul E. Ueon, Lo covor Inol WIIIl"" frum Aprlllhroullh S.ptemb.r or 100-1.
17. 011 S.pLolllb.r 27, 100-1, 1'14IlllllI's 1I1Lor!1oy rolled UpOIl Dufon"allt's "ll1'oelllolltlo PIlY Lho
chum LO Inform Wonl Shore I'lllholuK)', Neuroluuknl SlIrllory Lt".and EIW Allaucllltelllll/lL lhll Dofondolllll
Itn" IIllr..0I10 pny UIO over.llld billa LhAI. hA" bO.1I sllbmJuod prllvloualy.
lR.
dl.mlll..".
011 Novllmbor 0, 1.004, Plaintiff, 1'11111 E. HOllr.' Work/lr. Compol1JlllLlon Cllllm [,"'Itlon Yo 110
Ill. 'I'h. Workllr. C"mpIlIlMlloll dudololl IlIdleJltod Lhll dlllm WIlJl dJllmllllled IU!Cl\II.o 11.ILltor
tho Fohrunry ~7, 1004 or lltll Ilpril 4, 1004 InJllry WIlIl COlllpel144blll unoler I'llllnllylvllllln Worllor'n
Componlllllol1laWI, A copy of lhlll de<:lololIII Incorporlll<d h.rolnlll1d IItl4Ch.d her.Lo roa Exhibit "A".
20. Aa II rOlldl, I'IIIJlIllfT. 1'4ul E. Ullerll, wun 1l0101l11ll/l" to workor'a compul1ll1\lloll bllnefllll
to cov.r ollher Lho Ind"onl 011 l"l/brllllty ~7, 100~ or tho fnllllt work on April ~, 190~,
11 -"1 ~. "'1
"" 14
'0'1 .1"" 1I111 71n;1
'1/11'111111' ~ill'II' ,\ r
Ii/) 'II' ~ '"'1
~ L III 1000, lJ.rlll101WIl., Sl.lulIIlIll 1IIIIIrlllW' Co, ,11,1 Norlhwlllorll I\'lIll'l/Inl 111.III'IIn<1I
C1rouII r"IIlIlL.ol, ..nol I'WIIIIJT, 111111 ~;, Uurl, .1101 IlIhl/lll Lo 1\11 III00op"",1011l M.oIkllllr..llIl1hllulu".
2~, all MIIY ill, lOon, nafll"tllIllll, tHalll'lll/lII In'lIrllll<' Co. llll'\ Northwllllarll NIIllonlll
1111111'11I1'" Grolll' Illdk.L.oIlo PlllllllUrs lI11ornoy LhllllhllY winhool Lo 'pilL Lh'lInpllh\lIIo,lkIlJ hili. halwllun
Lh,'r hl.lInUICo COIllPllllY IIJl1\ Lho w"rllcr'o O'JlIlpllllnllllonln.llr11110Q 11m'!.
20. 011 ,JWIII 0, lOon 1'1111111111'0 1I110rnllY wrlllll III Ms. IJlllnkalllhlp, allonl for n.'"n'\lln,",
IlJIlhlK lhlll \1111 <AU W'lInul IIpproprlnla 1'01' th. w'lrk.r'o "Illllpllll'/ltlllnlnlllrlln'''' flnll!.
24. 011 J'lIIa 22, 100~, I'lnllllill'. IIllorlluy wr"IIl III n'lron'!nJILo, ~IIIl"onlllllln.llr.,"'o C". nll'!
NorlhwlIslllrlI NlIl\onllll110llrlll1"1l (Jr'lllp, lIt1vlllln~ Ih. WUI'kor's Comp.,lJIUI.loll ,/lItlllo's J,,<:i.lon rontlllr",J
011 Novllmhur 0, l004 d..rly II100kllWoIlhlll PlnJnlilT, 1'11111 I~. Il..r., W'lIIl1olllnLllI.,lto I'tICIlVl!r WIlrl\lll".
cOlllpallllulIoll hanllnta, ^ copy or Lha Workor'lI COlllpanMlI'lIl ,\"dnl'lIl wnn IIl1ppllatl lo Durun.JIIlIIA.
20. On July 28, 1000, Doranol.nlJl, SIJllllSnlllll Innurllnoll Co. Inti Nl)rlhwosLorn NIILllJnllJ
fJlIul'l1JICa GrOllp, I.nl n Iluur rllJ""lIl1K IIny n.ltllLhlll/l1 plIYlIlunLI '1Il Lha <101m orllolnll thuI worl,o,"o
~OIJlpnnllllllon bonoOlI wOllld 'ully "'lYor Ih.. p"Ylllonll.
211. Corra.pond_lI"a h_tw,oll PI.Illlllrr. /ltlorneya ,"1,1 DllrOlldlllllll hila oontlnllu,l Lu IIU IIvnll.
DofandJllIlll, BlJIlOIIl.1/U1 lnaUrlllICa Cu. und N\Jrlhw.sLorn Nlltlonul lnllurl1Jlo. Group, Ohio baaecloollll'ulll.n,
OOllllnuII lo Il1JllIIl tJ1/Il l'IAlnlllT, Pnlll 8. n..ro', paymonh .houl<l ". paid un.lur I'lnnoylvnnh, worllnr'a
compon..lIonlllwe.
27. 'rhe J)"r"ntlllll14, WJlLoSlIIllIllnourllncQ Co. ond Norlhwnslom Nllllonul In.lluroncII Grollp,
conllnuo 10 clnim lhllll'enlllylvnnJlI'1I worker'n ~OIl1POnJll\lIOn will ~oVor IJ/lYllll!l1l.lospllll tholl' "ollll'luIIl ,
unol oclllJllllIIOwladll1l of Ihe onfllvoruhlo wurkllr'o cOIIIl'"nll'llulI oIuclllloll.
28. On Octob"r 10. WOO, lJ_rondllnlJl, SLnllllllnlll1 Illourun<1l Co. I1Jld Norlhwostern NII'lunul
fJIJIUrl1J100 Group, .lJIlnol Lhllllhoy wOlllol lhrelllon Lo SII. for 011/1111 IIlro,"ly pllJoI If I'lolntlll', Poull';. no III'S,
purlllled leguf BctIOIl 10 cOlllJIIII pl\YlJlonl from Defenol.llls.
20, On Oclobor l'l, lIIon, I'lnl.nLlrrll oUornoy udv!.ned nllr'lldlll1ll1, BIJIl..mon 11\11lr/l1l~II C".
llllol NorlhwosloM1 NlIllonnJ IIlAUrnn"a Grllup, lhlll Lhuy are ongnl!illll III bllol follh to <"nllnlle Lo cluny
paymtnt on lt1l. c1nlm.
30. 011 Ocwbl!r 27, 1II00, J)oroll,IJlnlA, BIJILI!6UIIUI InllllT1lJlc. C.Q. .1I1d Nortbw"lom NIIUollJlI I
lnJsurnn~o Grollp, aflllJn rorunlld LJlI~IY nnd ugrUnlhrenlllnod to nllO ror Olllun IIlronoly I'ohllr I'IIIJntllT, 1'11111
E. Beero, purllu.o 11l1l'.lnollon lo <olllpolpIlYlllllnL.
,
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
31.
