HomeMy WebLinkAbout00-00794
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DORIS PATTERSON,
Plaintiff
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYL VANIA
vs,
: NO, ~ - 7tJtj CIVIL TERM
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Defendant
: CIVIL ACTION
: JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
NOTICE TO DEFEND
You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against the claims set forth in the following
pages, you must take action within twenty (20) days after this complaint and notice are served, by
entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and filing in writing with the court your defenses
or objections to the claims set forth against you. You are warned that if you fail to do so the case may
proceed without you and a judgment may be entered against you by the court without further notice for
any money claimed in the complaint or for any other claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. You may
lose money or property or other rights important to you.
YOU SHOULD TAKE TillS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT
HA VB A LAWYER OR CANNOT ,AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET
FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
Two Liberty Avenue
Carlisle, P A 17013
(717) 249-3166
Dated:
HENRYF. CO ,ESQ
COYNE & COYNE, P.C.
390 I Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4227
(717) 737-0464
Pa. S. Ct. No. 06250
Attorneys for Plaintiff
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DORIS PATTERSON,
Plaintiff
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYL VANIA
vs.
: NO.
CIVIL TERM
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Defendant
: CIVIL ACTION
: JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
COMPLAINT
AND NOW COMES the Plaintiff, Doris Patterson, by and through her attomeys, Coyne &
Coyne, P.C., and avers the following in support ofthe within Complaint.
I. Plaintiff, Doris Patterson, a widow and an adult individual residing at 2004 Highlands
Circle, Camp Hill, Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17011.
2. Defendant, Rite Aid, is a Corporation that conducts business within the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania with corporate offices located at 30 Hunter Lane, East Pennsboro Township (Camp
Hill), Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 170 II.
3. On Tuesday, March 24, 1998, and at all times relevant to this Complaint, Defendant
owned, controlled and operated a retail store and pharmacy in the Windsor Park Shopping Center,
Simpson Ferry Road, Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. The said store is known as
Store No. 3613.
4. At all relevant times hereto, Defendant was in the exclusive custody, possession and
control of the said premises, and it was Defendant's duty to keep and maintain the premises in a
reasonably safe condition for those persons lawfully thereon.
5. On the said date of March 24, 1998, Plaintiff was an invitee at the aforesaid premises.
6. On the said date of March 24,1998, on or about 12:00 o'clock p.m., Plaintiff was in the
process of walking in Defendant's store and tripped over a carpet that was substantially elevated above
the surface of the floor and lacked tapered ends, she lost her balance, slipped and fell suffering severe
and serious injuries, that are hereinafter more fully set forth.
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7. The negligence of the Defendant consisted, inter alia, of the following:
a. Failure to insure the carpet was not substantially elevated over the surface of the
floor or was at the same height of the floor and was laid flat on the floor.
b. Failure to take necessary precautions to prevent falls from occurring;
c. Failure to warn Plaintiff as to the existence of defective conditions of which
Defendant knew or should have known existed.
d. Being otherwise negligent and careless under the circumstances.
e. Failure to use reasonable care in the maintenance and use of the property.
f. Failure to protect invitees from foreseeable harm.
g. Failure to inspect the premises and to discover dangerous conditions.
h. Failure to exercise reasonable care which would discover the defective condition
and realize it involves unreasonable risk of harm to invitees.
1. Should expect its invitees would not discover or realize the damage and would
fail to protect themselves from the unreasonable risk of harm.
j. Failure to exercise reasonable care to protect the invitees from the danger.
k. Failure to use care not to injure an invitee by negligent acts.
8. By reason of the fall, Plaintiff sustained severe injuries to the left side of her body, in the
nature of a fractured left hip resulting in severe discomfort and immobility of her left leg; pain in her left
hip and pelvis; severe shock and trauma to her body; by reason of which she was rendered sick, sore,
lame, prostrate, and disoriented, and was made to undergo great mental anguish and physical pain from
which she suffered and still suffers and will continue to suffer for an indefinite time in the future.
9. In order to effect a cure of the aforesaid injuries, Plaintiff has been compelled to
substantial amount of money for medicine and medical attention, and she will be required to expend
additional sums of money for the same purpose in the future.
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WHEREFORE, Plaintiff claims damages from Defendant in an amount in excess of Twenty-
five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), plus interest and docket costs.
Dated:~ r....t.. Q El
HENRYF.CO ,ESQUIRE
COYNE & COYNE, P.C.
390 I Market Street
CampHiII,PA 17011-4227
(717) 737-0464
Pa. S. Ct. No. 06250
Attorneys for Plaintiff
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VERIFICATION
The facts set forth in the foregoing are true and correct to the best of the unilPrlligned's
knowledge, information and belief and are verified subject to the penalties for unsworn
falsification to authorities under 18 Pa. C.S.A. ~4904.
Dated:
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SHERIFF'S RETURN - REGULAR
CASE NO: 2000-00794 P
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
PATTERSON DORIS
VS
RITE AID CORPORATION
ROBERT L. FINK
, Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff of
Cumberland County, Pensyl vania , who being duly sworn according to law,
says, the within COMPLAINT & NOTICE
was served upon
RITE AID CORPORATION
the
DEFENDANT
, at 0012:15 HOURS, on the 14th day of February, 2000
at 30 HUNTER LANE
CAMP HILL, PA 17011
by handing to
SALLY DANKO (LEGAL SECT.)
a true and attested copy of COMPLAINT & NOTICE
together with
and at the same time directing Her attention to the contents thereof.
Sheriff's Costs:
Docketing
Service
Affidavit
Surcharge
18.00
9.30
.00
10.00
.00
37.30
sO;:;;;:'__~~t
R. Thomas Kline
Sworn and Subscribed to before
me this ;;lot ~ day of
~...J......... ,2,&tri) A.D.
q'1~QA"'OOo'./I~
Prothonotary
02/15/2000
COYNE & COYNE ~
BY:~~~
epu Sheriff
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F:\FILES\DA T AFILE\Lmdoc,cur\30 I-pra 1
Created: 02/28/00 10:47:01 AM
Revised: 02/28/00 11:14:38AM
3060.301
DORIS PATTERSON,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v.
NO. 2000-794-CNIL TERM
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION
JURY TRIAL OF TWELVE DEMANDED
PRAECIPE
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
Enter the appearance of MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO on behalf of
Defendant, Rite Aid Corporation, in the above matter. Defendant hereby demands a twelve juror
jury trial in the above captioned action.
MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
By
eorge B. Faller, Jr.
I.D. No. 49813
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, P A 17013
(717) 243-3341
Attorneys for Defendant
Dated: February 28, 2000
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Christina L. Steele, an authorized agent for Martson Deardorff Williams & Otto, hereby
certify that a copy of the foregoing Praecipe was served this date by depositing same in the Post
Office at Carlisle, P A, first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
Henry F, Coyne, Esquire
COYNE & COYNE, P.C.
3901 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4227
MARTS ON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
ByO/l.i/)~~O
Christina L. Steele
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, P A 17013
(717) 243-3341
Dated: February 28, 2000
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iN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PATTERSON
Vs.
NO. 2000 794
RITE AID CORP
CERTIFICATE
PREREQUISITE TO SERVICE OF A SUBPOENA
PURSUANT TO RULE 4009.22
As a prerequisite to service of a subpoena(s) for documents and things
pursuant to Rule 4009.22 GEORGE B FALLER, ESQUIRE certifies that:
1. A Notice of Intent to Serve the Subpoena(s) with a copy of
the subpoena(s) attached thereto was mailed or delivered to
each party at least twenty days prior to the date on which
the subpoena(s) is sought to be served,
2. A copy of the Notice of Intent, including the proposed
subpoena(s) is attached to this certificate,
3. No objection to the subpoena(s) has been received, and
4. The subpoena(s) which will be served is identical to
the subpoena(s) which is attached to the Notice of Intent
to Serve the Subpoena(s).
Date:
11/1/00
GEORGE B FALLER, ESQUIRE
MARSTON DEARDOFF WILLIAMS
TEN EAST HIGH STREET
CARLISLE, PA 17013
717-243-3341
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
INQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
MEDICAL LEGAL REPRODUCTIONS, INC.
4940 DISSTON STREET
PHILADELPHIA PA 19135
(215) 335-4907
By: Jacqueline Mumper
File #: M268067
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PATTERSON
Vs.
