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Q In terms of the medical records that you reviewed, was
there anything In those records that was significant as it relutes to
your overall opinion as to Mr, Hoffman's condition?
A I think the - Importance is the fact, as you eluded to
earlier, that Mr, Hoffman certainly does - did have degenerative
disc disease prior to this accident for actually several years prior to
the accident and had had symptoms with respect to his neck prior
to the accident and I think it is also important that - that he does
have a diagnosis of diabetes which is treated by diet.
Q Okay, what's the significance of that doctor?
A Diabetes in Itself can lead to all kinds of symptoms,
people can get what we call peripheral neuropathies, they can get
- they can get burning, aChing pains as a result of the diabetes,
And I'm not saying certainly that all of this is coming from the
diabetes, but that is something that adds to the equation of this
gentleman's symptoms
MR. SHOLLENBERGER: Can we go off the record for a minute?
MR. SHOLLENBERGER: I respect the doclor's answer but I'VfJ got
to tell you that I wasn't prepared to cross-examine the doctor on the
issue of the connection between the diabetes and his complaints
because that really wasn't discussed in the report, I think the
doctor said there was a questionable diagnosis of diabetes but I
wasn't prepared to cross-examine him on that because now there
has been some further testimony about the diabetes being an
additional factor In the equation so I'm going to Interpose an
objection because I just wasn't prepared 10 cross him on that
because it wasn't really discussed in those terms in his report,
,
9. Pa,R.C,P, 4003,5 states:
(a)(1) A party may through Interrogatories require
(a) any other party to identify each person whom the other
party expects to call as an expert witness at trial and to state the
subject matter on which the expert Is expected to testify and
(b) the other party to have each expert so identified state the
substance of the facts and opinions to which the expert is expected
to testify and a summary of the grounds for each opinion, The
party answering the interrogatories may file as his or her answer a
)
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rf.I.I'WONr., (11117fil,S,~30 . (800) 614.4020 . FAX: (717) 737.7197
January 18, 2000
Richard H, IHx, Egg,
4705 Duk~ Street
Harrisburg, PA 17109.3099
RE: Hc.FF(,!AN, RICHARD 1"
700 H~mllr.cn Ave
Me:~~nicsburg, PA 17055.0000
163 26 4308
05J:n~01
De3f t,il'. \',!lX:
Th.19 18 in reference to RICH;'.RD L. HOFF'I'1A!l v,'}:tm I init151,1, saw in 1..'/ h)p~,)t,.
Chcrch F.cad Cfflce cn January 14, 2000 for <5:1 l:o,depencJe:.t.: l-1ed.lcal
E;.:arr,i ;,Ea t i en.
Mr, Hoff~an is a 61-ye3r-old gentleman. He 19 gerlsrally in good health. He
dld tell me that he has been told that he has p:s3~bly b:rderllne d13be~eg.
He ......a9 lfiVolvE'd 1n 0:1 Zi'Jtcmcblle accident in t'L5rch cf 19S17, He .....'as drlvin3 a
194 Chevy Caprlce statlon wagon and his car was struck ty a woman drlv~ng a
Nissan Sentra, His car was struck on the right rear side and Mr, Hoffman's
car was spun arcund, The car traveled up o\'er a curb and then down over an
embank~ne;lt, He states be felt liKe the car landed coming directly
vertir:ally, that is landlng cn all feur .....heels, rather than nose dC'...-n as the
airbag did not deploy. ~Ir. Hoffman believes r.har. IllS car was tra\'el1ng about
30-35 mph, The car r.hat hlt his vehicle may have been doing 20 mph, It was
coming out of a side sr.reet, Mr Hoffman believes thlt he was
Lmconscious probably from 1.3 minutes. He does "r.ate he was wearing hlS
seatbelt, He doesn't really recall whether his head hir. anything at the time
of the accldent. He reports he doesn't really recall a lot about what
happened righr. after r.he accident, He stateS mcst of r.he things that he can
report about are things he has read.or been ~old since the accident. ~le
reports that he was taken back to his office, He reports that he wcrks on
Gettysburg Road in the ~400 bleck, }he atcide~~ ha~~e~ej i~ tr.e 16 sr 4700
block cf Gettyst~rg RC3rl, He repcrrs he was (a~en bac~ to hi3 officel got a
company carl 2lnd actually drove houle. He reports that drive wa9 about three
miles but he doeR not fernem.ber much of that drive, The next morning 1'<lr,
Heffman did seek medical attentIon at I~echanicsburg Faffilly Practice. He was
seen by a female physician. He doe9 not remernL:er her name at thi.s point, He
reports that he was evalll3ted and believes he W33 treated initially just with
Advil. He reports that ErucG MacKellar, 1'1.D. eventually saw him and did send
11im fer physical tt:erapy first at Seidle. ~!e ~aj a series of ph}'sical
therapy viSlts at SCldle alld whell they were no~ sucCeSSflJl, he We!1t to
anot.her phY9icnl the:rcl{jY facll ity fe-Jt' further therapy. He reports that tho
phygical therapl~t's IJ!Jt !"Jame wa.n either Red Ct' Redm2ln. It vIas a '.~',':m)n.
~)(~~b\'1 trf1'
('~nltwu.l( ~1'~r,H'~1 I Tn
^IlOfl,r..,s .,,1.1 COI\Ht",f'O,'!IlL:1Cr. Tn B;'~ l'nl'I..\I~ ClHmUt 1\\1 \Il (.'.W 11111 n I ;(q I
J:A_M.t.1w...L.Qn:t~~_ II.o\KRISIWRG Off'lCl: C"',"1I'llIl.I. nIno: IIt.\,"II",' 01 I Ic:t: 1'.""11'1111,1. nnwI',
JO 1(, TfU:'101.f. t\f) -----"-~i),,llYt'l:ftif,:\\,-r.--- - -!l~;ini(\i'LA.iC(I\('i\(ln{lj :-~Tt:llJI\- II! i~ (-;:;T ili(-~{\)l.~ rt: ~" t: "T t: 10', iI;... 1" ;"1.\1\ 6{1!I\(:'l1- /{[l
FE:' HOFr:;'~"~"!,, F I C'HAHD L.
rt...CJE ;)
,J3r,\..:ary 1/3, 2~OO
ThiS ~~8 at a ~h'lSlcal ther5~Y faCllity en Rcu~e 114 a~d he wag helpe1 with
tl:e ther3PY ~t that tllne, He reports that ~o ~ag t:3'/~ng a, lot of pain at the
t:ffie l~e ~e~t fer the 9~:0nd se~Slcn sf ~h~'3:ca: t~~~ra~y, He had a let of
~ain at t~e t13e cf t~e neck a~d crll~chl~g a~jhe ~~pGt~ej tightl18SS ill the
up~er shoulders, He was actually ta~Jght sc~e relaXatlOn teshniques WhlCh he
helieves helped him slgnlflCantly, The physlcal t~~rapi9t also used
e1e:'t1'l::':'Il stl~nu1atlon v/hlCh r,e bell~'.'es was r.elpE';~l, !,it, Hoffman'is an
E:;>;':!':'Jt:".'9 fr.;r :in e;,:c:,::ati:::l and pa'Ji:i:1 CC7":"1>3c:'.j. He rep,-'ft9 tr,ac r.e d~,es w'ork
8'.'er,/ daj, He repcr:3 that he is net ahle t8 d8 a3 much as he did prlor to
the ac::~~!~t, ~le re~8rt3 tt:3t t~e,t~93est c~a~ge :~ his Jeb i8 that ~e used
to dri':e ]~,G:0 mlles per ~'e5r, but new ls~~;ly at~e t~ dr:','e abcuc 1,000 a
;I;:~:h, He rs~srt3 hlS ether ch~~ge ~n ter~3 cE h~s wel~t~1~3 is that J:e used
to C9 3.c:e t':. feel r82t~od after 51;0: r:r .i:e:E;;-'. :-.C'.:1-'S C: a:,~'3iJ cut riC'N it Cfln
take m~re to glve h:nl a fe~]lng of teing well rastej,
'.'... HCf~:7,an r~::::-Itl'/ sa'.., ',,'-;l:er ?er-~~~:r,:~:11 [J.C;, ;j:-;:! ;::',r. ?'2~~:elmun dld g:Jggest
~;-,;;': r.e :~:.:9 C::::et~:€::;,:. l.~ r j r, ""'1',' '. t .' ~ ,-~, ~.l. T':l ..,j....~ Q"3tes
:',~ ~C!:.~~:~:,' ::.::l:e'.'Gs t:'",e'::~'{:::;~3r~~:er",~1~;~;~/);:,~,~:,';~~~\~.':'~ ~;";::~~~'~:l:~'f' t~'-a--\'~
3~':;'t:'2r ~:':::;:',: ::-,~;, ::-,'-= C,:;:'::~~,:i:;(, :<t', :L:fE:~..:.:', :=L:(:3 :3~::::', :;~ ~dd:tL::l ::j tr,e
'J':l-::~r';;~, 'c.:',::;, :~.G 13 :::1::-: '_::1, .::: r: 1:':"5'."::' , f:::: ~.:s ~1:-=:-.:1:~ :'I:',j '.:-= d::r::s :3(,e
;',:7,:-:::!:'~;::~:l ~::'j, ;';8 ce~ :00;':<::3 ~':: :.5 a ::::~'1: 1 0::2'1, e:,::",e:: ~) ~~!.. ,-,0 fri:; cf
.':.:;::r:;::'.:~::-,8 5: r:1.';;,:, ;.~-:! ~'S';:::;f:3 r,:~~':, r,e C=':'3 L;,:-:r:! CZl:':~'_::n s;Jr\:le::,:;;-"rs ,3.:".0
~ls~ C~:~jr:l::'~ Sulf~:8 0~d he telle','03 t~a: ~e 1~ n~',e~~5: :m~ressej ~:th
::~e r~s~::s cE :~e C~~~jrc:.~~~, He repcrts t~~: he ~aJ te~n t3%i:13 t~:3: fer
a ~'e~r a~d 3 ~31~.
en a fain sC5:e of 0-:0, 0 telng ~o p31n and 10 bel~g
repcrts :hac the paln aft~r t~e accident, r:9~: af:~r
a 7.5 c:~~ared to t~e ~crst pain he ever had ~~:ch 1S
:7,8re re=~r.tl~J '~;lth f.:l:n rac::'3tlr:g ar:J'...::,d h~s t:-.cra;.:,
~hlle ta%ir;g the Voltara:l a~d the Chcndrcitln Sulfate
h18 ~a:.~ a: 2-3 on that sa~e scale,
pain f1t its wcrS9, he
tf.e accldent, '~;:i3 about
tr,e ~3::'n he has r,sd
He r~~crts that ~:~
t:-:at ;,-,e pl'otatl'l r.~t.es
~!e r~pcr:9 t~ac ~e dl~ ta':e pain in 1933 and d:d see s:~e~~e in cur cfE~ce
fot'that, He ',~'a9 dia-;:ncsr:::d 'Nlth deser.erat1.":e d:sc dlS~3.Se. ~e was Sf,::',',T\
stretching exercises. He reports that the ~ain lasted a co~ple of weeks at
that ti~e and t~en abated, He reports that ~e ~:ad ~o pain te:ween 1523 and
the tirrie of the accident 't'Jith respect to his :r;eck, He repcr:3 that he does
.
thir;k t:-.8 Chcr,droitin' Sulfate ho9 helped him gain rsr.ge cf m::Jt.ion, es~ec:i311y
with the turning of IllS chin to his right and left, He reports that he still
r.as serr,s II cr:ji:c:'Ur.-g 'I ,3': t::e t~se of t.:s ::8C~:. :';ia: 2.::::''':2.l:~':::::-:'s r..,.3.~:'2 :-:.:.~
ctu:--'t: C~ ';31:1 s:'~ietllT,e3, He r<::pGrts chat 'N~,e!1 he dri'/Gs 8':er:y Lump' cr jar
r.urts h'3 r,ec:, and thot 1t he e'!e~ steps dC",T. )-,ad ..,':1l1e "a1}:ing 1t ",,11
cause pa:n at the base cf hlS neck, l~e repcrts that when he does drl','e a CJr
lie will stlll ~a'/e a te~d~~cy to tlghten his rrusculature aGd te has teen
tElUg~it ::1 p;.....'s:.cal tr,er~P'l t'J tr'l to rel~;< e::--.j t~,at d2eJ help hlm 9c:7',G':,'ijJ.t,
He repcrc~ that ~:e will cccaSiCl~Jlly get ~o~e ~ln8 and needles in the back of
t~e rig~:: hal:d 3Gd the tep of the right footi especla11'l to~ard the e:--.d cf
tlje w/~~~, He St~t~s lt used to be real bad and now it is j~St mol'S of an
lrr~t~ti(n Cf a nlliHanCQ, He rnports that l:e WLll te aWJ~~ned cut cf l BOIJnd
sl(:'~,;) Cl::...i h,~'/e ~:!J ;;:'.,~~:e hlJ }j.:,r,d:J, He repoL'ts 1".'2 gel.::) ,that .:tb()utcnc(~ a
1~:';'.J:',t:, ~'~sLt ,:d:c;ut in tLe mld peint cr hi::! sle',::), E8 rEports that 7::;,'J:",t
F.E, H(jFi':,tM~, RICIt:\FD L,
FAGE .3
JanU!H:; 18, ,000
af~'.2r t;,!'! a::cldelll he d':)':elq::wj blurrine39 1:1 t:~,th e~''':'!9. :-!>j replit'te:t before
the aC'c~dent he could r03d In b:d wlthouc L.:..s 'j13::Jse!J and he v..'iHJ net 8b~e to
do cLar. (1fr,er the accident. He EltJ'::.e9 thiH :.:n,e :!~!t ~'/e l'.3.~ uq:n:;'.'e:l t:::J the
pCl~t that he can do thilitag1tJl, but not wlt~ ~~e rlghc e~'G. He l"0port9 that
he i9 irritated at the bbse cf. tl'd3 r,e'.:~ by c::ld '...'Gather, arId ,,,,'hen r,o d~efl get
IT"lc:1!l8Sed nec1. pain he '1.'111 a18') get 901l;e t;e?ld3CrlE'g, He t(:pOl.'':f1 t:--,:\'.: r,E/gets
r.a1r.s that start at the case cf tI~e s%'J11 a:',j rZtdiate t:p arcund bcr:.:i ;tl".e
ri1~t a~~ l~ft sld~g but ~e gets scr~e frc~tal ha3jach99 en thB right '91de.
H8 repcrts that ~9 dccs r.ct get he3dache9 Wl~~Out Elf3t gattln3 the ~E:k
{:31:l, :,11'. Hoffman Ck€:'9 '~Jcry. f:.r Llterty r:;.:c,3;'..at::t';:j, Hr. h;)ffm3n r.3E:'I't; seen
t~;,,:el Golb, 1-1.0. f:,r o','er a. ,'(':3.1.' :Ir+d 1,:1'. H-:~:'n3.:1 dId see Dr. Pep{:elTJ:1 c'Jt
Cr, rer-r.elrr,3.11 u:..d ::ct s(':',~d1Jle hi'1) fer3 re':'_:lTi "'is:.t, :r, P':;Fpe:,--:-.5;"1 told
:<r. HcUrra:l t:Elt l'.e ',/cu:d .9(:;,,1 J .l(:~,:er t!J ==-. :':ac}:e'll:H' but r,e ras f,;:,t tee~'1
t!C~ to see Cr. M3c}:el1ar s:Gce I~e sa~ cr ?~~~elman.
On ~~~'91cjl eXa!nlr~atlsn th~H g~:1tl~~Jn l:as )~~~~r3.tc:'.'s reflBxeg ,thr=~g~~~t
U',9 '.;rr-~:':' ~;;':trr;!nitled cut tLe::eJre r',_) ab-.cr:f3~ fefle:O::?3, He t~38 e:-:.:el:s:-'It
~:::r ::~8 ~n tcth \;~~er 0:'::l'~'~1~:es. 1:~:9 r:3~~:-t~5~jej, 7~Ero is :::
::3.:;,:: c."J::tl:lS,l, He r.Js ~/3 r",-':~.'_:r s::n~;',st:\ 1;",,;::: :~,;.l~lC:.~ 'J:-:-:;;;;::'3 tr.~:;:':;J. :-':'2
C3il ::~".."H:l fIe;.; h~8 cL:!l 3;;j 7":': ~: 0:,".'::1 tJ ;.:::~.;t:: 1 :/2 ::L:~.;:::'l ':f :-,:':1 ::":-.~5t.
i~~ !~Jd 9(r~e sl:ght 1:~cre339J ra:n cn ':ert~x ~:~~rs3s:cn H;~ re~J:'1:3 ~e ta8
lr;c~-~.Ji.:!-:d 'pa.:n '.nth ;',~,'F8!'e;,:t'3-:-.:l'~cn, ;;'3 c.:;n r.....;:e:~.E:;.:t'::;'.j a:::.:;'.;r. 2) di2?~'0~S ~'2
c-~n :',;1.':) ~ilS Chlfl to the lA.:t a::::\...t'. ]) de;-re'::3, 5;""j t:) t:'.~ r:]:;t :::!~:'....:: is
d~3r95g, T::t1:~3 1~:9 ~e~j t~ the L~f~ C3~~E2 l ~~11 :n t~0 r:.gl~t g::.J8 :f ~:s
:',e~:.'.: 3;jj Ultlij3 t8 r:.\..,8 r:-]t,t (':1'.l2eg scme r-u:::;"'.] _~n t::'3 :''.:~t S:-jl:!::: :-.:9
~e:~. ;~r, Hcffman h39 ~o ~aln in the ~~d:l::e =~ pal;itlcn. He h33
tenderness mere to the left than th~ flghc cf :~e ffild::ne c':e~ the ~3C~:
J01;.~.3, Her.as no musc.le s~.~-9m in tr;e par-39plr.al musc'.Jlar.ure c.f :n ::--,8
tr3~e:lu9 muscle. He dld re~Crtt8 ~e th!t te dC29 d: e~!rC1Ses to try t~
keen h!s ~eck str8n3 a~d t~e Stre::3ch In hiS ~e:~ anj hiS nec~ Sl:e ~3S go~e
frem a 11.5 to an 18.5.