To dAle, PInJntllT, Pllul E. Doors, IUlll o~pllr!onc~oI ..lIlJlIIOOIUS I1.Il rol1ows:
I\.
MeolJenloxpon..s' $1O,.l81.00; II/Id
13,
Losl W/IKI!II . H,600,136:
32. To dalo, _Vlln lhollgh nor_ndJlnla, SlIIl"ollll1JIIJ1.lurnnoo Co. U/Id Norlhwesl"rn NlIllon.1
lnelltllllCe GrOllI', had praviously ngr..oIlo PIlY thll drum onol In r!lJ:l, h"oI n1/ld. pnrllru pIlYIll"ntn, IndllolhlK
WilKO 108llllld somo m"c1ICJII hlllo, Lhoy sllll rol\.o" lo PRY tho ollllllJllJoIlng hnlnnc.!.
:13. Mil roslIll or oorCn,lllnlo, Sl/lleSlI1onlnourllllco Co. 11/I01 NorLhwulIrn NALlonllJ Innllrlln"ll
GrOllp, roflllllll lo li"Y, PlnlntllT, Pllul E. 13.ers, h,,'! boon IUltIlIISI!d by vJlrloJIIs <olll.'<tlons "Kondo. 'lOd
lhrollLonod Lo be .uool ror lh" unplllol "olnnc_n InvolvinK '.ho 1Il0dlcllJ hili. rolllLlnK Lo thlft drum.
1 ~ IIJ~ .,., 1)'1 1.1
'0'1 ~')'I IIlll 11~;1
~1Iil'lIl1'li~IHII'. .. II'
loll 111111 11111
04, l'lAlnlllT, 1'1111 1';, Jl"r~, '1OllIhlllul hlllllTur /'rolll Ihu .ITlI1ll. ql' hi. IIIJU,III.
30, I'lalI1ll1T, I'lul )i;, lie.,., 1\llJI lu/rure,1 ol!lollQ/lJIl dlmell III ~ ruull or D.full""IIII,
9LnI"'M/1JJIII\lI'lIllCe Co, In,l HorlhwellLprll H~I"l/lnlln.urllllcu llrnup, IIclloll. IUlhl, IIInllur.
CO LJ 1'1'1' I
llIn:AclI 01' CON'I'llAC'I'
UO, JI~rllil'~phl L lhruqwh 1I1l1lJ'" IIIC'lrp')rULlltl hureln unol IIlnolu r.Curence hurUL,) III LhllllWh
f\JUy III furll~
U7. Al ulllllllu rulnllvl Lo Ihllll .vOIIIII, l'lnhlll/T, I'uul E. Dllora, lmolllll Insurul1". l'ollIlY In
full fore.llnol.IT..1 wllh Lhu OurulI,lnnll, 8Lnl18UUll111loutlU100 Co. 111101 Nl/rlhwOllurll N.llol1llllnOllr'IIl.'
Group,
liB. PI,IIlUIT, Puull~, 1I00rs, hllJlllllllhflo,J 11111)1' hll ohllwoLlolI1 und.r Ih. p',lky, IndIJdhlll hUI
1101 IImllllrl 10, nil cOl1,lIllono pr""..I.nl onol 011 I" oo;lo"Jnll'l lIuhllo'IU.Ill.
110. Tho 0.,110110 of lh. nor.nd/.nl., BIIII"IIUIlI InoIJr/lnr. Co. 111101 Norlhw..lom l'Illllonlll
l/IIurl1n.. Group, o. ,1.surlho.1 .bovo, OOllsLllUl1l II hr.lldl of Ih. conlrll.1 '11' InollrlUlou Isouft,l by lh.
J).f.nolllJll L,) Ih. PIIIlnlllT. 1'10 cupY of Ihl/ polley In IILllIchuol hftrulo be<:/luoll Lhft J)lIrOn"/l1I1 hllllhft orlllinlll
policy In lh.lr po...naloll.
WliErmFOlm, JlllllnLIIT, I'lIul F;, IJuorll, dU/lIIIII,1lI JuollllllOlIl ngnJllel Lho Dofnlulnnllt, filJILoolII/l1I
l/11urllnco Co, IInd Norlhw.slerll NnLlonllllnlUrnnCft Clrolll!, In Iho nmounl qf S10,41l1.1l1l for PIlY/llUlll or
lIloolJCJII bill. III 1Il1 Inlerul rul. of Iw.lvu purllolll (l~%) por yo.r, penolllol III pruvioled by elllLutu,
rUllJlonnble unol MlUAl 1l110rnny'1 ruul 111111 coILS,
CO l/N'I' 11
llAD l"Al'l'1l
40, PlIlftllT"ph, I lhroullh 30 IIn IncorroruLool horftln Mol IIIAdo rerurftnUII heruLo IllI IhOlll!h
ruJly 1101 rorlh.
41, o.rftndJull'lI rorlulll! lJl pny III.NJrnJ 1l~f1"nllC!<llll Ughl or pr.....nL und /ll:lUlll kllOwlcolll" ,JlJII
worker's comp.nMlioll IlIWll do nol euvllr Lh. pnYlllulI1I ol 1...11. III un outrtyht IInol b~llJlnl d.nlal or
PIlIlIIIIIT's rtghllO nul purty b.Mnllt III bn,j rllJlh.
~2, o.r.nollllll'. cOIILlnwu throullo OliO ror pr?vlou.ly pnJrI b.unnll I. II buoI rBllh IlUompL 10
prltv.nl sull Cor dOllorv.oI Bnol JIIIIII1.d IIle"lr.) oovorllKe.
WHEREFORE, PlnlnlllT, PUll) g. !leer., "eIl1M'" OOmpOlllll\lory, cOl1uquenllnl Ilnol Plllllllve
Wtmllllftl, plWl Inl.rul, coell unol nllom.y's 1'.01 rrom Ihu D.ren,lnnlll, StnL.8mJ1l1 ln8l1rllJ1oe Co. nnol
Norlhw..l.m N.lloIIAllnourunc. Group, 111811 omounlln n~CIl811 or $20,000.00 nnolll1.~ceo. of tho 1I1ll0llnl
r.quJrln~ oOlllpulaory erbllrllllon.
COUNT m
COMMON LAW TORT OF BAD FAITH
43. PIlJ'/lgrnphl 1 Lhrouyh .12 ur. Incorporl1lool horeln nnrlll1Jlda referoncft h.roln IllI lhollgh
fully eol rorlh.
\ ~ I Oft "'I 'III, 1'1
'6'1 "'1'1 'i1H 1'1 11.1
"111'111"1 '" j'I'h \ \ I'
IJJ'l'll '11'1
I
~~, For Ih. r.KII)I1A ul rorlh nhnv., 1110111,111111 Lhll rnuure 10 pll)l /lI.,\kl~ bUI1',1l1l with 1\111'"1,1
/IlJlwU kl\owloti~o lhal wnrk/lr's comp.l1l1Allon clo.~ 1101 ~')v'r IIlQ 0\1'"151., 1I/11llhlllr cOllt.llIlJ/l1 LhrollLl LII
Ill' ror pr,VIOIlAly IIKh\ h.l1uf\ls, U'lrlll101lllll1 hllvn vl'llnuIllhu II1AlJrKIICII polloY'1I IlIIpllu,jo'lVlllUllIlOr Knlll\
fllllh 111'\ ralr clunlllll, all<l. Ihornrllrll, OI)IIII1\II.lUol Ihll "011111I011 Inw Inri or bnol fKllh ror whlc:h 1l.1'.1I,11I1I1.