RITE AID CORP
No. 2000 794
TO: HENRY COYNE, ESQ
NOTICE OF INTENT TO SERVE A SUBPOENA TO PRODUCE
DOCUMENTS AND THINGS FOR DISCOVERY PURSUANT TO RULE 4009.21
DEFENDANT intends to serve a subpoena(s) identical to
the one(s) attached to this notice. You have twenty (20) days
from the date listed below in which to file of record and serve upon
the undersigned an objection to the subpoena. If no objection is
made the subpoena may be served.
Date: 10/10/00
GEORGE B FALLER, ESQUIRE
MARSTON DEARDOFF WILLIAMS
TEN EAST HIGH STREET
CARLISLE, PA 17013.
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
INQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
MEDICAL LEGAL REPRODUCTIONS, INC.
4940 DISSTON STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19135
(215) 335-4907
By: Jacqueline Mumper
Enc(s): Copy of subpoena(s)
Counsel return card
File #: M268067
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PATTERSON
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Fi le' No.
2000 794
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RITE AID CORP
MEDICAL BILLING REQUESTED
SUBPOENA TO ,pRODlX::E DOC:lt'ENTS OR THI NGS
FOR OISOOVERY PURSUANT TO RULE 4009.22
,,' '. 99 NOVEMBER DR, CAMP HILL PA 17011
DR THOMAS MALIN,
TO:
(Nane of Person or Entity)
Within twenty (20) days after service of'this subpoena, you are ordered by the court to
produce th~ fol,l~il'l9 ~t~IEthA'ftACHED AD.J>E~J)U1\1.
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MEDl:CAL LEGAL REPRODUCTIONS, U:~~~1D lJuil:i'lOS !IT., UI1.A., PA
You may . deliver Or mail legible copies of the docI.rnents or produce things'request~ b)
this subpoena,together with the certificate of 'Cc:f'ii>1iance. to the partymakingthh
request. at.theeddress listed above. You have the r'ight to seek in advance the rea'3Ol"lab Ie
CC1s~?f preparing the copies or producing the things sought.
1 f you fai 1 to produce the docunents or things required by this subpoena within twenty
(20) days after its serv~ce, l;heparty ,serving .thi:; s~a may seek a court orde;'
CCJ1l)elling you to carply withi,;.', '.' .:'. "', "
THIS,SU8POEtlIA WAS ,ISSUED AT THE REQlEST a: 11-E FOlLOII'ING PERSON:
KME; GEORGE B FALLER, ESQ
ADDRESS :
fffiRST..oN )')w,1I1m(WF WILJ"IAMS
/::AKLJ.I:H".l!i', 'l"A 11013
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215-335~3212
DEFENDANT
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ADDENDUM TO SUBPOENA
PATTERSON
VS.
No. 2000 794
RITE AID CORP
CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS FOR: DR mOMAS MALIN
ANY AND ALL OFFICE RECORDS, INCLUDING NOTES, CORRESPONDENCE,
MEMORANDA, X-RAY REPORTS, HISTORY NOTES, INDEX CARDS~ ANY OTHER
INFORMATION RELATING TO ANY EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT RENDERED TO:
NAME: DORIS V PATTERSON
ADDRESS: 2004 HIGHLANDS CIR CAMP HILL PA
DATE OF BIRTH: 06/01/20
SSAN: 182228145
MEDICAL BILLING REQUESTED
CERTIFIED PHOTOCOpmS OF THE RECORDS WILL BE
ACCEPTED IN LmU OF YOUR PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
County of: CUMBERLAND
MLR File #: M268067-01
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COONl'Y OF CllMBEmAND
PATTERSON
VS.
Fi Ie No.
2000 794
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RITE AID CORP
:
MEDICAL BILLING REQUESTED
SUBPOENA TO Pfl<XlOOE DOCl.H!NTS OR 1l-I1 NaS
FOR 01 SOOVERY ~SUANT TO RULE 4009. 22
"DR JEROME KORINCHAK, 503 BRIDGE ST, NEW CUMBERLAND PA 17070
TO:" .\-.
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(Name of Person or Entity)
Within twenty (20) days after service of this subpoena, you are ordered by the court to
, produce ,the fo IIOWingdocunent~~ ~ftACIIED ADI>ENDUl\f
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RBPRODUCTI, ONS I INC"jd,."n4U lJ.I./:iSTOR BY. I .HlLA., PA
MEDICAL :LBGAL (Ae . ass)
You 'may deliver or mail legible copies of the ~ts or produce things requ~stecl b)
this> ,s,ubpl)el')/!., together with, the certificate of' 'ci:rr4:lliance, ,tothe-partymakin9thi~
reques't at'the address listed above. You have the right to seek in advance the reao;onabl€
''COst 9f preparing the eopies or producing the t.hings sought.
If you fai I to produee the docunents or things required by this subpoena within t.....enty
(20)1'days after its serv}.ce...the.partYservi,ng",1;hi:;. ~a may seek a court orde'-
OCIllle;lhll9 you to cc:nply witli'it.'> ", :,' '.:>:,"L' \.">
THIS'Sl.lBPoE~ WAS ISSUED AT THE RE~ST OF THE FOLLONING PERSON:
~: ' GEORGE B FALLER, ESQ
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ADDENDUM TO SUBPOENA
PATTERSON
VS.
No. 2000 794
RITE AID CORP
CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS FOR: DR JEROME KORINCHAK
ANY AND ALL OFFICE RECORDS, INCLUDING NOTES, CORRESPONDENCE,
MEMORANDA, X-RAY REPORTS, HISTORY NOTES, INDEX CARDS AND ANY OTHER
INFORMATION RELATING TO ANY EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT RENDERED TO:
NAME: DORIS V PATTERSON
ADDRESS: 2004 HIGHLANDS CIR CAMP HILL PA
DATE OF BIRTH: 06/01/20
SSAN: 182228145
MEDICAL BILLING REQUESTED
CERT11<'lliD PHOTOCOPffiS OF THE RECORDS WILL BE
ACCEPTED IN LffiU OF YOUR PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
County of: CUMBERLAND
MLR File #: M268067-02
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Fi Ie No.
2000 794
RITE AID CORP
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, MED:ICAL B:ILL:ING REQUESTED
SUBPOENA TO PROOOCE DOC1J<ENTS ~ TH I NGS
F~ DISCOVERY PlRSUANT TO RlA.E 4009.22
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,; HOLY,. SPIRIT HOSP, 503 N 21ST ST, CAMP HILL PA 17011
TO: ' ZI'l'TN: MEDICAL RECORDS DEPT
(Name of Person or Entity)
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Within twenty (20) days after service of this subpoena, you are ordered by the court to
produce the following docunent"slJth1"rfACIIED ADDENDUM
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REPRODOCTIONS, ~N&r.~.U uiSSTOR ST., PEILA., PI
MEDIC~LEGAL (A ess)
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You may deliver or mail legible copies of the dpcunents or produce things requestEid b\
this .s~~a,tQgether ~ith the certificate of (;ai'pliance, to the party makingthi.
request at the address listed above. You have the right to seek in advance the reao;onab I€
cost bfpreparing the copies or producing the 1;hings sought.
If you fail to produce the docunents or things required by this subpoena within t~enty
(20)idays after its serv~ce' the party serving thi:;, subpQena may seek a court orde'-
c;q11)el1ing you to c:arply with it. . , '
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THIS'StiBPoENA WAS ISSUED AT THE REQUEST OF THE FOLLONING PERSON: '
NAl'E: GEORGE B FALLER, ESQ
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M~S'l'nN nF~6FFWILLIAMS
U\KLISLE, FA 17013
215-335-3212,
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ATTORNEY FOR,:
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ADDENDUM TO SUBPOENA
PATTERSON
Vs.
No. 2000 794
RITE AID CORP
CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS FOR: HOLY SPIRIT HOSP
SPECIFICALLY LIMITED TO THE ADMISSION SUMMARY, DISCHARGE SUMMARY
AND RECORDS OF THE BILLINGS AND PAYMENTS RECEIVED.
PERTAINING TO:
NAME: DORIS V PATTERSON
ADDRESS: 2004 HIGHLANDS CIR CAMP HILL PA
DATE OF BIRTH: 06/01/20
SSAN: 182228145
MEDICAL BILLING REQUESTED
CERT1J.<'lliD PHOTOCOPIES OF THE RECORDS WILL BE
ACCEPTED IN LIEU OF YOUR PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
ALL FEES MUST BE APPROVED PRIOR
TO RECORDS BEING FORWARDED.