I ha....e ;',.rayed this gem:le~;an's cer-'lic31 sp:;.,e t::d3Y. r c:d :i L~t,,jr;'l1:f :-.is
~eck in flexicn-exte~sicn. He dces have 9:g~1~:'c3nt d03en~ratlVe d:sc
dis~ase at C5-6 and C5-7 with s!gnlflC~nt sF~r EcrmatlCn ant~ricr~J at ~:-o
and 90me p08teriGf s~urrin? at ('5-6 also, He r.2l:; no acr.cr:nC11 mc::iC;-'1 ',.:::h
flex:cn-exrension fil~s, en tl:e h? i~e ~59 d 8.:J::t a~:unt cf a 9~::::S:3 cf
the cer/ical spine, ape:, to the l'ight,
.
The ~ain th3t I~r. Hoffman had arcu:~d his rlbc3ge beg~n in abcut May cf 1599
and 13sted untIl just. r~cer;tl'j. I d!J r~vi'3','1 3:1 !I:p.! -:-f !~r, ~~'JfffTt1.nI3
thCf3C1C spin~, It dces ghc~ a bLllgin3 disc 3: T5-6 and an additil:~~l ~:SC
at T7~a and one at r8<J, Th':l disc at TS~6 dC6S s~cw son',e '/ery fllig~.:
inde~tation of the thoracic c~rd. He reports that he thirk8 t18 ha~ ~r:tably
imprc\'e':i as much ag rlo1S going to impl.'Q'/e, t:8 ri?por\:3 th,~t he h~.9 ;:r:,t.itly
:>::'~:1 :o::1t\IS qUOC\'E.'!' t:".e l:a8t i'(~~l:'. Hc' ff:ols ::8 13 accut <1S 9Ccd ~3 r.e is
g.,)lr.] t:J get and l:ei:as rr,?l~r;r:Ji;:0cj th?tl: 1e'/el, dl:housil hf~ 19 ccnCG:;,;-,~-j aCCI.p;
tJki:~3 t~a Vnltaren J:~d t~o Frilc3ec al:d what t:;ese dr~gg rnlght do :~ ~::~.
Dr. ~:l:~:~llJr dCI~s prc:'/lde 11::n with t~e rnodlc3tlc/l,
EE; HGFPi-V..N, p!CH..\r;,D L.
rAGE 4
Janu,iry 18/ 2000
I have rBviewed medical infor~aticn prcvlded t: ~.. X'ra~9 (rcm S.,dle
hcspital, perfot'med en July 23, 1999 of the C;.65: s!",cw no act:i':e disease;
thoracic gpi~e films stlcw ~in~mal 9:0110019 a~~ ~11d degenerati\'e ch~ng~s
{.:refJer,t and X-ra,'s cf, t~:e r~(lr.t f],bc8g8 ai'e r.e3~:..':e.
An MRI oE t~e th~racic ipina 9hc~8 there 19 a ':ery 't:lj comrre93icn defcflnity
a~ t~e T7 ver~ebral bed}, crS3tlng a ml1d k~~~C3~9 ce~:er9d at thlS level.
Thi9 c'':'TJ:~ir,e3 'h'l:h a br-:;d~b3sed di2C bulge ':::;. C:"'3E1t.e a ':er,/ fl\lld ccrd
ccm~res31cn a: this level, There 13 que9tiG~3~~eaS9~clatBd slg~a1
abnormallt'l w1thln t~e :crd at thlS le'.'el asdS3crlt9j above,
1 dld re'/le~ Cr. JGh~ Vl:~e!''l'9 repcr: of
thbt J~r. Hoffm5n tag a fadiculitlS at T6,
ctat ra1~c~11t~3 19 viral in crlg..~,
J','J:::'':2~, 41 l~!SJ i':he:-~ 1'.::. dC69 thlrJ;
H:s ~~:tial iffipres9tcn 13 t~at
I re'/~e~ej :~r. Hcff~an'3 f~edicat~~n c~art, H~ ~~e~ t~~:s G~e t~tJ JSplfln a
j~j. Csxe~l~ ~:a3 d~sc:~~~:;~~d. He dses ta~:e :5 TJ (~ ~:~ltrlpLyll~e a:
r.:"I;',r:.
:-:!: 1:::'::0.:) ?rl!-':S~.r: 2"1:-,0 '/cl:a~.':::-,. H'~ ;,:_~: ':-.3::r-:.:.) 'J:'1(7CE':\:-:-.:..r.e El:--.j
C~c~~r::::;~ 2~lf~:e a~j (a~Cl\::;1 3~j a ~J~e-3-1;! '.'::~:r::~
I d~d '((:'::f-:;':'/ r,:::.t~s r:f :::!'J:e t,jJC:->=1!51.-, r'1.D, :: 13 ;-,::>:1"1 1:1 ::"'8
;.:f::,.....,3.r,~cst'...:.!"3 F3.1:ulj Ft3C'.:.lCe :-:cte cf l'~.:irch :;, :jJj t:~,~1: Hr. ~-L:ff:-nan r:~~3:1
~l~h ~~3al c~~3eSt:'c:l a~j ~~~er res;lr~:cry s~'-;::~3 ~~ d3~'S a30. 7~~3 ~a3
re~ol'll;i/j' \'::-.8;1 five 021':'3 ajo the pati.::r.t be'j),;-. 'I,:':~ lr.::~~':r.Itt':::r,t si....:\~-p r:.~ht
lcwer c~est ~a~n, 7he ~alns last fr~m 1-10 32::nds, cccurrin3 e':ery f:\'8
ml~ute9, It dces appe3r that these prcblems te3~~ aftEr what scunda l:~:e a
cc!d a~j it ~a'l ~:ell be due to the ccu3hlng l~~: his thcr~cic ~~cble~9 teJ8n.
It shculd be ~cted tt3t In the f5mlly ~ractice ~:tss It dce~ dISCUSS t~e fact
that !~r. Hcf~man dees 11~ve dlat0tss a~d i9 be:~9 treated by d:et. :: sh~uld
t:e r.ctuj t;,3,t al:hcu?h5r-pa,rent1'l I,:r, Hoffman c:::-;:laii.ej of m'::l'n::?"/ 1:83/ r.e
wag tes:ed a,t te:ter than 90 perce~[lle fer ffie~:ry re~al:. A~~~rent:~', t.le,
Hof:man '~;as ~le3sed byer,at, It shculd also te r.::tej t::,'it Hr', H:::ff:;;3:l c:.:1
ha"'e rZlcLer frequene \--'iS1t3 to l'lechElnlc3burg r=-~.lly FrElctlce, g:ang to t.;-.e
f3~11y pr'a~t~ce about cnce a mcnth after the a2::~~~t, :t 13 ncted in t~e
r3.:7,11y pr.3.C!;lCe r,ctes tr,at r'lf, Hoffman!s aC:l~2-;-'.: CC(~'''':f:"~j cn !<afch 2,1, 19Jj'
and a nots en April 4, 1997 states that Mr. Hof~~an had tried working
half-days and it we~t q~lte well and he wanted :~ talk about re-intr2juci~g
himself to his wcrr:nlace. lie ',.,'as told at that :'~~,e t~3t he shcul~i r.:::c c.r.1.....e
excessi';ely. He W':1~ to 'IJod:. halfpdays for a "perl')d of time and \'Je3.f a
cen'ica1 collar ~s needed, Ie should be noted :::':3t [>:c. Ech,rdrd Thorq::scn, one
d3.,/ aft':r h13 acc:..dent '.:r. :'~.:\:.-c~ 24" 1:'37/ gave t;.0 dI~smc918 ,'\t ch:\,: tl:7,~ cf
','-/hlplas:, '~:.ldpcs31ble pest c)nCUSS1'.'8 syndrome ',.:~,:h CS1";cerltration
diff,ic'.lltie9, It shculd be n::Jted in a note en :ul, 5, 1996, thlg is t:rlcr to
tl:9 accider';t, th3.t :.~r, Hoffman preS8;ltBd at Cr. r.1C:l~rd T3r,j3,'u't!s off:.ce
complalning of cl:est and arm p3in fer apprcxi~a:~ly C~8 t~ t~o ~'e3r9, T~~e
pati.erll. LZld had eI:.isodes of achIng i:1 Ill::! left s:-;culde?' 2nd dC'.'ln hiS ~Ef:
arm. 7his occurred [fIOSt c0mmonly when he v:ao e;,;c!"ci9inl;j, The pain ';.'culd
ts,;pn ,dter appro;dm.?tte1'l one mile cf i~I.31Kil'lg a:',d ','.'ould pel'<Ji8t untIl i:e
stcr~r:ed. HI) i'h"1S yJCr};ed up fot' this t:j rule au: ,,-:In'/ C3t.'~.!1~C !]'/il;l:':J)tr.s. I':
s~:;;uld b;! ncted in 1:192, b3 cGmplainc:d of rli];..r: :::!:culcJ.:.'!' r}ln ,~i:",c1 \'J,):: f"~:~ 1:0
t',;l,,'e a right s\.IPt-a3Plli,:!.tUS strau1. It. s;hculd [;-3 :~I~[(,d erl ,]ur;e S, lS26, :':c.
Hoffman 8,21'.... CJI1 \~oller, 1-1.0, 1-119 cr,;:npl.7tinc ','1-;;:] l....~~ck p"ltri, He heed h:;j
FE: HOFFI>\),.N, fdCIV\I'D ["
f'),()E ,
Jai,~:~lr'l 18, 2000
reClll'~/~~t rje~k ~aln 9tn(;e lS22. ^ cal~I~:11 e~:~e X-r~y ~89 dOf18 cn I~arch 24,
1983 w~lch wa~I)G~Ltiv8 for deJ8rjerati~B d13C d~s~~se at (:5 thrc\Jgh C7 w~~h
dri:jt::r,er,'1tl':e ,~stf~r~;ph'ltl!J C~;rH'>:1t.l n in the S,:'l;r,€! 3l"33 t.!.:'.d rnc::!eri'lt8 bll!lteral
anter..Gt' ve~:to;.br::l.l fcrimlrd\l lil';pir.gc-nnent in t:',!,;1 !!;f1'= an~a, H,t:! d~3'2;-IC8~S '(hi9
degB:'""ler3ti'/8 d:91.:.' dlSC!lSc,of tL(~ I\eckl C5 thrcJ'?h C7, rlrd rnu9cle sr.ra1n cf
the left ~ide of. the neck, ThiS gentlef~ian dld ha':e a Cr,erJ:: X.'L1Y dS:1e en
June 15, 1968. The cOllclusicn 'tlt.l.:l mcdera~e de?l2nt-!:'3t:ivf.l c:-,.'inges in tl~e
tt~cr3C~c spl~e, TtlQ he3ft a:~j lungs wer~ ~aga:l'~e, He also had X-r3~'3 cf
)119 cervlcal S~lne dene in 1;33 and tIllS did 8~C~ t~~t there is ~arr2w~~3 'of
tl~e C5-6 al~d (6-1 l~tel-v~rtetral d19C 8r3~~9, C:G3:stent ~ttll de3e~0~'~:~'.'9
d:':JC dtse3.:~e, There 19 mc:!r:!::3.te tl1.~t6~:a.l C:.-~ 3:-d C6~7 rj~3ener:ttl'..e J'~l;..t
d::.se32,,;! ,1r.j ,,",:~jf;LHe bllJ'::t;:_,:,,-,l l;I':.er/erte:~r')l ~:~!'':i~~r,.11 1::',;::r<?et:if7f.r:; ~t. ':.:'-,::'~!e
le','el~l. 1he:~'e I(lere de3~r,er-;.t l','e cstecph'/':.:2:l i:~'f::3f::r.t :t":~:n C5 U',tCi1J]:', C7,
I j:d r~~'~ew n:t09 frarn Cr. c~~~el Gelh ~~ ~fr3~e:/ :':ej~~31 Center' H~ ?}~
io'.r, M,::f::',.:t:1 ~:;-'l .J"nu,~I"1 6, lSSB, H1S Ylcl-klr';g d:3-j:',.:.::l3 '.'.'.30'1 t)".&t: of t:-:l'~~~:<:;i'jt
r,e:).: t:~l:l !."e:3:e::i to cer','ic~l d'-;-?f.r'lerat:":{3 ~;,;:::;',-j',:>:'Jt_~;, :(,~ Jlso d:j t~:t€:':e
t:-,~,: ;;tc: s',;ff~:'t::j '.i clc8~d )",:::3J '.~'.}ut'j ,;;",) i',::1 ~,::~':' ::-.:\': t~',e :~~c1)Crli:'/~: .~:-.'.~
~l'..':';~::''-3 th,~r:. ;',e ','J,~~'l 1~:.'/~:-/3 3'; ;':,8 "'lS:'': en :::,:-",;:';t'.: t, 1 ')S' ,3 ',':r:~'e r'~l:...:'::::i .-'
:~~':: :;'.':,':~t. ','e::::Gle ;1cc::..dl~r,': c~ ~<j!"'::::1 24, 1:"17, ;':e SP.;I':.';~' ::~',d I q'-~(.:-:>,
1l~:'::'::";2h t:..~ ~,:t:,:r ':~h;c:..:;:::c:..:J(::-r.t cLj :'.:~. C':'. :::'"1::11 t:',e j,::'~r;'r,~~!.'3.::':'~
C~'.ai.J<:j ~,!'t':;3r:r.L ::::n L:'9 ;<'~'3'1'3, C~';;::.!":/ :..: _--:~l".
, ,,"
~~ )~ ,~;~~~.~~':~~~~n r:r ~~~
~;i.:jf:rl'/~n3 c::~::::.tlCn 't;i1:"C:l !:.:l~ It:::: illm r-:'€".:Jt-';;',::':i s'....;;~.::,;r"j':.:.c", i~-.:: (~:2:: :'.?It
t.~.it ;.11.', Hof:':.:1I1 '1lculd r.c': ro:-,:':r-~:"!;'l~ gL;r,?e~'l" ;-:,:; 3:SJ s':.~~,:,=:j t:--.:lt 1': -":23 ~,:s
cr-i:-',lon t:--.21t 1'1r, Kcffrrdn '1.':11 ;;3.'.'13 s'):n~ I=~:"'~,~:::::.:-.:: :~:,,:',.::'r :':-::~:rr~,(::-,t :,,'-:~j':.s-j t,)
~er91s':e~t ne:k ~31n follcwll~g t~le acc:d~~t, t~t ~e dc\:bt~d t~at it ~cu:j
C3USe t;~m a~y sutatantial dis5tl1~ty cr l~aGd~c~p,
I alg~d:d re'::ew c~art9 fr~m ~:3rk~ff and Le~~:..~~':.c~ reJar~lng
tr.e!"ap'I' I d:j also re';'le'd C'f. G~lb's nCt'3 ct ,:,r;1"11 4, 1;;:,7,
he felt' that I~r, Hoffman did suffer a severe c~se cf ~h:..r13sh,
::ldeed r.ad s;~::-,e t'/~e of sp~~al c:;rj ccnt'Js'i<~:l '..::-,:::h .:q:;:e3l"3 to
He a~so felt :~3: he had a falrly mlld CCGC~EStC~,
IllS (~"",s:::J~
en :::~t '::~:e,
He rr,a'i :--.3','8
loA re3~.'::~"],
:..er.e!" inter-vle'lilng I~r. HoffT'~:I, e;.:amining him ar.d r;:',':E:',.!ir.:j hi] med:.ca:'
infcrm3tion, I can state the fcllowing, This g'2:it~eman did, I bel:e':e s'.;:::(~:r
an lnjl.:r'/ to his cerlical spir.e a3 a res'J~t c:~:-" 3,',:!-.:::;:r.cci:o 3ccid~:-.': .::
19~7, I C3.n coda'.! find ne> r.3r::l neurClloolc e'llJ.d€:f.C!:: of 21f,,/ cam2loe, ';',~,3: :...3 I
J ~ ~ J
can~ot detect any we3%neS3 or m~tcr loss cr' cls3r-cut ser:s3tion less as t~e
r~sult of the aGcident, I have taken X-rays ln my cff'iee tcday and thi3
serjtl!=-~:1i3;1 dses h::"/El deg'j!1E!:ati\'e dlSC dl~e'?;9~ cr t:-,e c":::::'Jical spir;f~ 't:h~:~ ',;219
~rE';lsusly r~?Drted and did p~0d3te llis~cclde~:, I dld a flGX1Cl,-~xt0~s:cn
f11m a:-,.j I sea no e'/idence cE lt~Stdbllity It/h],en V1culd sU'J.j'::st that c!""e:::::'3 ',,:as
n.jc e:1Cugh l.l.?';~llwnt.ouB disruptl.cn to CH.:3e 8::;::-.:fic3.:1t dl::J"I:13(:f:-mnnr, cf Ci.e
ven.:.er:r3 en t:~,t:1 ct,l,er., Hr, H'.:f::r:3.:119 c..:;::"i:l:.'tir.tJ ;'ite J11 f)',:r:jr::ctl'.'t), r.:-.a.: 18
he dc:esr:.ot f1:1\'8 any 'ii~Se~j~ ~:'~3:Jm or S'....(~llll),J ~c-cut tho cet':l.c~ll :o!i):":-,i:! '~"'r
mi.:!lcle3r:.rr.-pr.y or reflex If)~'jfl Ot~ other pi:}-'SlC31 f~I',.j.l;I[:F:l v:::.:..ch could b(j
c~)o8iderej cb:ocr.i'.'e. I do nct flnd any <:tr;ncr::i3.1lt'.1t38 in the ph';/8it~1
,~:\J,;r.lt1,:p:lcn t.J 9\.I'Jgl,:~,t: th~t tr,i;l (.3entli~IT,,?ln 1(1111 r.cf:j ~in'{' :J'_it':]lCJl pr::c,:,j . "...