\.lllIllbl. for nti,IILlollnl,..:onl1l11lc 111111 olhor "0I11111111nntnry 1\lllllllllU III UCUIlIl Ill' Ihl1.. lIulhllrholl by ,\~
I'.S.C.A. l\...:l, ijll71,
WHlml~I'OIIt::, 1'1111111111', I'nlll I;;. 00"', d01ll1l1l111l ,:olllp'llJInll1ry, "OII.o'lunlllllll on,l 1"111111",
oInmKlI'" pillA 11I1.rMl, <001. 1111'\ nLlOl'l1oy'. rO/ls rrOIll tho Ll.rnnolnntl, HI.IIL.nlllllll IlInurllllrn CI). 1111,1
l'/11rlhw..LIII'1I NIlLI'lllIlllmlll.nll<u Or'"'p, 11I11111111l0'"11111 OJ':." .,r $~n,l)l)O.[ll) 1111,1111 "~I:O'"" ,.1' tho '"110'1/11.
r.qlllrn,j I'M <lllllp"lsl1ry nrbllrl1111111.
COl/I'I'!'IV
UNFAIR 'rllAm~ I'HACI'ICl'~; Mill CONl:llJM~~lll'lllYnXn'ltJN lAW
.0. l'ol'nwnl'hll llhr""uh H or" IlIcllrpllrnllld 110rulll nn,\mnd" rllror.l1eP. l\I!rlllO 1111 Lhnullh
rully III1L rorlh.
~11, l'or Lhu rP.Mon. ,,'L rorth IIbovo, IJlClllIUIIIl'h" rnJlllfn I.n PIlY llIo<llrnl bOlwlll.. wllh 1\111111111
nclllnllll\"wlo,llIn I.hnt warl,"r'. ':lIlIIl'ollnllllol1 1111.11 noL rovur th. upon'.II, IIn.\lho "onlln".llh'lllll' to
1111. ror pr.vlouuly plllcl b.n.nl., lJ.r/lllcl.nl, IIIIV. 1:'lIlunlllool unt'lllr IInol cI"".pllvu b".llIo,s pl'III.I.Ic.1I
prohlblL.cI by Lho P.nn.ylvonlll Unr,llr 'l'rlldo l'rncll<o. Ilnol Conoumor I'rollldlnl1 )..w, 7:11'.1:3. Hodlon
201.1 .1. S.,\" ror which ).lut'nnolllnlln IInllln fl" 1,,11,10 ,1.11)1\110., p"" oll.orn.y's roo.,
WlmllEFOlll':, 1'1/llnlll1', I'n,,1 g. n.ors, ""llInll.l. lr.blll ,IIlIUIIIl.II, 1'111. Int.r.'L, ~olll. '11111
1I11.ornoY'1I ro.. rrOIll tho Uor.I1c11l111., Btnlu.lIllln Innur'ulUO Co. nnol Northw..torn 1'11111011111 lnlllrnnco
Group, In An nmollul In oxe... or $nB,~H.on IIn,l III o.c.so or Lhll 1lI110llnl rO,\lIlrnol rllr cOlllpll)lIory
nrbllrlllhll1.
CO UN'!' vt
1)I~C;~~I1'
~7. I'tlllllTl1phll llhr'lullh ~ll cr. Ineorporlll.llol h.rllln 111101 Illlld. rcr.ronc. h.roto n. Ihough
fully tot forlh.
~8. O.follolllnl'. coII,lud COJIAIILULUlI IllIArupro.ol1tlll\oll. \'r1lucll1Jld 11r..:.ltlll LhllL IJur.ndnnL
Imowlng\y, willfully 1lJ1.l/or rodliou.ly r.rwsodun,\ rnlloollo ~l)lJlply wllh Lhn Lllnnn 111111 ~Ilncllllonll or IhO!
Dubjtl1lt \nAurnJlce poU~'Y, Induolblv, blltnoL IImll.oI 10 th" policy', hupll.d covel1nlll or goo.1 rnlLh nncl rolr
oIullng, tho IILI1I11I.11 or Iho COllllllonwun)lh or P''I1nllylvnllln. nncl the rel!'llntlonll or th. )n.llrllnOn
P.p"rtm.1I1 or tho CIlInmonwun)t.h or l'unnuylvnnlJl: 'Ir olhP.rw;"" violllto.1 II. i1,ludJlry, .:onlrnolllnl nn'\
.lllllllory dllllo. In clu,llJng wilh Plnim\lT.
~O. I'lnlnlllT, I'lIull';. 13.,,", Ju.tlllllbly roU.,1 'l(lon por.nclJlnl'u ,.",,,.untntloll. In Iho pnlky,
in M)t1t1 prl!tllmlntl11111J by tlUt Dt!(cnd,ull'" nut!l1l1S .\Illi/or In puhlk nd\'l1rtlalng thnl fill elllilntt would hit fnirl)'
lIJ10l promplly p,lIll, which ru",o,P.ntnllon. w.rn 1'.1.. whUII nwlu /lwl, lh.r.roro, tho IJ.runolllnt'. <"nolllel
connllllllen th. CmllJJlon lAW 101'l or Due"lt rllr whkh PhllntllT ..ok/l COlDpUI1Mlory ou,l ,oIlU.II"lllltinl
oInuU\g"n.
I ~ I'J~' 1111 '1I1 ~"
'D'I ."'1 IIl1l 7'1~.1
~1iIl'11I1l1'S'r1'II~ .~ \ I'
r.rJ 'II ~ 'II I II
I'lIul lllultu
I; ,5 .1I11-~tJ-69ti5
C lllil1l
1'11'1" l
"
J'IHOIHGlJ or .....C'l!
1. 'I'hlll ulaimant, li'aul B...~", alle'JIiIl thilt he dUlIt.ained a
worl<-rlilllt:ed llljul:'Y 'In ~'el:l~uIII:'Y 27, I~04 when he wall hlt. ill
th. head by a oo-w~rkll~, while in the oourd. And acope of
hilS l/l1lploymont. 411 A pAake~ Wlth t.hll deflllndant, ADM 1>I1111n9.
'I'h" 1I1tllrcut.ion batwllllll the two II111plllY"1I1S W41S thl! ~IIlSult of
a dillputl/ whi'1h Ilr'JlS19 over 11 11l1,1I111n'J cottee cup balon'J to
the co-worker, Ronald WllttlS,
2. On Juno 6, 1994, tllll doeondant ill6Ued a Noticl\I of Workara'
Compon~Lltion P<llli41 Oil tha \/rOUl1dll that the olai'"'~J1t.. did not.
lSuffo~ /1 work-rulatlld injury And t.hat the injury Willi not
within thl! '.:JOpll of hill employmllnt. (NoticlJ of Wo~kerll'
COl1lpanlllltiol1 Dellial - dutud Juno 6, 19941.