County of: CUMBERLAND
MLR File #: M268067-03
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DORIS PATTERSON,
Plaintiff
vs.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
00-794 CIVIL
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Defendant
IN RE: DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO COMPEL
ORDER
AND NOW, this
z.. ".f' day of February, 2001, a brief argument on the within
motion to compel is set for Thursday, March 1,2001, at 2:30 p.m. in Courtroom Number 4,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
BY THE COURT,
Henry Coyne, Esquire
For the Plaintiff
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George Faller, Jr., Esquire
For the Defendant
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DORIS PATTERSON,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v,
NO. 2000-794-CNIL TERM
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION
JURY TRIAL OF TWELVE DEMANDED
RULE TO SHOW CAUSE
AND NOW, this day of February, 2001, a rule is issued upon the Plaintiffto show
cause why Holy Spirit Hospital and Dr. Jerome Korinchak, M.D. should not be directed to provide
full and complete copies of Plaintiffs medical records.
BY THE COURT,
J.
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Cieated: Pl/24fOl02:33:18PM
R~vised: 01126101 03:39:24 PM
3060.301
DORIS PATTERSON,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYL VANIA
v.
NO. 2000-794-CIVIL TERM
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION
JURY TRIAL OF TWELVE DEMANDED
MOTION TO COMPEL PRODUCTION OF MEDICAL RECORDS
I. Plaintiff s Complaint alleges that she was injured as a result of tripping and falling
in a Rite Aid store on August 12, 1998.
2. Plaintiff s Complaint alleges that she has sustained serious and permanent injuries.
3. Representatives of the Defendant's took a statement of an eye witness who said that
there was nothing on the floor in the area where Plaintiff fell to the ground. A copy ofthat statement
is hereby attached as Exhibit "A",
4. Defendant attempted to subpoena medical records from Plaintiff s family doctor and
Holy Spirit Hospital but were advised that they would need an authorization signed by the Plaintiff
in order to obtain those records.
5. Plaintiff returned a signed authorization to counsel for the Defendant but had altered
the authorization to allow only those records related to the treatment of injuries sustained in this
accident.
6. Defendants believe that they are entitled to all of the Plaintiffs medical records from
the family physician and Holy Spirit Hospital given the circumstances surrounding Plaintiffs fall and
the allegation regarding her injuries.
7. Defendant's counsel had written to Plaintiffs counsel to determine if Plaintiff was
willing to reconsider and allow production of all the records,
8, Defense counsel was advised by Plaintiff s counsel that his client had requested him
to force the Defendants to file a Motion to Compel and Plaintiff s, therefore, do not concur in this
Motion.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Rite Aid Corporation, Inc. requests that this court issue a rule to
show cause upon the Plaintiff to indicate why Plaintiff s medical provider should not be directed to
supply the Defendants with a complete set of her medical records.
MARTS ON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
By
George Ie , Jr., Esquire
I.D. Number 49813
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013-3093
(717) 243-3341
Attorneys for Defendant
Rite Aid Corporation
Date: January 26,2001
-
VERIFICATION
George B. Faller, Jr., of the firm of MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO,
attorneys for Rite Aid in the within action, certifies that the statements made in the foregoing Motion
to Compel Production of Medical Records are true and correct to the best of his knowledge,
information and belief. He understands that false statements herein are rnade subject to the penalties
of 18 Pa. C.S. Section 4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Melinda A. Hall, an authorized agent for Martson Deardorff Williams & Otto, hereby
certify that a copy of the foregoing Motion to Compel Production of Medical Records was served
this date by depositing same in the Post Office at Carlisle, P A, first class mail, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
Henry F. Coyne, Esquire
3901 Market Street
Camp Hill, Pennsylvania 170 II
MARTS ON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
BY;'jrAIL~r:t~n.~l ku
Melinda: A. Hall
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, P A 17013
(717) 243-3341
Dated: January 26,2001
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Doris Patterson,
Plaintiff
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYL VANIA
v.
: No. 2000-794 Civil Term
: Civil Action -- Law
Rite Aid Corporation,
Defendant
PLAINTIFF'S RESPONSE TO DEFENDANT'S MOTION
TO COMPEL PRODUCTION OF MEDICAL RECORDS
AND NOW COMES the Plaintiff, by and through her attorneys, Coyne & Coyne, P.C., and
responds to Defendant's Motion to Compel Production of Medical Records.
1. Paragraph 1 is admitted.
2. Paragraph 2 is admitted.
3. Plaintiff admits that a copy of a statement made by a witness for Defendant was attached
as Exhibit "A," but after reasonable investigation Plaintifflacks sufficient information or
belief to answer paragraph 3 and therefore denies the genuine issue of material fact
averred in paragraph 3,
4, Paragraph 4 is admitted.
5. Paragraph 5 is admitted.
6. Paragraph 6 is denied. The averments of this paragraph purport to be conclusions of law
to which no responsive pleading is required,
7. Paragraph 7 is admitted.
8, Paragraph 8 is admitted,
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff Doris Patterson requests that this Honorable Court issue a
protective order under Pa.R.C.P. 4012(a)(5) to limit the scope of Defendant's access to those
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medical treatment records that are relevant to the injuries that are averred in Plaintiff s
Complaint as a direct result of Plaintiffs fall on March 24, 1998.
Date: I.... 0 F.Jc.J,. 8" I
Henry F. Co e, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
3901 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4227
(717) 737-0464
Pa. S, Ct. No. 06250
2
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Henry F. Coyne, of Coyne & Coyne, P.C" hereby certify that a true copy of Plaintiffs
Response to Defendant's Motion to Compel Production of Medical Records was served this date
by placing a copy of the same in the United States Mail, first class, postage paid, to the
following:
MARTSON DEARDOFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
George B. Faller, Jr" Esquire
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013-3093
Date:~O F~.(}-I
, Esquire
COYNE & CO ,P.C.
3901 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4227
(717) 737-0464
Pa. S. Ct. No. 06250
Attorney for Plaintiff
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COYNE & COYNE, P.c.
Attorneys at Law
Henry F. Coyne
Lisa Marie Coyne
3901 Market Street
Camp Hill, Pa. 17011-4227
Telephone: (717) 737-0464
Facsimile: (717) 737-5161
February 20, 2001
The Honorable Kevin A. Hess
Judge
Court of Common Pleas
Cumberland County
One Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Re: Doris Patterson v. Rite Aid Corporation
No. 2000-794-CV-Cumberland County c.c.P.
Dear Judge Hess:
I represent the Plaintiff.
Enclosed is an original and one copy of the following documents:
I. Plaintiffs Response to Defendant's Motion to Compel Production of Documents.
2. Plaintiffs Brief in Support of Plaintiffs Response to Defendant's Motion to Compel
Production of Medical Records.
. You scheduled oral argument for Thursday, March 1,2001, at 2:30 PM.
Respectfully yours,
COYNE & CO
U
HenryF. Co
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Enclosures
cc: Doris Patterson, w/enc.
George B. Faller, Jr., Esquire, w/enc.
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From: LEXIS (R) INEXIS (R) Print Delivery <Iexis-nexis@prod.lexis-nexis.com>
To: coyne@ezonline.com <coyne@ezonline.com>
Date: Friday, February 23, 2001 7:37 PM
Subject: LEXIS(R)-NEXIS(R) Email Request (59:0:22121874)
102H4M
Print Request: LEXSEE
Time of Request: February 23,2001 12:06 pm EST
Number of Lines: 112
Job Number: 59:0:22121874
Client ID/Project Name:
Research Information:
Lexsee 1 Pa. D. & C.3d 185
Note:
PAGE 1
LEXSEE 1 Pa. D. & C.3d 185
DeLuca v. Leon
no. 4498
COMMON PLEAS COURT OF PHILADELPHIA COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
1 Pa. D. & C.3d 185; 1977 Pa. D. & C. LEXIS 304
March 2,1977, Decided
HEADNOTES:
Practice -- Examination of medical records -- Overly broad authorization.