,1:3 Ji rc!~ult cf. tiibl injury, Hu dO(;):J h,i':O sl'gr.:'::l:,i:-:'': df;-:'j'-}:',t~r,;itl'!e :;'.s::
c118C:iSO and c€.'ttJi"nl'l t)1at c:uld progt'f2:JS c':r::!' t,l'l,e due t;) t".h(~ I1Zitu:';;l
~roc'!;,;~!:J ct: W=Jl.nSI, Idtilough Hr, HGffrna.n llc(~g n:~::. i:f-)l'..(;','c: :::',.'11'. lh': C,-1:1 l;:-::r;:.',"~,
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 99-247
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RICHARD L. HOFFMAN AND
. GLORIA M. HOFFMAN,
Plaintiff
MISTY LEHMAN,
Defendant
JURY TRIAl, DEMANDED
ANS'BR WITH NBW HATTBR
AND NOW oomes the Defendant, Misty Lehman, by her attorneys
Wix, Wenger & Weidner and sets forth the following Answer With New
Matter to Plaintiff's Complaint:
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted.
3. Admitted.
4. It ls admitted
5. Admitted.
6. Admitted.
7. Admitted.
8. Admitted.
that Defendant is an adult individual.
9. It is admitted that Defendant oollided with the right
rear passenger side of Plaintiff's vehicle, however, the remaining
averments of paragraph 9 are denied and proof to the contrary is
demanded at the time of the tr.ial.
10. The allegations of paragraph 10 are specifically denied
and proof to the oontrary is demanded at the time of the trial.
11. The Defendant incorporates herein by reference her
answers to Paragraph 1 through 10 of plaintiffs complaint.
12. The allegations of paragraph 12 are denied and proof to
the contrary is demancted at the time of the trial.
13. The allegations of paragraph 13 are denied and proof to
the oontrary is demanded at the time of the trial.
14. The allegations of paragraph 14 are denied and proof to
the contrary is demanded at the time of the trial.
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';lNl'WNOlI'f'NlI.IlM.U\'lllll'f' 10 NOI~IA)n H' .1"'OllllVl~ 11\1
SI-'OLLENBERGER & JANUZZI, LLP
1820 L1nglestown Road
P.O. Box 60545
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106-0545
Telephone Number: (717) 234-3700
Fax Number: (717) 234-8212
~rneys for Plaintiffs
RICHARD L. HOFFMAN and GLORIA M.
HOFFMAN,
Plaintiffs
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
PENNSYLVANIA
v.
NO. 99-247
CIVIL ACTION. LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
COMPLAINT
MISTY LEHMAN,
Defendant
AND NOW comes the Plaintiffs, RICHARD L. HOFFMAN and GLORIA M.
HOFFMAN, by and through their attorneys, SHOLLENBERGER & JANUZZI, LLP, and
do respectfully represent the fOllowing:
1. The Plaintiff, RICHARD L. HOFFMAN, Is an adult individual who currently
resides at 700 Hamilton Avenue, Mechanlcsburg, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17055.
2. The Plaintiff, GL.ORIA M. HOFFMAN, is an adult individual who currently
resides at 700 Hamilton Avenue, Mechanlcsburg, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17055
3. The Plaintiffs, RICHARD L. HOFFMAN and GLORIA M. HOFFMAN, are
husband and wife.
4. The Defendant, MISTY LEHMAN, Is an adult Individual whose last known
address is 5317C Manayunk, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania 17109.
5. The facts and circumstances hereinafter set forth took place at or about
5:51 p.m. at the Intersection of State Route 2024, otherwise known as Gettysburg
Road, and State Route 2021, otherwise known as Wesley Drive, Lower Allen Township,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
S11{llI ENUfltOEfj ... dANtIUl, 11.1'
11'21) lINOLL<;TOWN Hew" l' lJ no:>: (il[_\', . Ili\IlIlJ':lllUHo. 1'1\ I ?1tI6,'l.')oI~
illh 2:H :mxJ 'FAX 11\1' ~:\'lfllI2
6. At the aforesaid time and place, the Plaintiff, RICHARD L. HOFFMAN,
was the owner and operator of a 1994 Chevrolet Caprice, bearing registration plate
L1BEXC.
7. At the aforesaid time and place, the Defendant, MISTY L.EHMAN, was the
owner and operator of a 1991 Nlssan Sentra, bearing registration plate BBS-1135.
8. At the aforesaid time and place, Plaintiff, RICHARD L.. HOFFMAN, was
traveling westbound on State Route 2027, Lower Allen Township, Cumherland County,
Pennsylvania.
9. At the aforesaid time and place, Defendant, MISTY LEHMAN, pulted out
from a private driveway turned eastbound onto State Route 2027 and collided Into the
left rear passenger side of Plaintiff's vehicle causing him to lose control of his vehicle
and travel over a curb and Into a private lot.
10. As a result of the aforesaid collision, Plaintiff, RICHARD L. HOFFMAN,
has suffored serious and permanent Injuries, Including but not limited to the foltowlng:
(a) Severe strain and sprain of the muscles, tendons, Itgaments and other
soft tissues at or about the cervical spine with radlculopathy;
(b) Aggravation of degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine;
(c) Severe strain and sprain of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and other
soft tissues at or about the thoracic spine;
(d) Spinal cord contusion;
(e) Concussion;
(f) Post concussion syndrome;
(g) Memory Impairment with overt abnormality;
(h) Chipped porcelain cuffs on teeth numbers 4, 5, 6, 12, 13 & 19;
(I) Chipped facial/Incisal areas at teeth numbers 3,6,7,9,1011 & 12;
(J) Loss of posterior support altering bite, pulling excessive force on anterior
teeth;
2
SlluULNlIl'IK\EH /I; .11\t~UUL UJ'
1!l;Jll UNGll'STnWN HCIAl). J'O BOX fill.<..I'i' t"\fIIllSmmO, 1'/\ 111()(, O~l~,
rll'/)H.I J'1(fl'I'M:nI7l~:"1lt?12
(k) Shock to the nerves and nervous system; and,
(I) Mental and physical anguish.
CQ.lHill
RLQHARD L. l:tQfFMAN v.IVI~~
11. Paragraphs 1 through 10 of Plaintiff's Complaint are Incorporated herein
by reference and made a part hereof as If set forth In full.
12. The aforesaid collision was a direct and proximate result of the negligence
of Defendant, MISTY LEHMAN, In operating her vehicle In a careless, reckless and
negligent manner as follows:
(a) In entering or crossing State Route 2027 from a driveway without yielding
the right-of-way to Plaintiff's vehicle approaching on the roadway, In
violation of 75 Pa.C.SA 93324;
(b) In emerging from a driveway and falling to stop her vehicle at the point
nearest State Route 2027 where she had a view of approaching traffic, in
violation of 75 Pa.C.S.A. 93344;
(c) In failing to observe Plaintiff's vehicle traveling west on State Route 2027;
(d) In permitting or allowing her vehicle to strike and collide with the left
passenger rear portion of the vehicle operated by the Plaintiff;
(e) In turning In such a manner as to endanger Plaintiff's vehicle traveling
west on State Route 2027; and,
(f) In failing to keep her vehicle within the proper lane of travel.
13. As a direct and pmximate result of the aforesaid Injuries, Plaintiff,
RICHARD L. HOFFMAN, has undllrgone and in the future will undergo great pain and
suffering for which damages are claimed.
14. As a further result of the aforesaid Injuries, Plaintiff, RICHARD L.
HOFFMAN, has suffered and may continue to suffer a loss of earnings for which
damages are claimed.
3
SIIO(JJ:NIIUlUEII!!IJt\NIJl1I,1-IJ'
Ill:!!) IJN(ilDiTOWN Il(l,\ll' I'C) IlI.IX(~JMr, IIMfIH15I\lJA(\, 1'/\ 17l!.ltl oM."!
(1\ 1) 2:~1 :m:o I f,\X 111 h l~1 lI;!l'!
15. As a further result of the aforesaid Injuries, Plaintiff, RICHARD L.
HOFFMAN, h~d and/or may In the future Incur expenses for medical treatment and
rehabilitation for which damages are claimed.
16. As a further result of the aforesaid Injuries, Plaintiff, RICHARD L.
HOFFMAN, has and/or may In the future Incur a loss of earning capacity for which
damages are claimed.
17. As a further result of the aforesaid Injuries, Plaintiff, RICHARD l..
HOFFMAN, has sustained a permanent diminution In his ability to enjoy life and life's
pleasures for which damages are claimed.
18. As a further result of the aforesaid Injuries, Plaintiff, RICHARD L.
HOFFMAN, has Incurred or may hereinafter Incur financial expensos and loss which
exceed sums recoverable under the limitations and exclusions of the Pennsylvania
Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law for which damages are claimed.
19. As a further result of this collision, Plaintiff, RICHARD L. HOFFMAN, has
and may in the future Incur reasonable and necessary medical and rehabilitative costs
and expenses In excess In the amounts paid or payable pursuant to Subchapter B of
the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law, Workers' Compensation
or any program, group contract, or other arrangement for p&yment of benefits as
defined in 75 Pa.C.S.A. ~1719.
20. Plaintiff is covered by the full tort oplion under his motor vehicle Insurance
polley with Erie Insurance Group. A copy of the declaration page Is attached hereto as
Exhibit "A".
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, RICHARD L. HOFFMAN, demands judgment against
the Defendant, MISTY L.EHMAN, for cOmpensatory damages In an amount In excess of
the amount requiring compulsory arbitration.
COUNTU
~I"QRIA N1_,J::lQffMA..lLv..1J1lSJ~
21. Paragraphs 1 through 20 of Plaintiffs Complaint are incorporated herein
by reference and made a part hereof as if set forth In full.
"
<;111I!lI.NIlI'lItiUI'" ,INjUIl.I, U/'
IIVll IJNGII',';l'lI\Vl'i flt),\I). I'll BOX ('()'~I.',' I 1,\Jlm'./IlIHli, 1'1\ 1.'I(J(,(JM.~
(111; lH :(71)'1 FAX !7l711H H:!12
~~M...!!.Q..!lli"!!!!~2Q~ItL_ __u .___.n_
. ....f)Il_g!c~.!1"n9.t.{!L
.,. '-"-~'.".'_.'~'-""""-~-~-'----~------
, .
I FN"'S~RANCE'
GROUP
lOOEflflln5 pi
EM PA 'fM CONTINUATION NOTICE
ERIE
'.
ERI E 'SURANCE. EXCHANGE
PIONEER tI/MILY AUTO POLICY
~~'____KK__~__~__.___._ ...------.-'--..-~.~-.-~._____.._._.~.._~_.K.,._._.......~_.____~_~_________~.
AGENT ITEM 2. POLICY PERIOD POLICY NUMBER
AA 7 7 99---~ ARNHAMINSURANCE AGY-----01701 /97--TO- 01/oi/98--'--001-0 1065 36H--'
__..!J_S~LNAM~QJ~L~~BEQ__A_ND ADDRE9.~L._._
""111."111""1,1,.",.,1..'",,..,1,1.1,,11,,,,,1.,.,,',11
RICHARD L HOFFMAN &
GLORIA M HOFFMAN
700 HAMILTON AVE
MECHANICSBURG PA 17055-4024
-----~'~_..~~-.....------------,--.._-_._._._~._~--_.
ITEM 3. OTHER It:JTEREST ____.____
AGENT - FARNHAM INSURANCE AGY
*****
AGENT PHONE - (717) 766-8678
507 NORTH YORK STREET
MECHANICSBURG PA 17055
*******************************************************************
* FIRST ACCIDENT FORGIVENESS APPL!ES. THE FIRST SURCHARGE FOR A *
* F!lTURE AT-FAULT ACCIDENT WILL BE WAIVED. *
*******************************************************************
ITEM 4.
AUTO YR
1 93
2 90
3 94
4 91
I1'EM 5.
AUTOS COVH'RED
MAKE VIN ST TER SYM RATING CLASS
LINC TOWNCAR SI lLNLM82W9PY659588 PA 27 F AlAS-MULTI
DODG SHADOW lB3XP48J5LN16l79l PA 27 8 A2AS-MULTl
CHEV CAPRICE CL 1G1BL82P1RR150998 PA 27 8 A4L-MULTI
FORD BRONCO lFMEU15N9MLA34457 PA 27 8 AlAS-MULTI
I NSURANCE IS PROVI DED WHERE A PREMI UMJ OR I NCL, I S SHOWN FOR THE
COVERAGE. COVERAGES, LIMITS AND ANNUAL PREMIUMS ARE AS FOLLOWS-
#1 #2 #3 #4
*****GOOD DRIVER RATES APPLY*****
ALL PRIVATE PASSENGER VEHICLES.
82 100 131 90
44 53 72 49
DDP
--- THE FULL TORT OPTION APPLIES TO
LIABILITY. PROTECTION-
BODILY INJURY S250MjPERSON $500M/ACC
PROPERTY DAMAG~ S100M/ACC
FIRST PARTY BENEFITS-
C~~BI~~II~~p~P~~~'~f,N~~All~2:~~LM~~r?
INCOME [,OSS ACCIDENTAL D~ATH(25M MAX) 46
UNINSURED MOTO ISTS COVERAGE-
BOD INJ ~250M/PERSON S500M/ACC-STACKED 24
UNDERI NSURED MO'rORI STS COVER~GE-'
BOD INJ S250M/PERSON S500M/ACC-STACKED 86
PHYS I CAL DAMAGE COVERAGES-.
COMPREHENSIVE - $50 OED 61
COLLISION - $250 DED 129
TOTAL ANNUAL PREMI UM FOR EACH AUTO 472
TOTAL ANNUAL POLICY PREMIUM $ 2,007
ITEM 6. APPLICABLm POLICY, ENDORSEMENTS~ EXCEPTIONS
ALL AUTOS - FAP 05/91, ABPNOl 07/96*, AF~A03 10/95.
AUTO 1 - ABPU02 02/~6w.
AUTO 2 - ABPU02 021 6*.
AUTO 3 - ABPU82 02/ 6*.
AUTO 4 - ABPU 2 02/96*.
50 74 65
24 24 24
86 86 86
39 63 ~~
102 183
454 633 448
TO DECLARATIONS ITEMS
ANTI-THEFT DISCOUNT APPLIES-PASSIVE D[SAB AUTO 3
MULTI POLICY DISCOUNT APPLIES - AMOUNT OF DISCOUNT IS $ 47
PASSIVE RESTRAINT DISCOUN1' APPLIES - AIRBAGS AlJ'ro 1
PASSIVE RESTRAINT DISCOUNT APPLIES - AIRBAG AUTO 2
PASSIVE RESTRAINT DISCOUNT APPLIES - A[RBAGS AUTO 3
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE DISCOUNT APPL[ED AUTO 1
ANTI-LOCK BRAKE DISCOUNT APPLIED AUTO 3
EXHIBIT
I __--'1_____
SECTION 6
LIFE TABLES
PAGE 11
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.-
Tablft 6-3 Expect.lion 01 UI" II Single YQ8r5 ,:), I\go, by Race and Sell: Un11ed Slales. 1988
AppP...ndLx 6.21 -11-
While an expert Is Ilut permitted simply to repeat another's opinion or data
without bringing to bear on Its own expertise and Judgment, a medical
. expert Is permitted to give opinions based In part on medical reports
prepared by doctors who did not testify and were not available for cross-
examination when the reports were of a type relied upon by experts In the
practice of their profession. Se{! p..rl[lli!,'l!trn.Y.... Celotex Qorooral!Qn, 415
Pa, Super. 41, 608 A.2d 515 (1992).
As for the records that a doctor can be confronted with In cross-
examination, Plaintiff refers the Court to !S~mp v. Qualls, 326 Pa, Super.
319,473 A.2d 1369 (1984). In that case, the Court said:
It Is clear that the right of cross-examination extends beyond the
subjects testified to in direct testimony and Includes the right to
examine the witness on any facts tending to refute Inferences or
deductions arising from matters the witness testified to on direct
examination. Every circumstance related to the direct testimony of
an adverse witness or relating to anything within his or her
knowledge Is a proper subject for cross-examination including any
matter which might qualify or diminish the Impact of direct
examination.
326 Pa, Super. at 324; 473 A.2d at 1371.
(b) The first party coverage that Mr. Hoffman has Is unique. It was provided
under Section 1715(a)(5) of the Financial Responsibility Law which
provides for a combined benefit of $117,500. The benefits, however, will
only last for three years from the date of the coltislon or until exhaustion of
the benefit, whichever first occurs. March 24, 2000 was the three year
anniversary of this collision and, therefore, the first party carrier is no
3
StIO!1i:NIIEHOER" ,JANtIlJ.I.IJJ'
1B20IJNOlri}lTOWN HC'J.~D' PO 00)(6(615. tIAARISIJlJFlO, p," 1710ti 0545
UI7)2J'I:i7()"'~)(171712,14'.'l'lI2
longer obligated to pay the medical bills. .6!llt, Toner v. Natlonwlpe, 415
Pa, Super. 617, 610 A.2d 53 (1992).
V. Identity of.W!tntsses to J2l. Called:
(a) Richard Hoffman, 700 Hamilton Avenue, Mechanlcsburg, Pennsylvania;
(b) Gloria Hoffman, 700 Hamilton Avenue, Mechanlcsburg, Pennsylvania;
(c) Officer T. McNair, Lower Allen Township Pollee Department, 1993
Hummel Avenue, Camp Hili, Pennsylvania;
(d) Jeffrey Milakovic, 23 Sussex Road, Camp Hili, Pennsylvania, 17011;
(e) Carol Weakland, 2513 Mill Road, Mechanlcsburg, Pennsylvania, 17055;
(f) Dr. Daniel Gelb, Orthopedics and Rehabilitation, Milton S. Hershey
Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033;
(g) Bruce McKellar, M.D., Mechanlcsburg Family Practice Center, 122 S.
Filbert Street, Mechanlcsburg, Pennsylvania, 17055.