3, 'l!he claimant rellpondad by f.iUng a cluim petitioll in which
he alle'led t.hat thll altercation rllllult~d ill a condit.ion
dellcl:'ibed IIlI 1\ 111ft fl:'ontopal:'ietal lIubllcute subdural
h~lIl1atonlll, On April ;/0, 1994, Or. William Beutler performed
a craniotomy to relillvlI thll1 oOIl<lition.
4. In hill claim petitioll thl/ claimant hll11 demandlJd payment fol:'
10Bt w8geB tor full d.taabJ.lity from April 16, 1994 lip to Slid
inoludillg the prosent.
The defendant
and the matter
June 22, 1994-
.6. The claimant's averago weekly wage at the time of his injury
waB $642,01, rOBulting in a com~enfJation I:'atl/ of $426.00 pOl:'
week.
5.
filed a timoly anllwor to the claim petition
was allnigned to Judgl/ P~ian G. Eader on
7 .
At the initial hearing held
attorney ~equo8ted dnd was
claim petition to ~Ilclude
injul:'Y occurring after tho
9ur'ileI:'Y.
ill this matteI:', the claimant's
given pennillllion to llI1lend the
anothel:' alleged wOl:'k-~elated
altercation, but before the
6. Claimant's counsel explained t.hat tho additional allegat.ion
rellulted from a fall in a I:'ailroad care in which the
olaimant. Btruck his head. Claimant'a counsel alll/ged that
the hematoma rellultlld from one O~ both of tho incidents,
either lIeparately or in conjunction wit.h one another.
9. At. the initial hearing the claimant telltified that he has
worked for the deflJlldant since J4nuary, 1992. He stated
t.hat hill job illvolved packing flour into 100 pound sacks and
putting them on skids.
I ~ .lln . U'I 'II' ill
'0'1 """ II'H 7; .\.'
~1I1<'11I\\I"i II'II~ ~ \ I'
1,1) '/Ill '1111
, .
,
.
.'
,
,
l'auL UIlIIICII
13 ,13, IQ 2-~Q-li'J~~
C LAil1\
P a(1'1 4
lI'IHllIHG/I OF li'l\cr (O<lnt1nuuli I
10. Thu CLAimallt Dt/ltud that nppruximat~lY onl! wlluk hdtO~Q thu
41tlll~C/ltion ln lottl 'ltbrullry, L994, Ii co-workor by the nlllllU
of "onllie WattN n~au"ud him In t~ont at a La~qd q~oup ot
pllI'WLd ot Ntllatill\) hl.15 catt'''1 cup,
It. 'fhll cL/lII1\Ant ItAtU<l thAt a~ttlr this /lC':lll!llltlall he avoi-hld
Mr, WllttS find wllntlld nothln'.l tQ do with him.
12, 'fho claimllnt tut!tlfiad thAt on ~'I!bruary 27,1'194, ho left
work 4t IlIJproxil1l11taLy 3,30 P,III, 1111 l<ltt thl! prelllill<lt! '1r. th..
detlulIl/l.nt allll WAt! <.II: Lv in'.J o1111n'l a I:o/ld when Mr, Wattt! pu lldd
ill front of him and '.Jot out of hill vehicle all<.l approachud
the c L4imllnt.
l),
Tho claimllnt axplainud that Mr. Walta than grabbed
attemptod to pull him out of his truck. The tWo
"fought 1I llttl" bit" Illld thon "kind or. /lattled it."
hilll and
of t'.hem
14, The claimant testified thllt ho was struck by Mr. Wutttl on
the laft side of his faca on thu chock. The claimant aLuo
stated that hfl had II J:lllin in hill hend if. he shook his haad
quickly,
15. Tho claimant did lint uuok any medical attencioll as a rasult
of this altercation, liar did he lIIiss any work bocausa of it.
16. The c1aimallt alsQ tostified au to the other alleged
work-related injury whLch ho Iltated occurred on ^p~il 4,
1994. The claimant atated that he was in the process of
clll"ning out a railroad car that had been used for
transporting flour, ~e oxpLaillod that his job was to go
l.n.ide the rail car and scrape out the old flour off of the
walls. The claimant explained that the inside of the rail
cars did nat have lllddurs and, therefore, he had to lower
hiJaself into the car from aomo support beame. The claimant
sr.ated that ha alippod off of on'" of the bewna and fell to
the bottom of the car, a distance of about 15 to 20 feet.
l7. The claimant atated that as a reault of the full he scraped
up the whole Left side of his body and had a blg knot on hia
head. The claimant indicated that the lump on his head WIlS
dil:ect1y abOVe hia left ear.
18, The cLaimant did Ilot go to the hospital or seek any medicaL
attention inunediatllly after the injury.
19. On April LQ, 19'14 the claImant. went to IItlalCh Care 24
because he was suffering from blld huadllches alld dlzzinesll.
The claimant testified that the headaches had been going on
2
~
IEkamlnllt:ion
PAUt:. IE. JUEICRB
By Mr. OOU911Ul 3
JIllSijIBITS
Beers OQ~Osltlon WI.
Il:lchlblt umbers
1 Insuranoe form 17
2 Appl1ost1on for benefits 18
(
\
nUllS" M,'.IICAS R/:/'O/lTlN'; SHIV/CE
""nul'lltl7J7.1Ih.Il62.f t..,~ 71701f<U.M''' ".~ '.HOO.lll.lJ1J7
2
:)
4
1\
6
'/
0
9
10
11
12
( 13
14
15
16
1'/
16
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
t
J
/1'1' [l'IH.A'I' [ON
II; III haroby IIUPUllltlld by /llld blltwoun (l()lJl1/:1l'l
for tho rO/:lpOCUIIO parUa/:l thllt rOlldillll, lIi\lllill\l,
lIoallnq, cal.'tificaUoll Ill1d filin\l /lI'O hOl.'uby w/lllllldl
and all objocUoll1I Ill<Copt /11:1 to I;hll 101.'111 of tllll
quostion aro rOllllrllod to tllll til110 of trilll,
PAUL !, UBBHU, collod Oil n witno/:lll, boing duly
IIworn, to/:lUf.iod liS followSI
I,XAMINA'I'ION
I3Y MH. OOUGLASl
Q. Mr, 1300rs, hnllo you OliOI.' been deposod boforo?
A. YO/:l,
Q, Under what circumstancos?
A. r thinJ~ 11; WIlS about this head injury with a, [ thinl~,
workers' comp claim.
Q. Well, I /111\ going to refresh your recollection on how n
deposition goes. My name is Pale 00U91as, and I
reprosont tho insurance compllny. I am going to ask
you a series of quostions, and if at any time you
don't understand any of my questions or if anythill9 is
unclear to you at all, ask me to stop and rephrase it.
and I will be happy to do so. Okay?
A. Okay.
Q, It's also lIery important to knep all your answers oral
in natura because Cindy, the court reporter to your
_III /It;,, .\10/ I/CoI.; /II 1'011/1.'0,; SltIVl<"/:
"'"mhtlr,'l 7r7.nfl.l/II)I l,,,~ ;,/;'./lH.Mlli 1'\ ,./illll,JlI,'lI1;"
2
3
4
5
6
7
0
9
10
11
12 Q.
13 A.
1 4 Q.