The court will not compel plaintiff in a personal injury action to file a
medical authorization empowering defendant's insurance carrier to examine all
medical records pertaining to treatment of plaintiff, since such an
authorization is overreaching and invades the doctor-patient privilege: such an
authorization should be limited to records pertaining to the present
controversy.
COUNSEL:
[**1] George V. Famiglio, for plaintiffs.
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Page 2 of 4
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Susan J. Poll, for defendants.
JUDGES:
GUARINO, J.
OPINIONBY:
GUARINO
OPINION:
Petition to compel execution of medical authorization.
[*186] This is an action for personal injuries arising out of an accident
which occurred September 20, 1974. Defendant's petition seeks the court to
compel plaintiffs to sign a medical authorization which is as follows:
"MEDICAL INFORMATION AUTHORIZATION TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
The undersigned authorizes and directs any physician, surgeon or hospital that
has attended, examined or treated me to furnish to the Pennsylvania
Manufacturers' Association Insurance Company, at any time upon its request, any
and all information and records, or copies of records relating to attendance,
examination or treatment rendered me, with the further privilege of personal
examination of such records.
A photocopy of this authorization shall serve in its stead."
The Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure authorize liberal discovery and it is
within the contemplation of the rules to compel the production of medical
PAGE 2
1 Pa. D. & C.3d 185, *186; 1977 Pa. D. & C, LEXIS 304, **1
records of the plaintiffs upon which plaintiffs rely for recovery for personal
injuries: Pa.R.C.P. 4009-4010; [**2] Myers v. Travelers Insurance Co., 353 Pa.
523,46 A.2d 224 (1946). Discovery by oral examination or inspection of relevant
documents is entirely proper to ascertain the extent of the injuries or other
damages relevant to [*187] the cause of action: Feldman v. Seligman & Latz,
Inc., 9 D. & C. 2d 394 (1957); 5 Anderson Pa. Civ. Prac. @@4001.385 and 4007.4.
Thus, we have no difficulty concluding that defendant has a right to medical
records and bills upon which plaintiffs base their claim for damages. We are not
prepared, however, to go so far as to order plaintiffs to sign such broad
authorization as herein requested by defendant and to impose sanctions for
failure to do so.
The record indicates that plaintiff has forwarded all medical records and bills
which he has in his possession and which he has obtained from the physiCian who
treated plaintiffs for injuries allegedly received by them in the cause of
action declared upon. There is no showing that the broad medical authorization
would provide the defendants with any more information than they have already
been given. The broad authorization herein being sought by the defendants is so
overreaching [**3] as to invade the plaintiffs' doctor-patient privilege
because it is unlimited as to the records that might be inspected. Generally,
medical communications and information between patient and doctor are privileged
and undisclosable by a doctor. See Act of June 7, 1907, P.L. 462, sec. 1; 28
P .S. @ 328. Under the discovery rules, disclosure and inspection is permitted
only as to matters which are relevant, Pa. R.C.P. 4007, and not otherwise
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Page 3 of 4
.
. / privileged, Pa, R.C.P. 4011 (c). Obviously, where a party brings a personal
injury action against another, information about his medical condition upon
which he relies for recovery of damages is relevant and material. The
information is important to plaintiff as well as defendant. The patient-doctor
privilege belongs to plaintiff: Commonwealth [*188] ex reI. Romanowicz v.
Romanowicz, 213 Pa. Superior Ct. 382, 248 A.2d 238 (1968); 8 Wigmore (1961 ea.)
@ 2386. To the extent that he relies on his medical condition to recover damages
he has impliedly waived the privilege. Privileged communication between doctor
and patient does not apply to records of the examining and treating physician to
the extent that the contents thereof are relevant [**4] and material: Panko v.
Consolidated Mutual Insurance Co., 423 F.2d 41 (3rd Cir. 1970); Woods v.
National Life & Accident Insurance Co., 347 F.2d 760 (3rd Cir. 1965).
The discovery rules do not permit a party to inspect the records (herein medical
records) of a non-party. Under the rules only the records of an adverse party
are amenable to discovery by inspection on petition and motion to the court: Pa.
R.C.P. 4007. What the petitioner requests in his present petition is that he be
permitted to do that which the rules by implication forbid: inspect records of
a non-party. What the rules of discovery do not in any way permit and impliedly
forbid, the court will not permit. I do not believe that the court has the power
to circumvent the dictates of the rules of procedure by ordering plaintiffs'
doctor to submit his records to inspection or order plaintiffs to sign such an
overreaching authorization as here presented to accomplish indirectly what the
rules prohibit. If defendants are not satisfied with copies of records supplied
by plaintiffs and are desirous of a more ample discovery of plaintiffs' medical
condition, they will have to revert to oral deposition [**5] of the doctor as
provided for by Pa. R.C.P. 4007, * and [*189] limit themselves to discovery of
all information relevant to plaintiffs' personal injuries allegedly suffered at
the hands of defendants' negligence.
* "(a) Any party may take the testimony of any person, including a Party, for
PAGE 3
1 Pa. D, & C.3d 185, *189; 1977 Pa. D. & C. LEXIS 304, **5
the purpose of discovery by deposition upon oral examination or written
interrogatories of the identity and whereabouts of witnesses. Subject to the
limitations provided by Rule 4011 , the deponent may also be examined regarding
any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in
the action and will substantially aid in the preparation of the pleadings or
the preparation or trial of the case."
The following order will resolve the apparent impasse.
ORDER
It is ordered and decreed that:
(1) Plaintiffs supply to defendants' attorney copies of all medical statements
and reports and bills of all doctors, hospitals, or other institutions who
treated or examined plaintiffs [**6] for injuries alleged to have been suffered
by them, and for which they seek recovery of damages, including any statement of
any doctor or hospital concerning the ernotional or mental condition of
plaintiffs or the permanence of the injuries suffered.
(2) Defendants are not precluded frorn deposing any doctor, hospital attendant,
or other persons involved in the treatrnent of the injuries suffered in the
accident declared upon, and to cornpel production of the original records by
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suDpoena.
(3) These matters must be attended to within the next 45 days, and if
depositions are to be had, the notices of date shall be sent within the next 20
days.
102H4M
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Number of Pages: 3
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vi
8 Pa, D. & C4th 97, *; 1990 Pa. D. & C LEXIS 365, **
Roberts v. Nicolia
no, 1361-A-1989
COMMON PLEAS COURT OF ERIE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
8 Pa. D. & CAth 97; 1990 Pa. D. & c. LEXIS 365
July 20,1990, Decided
PRIOR HISTORY: [**1] Motion to compel discovery.
CORE TERMS: authorization, discovery, medical record, protective, confidential, privileged
HEADNOTES: Discovery -- Production of documents -- Authorization for release of medical
records -- Refusal to provide -- Irrelevancy and confidentiality alleged -- Protective order
under Pa,R.C.P. 4012 must be sought
A party may not refuse to provide authorizations for the release of medical records based
upon an allegation that the information sought is irrelevant, will not lead to relevant matters
and is personal and confidential but must seek a protective order under Pa,R.C.P. 4012.
COUNSEL: John C. Evans, for plaintiff.
Francis J, Klemensic, for defendant.
JUDGES: JOYCE, J.
OPINION BY: JOYCE
OPINION:
[*97] This matter is before the court on defendant's motion to compel discovery. The
specific issue is whether the plaintiff should be ordered to execute authorizations to release
all her medical records for inspection.
The court is fully aware that an individual's medical record may contain matter which is not
subject to discovery. However, a defendant has the right to discover information contained in
a plaintiff's medical record which may bear on the physical injuries for which the plaintiff
seeks compensation. These two divergent, yet legitimate interests have been reconciled and
provided for in the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
The rules allow discovery of any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject
matter of the pending action. Rule 4003.1. The courts have the power through protective
orders to control and limit discovery. Thus a party desiring the protection afforded by the
rules need simply request it,
Presently, the information sought is clearly not privileged. 42 Pa.C.S. 9 5929 [**2] .
However, plaintiff [*98] argues that the information sought is irrelevant, will not lead to
relevant matter and is personal and confidential. Obviously it is plaintiff who knows what
medical records fall within the above classifications, not defendant nor the court. Therefore, it
is plaintiff who should seek the protection she claims she is entitled by utilizing rule 4012.
Upon presentment of good cause shown, the power of the court is adequate to furnish the
requested protection.
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Page 2 of2
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ORDER
And now, July 20, 1990, it is hereby ordered and decreed that defendant's motion to compel
is grant<'ed.