(h) Exhibit to be offered by James P. Straub, Accounting Manager, Liberty
Excavators, Inc., 4410 Gettysburg Road, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.
(f) Witnesses Identified but not called by the Defendant.
VI. List of Exhibits With Brief Identification of Each
As to lIabillty~
(1) Not to scale scene diagram;
(2) Scene photographs;
(3) Vehicle photographs;
4
9HOUl1Nnl!RGER" JANUlll, u.p
IWO UNOursrowN ROAD. PO UOX 605<15 .IWIRlSIIURG, I'll 171~n.~5
l717i2,'J4,3100.11'''< (1171234-8212
Rc: I{ichurd Hoffmun
I'uge two
1/6/98
( ncxl suw Mr. Hoffmun six weeks lutcr on May 16, 1997, Al thut timc, tvtr.
Hoffmun wntlnued to compluin of pllslcrim neck puin although his IHlnd symptoms
were rcsolving, Examination und x-mys utthis time wcre unchunged. I suggested
thut hl~ begin u course of fllrmul physicul thempy ut thut pllintto help resolve his
symptoms morc fully.
I nl~xt suw Mr. Hoffman on July 2.1997. At that lime he continued to compluin of
symptoms of pain und pureslhcsius in his upper extremities but stated thut his
symptoms were gmduully improving with time, Examination ut thut time mvealed
u severcly limited neck mngc of motion which wus puinful but otherwise
unremarkablc. ^t that point ( encouraged Mr. Ilol'fmun to continue with his
conservutivc thcmpy progmmund to see nw again in three months,
( next suw Mr. I-Ioffmun on Octob':r 3. 1997. He continued to huve neck pain at
thut timc us well us complaints of right urJllllnd Icg puresthesius. Exumination lit
thut time continued 10 rcveala decreused range of neck motion und somc minor
reflex chunges in his right upper extremity. Since he had had six Illonths of
persistent symptoms with a peripheml neurologic component. I suggested to Mr.
Hoffman at thut time that he obtain un MRI seilll of his ccrvical spine to rule out
any significunt pathology l;uusing potentiulneurologic symptonK Mr, Hoffman
underwent this study on October 10.1997 und (reviewed it on October 16, 1997.
Thl~ study showed no evidence of any significant spinal cord compression.
(lust saw Mr. I-Ioffmun on November 12, 1997. lie conllnued 10 huve the sume
complaints ut thut time. ^t that visit I had reviewed his MRI with him und
explained to him thut there were no lesions in his eervicul spine to UCCOUIll for his
right hund symptoms. I enwuraged him to continue with Ilonslll'gicalmethods of
treulmcnt reluted to his persistent neek puin such as the use of a collllr, exercise lInd
vurious typcs of painmcdicutions,
At this time my working diagnosis for Mr. I-Ioffmun is that he suffers from
pcrsistent neck puin rcluted to cervical degenerative spondylosis. IlIlso bclicve that
hc sustuincd u closed he lid injlll''y with his motor vchicle accident. I think, within u
reusonable degree of medicul cCl'lllinty. that tlw lllujority of his symptoms ure
related to his motor I'ehicle uccident of Murch 24, 1997. ,t\,lthough the motor
whicle accident did not cause all of the degencl'lItive change present on his X-I'llYs,
clearly it causl~d an exacerbation of lIn underlying condition which hus left him
persistently symptomatic. I feci that many of his sensory complaints lire not related
to his neck perse blll may be the result of his closed head injury suslllined with this
accident. This would require investigation by someone involved in the treatment of
neuropsychiatric disease, I do not feel tbat this iujury has mude his degenenllive
disease substantially worse but C(~rtainly it has made it difficult I' OJ' himlo overcome
what symptoms he has fnllowing the motor vehicle accidenl. I doubt that Mr.
Hoffman will require any surgery related to this accident but may require ongoing
. C1 API? IIJ 2000 U' .
; "
IV. 8u..ary of Leaal I..u.. ReaarGina Adai..ibility Q{
Te.tiaonv. 'xbibit. or Any Other .attar and Leaal
Authoriti.. aelied Upon:
Plaintiff is making claim for monies that he paid for
presoriptions, however, this claim is barred by the provisions of
the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law.
V. Identity o~~~ be Called:
A. Misty Lehman
B. Dr. Richard BOlll
C. Judith Zimmerman
D. Representative of Blue Cross and Blue Shield
E. Representative of Rite Aid
.
VI. Li.t of Exhibit. with Brief Ident~fioation of_~1
A. Photographs of vehicles
B. Transcript and videotape of Dr. Richard Baal
VII. Current Itatu. of Settlement Negotiation.
state Farm had offered $25,000.00 in settlement of this
case at a time when Plaintiff had made claim that he had undergone
extensive dental recollstruction, and would be having substantial
future damages as a result of the dental
injuries. Plaintiff, after taking the deposition of his dentist,
has determined to withdraw any claims relating to a dental injury.
2
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,Jltlluary 18, 2000
Rlchltrd H, Wix, Esq.
4705 Duke Street
Hdn,l~burg, PA 1710~-3099
RE: HOFFMAN, R I CHARD L.
700 Hltmilton Ave
Mochanicsburg, PA 17055-0000
168 26 4308
0539'7301
Dear Mr. Wix:
Thi~ i~ in reference to RICHARD r" HOl'F't<IAN whom I initially ~aw in my Poplltr
Church Roltd Of [i ce on ,January 14, 2000 for an Indopendent Medical
Examination.
Mr, Hoffman Is a 61-year-old gentleman, He is gonorally In good health. He
did teIl ',le that: he has been t:old that he has possibly borderline di3botes.
Ho was involved in an automobile accident in March of 1997. He Wd9 driving a
'94 Chevy Caprice staUon wagon and his Car was struck by a woman driving a
Ni99an Sentl't'l. His car was Htrllck on the right real~ side and Mr, Hoffman's
car WdS Bpun arc/und, The' car traveled up over a curb and then down over an
ernbankml'llt. lie fltates he felt like the car landed corning directly
vet'tlcaIly, that: is lar,ding on all four wheels, rather than nose down as the
allbag did nut deploy. 1.11'. Hoffman oelic\'8S that his car \vas traveling about
30-35I11ph, The citr that hit hi" vehicle may have been doing 20 rnph. It was
coming out of a !:lide street. Mr, Hoffman believes that he was
unC'o/HJC:iOlI9 probabl)' from 1-] minutes. He oocs Btato he was wearing his
He21tbolt. He doesn't l"eally recall whethel' his head hit anything at the time
of the accldont. He reporul he '.ioe3n't l'c.Jl1y recall a lot about what
happened right after the accident, He lHates most of the things that he c.'an
repol-t about are thing9 he hau n:!ad or been told Hince the acc.tdent, He
l"t:~portH tllat he vN:H.I tab::m back to his offico. He reports that he works on
(Jettysbur9 Road in the 4'100 block. The accident: happened in the 46 or 4700
block of \.jet.ty~Lury Road, He lepcntn lw was taken back to his uffi'::'e, got .::l
company car, and actually drove hOl11e. lie repol'ts that drive was about three
milfHl but hn clor:n not l'erJ1{~mbe:c rnuch of. that drive. The nfJxt morning Mr.
Hoffmall did H(~f"!k rncd.i.cal dttention at; fvlf.~chani(1fJburg Pamily Practice. He W.Jl9
Beo.n by a [i~mJdf~ ph1'81cic1ll. !lo. dOC9 not n:mernbm~ her namo at thin point, He
l'f:>POi;'UI th,lt: he \v.)~j (l\',11\lJl:ed and hpllc:VPH he ~vas treated initially ju:H: with
Advl.l. Iln rf'pot'tn t,hdL J]rllce N,iCKf'lLlr, M,D. evclltuo:llly saw him and did send
him (or ph't'~liC'al Uwrnpl' fir:.!!: il1; Seidln, He had a series of physical
thcl:apy VIIIIUJ at ~:~eidlo dlld wlwn they \'If.~ro not: BllccestJ[ul, he went to
2Inot:hpr phyn 1 (;,d L})f'rilPY fat' i 11 ty fur f"ul"t:hr>J: t1WJ'dPY. He rcportl1 that the
phYHical Ulf-~rapi~Jt;'8 l;jfJt ndme ~"',]!-I (lit:hr'l' l~t?d 01: Redman. It was a woman,
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!lEi 1I0FFMAN, RICIIARD [,.
PAOE 2
January 19,.2000
Thill WI19 at a physic"l thm'opy facility on Route 114 and he was helped with
the thfH-I'PY ilt that timo. He rcpol.ts that he was haVing a lot of pain at the
time he went for the aocond aeDBion of physical therapy. He had a lot of
pain at t1", base of the neck and crunching and he reported tightnes9 in the
uppor uhouldm's. lie was actually taught some relaxation techniques which he
b~li.vell helped him Bignificlntly. The phYDical therapist alDo used
olectrical stimulation which he believe9 was helpful. Mr. Hoffman i9 an
oxet'utive [or an excavation and paving company. He reports that he does work
ev",-y day, He reports that ho i9 not able to do a9 much a9 he did prior to
the accldenc. lie ,-eports that the biggest change in hi9 job is that he used
to dl-ive 35/000 miles per year, but now .is only able to drive about 1,000 a
month, lie reports hiD other change in terms of his wellbeing i9 that he used
to be able to feel rested after six or seven hours of sleep but now it ca.n
take more to give him a feeling of being well reDted.
rllr. Hoffman l'ecentl'l saw \13lt:er P~ppelrr:dn, D,':), 2nd Dr. Peppelm:--.n did nllggest
that he take Celeb.rex. He had previoClsly been taking Voltaren and he states
he actually believcD the Voltaren helped him with his pain relief to a
greater extent than the Celebrex. Mr. Hoffman doeD take, in addition to the
Vol taren, which he is back on, Prilosec, for bis stomach and he does take
Amitript.yline. He believeD it i9 a small dose, either 10 or 20 mg of
Amitriptyline at night. fie repons that 11e does take calcium supplements and
also Chondroitin Sulfate and he believes that he Is somewhat impressed with
the results of the Chondroitin. He report9 that he has been taking that for
a yea rand a ha 1 f .
On a pain 9cale of 0-10, 0 being no pain and 10 being
reports that the pain after the accident, right after
a 7,5 compar"d to the worst pain he ever had which iD
mor" recently with pain r"diating aroUlJd his thorax.
while t"king the Voltaren and the Chondroitin Sulfate
his pain at 2-] on that 9ame scale,
pain at its worse, he
the accident, was about
the pain he has had
fie reports that now
that he probably rates
He reports that he did have pain in 1983 and did see someone in our office
for that, He V.'as diagnosed ~.,.ith degenerative disc disease, He was shown
stretching exercises. fie reports that the pain laDted a cGuple of weeks at
that time and then abated. He reports that he had no pain between 1983 and
the time of the accident with reppect to his neck, He reports that he does
think the Chondroitin Sulfate has helped him gain range of motion, especially
with the turning of his chin to his right and left, He reports that he still
has some ttcrunching" at the base of his neck. That actually does make him
think of pain sometimes, He reports that ~.,.hen he drj.ves i;~Vt21~Y ~.)ump or jar
hurts hiD neck and that if he even steps down hard while walking it will
caUDe pain at the base of his neck. fie repOl-ts that when he does drive a car
he will still have CI tendency to tighten his musculature and he has been
taught in physical therapy to try to relax and that does help him somewhat.
lie reports that he will occasionally get some pins and needles In the back of
the right hand and the top of the right foot, especially toward the end of
the week. He ntateH it used to be real bad and now it is just more of an
ir.ritation or a nuisancf3, He repor.UJ that he will be awakened out of a sound
sleep and have to Dhake his handD. He repolts he gets that about once a
night, right about in the mi.d point of hiB :Jleep. He I'eparts that right
IH:, IIUI:'FI~AN, IU('IIAHIJ I"
I'^O/!l 3
lTi'HHlllry 1 B, ~!OOO
.,I'tl'l- tile <1c<'ld,,(,t 11'1 dnve10ped blunino"s in both ayes. He reported before
tile Ilcdd'''lt 110 "o\lld read in bed without his glasses and he was not able to
rlu that after tile ilL'l~idf~nt. Hr~ states that the left eye haa improved to the
polllt tllat: lio "illl do tllat again, but not with the right eye. He repons that
hn if] irriL:\tf!d at Lhe baeo of the neck by cold weatherl and when he does get
Jnc,:eafled nc-!cK pain he will also get nome headaches, lie reports that he gets
pa.tl\!J t:1lflt Bti:n-t at the ha90 of the BKull and l-adiate up around both the
,:ight and If:'ft gidcfI but: }18 (Jet A Borno frontal headache~l on the l~l~lht ~ide.
110 report 9 t ha t he clUC8 !lot: S}l'l:. heada ChC8 wi t.hUllt firs t gel: t i n9 the neck
pain, t~r. Hoffman doos work for flihpl"ty f.):ca.vatonJ. Mr. Hoffman hasn't, seen
Daniel. Gelb, f'.1,D, for over: a }leat' and MI'. Hoffman did see Dr. PBppelman but
Dr, PeppeJm~ln did not ~Jchcdule him for a return visit, Dr. f'eppalrnan told
Mr. IloffmFiI1 that he \'/ould send a ll,tter to Dt-, MacKellar but he hae not been
bac\{ to Hee Dr. ~lacKellar .:Jince he Si)'t.J Dr. Peppelman.
On phI'Bical examjnaticn this I.:lentlf'11L3.11 l~38 hYPl:L1Ctiv(~ Ir:flc'.l-!a through<Jut
the upper extt'ernitJeg but thet'e <H"e no abnonnal r:ef:lpxe9. 110 hag excellent
motor tone in bath upper extremit.iofl. 1-10 i!J right."llCllldL>d. Then.! ig no
fasciculation, He has 5/5 motor stn:ngth in all lIluHcle groupn t.Gsted, He
can fon.,rard flex hi8 chin and :Jf~t it down to about 1 1/2 inchuB of hiFJ chest.
He had some slight increased pain on vertex cOlllpnwBion, He r:eport.9 he has
increased pain with hyperextension. lie can hyperex'.:encl about 20 degrees. He
can turn his chin to t_he left about 30 degrees, and to the right abaut 45
degrees. Tilting his head to the left causes a pull in the right side of his
neck and tilting to the right cauBes fwme pulling :in the left side of his
neck. Mr. Hoffman has no pain in the midline on palpation. He has
tenderness more to the left than the right of the midline over the facet
joints. He has I10 muscle spasm in the paraspinal musculature or in the
trapezius muscle, ~Ie did report to me that he does do exercises to try to
keep hi9 neck strong and the strength in his neck and his neck 9ize has gone
from a 17,5 to an 18,5,
I Ilave X-rayed this geJ1tleman'g cervical spine today, I did a lateral of his
neck in flexion-ext.f:!nsion, He doL'S have significant degenerative disc
disease at C5-6 and C6-7 with significant .pur formation anteriorly at C5-6
and Bome post.erior spurring at C5-6 also, He has no abnormal motion with
flexion-extension films, On the AP he has a slight amount of a scoliosis of
the cet'vieal Bpille, apex to the right.
The pain that t>1r, Hoffman had around hi!::! ribcage began in about tllay of 1999
rind lasted until jlwt recp.lltly. I did review an MRI of Mr.Yoffman's
thoracic spine. It doefJ BhciW a bulging disc at 1'5-6 and an additional disc
at 1'7-8 and one at '1'8-9, The dJ~JC' at 1'5-6 dOE:EJ show 90me very sliSlht
indel1tatioll of the thoracic cOl"d, He reports t)lat }le t}lillks he has probably
imprDved ail much ;HI he 1B 901n9 to improve, He repOt't8 that he has probably
becll at:atu9 qllO over tile last year, He feels he 19 about as good as he is
going tn get i;ind 110 has llklintained that lovel, although he .is concerned about
taking the Voltaren and tho Prilo8ec ~1nd what these drugs might do to him.
Dr MacKellar- does provide him with th8 medication.
RE: HOFFMAN, RICH,\RD L.
I'AGE4 '
January 18,,2000
I have reviewed medical information provided to me. X-rays from Seidle
hospital, performed on ,July 23, 1999 of the chest ehow no active disease;
thoracic spine films show minimal .colios1s and mild degenerative changes
present and X-rays of the right ribcage are negative.
An MRI of the thoracic 8pine shows there is a very mild compression deformity
at the 1'7 vertebral body, creating a mild kyphosis centered at this level.
ThJ s combines with a bt-oad-based disc bulge to create a very mild cord
compression at this level, There is questionable associated signal
abnormality within the cord at this level as described above.
I did review Dr.
that ~1r. Hoffman
that radiculitis
John Vickery's report of
has a radiculitis at T6,
is viral in origin.
August 4, 1999 where he does think
His initial impression is that
I reviewed Mr, Hoffman's medication chalt, He does t..ke one bally aspirin a
day. Doxepin was discontinued. He does take 25 mg of Amitriptyline at
night, fie take. Prilosec and Voltaren. He also takes Glucosamine and
Chondroitin Sulfate and Calcium and a one-a-day vitamin.
I did review Ilotes of Bruce MacKellar, M.D. It is noted in the
Mechanicsburg Family Practice note of March 19, 1999 that ~lr. Hoffman began
with nasal congestion und upper respiratory symptoms 10 days ago, This was
resolving when five days ago the patient began with intermittent sharp right
lower chest pain, The pains last from 1-10 seconds, occurring every five
minutes. It does appear that these problems began after what sounds like a
cold and it may well be due to the coughing that his thoracic problems began.
It should be noted that in ".he family practice notes it does discuss the fact
that Mr. Hoffman does have diabetes and is being treated by diet. It should
be noted that although apparently Mr, Hoffman complained of memory IOS8, he
was tested at better than 90 percentile for memory recall. Apparently, Mr.