1 5 A.
16
17
16
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
l
'J
ho Willi Ilccullin'l IIIU of doin'1, 1Il:lIlILin<} hill Ill:u/'f, WI!
hlld /I word blltUa, I 116id, I dlt1n' t t61\1) non II or' your
IItuff. It Willi ovar /I coffoa GUp, I ditln' t tllllO hill
coffea ClIP, I1l1d I didn't wllnt to hOllr hill CUIJllil1<} 1\11<1
IIwolHing lIt IOU,
So i IItllrtud putLiI1'1 lilY window up, IIl1d hI) l'llllchod
to put hiIJ hlll1,1 in tho window. Ily thu UlIle thl) window
got up, hI) <}rllbbud -- apaned by de")r up and IJtllrtl!d
qrobbing IIlU by ono 6 rill , I put lilY trucl\ j n pllrl\, Al1d
when ! pu t lilY one foot ou tIJ ide 0 f the truol\, he h J. t IOU
right in tho hUlld.
What WIIIJ hill nallle, Paul?
Ron Wattll, Ronald Watts.
W-u-t,-t-II'~
YOIi, allay. lie hit lIle in the haad. I pul: my truck in
park, and ! got oul: of the door, I plJshed him bacll.
He hit me again, I hIt him back, and I pUBhed him
against hiB car and threatened him I:hat I had a kllifo
in lilY pockel:, which! didn't,
But I:hon he calmed down, and we talked about it.
And he Baid, Well, thiB guy lIaid that you took my cup.
I said, Well, I never took your cup. Ho said, Well,
you guys like playinl} a lot of gamell at I:he job. I
said, I don't know what games you are talking about,
And he got in his car, and he left. I got in my
II/./I/S ,. ,If, I /I".IS I" I'O/lI/.\,; '//11/0
"""ult.,,~ ./;".)Ih""l}1 ',t" n;'-IIH hWi I'.' '..~"".)II.'II]~
:l
J
4
5
6
7
6
9
10
11
1 2
1 J
14
1 5
16
17
16
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
~
11
Q, Wh~re did you go?
fl.
Q,
fI,
Q.
fI,
Q,
1\,
Q.
1\,
Q.
fl.
Q.
1\,
Q,
1\.
Q,
A.
Q.
Wull, r hlld 1:0 call my dod. I wenl: over 1:0 CIlp1l:01
Cil:y Mall ond had 1:0 call my dod 1:0 bring me down d
new set of glllss06 becauso ho broke my one 601: of
glass06.
Ilow fill' WIIS it from whure you wore 1:0 I:he moll?
1\ couplo minul:oB,
lio your dad broughl: I:he glllsses from home and mol: YOll
al: I:ho 1M 11 ?
'ios.
Did you I:hon drive I:he I:ruck back home?
'i01l.
How ware YOll feeling of tor I:he fighl:'?
,Jusl: 11110 a normal fighl:. I had 11110 a bruise and
sl:uff, bul: jusl: like a normal fighl:.
Okay, Where wore you bruised?
In my hood and in my jaw.
Now, whal: parI: of your head?
On I:he lefl: sido, up around I:he temple, right behind
the temples. (Indicating)
1\nd what about your jaw?
I guess on the butt.
Right here?
'ies, Right here, (Indicating)
That's-- We're both pointing at our chins.
""./I/S t, .llfluCIS 11/./'O/IIlN'; S/:/IV/lT
II"m.,,,,'7( 71;-.lIn./lnJI )',,,,, 7';-.If"~.n4r}j '1.1 '.1I00.}I1'''.I17
~
:)
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
1 2
1 3
14
1 5
16
17
1 B
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
A. Yos,
Q.
A.
Q,
A.
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
Q,
A.
Q,
A,
Q.
A,
Wllro you blooding?
No,
Did you hovll a headaohe?
Yes,
Dld you havo a headaohe before the fight etarted?
No,
What ls the flrst time that you wont to eee a doctor
for your jaw or your tomple or your headaohe?
It was Aprll 19th.
And who did you go see?
I wont over to Itoly tlplrlt Hospltal.
Dld you go to the emergency room?
Yes.
And what took you to the omergency room ot Itoly
Splrit?
Well, for weel~s, probably for almost a month, I was
having headaches, whlch I was having -- I had
ollergles, I thought maybe my sinuses was getting
clogged up,
And I started waklng up In my eleep in the
morning about 6:00 o,m. My headachee would be eo bod
I would woke up in my eleep and have to go get aspirin
or Tylenol and take.
And Aprll 19th, I wae worklng down in the
'-II/.IIIS'" MoIIIC.IS /111'1111 ,.,"',; SI./IV/I.'/:
III",,,III".f ~':'.lItl,"tl1Il,"~ ~';"'."4H.4'/i I'.' ,.,ilJtJ.III."I1:"
1:.1
2
3
4
5
6
7
6
9
10
11
12
13 Q.
1 4 II.
15
16
17
16
19
20 Q.
21 II.
22
23
24
25
~
------
1:1
bn/:l 01111111 t In thu mill, I Willi d Imbllllj l,\lldurrl '!flll
CI.O/HIIII'! tltuft, tho 'jrO()VUII /Ind ':nlv!cO/:l out 01' flou,:.
I Willi gattlng rool dl;o:~y, IInd I Iwpt gottlng down 11I1d
try ;In,1 ,:loor my hood Iln,l climb bod\ up. IIl1d 1 c/llllld
my mOIll lo 11110 I r I ,:ould got on o[lllolntmol1t fo.: my
family ,Ioctor nbout thlll becllllllo I dldll' t III10W whllt
wall qolllq on. Thoy didn't have no opunil1Qtl ovollablo.
IInd 1 guoll6 hili l1urso said to go to tho Holy Spirit
1I0Sp1l1l1,
IInd then r mot my dad at his job. IInd we went
over, and he tool< my niece back up home with him. IInd
I waited there.
lit the Iloly Spirit?
'ies. r waited there at Holy Bpirit becnuse it wall
liko a threa hour wait, IInd I talkod to the doctor.
lit first ho thought it was a sinus infuction. '['hen he
wall osking me questions. IInd ho wall concerned about a
headoche waking you out of your sleep. lie said it
wasn't normal for a headache to do that.
How long had that been happening, again?
For a month, I mean, the sleep, I wasn't waldng out
of sloep for. a month, but I had hoadaches for a month.
Maybe the last couple weeks it started waking me out
of my sleep.
IInd hs said, Well, we're going to send you up for
'" II/S" .1f,/I/US /II 1'0101.'\'; S/ 111'(/
"'Hml'UI,'l :'1;".!I".lJh}l \,1'" :';'-HH.tl4IH ".\ H/ltl.ll1.'111:"
(
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
'0
11
1 2
13
14
'5
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
~
Q,
A.
Q.
A,
Q.
A.
Q.