Service: LEXSEE@
Citation: 8 Pa. D. & C.4th 97
View: Full
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Page 1 of5
,
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37 Pa. D. & CAth 140, *; 1998 Pa. D. & c. LEXIS 45, **
r
Slayton v. Biebel
no. 1993-127
COMMON PLEAS COURT OF CRAWFORD COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
37 Pa. D. & CAth 140; 1998 Pa. D. & c. LEXIS 45
June 4, 1998, Decided
CORE TERMS: discovery, subpoena, discoverable, patient, undiscoverable, privacy, present
action, subpoenaed, proViders, issuance, withheld, disclosure, privileged, avoiding, workers'
compensation, health care, non-party, custody, inspect, obtain discovery, pending action,
opposing party, subject matter, overreaching, balanced, deponent, automobile accident,
motion to produce, brief description, cause of action
HEADNOTES: Civil practice--Discovery--Medical records
Because the records sought by defendant from various non-party health care providers and
custodians of workers' compensation records could contain medical matters which are of
personal and private nature and which are irrelevant to plaintiff's suit, the court ordered that
all such records first be sent to plaintiff's counsel for review. Objections to issuance of
subpoenas granted.
In a suit arising from an automobile accident, one of the defendants served subpoenas upon
various non-parties who had either provided health care to plaintiff or had custody of
plaintiff's workers' compensation records. Plaintiff, pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 4009.21(b), gave
notice of his objection to the issuance of the subpoenas and requested that the records
sought by defendant be sent first to plaintiff's counsel.
The court granted plaintiff's objections and ordered that counsel for defendant "may serve
each subpoena he wishes to serve upon medical providers so long as the records requested
by each such subpoena are required to be forwarded directly to counsel for the plaintiff." In
its opinion in support of its order, the court reasoned that although by bringing suit plaintiff
waived his right to confidentiality as to those medical records which are relevanUo his
personal injury claim, 42 Pa.C.S. 9 5929, he did not waive his right of confidentiality as to all
medical records.
Moreover, the court determined that for purposes of Pa.R.C,P. 4009, a party's medical
records are within that party's control. Because a party who receives a motion to produce
documents or records in their possession is afforded the opportunity to inspect the
documents and remove impertinent matters before turning them over, a party subject to a
request for records which are under the party's control but not his possession should be
afforded the same opportunity to inspect, the court reasoned. However, in order to allay
defendant's concerns that plaintiff's counsel might remove a pertinent part of the record, the
court ordered that plaintiff's counsel provide defendant with a brief description of the records
not provided and an explanation why those records were not provided.
COUNSEL: [**1] IrVing M, Portnoy, for plaintiffs.
William L. Walker, for defendant Biebel.
Gary A. Fabian, for defendant Okuma.
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Page 2 of 5
,
William A. Oopierala, deputy attorney general, for additional defendant PennDOT.
E. Max Weiss, for additional defendant Bearce.
JUDGES: VARDARO, J.
OPINIONBY:VARDARO
OPINION: [*141] The present action arises from an automobile accident occurring on
August 8, 1991 and in various phases of discovery since its initiation in 1993. At this point,
the defendant-Biebel has served subpoenas upon various non-party health care providers and
custodians of workers' compensation records in accord with Pa.R.C.P. 4009.21(a). The
plaintiff has invoked his rights under Pa.R.C.P. 4009.21(b) and has given notice of his
objection to the issuance of these subpoenas. The cornerstone of plaintiff's objection is that,
contained in the information which is sought, are medical matters of a private and personal
[*142] nature and medical matters which are irrelevant to this cause of action. Plaintiff
requests that the records defendant seeks be first sent to plaintiff's counsel such that matters
which are irrelevant and undiscoverable may be extracted. The defendant opposes such a
procedure. [**2]
DISCUSSION
The limits of the scope of discovery are set forth in Pa.R.C.P 4003.1(a) which provides in
material part that "a party may obtain discovery regarding any matter not privileged, which
is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending action. . . ." The scope of discovery
is necessarily broad by definition and everything is presumed to be discoverable unless
subject toa proscription set forth in the rules. Mountain View Condominium Owners' Ass'n v.
Mountain View Associates, 9 D.&C.4th 81 (1991). A party then may "obtain discovery of any
matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter involved in the pending
action. . . if the information sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of
admissible evidence." Lindsey v. PennDOT, 23 D.&C.3d 202 (1982). The facts and
circumstances of each particular cause of action will frame the proper scope of discovery. See
Stenger v. Lehigh Vaifey Hospital Center, 530 Pa. 426, 609 A.2d 796 (1992). A court will only
place limitations on the scope of discovery when it concludes that a matter which is sought as
discoverable is privileged, irrelevant, [**3] or specifically prohibited by the rules.
While a litigant's right to discovery is far-reaching, this right is not absolute. Tayior v. West
Penn Hospital, 48 D.&C.3d 178 (1987). The limitations contained in Pa.R.C.P. 4011 define the
bounds of the scope of discovery. Specifically, Pa.R.C.P. 4011(b) prohibits any [*143]
discovery which could cause "unreasonable annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, burden,
or expense to a deponent or any person or party," and Rule 4011(e) prohibits the making of
an "unreasonable investigation by the deponent or any party or witness."
In the province of discovery, Pennsylvania case law recognizes an individual's interest in
avoiding the disclosure of personal matters which are within a constitutionally protected
sphere of privacy. In re June 1979 Aifegheny County Investigating Grand Jury, 490 Pa. 143,
415 A.2d 73 (1980). nl The United States Supreme Court in Walen v. Roe, 429 U.S. 589,
599-600, 97 S.Ct. 869, 876, 51 L. Ed. 2d 64, 73 (1976), found that an indiVidual's right to
privacy necessarily embodies two types of privacy interests, "one is the individual's interest in
avoiding disclosure of personal [**4] matters, and another is the interest in independence
in making certain kinds of important decisions." This protection in avoiding the disclosure of
personal matters, however, is also not absolute, and the competing interests of each party
must, therefore, be balanced. See United States v. Westinghouse Electric Corp., 638 F.2d 570
(3d Cir. 1980) (employee medical records are within ambit of materials entitled to privacy
protection but this right must be balanced against society's public health concerns); Fabio v,
Civil Service Commission of the City of Philadelphia, 489 Pa. 309,414 A.2d 82 (1980) (in
Pennsylvania, only a compelling state interest will override one's privacy rights),
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Page 3 of 5
,
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
nl "It is aCknowledged that court orders which compel, restrict or prohibit discovery
constitute state action which is subject to constitutional limitations." Stenger v. Lehigh Vailey
Hospital Center, 530 Pa. 426, 435 n.8, 609 A.2d 796, 801 n.8 (1992), citing Seattle Times
Co, v. Rhinehart, 467 U.S. 20, 104 S.Ct. 2199, 81 L. Ed. 2d 17 (1984).
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [**5]
[*144] There can be no question but that some part of the plaintiff's extensive medical
history may be of substantial relevance to the issue at hand. In the same light, however,
there can also be no question but that some parts of the plaintiff's medical history may be
not only irrelevant to the present action but also of a highly private and personal nature. The
defendant's counsel in argument has so admitted. Therefore, it is agreed by both parties that
within the records which are subject to the subpoena are matters which are fUlly discoverable
and matters which are fully undiscoverable. The plaintiff's counsel obviously seeks to keep
the matters which are fully undiscoverable from the opposing counsel's review. Opposing
counsel concedes that he has no use for these undiscoverable matters, but makes known his
concern that fully discoverable matters maybe well be kept from him in the mistaken belief
that they are undiscoverable. The question becomes whether there can be a reconciliation of
both, the defendant's need for all relevant, non-privileged matters and the plaintiff's right to
keep private all of her medical records which contain intimate matters of a personal [**6]
nature which are not germane to the present action.
We began an analysis of this matter by first noting that the plaintiff is impliedly considered to
have consented to the disclosure of information which is considered confidential in "civil
matters brought by such patient, for damages on account of personal injuries." 42 Pa.C.S. 9
5929. The defendant would interpret this as all0wing for the discovery of everything in the
plaintiff's medical records irrespective of the fact that information which will be discovered
will admittedly have no significance or relationship to the present action. We consider such an
interpretation to be unacceptable and overreaching. See DeLuca v. Leon, 1 D.&C.3d 185
(1977) (request to compel production of all plaintiff's medical records refused). The purpose
underlying the [*145] implied waiver poliCy is that "it is inconsistent for a patient to base a
claim upon his medical condition and then use the privilege to prevent the opposing party
from obtaining and presenting conflicting evidence pertaining to that condition." Moses v.