Hoffman was pleased by that, It shuuld also be noted that Mr. Hoffman did
have rather frequent visits to Mechanicsburg Family Practice, going to the
family practice about once a month after the accident, It is noted in the
family practice notes that ~lr. Hoffman's accident occurred on March 24, 1997
and a note on April 4, 1997 states that Mr. Hoffman had tried working
half-days and it went quite well and he wanted to talk about re-introducing
himself to his \,JQrkplace. He was told at that time that he should not drive
excessively, He was to work half-days for a pe:ciod of tirne and wear a
cervical collat' as needed, It should be noted that Dr. Edward Thompson, one
day after his accident on March 24, 1997, gave the diagnosis at that time of
whiplash and !=,o.sslble post concussive syndrcnle with concentral:'Q{J
difficulties, It should be noted in a note on July 5, 1996, this is prior.- to
the accident, that Mr. Hoffman presented at Dr, Richard Taggart's office
complaining of chest and 'lrm pain for approximately one to two years. The
patient had had episodes of aching in his left shoulder and down his left
arm. This occ\.u:red most commonly when he was exercising. The pain would
begin after approximately one mile of walking and would persist until hn
stopped, He was worked up for this to rule out any cardiac symptoms. It
should be noted in 1992, he complained of right shoulder pain and Vias felt to
have a right supraspinatus strain. It should be noted on aune 51 1986, MI',
Hoffman saw Dan Coller, ~1.D, His complaint was neck pain. He had had
RE, iWFFNIIN, RICHARD L,
PIIOE 5.
January IB, 2000
l'8ClltTf;ont neck pain ujnce 1.982, A cervical 8pine X~ray was done on March 24,
1~8) which was posltive for degenerative disc disease at C5 through C7 with
degBnBl.~tiva o9teopllyte formation ill the sarno area and moderate bilateral
alltHf)Or vf~l.tebl'al foramina! impingement in the same area. His diagnosis was
degonel'.:lt.iv8 d.i.~c diflease of the neck! C5 through C7j and muscle strain of
the left Hide of the neck, This gentleman did have a chest X-ray done on
~r\lne 15, 1989. The conclusion was moderate degenerative changes in the
thoracic spine. The heart. and lungs were negative, He also had X-rays of
hi9 corvical "pine done in 1983 and this did show that there is narrowing of
the C5.6 and C6-7 illtervertebI'al disc spaces, consistent with degenerative
dhlC dJ.!H.!nse. There iEl rllodel'a.te bilateral C5-6 and C6-7 degeneratj,ve joint
disease alld moderate bilateral intervertebral foraminal impingement at those
levelt1, There were descncrative oBteophyt09 present from C5 through C7,
I did review notes from Dr, Daniel Oelb at Hershey Nedical CentHr. He saw
Mr. Hoffman on aanuary 6, 1998, dis '.vol'king diagnosiu was that of pel'sj.stent
neck pain related to ce,'vical degenerative spondylosis. He also did believe
that he suffered a closed head injury and he felt that the majority of the
fJymptoms that he was having at his visit on January 6, 1998 were related to
the motor vE~iclB accident of March 24, 1997, He states, and I quote,
"altllC>ugh the motor vehicle accident did not cause all the degenerative
change pl'esent on his X'.rays, clearly it caused an exacerbation of an
underlying condition which has left him presently symptomatic", He also felt
that Mr, Hoffman would not require surgery, He also stated that it was his
opinion that Ne 1.loHman will have some pemanent minol' impail'ment related to
persistent neck pain following the accident, but he doubted that it would
cause him any substantial disabillty or handicap.
I also did review charts from Karkuff and Lennington regarding
therapy. I ~id alfJo review Dr, Gelb's note of April 4, 1997.
he felt that Nr, Hoffman did suffer a severe case of whiplash.
indeed had some type of spinal cord contusion which appears to
He also felt that he had a fairly mild concussion,
his physical
On that date,
He may have
be resolving,
After int.fH'viewing Mr, Hoffman, examining him and reviewing his medical
information, I can state the following, Thi.s gentleman did, I believe suffer
an injury to his cervical spine as a result oE an automobile accident in
199"1, I can today find no hard neurologic evidence of any damage, that is I
cannot detect any weakness oi: motor loss or clear.-cut sensation loss as the
result of the accident, I have taken X-rays in my office today and this
gentloman dor=s have degenerative disc disease of the cervical spi.ne'.vhich was
prev.iously reported and did predate his aecider t. I did a flex.,on-extension
film and I see no evidenc" of .instability which "auld suggest that there was
not enough 1 igamentous dis':uption to cause significant displacement of one
vel'tebra 011 the other. Mr. Hoffman's complaints are all subjective, that is
he doen not have any O1l.1sc)e spasm or swelling about the cervical spine or
muscle atrophy or reflex loss or other physical findings which could be
considered objective, I do not find any abnormalities in the physical
examination to suggest that this gentleman will need any Burgical procedure
as a ~PAlllt of tilis illjury. He does llave nignificant degenerative disc
disease and certainl.y that could progre99 over time due to the natural
procc89 of aging_ Although I'll', Hoffman docs not believe that he can improve,
, .
trial jUdge will be prepared with case law on that poiDt.
This will be a jury trial in which, pursuant
to agreement of counsel, each side will have four
peremptory challenges, for a total of eight. The estimated
duration of trial is two and a half days.
To the extent that any deposition testimony
to be shown or read to the jury contains objections
requiring rulings of the trial court, counsel shall furnish
a copy of the transcript of the testimony with the areas of
objection being pursued highlighted and with brief
memoranda in ilupport of their respective positions on the
objections at least five days prior to the commencement of
the trial term.
Counsel have stipulated to the authenticity
of medical records and prescription records, as a
consequence of which it will not be necessary for a party'
to present a custodian of such records as a witness at
trial.
With respect to settlement negotiations,
Plaintiffs have demanded $78,450.00. Defendant has offered
$35,000.00. Counsel have indicated their belief that the
case will not be settled.
Counsel for Defendant has indicated that
Richard H. Wix, Esquire, will not be available for trial
until Tuesday, May 2, 2000. Consequently, this case should
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SHOLLENBERGER & JANVZZI, LLP
Richard H, Wix, Esq.
Wlx, Wenger & Weidnel'
4705 Duke Street
Harrisburg, Pa, t 71 09-3099
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SHOLL.ENBERGER & JANUZZI, LLP
1820 Linglestown Road
P,O, Box 60545
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106-0545
TelephonE' Number: (717) 234-3700
Fax Number: (7'17) 234-8212
6ltorn~s for Plaintiff
Richard L, HoHman,
PlaintiH
v,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 99-247
Misty Lehman,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION. LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PRAECIPE TO REISSUE WRIT OF SUMMONS
To the Prothonotary:
Please re-Issue a Writ of Summons against the Defendant, Misty Lehman, Please return
Writ to the undersigned,
Respectfully submitted,
SHOLLENBERGER & JANUZZI, LLP
By:
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U!;;t[~'i2{;;il;//J)0/'
Timothy A. Shollenberger, ~sq, :.
Attorney I.D #34343 :-,
Dated: February 24, 1999
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February J, 1999
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Timothy A. Shollenberger, Esq.
Shollenberger & Janu~zi, LLP
POB 60545
Harrisburg, fA 17106-0545
RE: Claim Number:
Insured:
Date of Loss:
'lour client:
38-7257-895
Misty Lehman
3/24/97
Richard Hoffman
Veal' Mr. Shollenberger:
This letter serves to respond to your demand package. I am
sending this via fax per your request sinr;e we had such difficulty
reaching onB another over tha phone recently.
In roviewing the information provided, I note that Mr. Hoffman
suffered post concussive syndrome, soft tissue cervical strain
and sprain with an aggravation of degenerative joint/degenerative
disc disease, resolved visual disturbance and oxtensive dental
restoration.
You outlin~ substantial financial loss that your client sustained
due to the auto accident but it appears not to be docwnented as
proof. For example, you indicated that Mr. Hoffman accepted a $100
per week raise but felt he could have negotiated a higher figure.
You ask us to calculate that into the value but it isn't proven that
he could have gotten the higher figure. You also indicate that he
may have to retire early yet I note that Dr. Gelb indicates that his
injury shOUld not cause him any substantial disability or handicap.
It appears that Mr. Hoffman continued to work since the accident.
Mr. Hoffman outlines extensive out of pocket expenses such as lawn
care service, prescription$ and medical devices. Does he have proof
for the sel'vices that he hired? His medical. expenses should have been
covered by his First Party Benefit coverage. Does he have proofs of
the out of pocket expenses that he in~Urred?
Based on the injuries that he sustained, we are in a position to
offer $30,000.00 to settle this matter. Please take this offer to
your cHant and advise his position. In addition, please 1'e01 free to
submit any additional proofs for our review,
5 incerely,
Nadine Bennie
Clllim Specialist
(717) 774-9052
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
HOME OPFICE5 BLoo,vlr~nlON H.l.INOI~, ~1/1() 0001
'1.' BIT,"
I ' "
74X ,\.2<121,1
2000 I' ^ Super 401
(C1l. U~: 74H A.2d 21J)
A'hl.y Nirlll. SONJ.lN, U IIIlnlll', b)' her "uI'.nls
nnd Nullll'lll Gllllrdluns,
IIl1nuhl ,I, SONLlN ulld ,11I1 SlInlln, und 1I0nuhl ,I,
SlInllll "Inl ,111I SlInlln,
1tIlIII'Idnull)" IIl1dln 111.11' II\VII rl~hl
I',
AllIN(;TON i\U:I\IOIUAl. 1I0SI'nAl. nnd Mil
SlIrkls 1\I01IIII.lllln, M,Il, nlld Nllhnlll{u~al'lIn,
I\I,IJ, and Eric ,I. I\IlIrK"II" 1\1,1).. 1I1111l.lInr,'ncl' A,
SOlllers, M,Il.. Appcllee"
Apl,.al "r .111I Sonlln,
i\shh~y Nlculc Sunllu1lllllhwr, hy her ParL'lIh and
Nlllllrlll (;nlll'lllans. I)OIllllld ,I,
SlInllll and ,JIll SOlllln. ulIll lIonuld ,I. Sonllllllllll ,JIll
SOlllln. ludh'ld'llllll' llnd
In lI..h' Oll'n rlKhl
I'.
Ahlll~lon l\Ielllorllllllospllallllnl ,\rll Sarkl,
i\loomlllln. 1\1,11, und Nllhllll 'h~II"lIn,
i\I,l), IInd Eric ,I. i\llIrKIIII" i\J.II.. IInd J.llnr.nc,' A,
SOllll'l'S, ~I,I)., t\PIH!lIccs.
Apl..ul of Ashley Nlc"l. Sonlln, h)" her "III'1'nl'; IInd
:'oOulUral (;lIl1rdlcns. lIollald ,I.
IIl1d ,1111 SlInlln.
Ashk)" Nlrllle SOlllln. U Minor, h)' her I'urent' und
Nalllrlll Gnln'lllans. I)onald ,I,
!,onllllllnd .Jill SOIlIlIl. "lid lJonllld .1. SOlllln IIl1d ,Jill
SOlllln, Indll'ldlllllll' IInd
In thdr IIII'll rlKhl
I'.
AhlllKllln ~'enlln'lulllospllllllllld Ai'll SlIrkls
Mllollljlall, i\J.Il, "lid Nlllllla J{1I~a\'UlI.
1\1,11. IlIId l.lInrcne.'\, SOlllers. i\J.II" Appellees,
Al'l,cIII or Ahlllglon ~1.nlln'lalllllspilal, Ara Sarkl,
i\loollljlulI, l\I.n.. Nllllna
'hKIII'Un, 1\1,1),
SHp~ril.lr ('0111'1 nt' Pennsylvania.
A'gucd ill"~, 7, IlJ'Jll,
l'i1cd I'eh, 17,2000,
Reurgnmenlllcl1ll'l1 Mllrch .II, 20011,
P;lrClll~ hrnuglll Ilu:dic.ll lllalpnlL'tl('e <lclIOIl against
hnspillll l:Iull physicii\n~, alleging IIcghgcn-:l' that
rosulted in panial ampulation of their daughlL'r's leil kg
when she was II d,lYS old, Liability WitS CtHIL'l'dcd, ,1Ild
aftcr Jury lr~al in the ('ourt of ('t)1l1ll1011 Pkas,
r..-lolltgollll'IY Counly, Civil DIvision, No. ~l.t, O.\X5'l,
sllhl'I'S, L parenls \\'l'rL' ,l\\'nrd~d $2,.'ln,:-:~t) 111
damagl's. P"lIll'S llppl'all'd. ThL' Superior ('011I1. Nos
\.1HI, L1H2 ill,,115,\(1 mil 1'19'1, MOIlIt'IIHlr", .I" held
I'~ue I
Iltllt (II ilS"'SSIlICIlI "I' delll>' dlllllUgCS \l'as Il"t 1"lIed hl'
~l'lllt'Illl!1lt offl'l': (2, parclll~ l:ould nol rl'rovcr 011
IIcglig\!1I1 inlliclloll of l'lllotiOllill disll'CSS L'IUIl11; llml (J)
Ill'riodk PilYllll'llh 1i.1I fUIUll' damage!> l'tluld not he
1I11"\I'ed Hlldel llellltht'iln' SelVle", tvlidprat'ltt'L' ,,\,,t.
t\Hhll\l'(111I pall, vacated in pari, ilnd rCllIamh.'d,
III A"I'E;\1. ANIl EIUHIIl ~9H4(1)
.\1I~'IH'1i II
Ilw Supenol' ('ourl \\!II1101 disturb till appl'''l thl' Irial
court'., .manl of dl'lay dlllllU~l'S ahscllt an ahusc of
dhl'tcliull. Ruk's ('Jv.ProL''1 Ruk' 2JH, 42 Pa.c.S,A.
121 AI'I'EAI. ANIl EIUHlll ~')46
,\lIk'J.l6
All ahuse Ilf dlsrlctloJl by the lthal l'uurt may not hl'
li.ltllld IIIl'rl'ly hl'l'l\\I:-il' Ihl' ;IPIll'llalL' coull IIlight havc
!'\,:ar.:hed a dlflL'I\'lI\ (,(111dIlSi()J\, hut 1'L'quirl's II showillg
1)1' Illalllli:sl unn:usOlli.lhll.'lll'SS, IH partiality, prl')udha~,
hlas. or ill- will. 01 stich 1.ld of SUpporl ;IS 10 hL' ch:arly
l'1Ttllll'(HIS.
I3IINTl:llt:ST ~~l)
21l)~4'J
ASSeSSlIIl'lH of dL'lay dalll;l~l'S WilS not tplh:d Illllll'dkul
malpmctlCl' actiull by sl'lllclllL'llt offer Ilmt did not
idcllufy the underwrill'f of Ihl' Sl'lIll'lIlelll, did nol slate
Ihe ai.'tllall'ost of till' stl'uctlll'cd sl'ttlement, !lnd dHI not
I..'olltain a damc c~pr~ssly validuting the olTer ft.lr I){)
days ur until tillll' uf trial. where sl'lIlcllll..'nt unl'r
Illercly conlallll'd two propusals wludl \Wlt.' dl'Sl'rihcd
as "v,did for SC\'l'll days,lI Rull's ('1\'.111"01..'" RulL' 2JH,
~2I'a,C'.S,A,
1411NTEIlEST <!':=4'1
21')k~')
A Sl'lIlellll'llt proposal. III mdel' to tol1 assessment of
dday dill1lagl~s, l1lust cOl1win a (,:Iausc l,,\pl'cssly
v.ditlatlllg the offcr for 1)0 days or lIlllll 1I1llL' of trial:
such iI tl'rIl1 llla]' 1101 hl' i1sSUlllcd 10 bl' Illtl'lllll!d,
l'\trapolall'd from olltsidl.' SUlIlces. or IIlkrn:d, if Ihe
offer IIsl'lf is tll be l'ollsHIl'l'l'd gL'IlUlIIl'. Rules
l 'i\',l'roc., Rullo 2.tX, .L' Pa,c'S.A.
1~lllAM,\(;Io:S~2tlH(\1
II jkJlIH( II
1!llsplt;!1 Jlld pllYSIL'IaIlS wert' nllt l'lItitk'd 10
l'lllllPll1snry IHlIlo.;lIl1 WIlI1 ITSPl'i.'1 \0 P;lIt,-'IlIS' daun Ill'
Ill'gllgl'lll ll\llll'Ullll ur l'IIHIII(llliJl dISlh:SS. III ilction
hrought <Igillllsl hllSp!tal and phY'iJClilIlS ror lhe punial
alllplllatlOll uf dilllghll'r's k.ft Ie!,!. Whl'I"C hnspital and
1'01'1'. ( \\' l''il 2000 ;";0 ( 'Ialll\ to ()lIg t !.S. ( iil\'t, \\'m~"
I
EX(::R
74SA2d21.1
(('Ill' 0': 74H i\.2c1llJ)
physiciulls pn:sl'nll'd d('l'cllsl' t!\'ulcllcl' dUl'Illg plllt~IlIS!
l.'i1SC,
161 AI'I'E-\1. ANIl Jo:RROI{ <<= 107M(4)
.1 Ilk 11I7X(4)
PlIWllts ahalulolwd, 011 llPPUlll, position thaI hospital
and physiei;ms were not clIlitkotllo compulsory nonsuil
011 procedurul ground thai hospitnl alld phYSlclllllS
presellted defense c\'idclH:c during parents' l';llfl', in
which they assertell Ilcgligl'l\t inllh:lion af l!lIIotional
distress claim for parlinl UlIlpullllioll of their dallghll'r's
leg, whl'rc parents Slated ill IlIl'i1- appellatl' hrid'lhell
Illtention was not lIto wash: 111l1L' Oil procl'dural
Ul'gullIl'llls of thiS IYPl.',lI
171 TRIAL <<=1:l11,1(1~)
.1XXk 1.19, 1(15)
i\ l'olllpul~ory 1I11llsuil is appl'Opl'iah:ly gl'.llltcd only
where the f,lCllindcr, \'Il'\ving all thl.' c\'idclICl' in li,\'o!
of lhe plaintiff, could not t'casollilhly conclude that the
cssl'llllul i:lelllcuts of II CiIlISl' or ih:tlO/l haw hl'l'l1
rSlahlished,
171 TRIAL ~16~
JXXk I b~
^ cumpulsory lloJ\suit is npprnpriatl.'ly granted only
wlll~re the faclfindcr, viewing all till' evidl.'llcl' ill favOl
of Ihr pla1l1\1fC rould nol reasonably conclude Ihill the
cssl.'lllial clements of H CatHie of action hu\'c been
eSlahlished,
IHIIMMAGES <<=~I
115k51
The criteria for dctcnnining the foreseeahllity of the
tort of lll'gligcllt infliction of crnothmal distress, on
theory of bystandL'r recovery, ore: (I) till' location or
the plaintiff ncar the scelle of the traullIatlc event; (2)
the shock resulting from II dircct clHotiollal impllct
upnn plamtiff frolll 11ll.' sensory and contL'll\poralH'OIlS
ObSl'J'\'iltlL't' oj" tlil' event; (J) a close fchltHillShlp
between plaintiff llnd the viclim or Ihc c\'cnl.