1 4
a CA'I' tI':11I1 IInd we'll lutll: 1111ilHl tlLJrtl nol:hll1<) lt1 w!'<lI1<) ,
Well, 1 wllfll: up 1111<1 <)01: illY CA'" tiC/In, and L clime ll/lcI\
dlJwn. And thoro WlltI anothor dlJctor thllt 1:001\ OVO!' ",11'
hil11, 110 Illlid, WlllL, you havll bleedin\J of thl~ brlll.l1,
or a Bubdurlll hel11l1tomll, they GlIlled it, And they
called II tlpec1alitlt in to 1001\ at iI:, And I wanted to
drive home, but they dl.dn't let 11113 baclluBo it lIill't
Bafo driving home.
Wall thiB all on the Illlme day?
Yus. Thill Willi all 011 the tlame day. It wasn't Ilafe
driVing home, And I called my mom and dad, They C61110
bl!c1\ down, By thllt time, the tlpecLal1t1t got there,
And he went over the thing, al1d he said I had two
large blood clots on my left side of my brain and I
neaded al\ operation right away.
Well, then he lIaked me if I tool\ any medici.nc for
it. I tlaid, Yeti, Tylenol and atlpirin, And than they
couldn't operate right away bacautle I took aspirin.
And then I think it Wlltl the 20th or the 21t1t I had the
operation,
And that watl again at Holy Spirit?
Holy Spirit, yeti.
How long were you in Holy Spirit after the operation?
I know it watl Wednasday, and I got out Saturday.
You went in on a Wadnellday?
'" IU"", MdOl','.'" tU I'cJtln'\,(; SU'VIlI-:
".,'1/1"1",1( :-';'.J!lHlnJl )'!l1. :"r;".,ljH.h~l/j ",\ '.llfm.JJI.."n
(
;I
3
"
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
1 ;I
1:1
14
15
----
1!1
A, No, I WQnt In <Ill II MondllY, 'l'lll! llPQrl1l:1on Willi
WednUlldllY, ond I think I got out III1LurdIlY.
Q,
A.
Q,
A.
A.
Bo abou t II weul~ '?
About 0 week, yell,
What did they do to you In the operotion'?
They IIl1wed -- or thoy cut from thill Ilection the whole
way bock hero on my head and it flopped it open, my
IIkulll and flipped it open and romoved the blood clotll
and blood that wall on top of my helld. (Indicating)
MR. MULD~RIal Let the record reflect that he Willi
pointing to the left sido of his head halfway between
hill ear and hia forohead ond moved hia hand around to
the rear of his helld.
Yoa. It goo II from right here the whole way right in
baol~ of here, right up here. (Indical:1ng)
16 BY MR. DOUGLASt
17
18
19
;10
21
22
23
24
25
~
Q.
A.
Q.
A.
When you were at ADM, did you alao have an incident a
couple of weeks before that in a boxcar?
Yes,
What happened in that?
I used to have to climb in and clean train cars,
scrape the old flour out 110 they can fill them up and
ship them out. When I was getting in, my foot slipped
on the balance beamll, they're called, we ulled to call
them, and I went down. I fell the whole way to the
1/1 /lIS,.. .I,,.,UC.H Ilf/I'lIlrlNI; Sf/IV/lI'
"llnl.IIUI'.~ :-r;-.lIh.flfl11 \'Ilf~ n;>.1l4HHIH fl." ,./iOlI.hl.'1t2i
,..,...
~ A,
3 Q,
4
5 A,
(; Q.
7
6
9
10 A,
11
12
1 3 Q.
14
1 5 A,
16 Q.
17
16 A.
19 Q.
20
21 A,
22 Q.
23
24 A.
25
1 .,
wlth your anr ln~uronaQ company, I~ that corruct1
Ye~,
I om 90lng tll IIhow you.-.- \'lull, do you remembllr Wlll"l
you filed that?
No,
I IIIn golng to IIhow you what boforo we IItlirted thll!
depositioll Clndy marklld all Exhibit Numbur 1. And
this, I will tull you, is a form that your agent
filled out to sund on to the company,
Olwy,
(Oeer~ D~position Exhibit HI was marked for
ident1 flca tion)
And th~ date that this says that thoy filled it out
was May the 10th of 1994?
Okay.
Doos that refrosh your recollection as to when you may
have first roported this?
Yes, Probably around that time,
It was after you had had the surgery at Holy Spirit.
Is that correct?
Yes.
And that, again, was in mid-April, and you were
released in late April. Is that correct?
Yes. That was April 19th to -- I was released that
Saturday, or April 16th,
, 11111.0; {, Md.lIl'M'l un'oun"\'lj 0;1 UVh:t:
"11H1l'""~ :'I;".}Ih.",.n hl,l ;"17./'I41.hH.... l'.ll./illkJ.HI,llln
2 O.
J
" A,
5
6
7 0,
B A,
9
10 U,
1 1
1 2 A.
13 0,
11\ A.
15 0,
16 A.
17 0,
16
19 A.
20 Q.
21
22
23
2" A,
25
..-
:.!:.!
l:hllY cut lll"lll,
Your hair I~ kind of. long, bill If your hair w^~ nol
long, would you have a ~aar thQro?
Oh, YO~, You cnn /lOU thlll right 11l1W/ It/s thot lIttlll
dant rLght thurll whllnl my hnlrl1nll III qolng
bacl<, (1lldlcntlnlJI
And ho III pllInUnl1 al hl~ lof.t..-
YUIl. Whon I <Jilt 1\ haIrcut, I:hll hair ill not nltogother
grown dowlI on tho ono Ilido.
Whon is tho Inst Umo you 1l0W a dool:or for any of
I:hat, ['oul?
'94,
And thaI: was tho May visII: for your foliow-up?
No. 'I'hal: was tho Augusl: vlsit, I'll say,
Okay. Wns I:hal: agaill wil:h the same docl:or?
Yes, Dr, Ueutler.
Po you have an appoinl:ment with anyono 1:0 do anyl:hing
medical related 1:0 your Injury from your head?
No.
Other than the periodic hoadaches I:hal: you gel: and
some pain that you have around I:he scar and the
incision, do you have any other off.oct~ from tho head
injury?
No. I'm a lil:tle bit more I:ireder since I had the
injury, bul: I don't know If thal:'s because I am
-I II illS t. M""<'.~S UII'liIIIlN'; slllY/C/.
".",../1I11";'l ;"1:'.111l./IItJ1 _",l. :'/i.HH.4rx ,t.t ,.Jif)ll.ll1.YI17
~3
:l
3
4
IS
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
( 13
14
15
16
17
16
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
getting older, I don't I<now,
(Pl~ou9alon held off thu reoord)
MR, OOUOLMII I don'l: havQ anything further,
Bob, do you havQ anything?
MR. MU~PERIGI I havu no questions,
(The deposition conoluded al: :l110 p,m.)
n/.lUs" .I''',IICAS /It:l'Il/lTlNI; SUlVIC/.'
""",hllll~ ,.,.,.}1'''''"JI t.t,111i./fH,r.4'" I'A '."OO.H'.fUli
~, en r:;
~ '~
:lJ '5
-I . '6
~S~ '.J '
".~ ( ".
o ..!-.
Il~ '.l~~
W '.-..1 .~
:~; IN 7.\ ~
It\ 'bo
.' ,~~.
,-- r~
\j ,-
tJ'
!i
~
',. 0' 'r."
r l~ ~. '. ~
\', " ~") .,;
tll' ' .