McWilliams, 379 Pa. Super. 150, 181, 549 A.2d 950, 966 (1988) [**7] (Cirillo, P.l.,
concurring and dissenting), citing Bond v. District Court, 682 P.2d 33, 38 (Colo. 1984). To
allow the defendant the discovery of every shred of the plaintiff's medical records, including
that which will be unquestionably impertinent, does not further this policy.
We also make note of Pa.R.C.P. 4009 which allows a court to order a party to produce records
which are in the "possession, custody or control of the party upon whom the request is
served." For purposes of the application of Rule 4009, an individual's medical records may be
considered as within the "control of the party," Greyhound v. McAilister, 130 P,L.J. 414, 415
(1982) (since patient can direct physician to make their medical records available for review
by the patient or any designated third party, the records are effectively in the control of the
patient). That is, while a party's medical records may not be in his possession, they may
properly be deemed to be in his control. Nothing in Rule 4009 requires that a party have both
possession and control of his records in order for a court to order their production. As such, a
party may be ordered to produce medical records [**8] which are in his control but not in
his possession. The question becomes, for our purposes, whether the production of records
which are not in a party's possession but are within his control should be afforded disparate
treatment.
A party which has received a motion to produce documents or records in their possession is
afforded the opportunity to inspect these documents and records and remove that which is
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Get a Docnment - by Citation - 37 Pa. D. & CAth 140
Page 4 of 5
.
considered to be not properly [*146] the subject of the discovery motion. The party's
counsel performs this discretionary function before turning over the records to the opposing
party. This is an acceptable, necessary and well-established procedure. Matters which the
counsel in good faith COnsiders to have absolutely no materiality to the action are properly
removed. There is no convincing reason to treat records which are under the control of a
party but not in his possession in a different manner. n2
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
n2 As noted persuasively in Talarico v. Talarico v. Montefiore Hospital, 138 P.L.J. 213 (1990),
"there is no reason to treat a request for the production of medical records in a different
fashion from, for example, a request from a plaintiff directed to a hospital for the production
of any records in its possession, custody, or control concerning the incident that is the subject
of the lawsuit. Obviously, we would not permit the plaintiff's counsel to sort through all
records of the hospital to be sure that the hospital has complied with the plaintiff's request
for the production of documents."
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - [**9]
The defendant suggests that to allow such like treatment is tantamount to allowing the
plaintiff to try the defendant's case. We cannot agree. Such an argument would not likely be
made were records in the possession of the plaintiff. That they are instead in the possession
of another, but under his control, should not change the analysis. The concern of the
defendant is legitimate. This concern is, however, endemic to both circumstances. In either
circumstance, there is an understandable concern that certain materials may be withheld for
the benefit of the withholding party. There is no reason for the concern to be greater,
however, in one circumstance over the other. Should a misguided attorney endeavor upon a
foolish course of withholding discoverable matters, there will be no distinctions made which
will be based on whether the material withheld was first in the possession or the control of
the client.
[*147] The second concern of the defendant that the plaintiff may in good faith remove a
part of the record which is in fact pertinent, is equally legitimate. This concern alone,
however, will not allow defendant the overreaching scope of his discovery request. Pa.R.C.P.
4012(a)(2) [**10] allows that a court may make an order that, "the discovery or
deposition shall only be on specified terms and condition, including a designation of the time
and place." This rule affords a court with the means to provide for the defendant's concerns
for the full disclosure of all discoverable matters without the need to compromise the
plaintiff's protected privacy concerns. See Arnone v. Acme Markets Inc., 1 D.&CAth 281
(1987) (court ordered that responding party list and briefly describe all parts of the record
which were withheld).
Therefore, the plaintiff's objection to the defendant's issuance of subpoenas will be granted
and any discovery of these subpoenaed documents and records may only be accomplished
according to the following order.
ORDER
And now, June 4, 1998, consistent with the foregoing memorandum, counsel for the
defendant, Richard T. Biebel, as administratrix of the estate of Ruth E. Peterson, may serve
each subpoena he wishes to serve upon medical providers so long as the records requested
by each such subpoena are required to be forwarded directly to counsel for the plaintiff.
Counsel for the plaintiff shall promptly review all such subpoenaed [**11] records and
documents and forward to counsel for defendant Biebel all records which plaintiff's counsel
deems to be those relevant to this proceeding, along with a brief description of the records
[*148] not provided and an explanation as to why those records were not provided.
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Page 5 of5
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Furthermore, plaintiff's counsel shall forward to counsel for Biebel an affidavit providing that
the records produced and those expressly withheld compromised the whole of the
subpoenaed records and documents.
Thereafter, if there are any unresoived disputes regarding the discovery of the subpoenaed
records and documents, counsel for defendant Biebel may file an appropriate motion with the
court asking that there be an in camera inspection regarding any records that may be in
dispute so that the court may determine if there is anything that is further discoverable.
Service: LEXSEE@
Citation: 37 Pa. D.& C.4th 140
View: Full
Date/Time: Friday, February 23,2001 .12:02 PM EST
About LEXIS-NEXIS I Terms and Conditions
CODvriaht@ 2001 LEXIS-NEXIS Group. All rights reserved.
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Doris Patterson,
Plaintiff
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
v.
: No. 2000-794 Civil Term
: Civil Action -- Law
Rite Aid Corporation,
Defendant
PLAINTIFF'S BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF
PLAINTIFF'S REQUEST FOR A PROTECTIVE ORDER AND RESPONSE TO
DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO COMPEL PRODUCTION OF MEDICAL RECORDS
AND NOW COMES the Plaintiff, Doris Patterson, by and through her attorneys, Coyne &
Coyne, P.C., and files this Brief in Support of Plaintiffs Response to Defendant's Motion to
Compel Production of Medical Records.
I. PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The Plaintiffs Complaint was filed on February 10, 2000, to recover for damages sustained
by the Plaintiff when she fell in the entrance to Defendant's premises on March 24,1998. On
December 26, 2000, Plaintiff received and signed an Authorization to Release Privileged
Information in favor of the Defendant to review her medical treatment records at Green Hill
Family Practice and at Holy Spirit Hospital. The original release was prepared, however, as a
general release, which would have authorized the Defendant unrestricted access to Plaintiffs
entire medical history, The Plaintiff is 80 years old, By writing on the Release "only for injuries
received when I fell on 24 Mar 1998," Plaintiff qualified the authorization to limit Defendant's
access to her medical records. (Authorization to Release Privileged Information, Ex. "A".) On
January 26,2001, Defendant moved this Court to compel the production of all medical records,
An Order by this Court was granted on February 2,2001. Oral arguments on Defendant's
Motion are scheduled for March I, 200 I,
, ..~u~
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II. ARGUMENT
Defendant's Motion to Compel Production of Medical Records Should be
Denied and! a Protective Order is Appropriate Because the Defendant Does Not
Have an Absolnte Right to Plaintiff's Entire Medical History When the Plaintiff
Does Not Claim Recovery for Injuries Aggravated by Her Accident.
Although Defendant's right to discovery is broad, this right is not absolute, The
limitations of discovery contained in Pa.R.C.P. 4011 define the bounds of the scope of
Defendant's discovery: "No discovery. , . shall be permitted which. . ,(b) would cause
unreasonable annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, burden or expense to the deponent or any
person or party; (c) is beyond the scope of discovery as set forth in Rules 4003.1 through 4003.6
. . .. Pa.R.C.P. 4011. Moreover, under Pa.R.C,P. 4009.21(c) "[a]ny party may objectto the
subpoena by filing of record written objections." If objections are received by the party
intending to serve the subpoena prior to its service, the subpoena shall not be served. Pa.R.C.P.
4009.21(d)(1).
It is well accepted in Pennsylvania that to allow a defendant in a personal injury lawsuit
the discovery of a plaintiff s entire medical record, including that which is impertinent, is not the
intent of the liberal rules of full discovery. See Slayton v, Biebel, 37 Pa. D.& CAth 140
(Crawford 1998) (denying defendant's request to unrestricted access to all plaintiffs medical
records); see also DeLuca v. Leon, 1 D. & C.3d 185 (Phila. 1977) (denying broad authorization
and defendant's request to compel production of all plaintiffs medical records).