191IJAMM;ES <<=~I
115k51
Parents could Ilol recover 011 claim for lll'gligl'l1t
infliction of elllotional distrcss, 011 hyst.HHh:r tlwmy of
recovery, for the panial UlllpllHlIillll of daughter'~ Ie~,
where the amputation occurr\.'d eight days alter p,ncnts'
1'L'l..'clvcd HCW5 that phYSIcians ncgligelltly plal't:d u
catheter ill their dl.lughtl~r's kg, till' news \\il~ lIut
conlcmpnrallcnus wilh Ilw amput.ltioll or .lhL' 1ll'~_:li!:!('llt
piUCCt1lCnl of the cathck'r, and pall.'llts did not \\'ItI\l'~S
the ('lllhctL'1 's pl.ll'ClllCnL
I'OKC 2
1101 ,1l11)(;im;NT ~213
22Xk21.1
PCrlodu: paYlllcllts for future d,lI1mgcs could 1101 OC
illlnwcd ulldcr Ilcalthcarc Scrvkcs Mlllpruclkc ^'''l, ill
pall' Ills' Il1l:dicall1lalpral.'lkl' action ngamsl hospitul and
phYSicians for the pmtiul anlputiltion of thL'Ir daughter's
Il'g, where p;m:tlts rcli.l!1l't1 10 uccepl paytlll'nt 011 lhl'
illSlallmenl plall. 40 PX 9 1.10IK12-A,
1I11110SI'ITAl.S ~M
21l4kX
l)alllugL' awurd, In parcllts' l1\l'dkullllillpracticl' actioll
<lgainsl hospital and physicians I'llI' the panial
allllHllal101I of lheir daughter's kg Whl'11 shc \Vas II
dilj'S old, wus pl"Opcrly !lot rcduced to present valuL',
gi\'l'lIt!tc pCrnlatll'llcy oflhl' daughte(s los~,
I11I PIlYSIClA,,\S ANI) SI!I{GEONS <<= IM.IIO
299k I X, 110
DallKlgc ;.m.1I'd, ill ))(In:nls' Illedleul Ilmlprilctil'L' action
agalllst hospital ulld physicians for the partial
amputatlOll of thL'ir dnughlt:r's leg whell she was II
days old, was properly 1101 1'L'duced to presl'1l1 v.lllle,
givcn IhL' Pl.'nll<llll'llCY uf the d.lughtL'r's lnss.
*21.1 Thumas IJ, Rutlel', 1'11Iladelphia, lill' Ashl('y N"
Jill and Ilollald Sunllll,
Marcy II, Landi" I'hiJ;lIlclplua, 1i,I' AbillglUII
Memorial /Iosp" MoomJioll, M,\)" Raga, all, M,\), and
r-vlargolis, i\l[l
Debol'llh 1\1. Kl1Ight, Philaddphia, for Laurcl1L'e A.
Somers, i\I.D.
Bcli,rr MlJS~IANNO, IIESTL:R and *21~
MONTEMlJRO [FN*i, JJ.
F~' Ih'lll'cd JllSIH:C ilsslgrlt'd to SUfli.:nor Coun.
~H)~TE~1l :IW, J.:
~I I The parlll's to this nlt.'diL'.lllllalpruL'licc action havt:'
cross-appcaled from i.l judg!1lt.'lIt 1(U' $2At)~"gX9 in
favor of Appellants, plainllffs below.
Ii 2 On Ma~' 2<), 1<)9.1, Appellanl Ashley Sonl;1l was
horn 6 \.'2 weeks prl'1l1illurely ill AppellcL' hospital.
Following thl' placelllellt of all 11ll1hdicrd l..':ltlwlcr 10
1I10111hll hlnod oxygen levels, p:N I) the child
dl'\'l'[Opl'd ,\ tlllolllhosls ill hn k.ft kg, ;1Ilt! ancr thrce
tluys W;IS tr;lllslern.'d to Childn'n's Ilnspltal. AI)pL'llL'e,~!<lillhlt'L' to diagnose the \'ascubr l'ompromisl..' caused by
the clot rl'SUlll'd III dry gallgrl'lll' rl'ljuirlllg amputatioll
uf IhL' Illlilllt's Il'ft kg sOllie fL'\\' illclll's helO'.v the knel'
COpl- [ \Vest ~(J(J() NIl Clallll to Orig. tf.S. (10\'1. Works
'14X '\.2<1 21.1
(Cite u,: 74H '\,2<1 213. . 215)
when A,hley lVa' II dny' old,
FN I, Lud; of hmg lk\cloprnCfll ill IHl:lllillllfl' IIlfallls
dICI;l\(.'s that blood {lXygCfl hL' tlIollllorcd
11 .1 Suil WilS CtHIUllCIU:cd 011 March 15, P)()4 hy
Ashley's pllrL'flt~ on her hdullf and in their 0\\'11 nght
IkcausI' IliIhllily was cOl\cL'dcd, trial was held soldy 10
dl'lcrlllllll' damages, hoth 1'01' Ashley's injury, illld 011
Appellant Jill Sonlin's claim or negligent illlliclioll (If
emotional (i1slrcss, which was dislllis~lcd by the trial
COlin 011 Appellees' mot lOll for compulsory 1101\'SUII.
The .Jury awarded $2.1 H5,9(JO, 10 which WIIS added
$J07,929 in dclay dumages, Thl..' 11I51a!lt cross appcab
followed,
" 4 Appellanl' ha,e dlllllenged Ihe proprlt'ly aod
adequacy of the delay dtHl1agc awmd nnt! (1\1.: L'Ollrt's
grant of a l.'olllpulsory 1l{)ll.suit as to Jill SOllllll\
Ill'gligent 111t1lctloll or elllolltmal dlsln~s~ dalllL
Appdll,'l'S, till the nlIH.'1' hand, argllclhal thL' Irial coml
erred in refusing their re'lul.'SIS In pay lIll' darn.lgL'
award in 1I1stallmcl\ts and rcdu<:L' Ihe ilWiml to presl'lll
value,
111121 %,57 5 We iirstll(lIe Ihal we will not di,llIIh the
t..illl l'OUl'l's awnrd of damages awarded under
P,tR,C'.I', DR abscllIllll abuse of discft:tion. Uberty v,
Gene,n College, 456 "a, Soper. 54~, 690 A,2d 124.1
(19'17), "lAin ahll,e of di,erelioll iliaI' nol he I(1I1I1d
merely hecause Iht' appt'llatc court Illiglll have l't'ached
n different conclusion, but n~quircs a showing or
manifest unreasonablcness, or partiality, preJudicc,
hia" or ill-will, or sllch lack of support a' 10 he dearly
crroneous.1! Paden \'. Bakcr Concrele ConstruclJon,
Ine" 540 "a 409,412. 658 ,\,2d, .1~ I, .141 (19951
[.11 " 6 Appellants iirst a,,;ign error to II\(' Irlal colin',
~\l'ccptance of a settlement offer \vhich, it is argucd, did
not cOll1pl~i with the 1'l'quirclllt'llts of Ruk' 2JR,
Sp\.'l'il1cally, App\.'llanh c1l1im thatliw wrlling by wl\l('h
thc olll'f was con\'l'ycd did nol reveal the idelllity or
the underwriler, the terms of the offer were not OIK'n
for (m d.,ys, and the aetuul cnsls i11'.,'olvcd in cadi of lhe
alternativc proposals ndvan...:ed were not disclosed,
Al1pcllunts also lake exception lu the dall' lIsed by lhe
trial cuurt inl'al\.'ulating delay damages,
~I 7 l)a,R,C,P. lJX reads 11\ Iwrllllent part ;l.'i fIl110\\'S:
fa)(~l 1);llll<lgl's lln del.I~' shall be: a\\'ank'd lill' lhl'
pl.'rind OflitllL'.
(Ii) III an ul'llon l,'OIlIIllC'lIl'cd (II: ~lt' ann :\ugu~t I,
JlJX(), !i'OIll a datl' olle Yl'ar alkr thl..' dOlll' Orl~.!lll,lI
process was lirst scr\'l'd in Ihe action ul1lo lh\.' \I,1Il' of
I'uge 3
Ihe a\\'lIrd, vcrdiet or dedsioll ,,"
(h) Th,' period of lio\<' for which damages for delay
shall he caklll:lled uuder subdivlslolJ (nIl2) shall
e,.,.cludl;' lhe period oflillW, ifilny,
( I ) ufter which IhL' defcndant hilS made i1 Wrltlen olll'l'
or..
(ii) u struclured SI.'tllt'llll'lll IIl1dl'I'\\'ritlell by :1
nllillH:iall~' I'espoll~jhle clllity
and continued lhal offer in l'l'fci:t 1(lr at least ninety
days 01' Ulltll C01I1l1lL'lIeel1ll'1I1 of trial, which l'Ver first
Ol'ClIr3, \\hich offer was not accepted and the plaintiff
did nol fl'CO\'e:r by *21b ilward, vcrdkl or dedsinn,
n;l'lusi\'l' or dalllagl.'s 1(1I' delay, /lime than 125
pl'lel'nt or t/w actuul cost of till' strut:turcd
setlll.'nlL'1l1 plus llll~1 cash paYIllL'1I1 to the plallltilT"
~I k The Sl'tllt'IlICnt ofl\.'r docllllli.:nl, a lL'llcl, contaill!>
IWll proposals which at'l' spL'dlkally dl'scrihl,t! as
"\'alid Itlr SL'\'ell dilY\ from July 12,' (I.l'tle:r 01 July 2.'\,
I IN?), thaI is, the day hl'liH'e thL' proposals were
subllllttl'd JIl wrilln~, Till' lriill court nt.'vl'rllll'less found
th"l "an orfer ha\'ing a \'llllle of $1 ,750,000. remained
ill dTeelllllltllhe IlIlle of Inal," (Trial <lOp, al X), and
lhul tile seven dllY time period spcdfil~(1 in the offer
"was a relCrencc 10 the vuhlL' of lhe inveslllll'nts, which
would ha\'e 10 be recalculated aner Sl'ven days to
relkl..:l then \:lllTent lIlilrkel c11lulitions." (ILL) Therl' is.
howe\'er, 1\0 mcntloll ll1iHle anywhere in the ~~ltlel1lL'nl
letter or it Ch,lIlgc ill lni.1l'ket conditions alTeeling IlIl'
validity of Ihe offer, or of its p~ndt:llcy until the time 01"
trial. TIll' trial COllrt's interpolalion of such n
contingl'ncy is the:reli)re illlpropel',
'1 9 Appellallts also filld Appellee,' failure 10 idelltify
the underwriter of the settlement or lhe m:tllul cost of
the slructured sClIle:nwl1t In ht.' ill ct)ntmvl~ntlon of the
Rule. Thc trial court opllled that if tOllnd no support in
the rille for Appl'lkl'~' claim or e:nlltlellll'nt 10 such
inforhlatit'JIl,
~I 10 Whill' we were ulI<lhlc to locale: spl'c\lk l'use
lHllliorlly lill lhe propnsllioll Ihat II wrillell seUll.'lllt:nt
olTel' must, 10 be k'gilin!alt:ly used a!; a Inlling
mechanism tilf the period for calculatioll of de:lny
di.ll11agcs, lIlclude thOSl' l'Il'l1lcnts Clllll11l'ralcd in the
Rule, our Supreme Court has addressed at Il'ast one of
II1e:sl' by indin:i:tioll. In Arthur \'. Kuchar, 546 I'll, 12,
MQ ^.ld 1250 (JlJI)(I), the Court fmUld that an mill
sdtlt'lI11'nl olTer which hall hce:n placed on the record
during fnill and 1,1Iel" Iranscnl1l'd ill 11lL' llofes of
kstil1lony WilS thL' Ii.Jlll'lItlllal l'qui\'ull'nl of II \\'1"1111.'11
ofkr I'llI' purposl'\ 01" till.' Rule. TIll' nlfl'! was
CllIlIlilitllled 011 IllllllL'dlatl' aCCl'ptancl' lit" till' prop()';al
alld tl'ntllll:IfItHl or fnill. The ( 'oun found lhat hl'CaUSl'
enp!. C Wl'St 2000 Nil {'Iillllllo Olig. l.'.~, (,ov\, \\tllk\
748 A,2d 21.1
(Clte.s: 748'\,211 213. *2Ib)
it \Vas lint spccilkally continued in cn~'l,,:l lill 'Hl days
and trial hud a!rcady 1.:1I1l1l11L'IIl:cd, till.: ot'll'l t'alll'd III
salisfy thl' timing requiremcnts l,)f lhl' Rull',
141': II Despile Ihe nl\,t\lal lh\'elgellCl' helllwlI lilt'
iWllanll:t1SL' and Arthur, we tind Illilllllll' prlllL'ipll.' IS
(;Ol11l11on to hoth: a settlement !1mposalmust contain it
ch\tisc l','<prcssly \']Iidating the uffer for 90 days 01
until time of trial. Such a tcrm llIay 1101 Iw llSSUllWd to
he illlcndL'd, c.xtraplllillcd from outside ~wurCl''i 01
infL'lTl'd if the otTer ilscll' is to he considered genuine
ullder lilt' Rule,
~I 11 Mort.'O\'cr, Without idclIlItil:illlUlI or the
untlL'l'wrll('r, 110 knowkdgcahlc appraisal or till' Unt'r'.;
kgilimilCY IS possibh:, SlIK(" I hi..' tmll I..'ourt's
dCll.:nllillatioll of whether an offl'r is sllflkll'nt 10 Itlll
aSSl.'SSl11l!nt of delay damages depends, !Iltl'r aliu. Oil the
tinalh:ial !'ilahilify of Ihl' undl'l"writl'l'. Sl'C l'a,RCP,
23X, ('Ivil Ilrm:edural Rules (\lIIUnltll'l' 1':xpliuHltory
Nnlc, Furlher, the Fxplilll<ltory Notl' pr{l\'H.ks thilt till'
('ourt's main inquiry 4\S to fill' viability or II\\.' stnIL'ltll'l'l!
sl'llh:ml'llt will revolvl' ahout the (osts of till'
scllkmcnl. hI. Absent these clclIlents, till' tlllll' l~l\:lor,
till' underwritl'r, and most or all the actual CDsl of thl'
settlcl1wnl, '\iC ;Ire cOlllpdled tn t1nd that the tri.1I court
CITed in accepting Appellees' proposal as SUrticiClll
undcl' the terms or th~' Rule tn toll the period for
assessment ofdclay damagcs.II:N2] Accordingly, we
must remand for recalculation of the i1lllotllH due,
which brin~s us to Appell;\llls' next claim, that the date
1'1'0111 which the dehlY damagl.'s were to bl' cakulatl'd
was wrong.
FN2. I\ppdkl's 1I1SlSt that bl'l'i111S\' th~ offl'l WilS 1101
Withdrawn, and because lhe ldell!lly of Ihe undcrwnter
and the l'Osl of the selllel11l'1l1 \q:rc "knuwn 10
PI"illllffs' counsel," ,h~ rcqlllrCIl1L'l1lS of lhe Rule <lfL'
Ille!. ("ppellc~'~' Brief al 14), ThL' OhVlOllS purpose r,f
" writing to l'OIl\'CY scllh:Il\l..'1\t offers, rlOl tn ll1~l1lHlIl
tlw spec Ilk prnvl!-.lollS of Ihe Rule, wOllld be defeated
hy acccptanl'c Ill' Appelh's' urgulI1L'lIt
*217 '1 IJ t\ppl'lIillllS argile that th..' COLIn t:rr..'d ill
L'Olllplltll1g the allltHII1I of thl' delay damages from July
n, I f)l)7, \\'hl'JI thl.' settlelllent offer dbcussed ahove
was tendl'l'l'd, and on the 1lI0hh'd \'l'rdiL:1, thaI is. thl.'
\'crdid less $SOO,OOD p.lid tn Appl'IIi1l\ts IHIlH tn Il"Iill
but 1IItl'I' July n, 1997. As W..' have dL'h'rIlllllL'd Ihal
tht' structurcd sellk'IIIl'llt proposals illh'illltl'd Oil .1111>'
~.l, I IN? did Ilut quailfy undl'l' tIll' tl'lIIb of lhl' Ruk 10
10111hl' dehl)' damagt.';'; pl'rlud, \\\' Ill'l'd 1101 addl'l':.'i thiS
is"Ul' rurtlll'1' llwn 10 ilgr~'l.' Ihal tl\l..' dUll' used by Ihe 111<11
l'ourtlS lTIL'olTl'\,:L
1'~Ke 4
I)II('I~: 14 1\l'pellallh alsll watelld Ihlttlhc 11'1lI1 COllrt
l'nell, Oil hoth pl'Or.:edmal "lid substanllvc grounds, in
dj"lllll;';Slllg till I1llllioll 1'01 II l.'OIllIlUI;';'-lIY nOll,sui!