,- ' '
I.';' ,,' .t
t" . '
(,.' t-
, . .')
t" >
, ,
l.\.' . \- ,r\\
< ~ ,1.-
I (;.1 ',.:t
l\ t- e>
U (J'
.". '''1 ',.
,',. - I"~
r' .
" . I"
If I' .- "'j .'
' .
( I, "
",I .", I.
' " ,
ll' " ,
lill I .
0 I JUj
l.. ~ '; t5
I .'
b [;; .
~ .. '.
I~ .'\/ :..
. ' c::; /..
I " I-) ,tv .'
,
). ,1.,
iI-I" '" ):1
)-i! Il'; "
,~ .j.:}
1:1: (\ , , 'J
/)'1" ,
',, f: " :"tli
eo:
~) ,.... d
0\
'.. '11 r:
L ~ '; - "
i " ,I,,.
!!.' ,
I.) '.,',1,
ii,': . I
'fJ, ,'I .,)
!') I "
,
I.. IIJI
L>. r I
t l",;.:j
It, ~~ iJ
l,l
4. Admllll.d 111 pMI. Ills ,ldll1ll1<.d Ihtllllll' ,f,'Il!lld.lIl1s did p/llvld(l IhlY1ll(l1l1
(or losl w.IKl!S .lIld llll!dk,IIl!~pllIlWh, By w.IY 01 (ulllll'r .lIlbWllf, II Is sp"d(k,llly dlmlud
Ih.1I11111SU p.IYlllullts lIslopplld 1111' d"("lld.lIlls 110111 1.11101 d','llyII1K 1111' e1.IIIlI, .1I1d (rom
(tllJlllurel.111l111l1l .1K.Illlbt III" pl.11111111 10 I.'cowr 1111' Il1olll"s plI'vlously Ihlld hy dl)(ulld.lIllb.
5, Adll1llll.d 111 P,II1. II Is ,ldll1ll1l'd Ih.llol1 or .lillllll Novl!Il1IJt1r n, 1')% 11ll!
pl.IIIlII(( (lIud ,I COll1pl.,IIlI .IK.llml IllI' ,h.ft'l1d,lIl1s, By w.IY o( (urllll'r .IIlbW(lr, Ills
spudHc,llly dl'lllud th.11 11ll! .llk'Kud II1iufl1'5 I'Jlllpl.III1I'd o( 111 pl"II1II(('5 (0l11pl.111l1 Wl!tu
SllblillllUd .IS ,I rusull o( OIJtlh'lll1K hh 1I101t)/' whirl,/, ,lI1d 111011 d,.I"IllI.lIlls W"fl! "slopp,'d
(rolll sulJsI!qul!lllly <ll!l1yIIlK p.IYIlll'111 10 till! pl,11111111 lor 111I'b'! ,IIII/Kl'd Illjurll!s.
6, DUl1ll'd. Till' ,IWtlI1I'I1IS cOI1I,IIIII!d 111 potr"W,'ph sl~ o( pl.llllIl(('s Molloll (or
SUlIllllolry Judllllll,!llI .1f'l! spl/eI(le,lily <ll'llll'd ,15 dusnllJl'd,
7, Till) .1Vl!tIlIlHlIs cOIlI,lllll'd 111 p,lr.lgr,lph Sl!WIl O( pl,lll1lll1's Motloll (or
SUllll11i1fY Judglllenl .Jtl' (Ol1cluslom 01 1,Iw 10 wlllch 110 ruspollSl' Is fl''lulred, To Ihe
e~Il!llt Ihill a rl'sponse 1l1olY hI' dl!l'l11l!d 10 hu /'I'qulrutl, Ihl' .IVI'IIl1l'nts COIlI,llnl!d In
poll,Igr.lph SI'WIl o( pl.llllllll's Mollol1 (or SUll1l11olry Judgl11unl Me denlud, pl.Ked illlsSUIl,
illld strict proo( Ihereo( Is del11,lIlded ,lllhe 11I11e 01 Irl,ll.
II, Denied, Ills spucllll'ollly denll'd Ih,lIll1l' d(l({'lld,lIl1s wl'Ie unjustllled In
denying pl.,IIlII(( IIrsl p,ltlY 1)(I1ll!lIls, ,lI1d Ih,11 11ll! d"lulld.lI1ls h,IVP ,lClt/d In h.ld (.lllh. By
WolY o( (urlher ill15Wef, 11111 tIU(I'IHI.lIlts h,lVl! ,II ,III 1III1l'S ,lCIl'd 111 good (allh.
9, Denied. Ills spedllc,lIIy denll'd 111011 pl,llIlIll( rl'lied on Ihe de(end,lIl1's
polYl11ent o( losl waKes ,lIld l11udlc,lll'~pUI1SI'S. By w,'y 1)( (urlher .1I1swer, 11ll! de(endanls
were not l)slopped (1'0111 1,III!r dl!llylllg p,lYl11ell1 o( lost W,lgl!S .11111 l11edlc.11 expel15es
despite Ihelr previous P,lYI11UIlIs.
.~
"
,'t
.'
..'
,
, .
\, ,
<...
" r ,
'- ,r- .
PAUL E, BEERS.
PLAINTIFF
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNBYLVANIA
v,
STATESMAN INSURANCE COMPANY
and NORTHWESTERN NATIONAL
INBURANCE GROUP,
DEFENDANTS 06-6434 CIVIL TERM
IN Aft CROSS MOTlONB.fPR 6U~1NI
DEf...QB.E..IIA YLEY. J~ILQW.~
QflliIWMlO OROE/l.9F COURT
BAYLEY, J" December :Z:Z, 1997:--
Plalntllf, Paul E, Beers, flied B complaint against defendants, Statelllmo"
Insuranoe Company and Northwestern National Insurance Group. Plaintiff alleges that
he was Injured while operating his motor vehicle on February 27, 1994, His counts
for relief are baled on his avel'mentthat he Is entitled to (Irst party bene(lts whloh
have been denied by defendants who are his automobile Insurance carriers. Plaintiff
gave a deposition. His testimony, summarized In his brief In a light most favorable to
him, was as follows:
On [February 27. 1994. plaintiff] was driving his truck In an altemptto
leave the parking lot of COM, where he was employed at the time, when
another vehicle driven by a co-worker named Paul Walts suddenly
pulled out from behind some bushes and blocl<ed [plalntlff'sl path,
[Plaintiff] managed to avoid a collision by slamming on his brakes,
Walts got out of his car and came over to [plaintiff's) vehicle,
[Plaintiff] remained seated In his vehicle expecting this anticipated
conversation to be a brief Interruption of his journey home. [PlaIntiff]
rolled down his window to see why Walts had cut him off and what he
had to say. Walts become belligerent and began accusing [plaintiff] of
96.f1434 CIVIL TERM
stealing his coffee cup, [Plaintiff] denied the accusallon and began to
roll up hla window ready to leave the scene and continue on his way.
Watts then forced opon [plaintiff's) door and grabbed him by the arm.