Although Plaintiff consents to the disclosure of information which is considered
confidential in "civil matters brought by [Plaintiff], for damages on account of personal injuries,"
42 Pa.C.S. 9 5929, the Defendant interprets this rule to allow for the discovery of everything in
Plaintiff s medical records although the information will have no significance or relevance to this
civil action. Also, this information is available to Defendant by oral deposition of her treating
2
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physicians. See id. at 188 ("If defendants are not satisfied with copies of records supplied by
plaintiffs and are desirous of a more ample discovery of plaintiffs' medical condition, they will
have to revert to oral deposition of the doctor. . , and limit themselves to discovery of all
information relevant to plaintiffs' personal injuries allegedly suffered at the hands of defendants'
negligence").
Finally, although Pa.R.C.P. 4003,1 allows discovery of any matter, not privileged, which
is relevant to the subject matter ofthe pending action, this Court has the power through
protective orders to control and limit discovery. PaRC.P.4012. Under Pa.R.C.P. 4012(a)(5) a
protective order is appropriate to protect a Plaintiff s medical records when the information
sought is irrelevant, will not lead to relevant matter, and is personal and confidential. See
Roberts v. Nicolia, 8 Pa. D. & C, 4th 97 (Erie 1990) (holding that a plaintiff in a personal injury
action may request a protective order to prevent disclosure of medical records that are irrelevant
and personal).
With the exception of the medical treatment that Plaintiff received for a fractured left hip
related to her fall on March 24, 1998, her health-related treatment at Green Hill Family Practice
and Holy Spirit Hospital is of a private and privileged nature. Furthermore, her records reflect
treatment for previous health conditions, including cancer, that are not relevant to the injuries
sustained as a direct result of her tripping over the carpet located at the entrance to Defendant's
premises. Finally, Plaintiff, in her Complaint, is not claiming recovery from Defendant for
aggravations related to pre-existing conditions. (Compl. ~ 8.)
III. CONCLUSION
Plaintiff does not object to the Defendant's subpoenas for medical records and other
treatment docl.Ullents related to the injuries described in her Complaint. Although Plaintiff has
3
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impliedly waived the doctor-patient privilege to the extent that Plaintiff relies on her medical
condition to recover damages, waiver of this privilege should apply only to the records of the
examining and treating physicians to the extent that the contents are relevant and material to the
injuries sustained by Plaintiff, Thus, this Honorable Court should not grant to Defendant broad
authorization to have access to the records of all medical personnel seen by Plaintiff throughout
her lifetime when Plaintiff neither claims damages for aggravation of existing medical
conditions, nor when oral depositions by attending physicians are available to the Defendant.
Defendant's motion to gain possession of a complete set of all medical records is beyond
the scope ofPa.R.C,P. 4003.1 and 4003.6 because the treatment received at these facilities was
privileged and was unquestionably not relevant to the injuries sustained by Plaintiff, Therefore,
the Plaintiff submits this Honorable Court would be justified in issuing a protective order under
Pa.R.C.P. 4012(a)(S) to limit the scope of Defendant's access to those medical treatment records
that are relevant to the injuries that Plaintiff avers in her Complaint as a direct result of her fall
on March 24,1998,
COYNE & COYNE, P.c.
Date: ~ 0 ~ .JJr./J-1
e, Esquire
Attorney for laintiff
3901 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4227
(717) 737-0464
Pa. S. Ct. No. 06250
4
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Henry F. Coyne, of Coyne & Coyne, P,C" hereby certify that a true copy of Plaintiffs
Brief in Support of Plaintiffs Response to Defendant's Motion to Compel Production of Medical
Records was served this date by placing a copy of the same in the United States Mail, first class,
postage paid, to the following:
MARTSON DEARDOFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
George B. Faller, Jr., Esquire
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, P A 17013-3093
Date: ~ (j 1=.tJr -8'1
, squrre
COYNE & CO ,P.C.
3901 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4227
(717) 737-0464
Pa. S. Ct. No, 06250
Attorney for Plaintiff
5
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PATTERSON
Vs.
NO. 2000 794CV
RITE AID CORP
CERTIFICATE
PREREQUISITE TO SERVICE OF A SUBPOENA
PURSUANT TO RULE 4009.22
As a prerequisite to service of a subpoena(s) for documents and things
pursuant to Rule 4009.22 GEORGE FALLER, ESQUIRE certifies that:
1. A Notice of Intent to Serve the Subpoena(s) with a copy of
the subpoena(s) attached thereto was mailed or delivered to
each party at least twenty days prior to the date on which
the subpoena(s) is sought to be served,
2. A copy of the Notice of Intent, including the proposed
subpoena(s) is attached to this certificate,
3. No objection to the subpoena(s) has been received, and
4. The subpoena(s) which will be served is identical to
the subpoena(s) which is attached to the Notice of Intent
to Serve the Subpoena(s) .
Date: 03/27/02
GEORGE FALLER, ESQUIRE
MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS
TEN EAST HIGH STREET
CARLISLE, PA 17013
717-243-3341
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
INQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
MEDICAL LEGAL REPRODUCTIONS, INC.
4940 DISSTON STREET
PHILADELPHIA PA 19135
(215) 335-4907
File #: M284568
By: Jacqueline Ciarrocchi
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
PATTERSON
Vs.
RITE AID CORP
No. 2000 794CV
TO: HENRY COYNE
NOTICE OF INTENT TO SERVE A SUBPOENA TO PRODUCE
DOCUMENTS AND THINGS FOR DISCOVERY PURSUANT TO RULE 4009.21
DEFENDANT intends to serve a subpoena(s} identical to
the one(s} attached to this notice. You have twenty (20) days
from the date listed below in which to file of record and serve upon
the undersigned an objection to the subpoena. If no objection is
made the subpoenamaybe-served~
-- ---------- - ---
Date: 03/06/02
GEORGE FALLER, ESQUIRE
MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS
TEN EAST HIGH STREET
CARLISLE, PA 17013
ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
INQUIRIES SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO:
MEDICAL LEGAL REPRODUCTIONS, INC.
4940 DISSTON STREET
PHILADELPHIA, FA 19135
(215) 335-4907
By: Jacqueline Ciarrocchi
Enc(s}: Copy of subpoena(s}
Counsel return card
File #: M284568
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cn-M)NWJ;7U,TH OF p'f}lNSYLVANIA
axJNl'Y OF aJMBERU\ND
PATTERSON
VS.
File No.
?nnn 794CV
RITE AID CORP
SUBPOENA TO PROOl.K:E DOC:U1ENTS OR TH I NGS
FOR D I sroVERY PURSUANT TO RUlE 4009. 22
TO:
XACT MEDICARE SVCS, 1800 WATER ST BOX 890413, CAMP HILL PA 17089-0413
(Name of Person or Entity)
Within twenty (20) days after service of this subpoena, you are ordered by the court to
produce the following docunent!'l or things:
SEE ATTACHED ADDENDUM
at
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MEDICAL LEGAL REPRODUCTIONS~A~~s~940 DISSTON ST., PBILA., PA
You may deliver or mail legible copies of the documents or produce things requested h)
this subpoena, together with the certificate of carpliance, to the party making thi,
reques~ at the address listed above. You have the right to seek in advance the reasonablE
cost of prelJc-arfng-tI'ie-caPiesclr-proaucingtlle-things-sought: . ,. uu__
If you fail to produce the documents or things required by this subpoena within t~enty
(20) days after its serv~ce, the party serving thh subpoena may seek a court orde,'
c.nTlle 11 ing you to COTP Iy with it.
THIS SUBPOENA WAS
NAME:
ADDRESS :
ISSUED AT THE REQUEST OF THE FOLLOHING PERSON:
IJR()1U~~ Fll.T,T,~R, ESQ
TELEPI-()NE:
SUPREI"E OOJRT I D#
ATTORNEY FOR:
MART50N DEARDORFF WILLIAMS
CARLISLE, PA 17013
215-335-3212
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DEFENDANT
BY TI-lE COJRT:
~ if ~'h-'
Prothonotary/C er~, Civil
C)'"1" -'- a /J.1, t P: )
M284568-01
DATE:
03/0f /02
Seal of the Court
Division
Deputy
(Eff. 7/97)
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ADDENDUM TO SUBPOENA
PATTERSON
Vs.