App!:lIallt .Iill Sonlill's dallll of ncgligent inl1il'lioll of
l.'1I101101l.11 lIiSll'l.'sS, As 10 till.: procedurc, \VC lITe
l'Olllpclkd 10 ilgrl'e, lPi Appellees had plCscIlIcd
lIdCllsl' cvidence during Appellants' casc, OUl
SuprclI1\.' (\)\11'1 ha~ rulc<lthllt WhCl'l' a dcfendullt hll~
oflcl'cd l'vHlellcl' either during 0( ancl' Ihe plaintiffs
e\lse a 1I01l-suit may lint hl' granted. Hamish v, Schuol
Dislrlct lIf 1'11Iladelphia, 557 I'a, 1ilO, 7:12 A,2d 5%
(199')): Illghlalld T,,,,k allt! Mfg. Co. \" DUell', ,12.1I'a,
4S7, 215 .'\.2r1 X,l (1%1>), Appellees hal'e eOlllellded
that AppdlillltS' plOccduml daim \vas uhamlollcd by
Appellants' InlL'lIl\tHl, slaled in il limtnotc, not Hlo Wil"l~t.'
IHlll.' 011 proL'cdul'al nrgulllcnls of thiS type."
(Appl'lIanls' Ilricf at ,10 II, I~) WI.' ugl'l'e, An
C,'\illllillutioll of Ihe Hll'l'its of Appcllants' urgUIIlClI1,
hnw('wr, dol''> rmt alter till.' I'l'SU\t,
PI II 15 A cOlllpulsory fHln-suit is appropriately
gnlllll.'d ollly where "lhe 1:\cttindcl', Viewing all tht.'
e\'idl'fll'L' 11\ lhvol' of tll\' plillHll1T, could !lot rl';Jsonably
conclude that tile cssl'nlial elr:ments or Ll calise of
<ll.'liOIl han: beell c.,>t.lhlished," Biddle v.
J"hnsonhallgh, 444 Pa.Super. 450, 664 A.2d 159, ((J\
( 1')95),
IXI'1 16 Appellants' claim is Iiltscd on the theory of
hystander rCl:o\'cIY for negligl'llt inllictioll of cmotioflul
distress clllllldatL'd in SinH v. Burd, 4X6 Pa. 146, 404
A.2d 672 (pnC)}. The cl'iteriil 1'01' stating this l.'JUSl' of
action, chat i;.; for determining the forc~c(,'ahilily of Ih;:
tori, arl' I) Ihe 10\.:atio/1 ol'the plainliffncur thL' scelle of
the lraumatic l'VL'lU; 2) the "shock rcsult[ingl fraql a
dil'('ct emotional impact upon plaintiff from thc scnsory
nnll contclllporanelHls IIhSI'I'\'illlCl.'u of the evcnl: J) a
c1osl.' relationship he!w('cl\ plaintiff ilnd the victim of
the e\elll. id, al 170, 404 ;\,2d al (,85; Mazzagatli 1',
b'erillglHlIll Iiy Everlnghalll, 512 I'a, 2M" 27X, 516
A.~cl (J'72, (,77 (!9t\(lj. Thc pluintiff mllst also have
sllslaillt~d sOllle bodily harm from thc ment.ll
chslurhallct.' hrough! on by obsl.'l'vatioll or the event.
:\'lal.zagatti, SlIpr.l; ('rivclJaro v. Pl:nnsyl\'illlia Power
& I.lghl Co" .1.1\ Pa,SlIper. 17.1, 491 ;\,2<1207,209.,10
( 19X5),
(1)1 II' 17 Till' hasi;.; of Appellant's dallB is hcr
H'Cl'ptH11I, on .June I, Il)l),\, {If the IIl'WS that till'
dlsculor;ltHH\ of t\,.;Illey's kg Wllldl sli..' hilll previously
h\"l'll ilssurl'd was a t)fuist.', was in f<lct a thrombusi;.;,
alld Ihill ampulatlo/l of lilt' limb was likely, t\ppCllilllts
charilCtct il.l' 1111'1 ;Is a dis(lcll' IH.TUrrl.'nct.' l'llUIVilll'llt tu
thl' iltlfl)lllOhile ilt:Cldl'lll which look the "klinl's lil1.- Ul
Cupr, ,c' \\'esl2lHlll No Claim to ()1I~ l S, (I\l\'!. Works
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State Farm Insurance Companies
February :I, 1999
.U" ,...
..
....l,I"......
.0
Timothy A. Shollenberger, Esq.
Shollenberger' J'anu??!, LLP
POB 60545
Harrisburg, FA 17106-0545
RE: Claim Number:
Insured:
Date of Loss:
'{our client:
38-7257-895
Misty Lehman
3/24/97
Richard Hoffman
Dear Mr. Shollenberger:
This letter serveg to rospond to your d~mand package. I am
Hending this via fax per your request lnnce we had such dHficuJty
reaching one another over the phone recently.
In reviewing the .information provided, r note th,1t Mr. Hoffman
suffered past concussive syndrome, soft tissue cervical strain
and sprain with an aggravation of degenerativB joint/degenerative
disc disease, resolved visual disturbance and extensive dental
restoration.
You outline substantial financial loss that your client sustained
due to the auto accident but it appears not to be documented as
proof. For example, you indicated that Mr. Hoffman accepted a $100
par week raise but felt he could have negotiated a higher figure.
You ask us to calculate that into the value but it isn't proven that
he could have gotten the higher figure. '{OU also indicate that he
may have to retire early yet I note that Dr. Gelb indicates that his
injury should not cause him any substantial disability or handicap.
It appears that Mr. Hoffman continued to work since the accident.
Mr. Horfman outlines extensive out of pocket expenses such as lawn
care service, prescriptions and medical devices. [loes he have proof
for the services that he hired? His medical expenses should have belln
covered by his First Party Benefit coverage. Does he have proofs of
the out of pocket expenses that he in~urred?
Based on the injuries that he sustained, we are in a position to
offer ~30,OOO.OO to settle this matter. Please take this offer to
your client and advise his position. In addition, please feel free to
submi.t any additional proofs for our review,
Sincerely,
Nadine Benn .e
Claim sp,ecialist
(7l7) 714-9052
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
HOME oPFtCE~1 [lLOO"W~nrON Il.l.tNOI~\ tilll() 0001
'....;.EX.~.............~lr
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'1"_:-
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748 ^,2d 213
20m) I' ^ SlIpor 4.1
(('lie as: 748 1~,2,' 2U)
A.hle~' Nlcllle SONI.IN, a IIIhllll'. b~' her l'al'''"1s
allll NlllIlI'al (;lIal'dIIlIlS,
Illlllllld ,I, SON 1.1 N IlIId ,1111 SOIlIlIl, alld Ilollald ,I,
SIIIIIIII alld ,1111 SOIlIlIl.
IlIdll'hlllall~' alld IlIlheh' oWIII'IAhl
v,
AIIIN(;TON MEMOIUAL 1I0SI'ITAL alld Mil
Sarkis MllolII]lall, M,Il. alld NllIllIa '(aAal'lIl1.
M,I), alld I:rk ,I, MaI'AolI., M.Il" alld 1.11111'1'1101' A,
SlJlHCl'S, l\1.Il., Appcllocs,
A""I'alllf,1I11 SOIlIlIl,
Ashll')' .~h'ull' SUlllhl, u mlllnr. hy her PUl'cnts aile!
Nallll'lll Gllardla.... Ilollald ,I.
SOIlIlIl alld ,'III SOIlIlIl. alld 1J0IIIIJd ,I. SOIlIlIl alld ,IIJI
SOIlIlIl. '"dll'ldllllll)' IIl1d
111111<'11' 011'11 rlAhl
I'.
AhlllAlolI M,,,"ol'llIllIosl,lIlll alld A/'1I SlIl'kl,
Mllom)llIlI. M,l), IIl1d Nllillllll(IIAIII'III1,
M.ll. IIl1d El'k ,I. MIII'AIIlIs. M,Il" IIl1d 1.11111'011"" ,\,
SOIlWI'S. M,Il., A""dlees,
I\""elll 01' A,hle)' Nicole SOIlIlIl, h)' her I'll 1'1'11 Is IIl1d
Nallll'lIl Gllllrdlllll., IJllllald ,I,
IIl1d ,1111 SOIlIlIl.
Ashle)' Nkllle SIIIIIIII. U MillOI', hy her I'll 1'1'11 Is IIl1d
Nlltul'.1 Gllllrdlulls, Ilollald ,I.
Slllllllllllld Jill SlIlIlIlI. ulld IJIIIIlIld ,I. SOIlIlIlIIlIlI ,1111
SOIlIlIl. '"dll'hl"ully ulld
III Ihell' 011'11 rlAhl
I'.
AhhlAlU1I Melllol'llIl 1I0sl.1I111 II lid AI'II SIII'kl,
MOllm]I.II. M.Il. 1111I1 NllhllllltIlAU\'III1.
M.I), IIl1d 1.11111'1"'1''' A, SUII,"rs, M,ll" AI."dll'I",
A""ellluf AhlllAIIIII MelllOl'I.llIu."UIII. AI" Sarkis
Mllum]I.II. M.I),. Nllhllll
It'AIII''", M.Il,
Superior ('ourt or Pel\ll~yl\'ania.
Arguod Doc, 7, I'J'J'J,
Fried Fob 17,2000,
Roargllml'ut Denicd Mareh ,11, 2000,
l'Ull'llts hrought 1l11.'diral nmlpraclkl' actloll .l~alllsl
hospital and physicians, alleging IIq~ligl'ni.'l' tlml
resulted in pllnialulllpulalion of tllt"t daugbll'l"s left kg
wlli.'1l she \ViiS II day~ ohL Liahility was CllIICl'(h..d, and
uncr Jury trial ill the Court or COIlUIlOIl Pll'iIS.
I\'tulllgoflwry County, CiVIl Division, No. t14_ O.IX.'"l,
Suhers, L pOlrclIls Wel'l' awardl'd $~,.li)J,XX(J III
dillllagL'~_ Panics llppL'alclt. 'l'hL' Stlp~'ritlr ('Olin, i\'ll~
U8!. U82 IIIIt!15,10 EI>..\ 19')'), MtlllIl'1l1l1l0, J, holt!
1"Ke I
Ilml: (I) asseSSlllellf of dday t!1IlIlages WIIS ntlllnllcd hy
seulement offl'r; (2) parents could 1101 recover nn
neghgelll inlliction of el1\olionlll distress c1ail1\; IInd (J)
periodic paYl1\l'Il'-'l for future damagl's (,;oul<l lint he
1l1loWL!d uncler Ill'althcarc Services Mulpra-:tiL'c Acl.
Aflil'lllt'd in part, val:i1tcd in pari, alld rem.null'd,
III AI'I'EAI, ANIl EIUWI( (0;;;::0'184(1)
.10k9X4( II
r1w SUPCrlor ('Ollr! willllot disturb ol1uppealthc trial
(ourt's award III' {h:lay dUlllagcs alHil'ut un abuse of
di,crelion, Rnles Crd'nll', Rnle 2.18, 42 Pa,C.S,A,
121 Al'I'EAI. ANlI EIUWI( (i1?l)~(,
.10k94(,
All l.lhllse (If discrelHIII hy tilL' tnal COllrt llIilY not he
IIHltld Illercly hCL'allSC till' npJll'lIate (OurI might have
rl';H..'ht.'d a tllftL'l'l'1\t cunclusion, but n:qum.'s tI showing
of lllilnitL'st uIHcilsonahlel1l'SS, tH partitl1ity. prejudicl"
hias, or III. WIll, or such lad of support us to he clearly
t:lToncnus,
131INTI:IU:ST (0;;;::04')
219k49
AS~eSSlllt'lIt of dclay damages was lIot tolled III medical
malpnu:tiL:c action by ~il'lllenwllt offer that did Ilut
identify lilt' undcrwritL'r of the seltk'l\lcnt, did not statt'
the IH': lIHl I (osloI' tht' structured scltlL-mcnt, anti Jid 1It11
cOlltain II clallse l'\pn:ssly \'alidaling the offer for 90
(hiys or unlll lillK' of trial, where settlclllent uflL'f
merely COIIHIll1cd two pwpo'iills which were dl~scribcd
lIS !I\'ulid I'm se\'en d.IYs," Rull's ('I',',Proc" RuIL' 2JX,
42 I'II,C.S,^,
141INTI':IU:ST €:=4'J
219k\11)
A Sl'ltlt:lllt'l1t pl'lIpns,ll, ill order to toll ilSSt!SSIllCllt of
lklay dalllilgcs, Illust contain 11 dausl' expressly
\'alidating II\L' olTel' for 90 days or ulltil lime of trial;
stich 01 lerm Illay lIut Ik'asslIlIlcd 10 he II\tL'lldcd,
extrapolated 1'1'011I otlt~\l(h.' sOHl'l'L'S, 01' inti.'ITl'd, if tltL'
offer Itself is to Ill' l'onsidl'rcd gl'IlUIIIC, Ihall's
Ci\',P/'tlL'., Rule '2.1:-1, 42 P,d',S.:\.
151I1AMA(,ES (0;;;::0208(1)
11 Sk20X( J I
Illl'ipllal and phY'ilciaw; \H'll' IHlt l'lIlltllJd In
Clllllpul';IIIY lInllsUlt with l'L'SplH:t tll panmts' chlim of
IIl'ghgl'tll IlllilrlllJlI of l'lllotiullill di~trl'ss, 111 ilL'llt)U
hlOlIght agalil\l hosptlal illld phY'sIL:i;IIl:1 fi.ll' the IlUrlial
lImputatlon of d.IUghlL'I's Idl leg, wlwrc hllspllill and
Copr. (". Wl'st ~noO:'\o ('lalllllo Olj~ {'S, (1(1\'" \\'oll:;
I
EX(!rr
74S ^,2d 21.1
(Cite u. 74M t\,2<1 213)
physiclllllS I'rC.'lCIHl'd delimsl' c\'idenl.'c during PUI'L'llls'
rllse.
1('1 ,\I'''EAI. i\NIl EIUIOI~ Q;:::;> 107H(4)
.10k 107H('i)
)JilfClIlS lIhallllollcd, Oil lIJlIll'UI, pm;!lillll lhill hospitul
und physicians Wl're 1101 entitled 10 t:olllplllsol'Y lJollsuit
011 prot:cdllUlI ground Ihal hospital alld physicialls
presented dCt1.'IISl' l'vidcll~C during parents' caSt', III
which they asserted negligent inflktion of elllotiollal
diMrcss clnull for partial amputation of their dOlUghtlll\
leg, wlH're parellts slawd ill Iheir' IIppellale brid' Ihl'lI
inl('llIlClIl was nol 1110 Wasil' time 011 procedul'lll
argulIlclll.'l of Ihis type."
171 TIUt\1. Q;:::;> 1.1').1 (I~)
,1HHk I.W.I( 1\)
t\ compulsory 1I01\SUI! IS ilppnIIHllIh:I~' gl'ill1h~ll OIlly
whcrl' the lilctlil1d~lr, viewing alllhL' l'\'HlellCL' III rU\'ol
of the plaintiff, could not rl'ilsOIlllhly conclude lhalthl'
L'ssclltial Cleflll'llts of a cause of actloll ha\'l' hL'l'11
eSlahlished.
171 TlUAI. e.::olr.~
.\SSk165
^ complIlsmy flon.mit is appropriately granted only
wherc thc lucllilldcr, VIeWing UlllllL' i~\'idt:lll.:e III fll\'Dr
of Ihe plailttiff: could Itol rellsoltably coltclude Ihal1hl'
esscntial clements of u causc or uction ha\'c heell
eSlablishe,1.
IHIIMMAW:S ~~1
115k51
Tht, l'I'itcria for dClcnninillg the IfJl'csccahility of IIIL'
tol'l of Ilegligent Iltflktlon of elllotional distress, 011
Ihenry of bystunder fl'cO\'('ry, lire: (I) 111L' ItlcallOll of
the plaintll'!' Iwar the scelle nf Ihe t,aulllatlc L'\'elll; (2)
11ll' shock resulting from a dil'ect ClllolltHI,:l1 impacl
upon plaintiff from thl' .'il,'IIStlry and I.:Olltelllpnrlll1l'OWi
(}lhL'l'\'i1111'l' Ill' llll' C\'t'lll: (.1) a I.:l(l'it' rel:ltlnll,,>hip
hct\\,i.'l'll plilllltllT illulthc \ irtllH 1)1' tilt.' (;'\'l'III,
I'll IlAMAm:S ~~I
115k51
!'im'llls cOllld llnt ((.'CO\'llr 011 dailll for Ill'gligl.'1I1
inl1ktlOn of CrlH)II(JllUI distrl.'ss, on hystil/ldcr 1lll'III'Y of
H'l.:m't'I)', for lhl' partial i1lllplltatlOll nr dallghln\ kg,
wh\.'I"(, Ihl' UllllHltilllOIl (In.'IIITl'd eight days after parl.'llts'
1'L'(i.'I\'I.'d IlL'WS tlml_ rhY~ild.I/l'i Ill'gllgClllly pl,ll'l'd a
t'jltlli.'ll'r in lht'il' dallghll'l's h.'g, lilt' llews wa~ nol
L'onlt'I1IIHIIUIlt'lltIS wllh 11ll' alllpulaliOll or lhl' Ill'gllgl'tll
pla~'i.'lI1l'1l1 Ill' till' ('at/wit!, lllld pinl'nls did lint wlllll"i';
llll' (,llhl'li.'r"i plal't'1I1l'llt.