Watts strucl< [plalnllff) In the hend as ho attempted to get out of the
truck, Allor (plalnllft) was oul o( the truck. E\ brief scuffle ensued In
which [plalnlllf] received addltlonallnjurlos, Watts stopped hitting
[plalntlffl and (plalnliff) told Watts he had a knife, which he actually did
not have, Walts and (plalnllffjthen each left the scene,
Plalnll(f has flied a motion for summary Judgment on liability, Defendants have
flied a mollon (or summary judgment, In Duejll V, Dennll, 540 Pa. 103 (1995), the
Supreme Court set forth that a summary judgment may be granted where:
The pleadings. deposlllons, answers to Interrogatories, and admissions
on file, together with the affidavits. If any, show that there Is no genuine
Issue of material fact and that the moving party Is enlllled to judgmont
as a matter of law, . .
The Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law provides at 75
Pa,C.S, Secllon 1712, under the tllle of Availability of benefits:
An Insurer Issuing or delivering liability Insurance policies covering any
motor vehicle of the type required to be registered under this tille,
eKcept recreational ~ehlcles not Intended for highway use, motorcycles,
motor-driven cycles or motorized pedelcycles or like type vel11c1es,
registered and operated In th/s Commonwealth, Ihlll mIke 8velllble
for purehBle flret Plrty benefltl with relpeet to Injury Irlllng out of
the mllntenlllce or ula of I motor vehicle, " (Emphasis added.)
The Issue brle(ed by both parties on the cross mollons for summary Judgment
Is whether, as a matter o( law, the Injuries plalnli'f Incurred during the Incident on
February 27. 1994. aroso out of the maintenance or use of a motor vehicle, There
was never a collision between the vohlcle operated by plalnllff and tho vehicle
rJperated by Watts, In Cummlngl v, Stlte FIrm Mutual Automobile Inlurane. Co.,
-2-
96.6<<34 CIVIL TERM
40B Pa, Super, GBl (1991). Ihe f8Cls set forlh by the Superior Gourt were:
On September 26, 1090, while opamllng his vohlcle which was Insured
by appellee, appellant bndled his cm Into 8n unoccupied, parked
vehicle, After tile Impact, appelllll1t exited his vlllllclllln order to
ascertain what, If any, damagohad occurred and 10 locate tho owner 01
the vllhlcle. Immodlately lIftor slopping out 01 his ClIr, appellant was
attacked and bOllhlll by 1110 ownor ot 1110 purllod CHI', Appellantlldmlts
his Injuries wero caused by tlllJ llttack nnd nllt by the Irnpact or hili
vehlclo with tho pmlled cur, Bused onlhoso lacts, tho lower court
granted appellee's mollon, staling, 'Tile Ponnsylvnnla Appellate Courts
have rejected Pllllnlllt's argument tll'ill motor Volllcle In5ufrll1co coverage
reaches Injuries Intenllonally Inlllctud by tlllrd porsons lIti a reoult 01 the
manner 1/1 which a vehlcln was opemted, 800 Erlo Insuranoe Group v,
EI.enhurth, IEIsenlluthl1305 PII.SUper, 5"11 451 A,2d 1024
(Pa,Super, 19B2) , Soe 0110 Day v, State Farm, 1261 Pn,Super. 216) 396
A,2d 3 (Pa,Super,197B),'
The Superior Court slaled:
Presently, we lite guided by the language at Huber v. Erie I"..
Exohange, 402 Pa,Super, 443, 446,""", 5B7 A.2d 333, 334.335 (HI91),'
wherein we slated:
I
,
I
,]
I
1
It 15 beyond cavil thai 111'51 party benellts are not paid
simply because an Injury OCCllrs In or around a molar vehicle.
We musl keep In mind thai tile MVRFL, like Ihe No.faull Acl
belore II, Is nol a gen!ll'OllIablllly Insurance Inlendcad 10 cover all
Inlurles, no malter 110w remQlely connecled with the use or
malt1tenance at a maioI' vehicle, but Is Intended 10 cover molor
vehicle accldenls, Camacho v, Nallonwlde Ins, Co" 314
Pa,Super, 21, 460 A.2d 363 (19B3), all'd 604 Pa, 361, 473 A.2d
1017 (19B4), Automobile Insul'Rnce Is designed 10 compensate
1 In Huber, supra, we ruled Ihal an Insured was not enlllled 10 flrsl-
party beneflls under his aulomoblle policy lor inlurles he sustained when
he was loading malerlals Into his vehicle, absenl a showing 01 n causal
connecllon belween Inlurles and Ihe vehicle, I.e" loading was not a
transacllon eSllenllallo Ihe 'malnlenance or use of Ihe vehicle.'
-3-
96.6"34 CiViL TERM
(or vehlcle.caused Injuries, Smith y, United Servlcel
Automobile Anoolltlon. 392 Pa,Super, 246, 572 A,2d 765
(1900), Thoro must bo 501110 cuusnl connocllon betwllen the
motor vehicle und tho Injury balo/lf Ihe molar vehicle Insurer Is
required to PAY first pnrty benoflls, ROloh y, Port Authorltv 01
Alleghenv Co" 300 P[I,Supor, 20, GGO A.2d 13Ml (1966), In
ROIOh, for o~alllph3, Ihl9 plnlnllff WllG riding on a blJS und was
Injured 05 tho IOsull 01 n fight belwoon Iwo othor passengers,
Since thero wus no cnusHlllnl< betwoen the InjulY and tho use of
a 1110tor vel'llcle, 11115 court uphold Ihe trlol COUI1's dismissal o(
plaintiff's complaint. Similarly, In Alyorlno v, Allellte Inl, Co"
370 Pa,Supor 663, 637 A,2d to (1908), tho I[lcl< of n causal
connocllon procludod rocov6lY whore B child was blllon by a dog
while riding In a motor vehicle, S.. OliO, Smith v, Unll.d
Servloes Automobile Anoolltlon, lupro (whero a pa5sengor on
haywagon threw hay at plnlnlll1 couslng 111m to collide with 11 treo,
IIrst party benefits nrJlavolluble); MoKelvey y, Prudenllll
Property & Cnl, Inl, Co" 302 Pa,Super, 2t6, 672 A,2d 760
(19t10) (Insured who injured his shoulder wilen he olanced off
door frame willie rushing 10 his children utter house was strucl< by
automobile nol covered undt'11' MVRFL),
See allo Clmaoho v, Nallonwlde Ins, Co" 314 Pa,Super, 21,
480 A.2d 363 (1983), IIII'd, 504 Po, 361, 473 A,2d 1017 (Hl6") (Injuries
sustained by driver 51111no In car from e~plodlng botlle thrown Into car
did not arise out of U50 01 motor vehicle); Erie Inl, Ellohlnge y,
EI.enhulh, 305 Pa,Super, 5'11,451 A.2d 1024 (1962) (Injuries sustained
by passenger silting in car when shot by policeman during his pursuit 01
driver did not Gl'lse out 01 use of automobile),
The Superior Court held In Cummings:
Applying tile aforemenlloned standards to the case at bar, It Is
readily apparent that appellant's InjurleG did not arise out 01 the
'malntenallce 01 use' 01 his motor vehicle and, therelore, are not covered
by his Insurance policy,
As In Cummings, we conclude In the case ~ ~, that there Is no causal
link between plaintiff's Injuries and the use 01 a motor vehicle that would make
darendants liable (or (Irst party bene(lts, We reject plaintiff's argument that
.4.