No. 2000 794CV
RITE AID CORP
CUSTODIAN OF RECORDS FOR: XACT MEDICARE SVCS
ANY AND ALL RECORDS, MEDICAL AND OR ACCIDENT CORRESPONDENCE, NOTES,
RECEIPTS, BILLS, ETC., AND ANY OTHER INFORMATION PERTAINING TO:
NAME: DORIS PATTERSON
ADDRESS: 2004 HIGHLAND CIR CAMP HILL PA
DATE OF BIRTH: 06/01/20
SSAN: 182228145
ANY AND ALL DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING THE MEDICAL LIEN.
--ALL-FEES MUST BE APPROVED_PlUQR TO RECORDS BEING FORWARDED.
- --- ---- - --- - - - - --- - ------------ --- - ----
RECORD CUSTODIAN - COMPLETE AND RETURN
[ ] RECORDS ARE ATTACHED HERETO: I hereby certify as custodian of
records that, to the best of my knowledge, information and
belief all documents or things above mentioned have been produced.
[ ] NO DOCUMENTS AVAILABLE: I hereby certify that a thorough search
has been made and that no record of the following documents have
been located (CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX) :
( ) RECORDS
( ) X-RAYS
PATIENT BILLING
RECORDS / XRAYS have been destroyed
Date
Author~zed signature for
XACT MEDICARE SVCS
CUMBERLAND
M284568-01
*** SIGN AND RETURN THIS PAGE ***
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DORIS PATTERSON,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs.
00-794 CIVIL
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Defendant
IN RE: DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO COMPEL
ORDER
AND NOW, this
"1-' day of March, 200 I, for the reasons stated in Slayton v.
Biebel, 37 D&C.4th, 140 (1998), it is ordered and directed that the defendant may serve
subpoenas upon medical providers so long as the records requested by each such subpoena are
required to be forwarded directly to counsel for the plaintiff.
Counsel for the plaintiff shall promptly review all such subpoenaed records and
documents and forward to counsel for defendant all records which plaintiffs counsel deems to
be those relevant to this proceeding, along with a brief description of the records not provided
and an explanation as to why those records were not provided.
Thereafter, if there are any unresolved disputes regarding the discovery of the
subpoenaed records and documents, counsel for defendant may file an appropriate motion with
the court asking that there be an in camera inspection regarding any records that may be in
dispute so that the court may determine if there is anything that is further discoverable.
BY THE COURT,
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01 MAR-g M, 8: 16
CUM8~RLI\ND COUNTY
PENNSYLVANIA
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Henry Coyne, Esquire
For the Plaintiff
George Faller, Jr., Esquire
For the Defendant
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SHERIFF'S RETURN - OUT OF COUNTY
CASE NO: 2000-00794 P
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
PATTERSON DORIS
VS
RITE AID CORPORATION
R. Thomas Kline
, Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff who being
duly sworn according to law, says, that he made a diligent search and
and inquiry for the within named WITNESS
, to wit:
WILHELM LYNETTE
but was unable to locate Her
in his bailiwick. He therefore
deputized the sheriff of DAUPHIN
County, Pennsylvania, to
serve the within SUBPOENA
On July
30th , 2002 , this office was in receipt of the
attached return from DAUPHIN
Sheriff's Costs:
Docketing
Out of County
Surcharge
Dep Dauphin Co
18.00
9.00
10.00
30.50
.00
67.50
07/30/2002
MDW&O
S~,_,_s' /~~. c--~
"rC::; ,
R/ Thomas Klin
Sheriff of Cumberland County
Sworn and subscribed to before me
this .( m-<(
day of O'r"~
.:2tn:L A.D.
O'fl' 0 ~ A~I<~
I Prothonotary
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@~litt of tlp~ ~4criff
Mary Jane Snyder
Real Estate Deputy
William T. Tully
Solicitor
J. Daniel Basile
Chief Deputy
Michael W. Rinehart
Assislant Chief Deputy
Dauphin County
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101
ph: (717) 255-2660 fax: (717) 255-2889
Jack Lotwick
Sheriff
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
County ofDaupWn
PATTERSON DORIS
vs
Sheriff's Return
WILHELM LYNETTE
No. 1796-T - -2002
OTHER COUNTY NO. 2000-794
AND NOW:July 25, 2002
SUBPOENA & LETTER
WILHELM LYNETTE
to HER
of the original
at 12:20PMserved the within
upon
by personally handing
1 true attested copy(ies)
SUBPOENA & LETTER
and making known
to him/her the contents thereof at DAUPHIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, RM. 104
FRONT & MARKET STREET
HBG, PA 17101-0000
SWorn and subscribed to
before me this 25TH day of JULY, ~~~2
~ e'-o ~aWw;'ii
PROTHONOTARY
So Answers,
?f~
Sheriff of Dauphin County, Pa.
BY~/lAd~~~/S!:r~ffiJ
Sheriff's Costs: $0.00 PD 00/00/0000
RCPT NO
MEASTON
--. ".- "~
--
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In The Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County, PennsylvanIa
Doris Patterson ,.'
VS.
Rite Aid Corporation
SERVE: Lynette Wilhelm
'No. 00
794 civil
Now,
July 22, 2002'
. I, SHERIFF OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, P A, do
hereby deputize the Sheriff of
Dauphin
County to execute this Writ, this
deputation being made at the request and risk of the Plaintiff.
, ~~rJ<~
Sheriff of Cumberland County, P A
Affidavit ofSenice
Now,
,20-,at
o'clock
M. served the
within
upon
at
by handing to
'copy of the original
a
and made known to
the contents thereof: ,
So answers,
, .
Sheriff of
County, PA
,20_
, COSTS
SERVICE .
MILEAGE
AFFIDAVIT
$
Sworn and subscribed before
, me this _ day of
,-.
t- ~, .
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$
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PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR TRIAL
(Must be typewrillen and submilled in duplicate)
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Please list the following case:
~
(Check one)
x
for JURY trial at the next term of civil court.
for trial without a jury.
.
----~-----~-~~--~~~~-~-~-__~_.__~~_~8.
CAPTION OF CASE
(entire caption must be stated in full)
(check one)
DORIS PATTERSON
Assumpsit
(X) Trespass
Trespass (Motor Vehicle)
(other/
(Plaintiff)
vs.
RITE AID CORPORTATION
The trial list will be called on .Tnn" ] 'i. 2004
and
Trials commence on July 12
(Defendant)
Pretrials will be held on June 23, 2004
(Briefs are due 5 days before pretrials.)
vs.
{The carty listing this case for trial shall provide
forthwith a copy of the praeCipe to all counsel.
pursuant to local Aule 214.1.>
No.
794
Civil Action
~6C6
,1~~9_9/
Indicate the attorney who will try case for the party who tiles this praecipe:
T;'
George B. Faller, Esquire, MDW&O,Ten East High Street, ll.at;llilUgl< BAreiH'OlBarliB"",PA
Indicate trial counsel for other parties If known:
Henry F. Coyne, Esquire, Coyne & Coyne, 3901 Market Street, Camp Hill, PA 17011
This case IS ready for trial.
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;Orin! Name: George B. Faller, :Jr.
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Doris Patterson
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYL VANIA
V
Rite Aid Corporation
: NO. 00-0794 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, June 16,2004, by agreement of counsel, the above captioned case is
hereby continued !'rom the July 12, 2004 trial term. Counsel is directed to relist the case when
ready.
By the Court,
Martson, Deardorff, Williams & Otto
For the Plaintiff
Henry F. Coyne, Esquire
For the Defendant
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DORIS PATTERSON,
Plaintiff
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYL VANIA
vs.
: NO. 2000-794 CIVIL TERM
RITE AID CORPORATION,
Defendant
: CIVIL ACTION
: JURY TRIAL OF TWELVE DEMANDED
To the Prothonotary:
Please mark the above-captioned action settled and satisfied.
COYNE & COYNE, P.C.
Dated:-1 s, tv (J-.i r"{'l) q
By:
Henry F. Coyne, E
390 I Market Street
CampHiII,PA 17011-4227
(717) 737-0464
Pa. S. Ct. No. 06250
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