I'~"v 2
1101 ,HIIIGMENT <!;c."'2U
22Hk21.1
Periodic paYlllt'llls Ihr fUlure dall1ages could lint hI.'
allowed uudl" lIeallhea,e SerVices M"lp'"elice ^el, in
parellts' IIlCdicullllalpral't!Cl' aL'lltlllllgaillst hospilill "nti
physleillns IiII' Ihe '''Hliallll'llpnlalinn oflheir dlloghle"s
leg, Whl'H' ,Mll'lIls rl'ltlsed to al:l:opt payment on the
inslalll'llenr pili I!'. 401',S, ~ IJOIXJ2.A,
IIIIIIOSI'ITAI.S e.::oH
204kS
Damagt' uward, ill parcnl'i' Illedical 1ll1llpl'lll'tice IIl.:tiol\
again'll hllSpil,1l llnd physkiuns I'm the panitll
illllptltalion of tllclr d.1ughtl'r's leg whell sill.' Was II
days old. was propl'r1y 1101 I'l'thll:t'd 10 preselll \'u I 1Il: ,
gl\'t'll tIll' pl'nnallL'IlCY or the dallghtt'r'.~ hiSS.
1111 l'fl\'SIClANS A.'ill SI'IlCEONS Q;:::;>IH,IIO
2'I'jk I X, 110
I )alllagl.' award, ill parcnls' Im'dlcal Ilwlpl':ll'tll.:C !Icflon
again'>l hO_'illllal and ph,\,'ill'lilns lill' 11lL' pilrtlal
lllllpUlllllolI of tlwir dallghlt:r's It'M Wlll'/\ shl' was II
duys old, WilS pl'Opl'rly 1101 I'l'duccd In present \'Uhll',
gi\'l'll thl' pl'nll<lIlL'lh.'Y 01'1111.' dilughlcr'~; lo)s,
. 214 Thomas B, ROller, Plllladelphia, Ii" ^shky N,
Jill and I'onald Sonllll,
Marcy I L landI'S. I'hrladelphia, Ii" ^hinglon
rvfcllIoriul Ilosp., r-.10l)l1Ijlan, 1\'1.1)., Ruga\'un, M,D. lllld
Margolrs, M.D.
Dehorah M, Knight. Plllladdphla, IiII" Lumen"e i\,
SOIlJf!rs. \-t.D,
BeI,,,e WISMA:-i:-iO, IIJ'STI'R and '21~
MONTI'MlIRO [i'N'J, JJ.
F\' Rl)llrcd JlISlli.'C asslgllcd 10 Superior ('OUI'l.
I
\10NTF\III1W, J.
~i I Till' panics to thi~ l1ledh:i1llllnlprlll'licc IH:liol\ ho\'e
l'lwj!.-appl'lllcd from a judgfllelll Ihr $2"J9J.8X9 III
1;1\'01' of Appl'llanls, plaintiffs helm\-'.
~: 2 On Mar 29. 1')').1. Appellalll AHhley SOi\lm Was
h\JrIl (I 1/] \\'l'C~S prL'lllaltlrl'ly III Appclb' hospital.
Follnwiug lhl.' placl:llwllt of all umhllkal clltlH!lcr to
ll11llllhll hltllHI n~ygt'll !l'vt'ls, IJ.'NI J till' l:hild
dt'\'dopl'd ,I Ihl'Ol1lhoSIS ill Iwl' It'fl kg, utld <llll'l' 111I'cl.'
(hty'; was lfllllsll.'lTl'd to ('hillln'n's Ilo~pillll. ^PIli.'lh~cs'
t',lIlul'l' 10 dlilb\1l0St' the \'<l~iC\IIM ({Jlllpromisl' l'illl'ied by
the Llpl rl'sullt'd III lilY gilllgrdll' l'l'qllil'lIIg ,HllplltallOll
of thl' Itlfant's kfllcg IiOflll' '1.'W IIH:hl's bl'ltlw the ~Ill'l'
('npr. (' \\\'stlIHIO No ('llllllllo (/Iig t' ,S_ ('0\'1, \\'01 k"l
748 ",2d 2 L1
(Clle as: '/48 A.2d 21.1. '21~)
whell "shle,I' IVilS II dilYs ohL
FN I l.ilck of IUllg dc\'\~llIpll\t:1l1 III prCllltHUrc 1Illlmls
dlClulcs that blood O''iygcll he IIHlIllltll'l.!d.
'1 ) Suil WilS eommeneed Oil MiI.eh 15, 1')<14 hy
A9hlt.'Y's pUrl'llls nn her hdlillf and in thel{ own righl.
BCl.:lIu~c liahllilY \VIIS cOllceded, trial \VUs hl'ld SOll>ly 10
d!.!lcnnjlll' dUllIugcs, hOlh IIII' Ashley's Injury, ilnd nil
Appellillll Jill SOlllill's dililll or lIeglig('1I1 IIIIlICII'''' or
emotionnl distress, which \\'lIS dismissed hy the t!"lnl
court 011 Appellees' motloll for l'OllllHllsOlY 1I01l-SlIll.
The jurI llWllt'dcd $2, I H5,t)60, to which \V,IS added
$307829 in delay damages. The Instant cross uppcills
Ic.llowed,
'1 4 Appellilllls liilve ,hilllellged lilt, plopll"Y i1l1d
udeljuary or the dt.'lay d~lfn<lgl' il\\'ind and till' l'Ollrl\
grant of II l:Olllplll~ory IItllHHlil ilS 10 Jill SOIlIIIl\
negligent int1klioll of emotional distress rlaim
i\ppcIlL'es, 011 lhe othn hund, argllc thut tilL' !rial i.:Olll't
erred ill rclilsing thcir ft,'qllesls to pay thc dalllage
award in installnK'llts and (edul'l' the i1ward III present
\'aluc,
[IJl21 %57 5 We f1rs! nole Ihlll we \l'i1lnnl dlSlUlh Ih,
trial court's uward of dUll1ilgcs a\\'lInll'd 1I1HIL'f
Pa,JtC,P. 2J8 ahsentllll ahuse of discretion, Lih~,rty \',
(Jeneva College, 456 I'II,SlIper. 544, olJO A,ld 124.1
(1997), "(" In llhusc of discrL'linll nmy nol he round
1Ili.'fldy hccallse the appl'llute court l1ught ha\'e rearhcd
II diflcrcnt \'fHlclusioll, hill rl'quirL's :I showlIlg of
manifest llllrCnSllnublcnL'ss, or purtial!t)', prejudlrl"
hillS, o. ill-will, or such IlIck Ill' IIl1ppm! ilS 10 he clearly
i.'rrOIlCnus,1I Pllden v, Baker Concrete COllstrurtloll,
IlIe" 540 I'll, 40lJ, 412, 65S A,2d, .141, ,14.1 (l!Jcl5),
[.11 ~16 Appellilnls lirslilssign error 10 Ihe 11'1111 ,ourl"
ucceptilllCl' of U Sl'ltkl1lCIIl offcr whkh, illS argued, did
lint l.:olllply with the rl'qllirl'llll'nlS of Rule 1J1-:.
Spccilielllly, Appellllllts ,11I11lI11"'llhe \\'1l1l11g hy whICh
tile offcr \\US l'tlllvi.'ycd did /lot rl'\'cal the idl'lllilY or
thi.' underwriter, Ihe terms of the offer '....ere Ilot ope II
for 90 days, nnd lhe urtnal costs in\'olvcd ill each of the
alterrmt.\\'c pruposals Ud\'llllCl'd WL'l'l' Ilot tlisclosed,
t\ppellants nlso lilk\.' eXL'L'pIIUll to tilL' dllle w;ed by thl'
(rial court in Cllkullltillg dl'la~' damage,"!.
~l '/ Pa.R.(',P. 2JH n';Jlls III pertllH'nl piln liS l{lllo\\,,.;:
(:1)(2) I>all1l1gL'~ lin dday shall hc ,I\\'i\nkd till" thl'
Ill'dod oftillll'.
(ii) III an lll.'liOIl l'Otllllll'lK'l'd 011 01' HIler August I,
II}Hi), frolll il dalto' Olll' ~'L',1I anl'l tht' date oogmal
process \ViiS first scr\'ed illlhL' ilt:t1tlll up 10 Ihe date of
J'ugt! 3
th(' il\\'4Hd, \'cl'llkt or dl'L'isiol1 ."
(hi The peri"d of lillle Ii" which dalllages Ii'r ,k-Iay
shall he ,,,k-alaled uuder s"hdi"islnu (i1){2) sllilll
L','\dudc the period Orlll1lc, irany,
(I) i1f1er wlll,h III, defl'lIdalll has lIIi1d,'" wrilll'lI <>lIe.
or..
(ill u slrurturcd sL'llk'l1Icnt undl'l'wrllll'll hy II
linilllcially rcspollsihlt- Cllllty
llllt! ~:olllillucd that niTer III cfle!,'t lhr nl least ninety
days or unlilcollllllt'IICCllIl'1I1 nl' trill!, whit'h ever III'S!
orcurs, \\'hkh Unl'r was llol un:cptt'd and the plaillll/'f
did 1I0t rL'L'(I\'Cr hy *216 U\\lilHI, vcrdkl or dct.:lsion,
c.'\dusive of damages till' delay, 1Il0re Ihull 125
percellt of Ihe actu,lI cost or till' stnli.:turcd
settlelllcllt plus uny cash PUYIllClltl1l Ihe plainliff ,,'
~I H lhe si.'ltlclIWlIl olrer dlH:UIlICllt, a ICIlL'!', l'ill1tains
two proposals which ure spccilk;llly lil'scrihed us
"\alid Il)[ Se\ell dilYs from Jllly 22," (I,l'lIel or Jllly 2:1,
Ii)')]), that is, lilt: dny hl'lc)f'L' the proposals Wl'!'i.'
sllhlllJlled ill wlilmg. TilL' Il'Ial C{Jllrt IIl'vl!I'IlIelcss I(Hllld
that "an olln huving a rail/I.' of $1 ,750,000, rcnmint:d
illl'if'l'llIlIlIllhe 'line 01'111111," (Tnill CL Op, 1118), IIl1d
that ,ht' SL'Vell day time pL'riod spccilied ill lhl' Ont'r
IIwas a rl'l'cl'l'lIl'l' 10 Ihl' vallll' of the III\'l'Slllli,'lltS, whirh
would have to he rec;lkulaled altcr St'VCIl days 10
rl'llecl thcll ClIrrent Illarht conditions," (1<1.) Thcl'c is,
hO\\'L'\'cr, no 1111.'1111011 made anywlwll'in the Sl'lllcllWIlI
letter of a changc III market t.:0I11lition5 alfcrting till'
validity of the Ont'r, or or ils pcndellcy untillhe lime of
trial. The lriul court's illlCrpolulioll or such II
t'ontlllgellcy is thc/'eron: impropl'r,
'i 'i Appellllllls i1lso nud Appl'lIees' li,ilUll' 10 idell"ly
till' t1l1derWrll~'r of Ihl' sl'lIlenll'nl 01' Ihe actuul ('ost of
lhe slIlIl'tured sl'lllcl11ent to Ilt' ill rOlllra\'elltiOIl of Ihl'
Rule. The tnul t.:ourt opllled that It found 110 suppurt ill
thL' rule for Appl'llees' t.:lailll of cntillenK'1l1 10 sllch
Inf{)rhmlllll\.
~i 10 While \\'1.' werc 1Illahk' 10 lot.:al~~ spe(,:lIk l'lISl'
ilUlhol'lly l(lr the pl'Opositioll lhal n wrilkn sl'llk'lltl'nI
ot'll'r lIlust, 10 he legilillllllcly used as it lolling
lllechanism 1()1' the period thr calculation of dclay
damages, Include those c1l'IllCllls cllullwraled in the
Huk. Olll Suprellle CDurt has llddl'l.:~;scd al lellst ()lIe of
tlH'se by illdlrL'rlinll. In Arthur \" Kuchar, 54h Pll. 12,
hH2 ..\.~d 12S0 ((1)1)61, the ('olin fOlllld thai all oml
sCllk'II11'ut oncr whit'h had hl'l~n placcd 011 lhl~ n..'l'ord
dUring tllal alld 1,llcr Il'llllSl'f1ht'd ill IIIL' notes Ill'
tl.'stllllon)' W,l~ till' fUIlL'tlollal eqUlvalL'nl Ill' a \\TJ\tt'l1
Urrl:l' 1'01' purposes of the RIlII' TIll' One! WilS
L'oJHlltlillll'd 011 jlll/lledl,llt' llL'Ct'pt:lI1l'l' of till' pl'Opo'lul
illld lerllllnatillll of Ilial Tilt, {'Ollr! tCl\lIld lhat hl'L'ilWil'
{'Opl, l' Wl'sl 2000 \'0 ('lilll11lo Ong. (i.S, (/0\1. \\'(1rb
70tX A,2d 21 J
(l'lIe ~'l 74H ,Utl 213. "21 (0)
II WllS lIot spccltkully \:ontll\\ll'd in l'ITel'l fur 90 days
alld IlIal hlld nlready UllIlIIlellced, the ofll'l tillkd 10
slItlsfy lhl' lIInin~ I'l'quin.'rJIl'lIts of thl' Ruk>
14111 II Despile Ihe Iilclllal dll'l'rgl'lIcl' hl'III'l'I'1I 1111'
illSlull1 l'i1.iI.' and Arthur. we lillll tlwt {IIH.' 1'1II1l:11'Ic is
COllllnOIl 10 hoth: a sl,ttlclllClll pl'Opo!iallllllSI contain II
ChillSl' exprc!isly \'alidallllg the offer for 90 days 01
ulllillimc of trill I. Such II tcrlll limy lIot be lfSSlIllWd tll
tH' inll'IHlcd, l'\trapollllCd frolll oUlsidl' StlUI"l'l'S ill
IIIfcrll.'d if the orfer Itselr IS 10 he cOlp;idl'l'l'd ~~L'lHlilll'
ullder Ihc Rule,
~: 11 t\'llIll'll\,l'l', \\.'lthotll idcl\lllh:alloll (If thl'
underwriter, 110 knowledgeahle appraisaluf the {,fll"\
Icgilimal'Y is possihk', Slllet.' till' Irial 1'1lUl'I\
dclcrmilHltlon of whclllt.~r illl uncI is suln(ll:111 10 loll
assesslllent of delilY dalllilgt'S depends, illtt'r alia, tllllhc
linalli,:ial stahility nf Ihl' uIHlt'rwnh.'I'. St'l' P;L1tc.p,
nx, (,ivil Prot'l'\hllal Rules ('UIIIIlUItCl' L.'\planatory
Notl', Funlll'r, till' FxplullutOIY ~tlt\,' prfl\ HIes Ih.lI the
coulfs IIm!1l inquiry as to th\" \"llIhdlly of tht' SII"lI\.'tured
sclllemcnt will rc\'ol\'l: ahout lillo' costs of I I\\"
SCUkllll'llt. hI. Ahsellt tlll'sc l'lelllcllts, till' llllll: faclor,
till: undCI\\Tiler, and most of illllhc actual cost or th\,'
seltlclll\"nt, we arc compl'lIl'lt 10 lintl th;1t till: trinl court
erred ill ncccpting Appellees' proposal a~ surtkWIlI
undcr the lenus of Ih~ I~ uh~ to toll till' pcnod rOI
nssussmelll of deluy damages, IFN21 I\ceordl1\gly, WI'
IllWit rClllilnd lilr recalculation Ill' tlli.' amollnt dlll',
which brings us to Appellants' next daull, that till' lI"tl'
frolll whkh the delay damages were to hl' 1';lll.'ulilted
WilS wrong
FN2. App\!lkes IIlSISI Ihal because tht: offer \\as nol
withdmwll, llnd hecause lilt' IdcrllllY of the underwritcr
and lhe l.:osl of the seUlemcll1 wcrc "knm\ II 10
Plumllrfs' CllllllSd," lhe re~IUlnmlt't1ts of the Ruk' afC
Ille!. (Appellees' Brief ul I,~), The oh\'lClllS purpose of
Il wrlllllg In c\lII\'cy scnlelllcrll offers, nol 10 mCIIIIO"
lhc spe(;lIk IlfO\'lslOrh Ill' the Hille. wOIJld he lkfcaled
by llt:cl.!plillll;e or Appdkl.!s' argumellt
*217 ~[ IJ Appl'lhlUI~l argul' that tilt' l'omt CI"lL'd III
Wlllpullllg Ihl' UII\OUlH of tIll' lklay damages frolll July
2-', J{N7, wllL'lI Ihe seltlellll.'Il1 ol'll'r disl'u~sed <lbm'I.'
\\i1~ tL'lhk'll',L ilml on tile molded \L'rdlct, Ihat IS, tht'
I'eldlel less $XIIII,IIIIO 1'",,1 10 App<'ilallll' pllor 10 Inal
hilt IIller July 1_', 191)7. A~ we ha\'l.' dl'IL'rl1llllL'd thai
tilt' strw.:tul\'d st'ttklllcnt plOpos~ls Illlv;lI\LL'l! 01\ ,'lily
2.\. \l)irt did Hot l!llillll\ IIl1dL'f tht' tl'lll\.'; lIt" lhl' Rull' to
tull thL' tidIlY danmgl's pl'nod, Wl' llt'l'L! 1I11t address tlw;
is'illl' fUl'tlll'r than In ill!n't' Ihal till' d.lll' Ilsl'd hy lilt' tllid
l'lllllt I" IIlL'orrl'ct.
II"Ue 4
[511 hl~, 14 1\1'1',0\1;11111' ail'o I"tlIl1"lIllllllllth" lIinl eO\lft
t!rrcd, UIl hoth proccduralulHl suhstuntivl' gl'llullds, in
dilf1l1issIIlg nn 11\0tl01l lill- iI nHnplll'iory IliIlHiuit
App\"llalli JtII SOIlIIll'S c1allll of negllgenl illl1iell<'" nf
l'lIlotiolllll distrl'ss. As 10 till' procedure, we urc
compelled III u~rL'e, as ^ppl'lll'es had IHl'S('lIlCd
ddcllsc cvidence dUl'Il1g AppL'llants' caSl', OUl
Suprcl1ll' ('Ollr! hll'> ruh,t1 thaI where a dl'lendunl has
offcr'cd cvidL'llL'l' l~lIhL'r during III" liner lhe pluil1lin'~
CllSl' a IIOIHllit may 11111 hL' ~ral1ll'd. Hamish \" SdUlOI
I>islllel of i'llIlatll'lphHl, 557 i'a, 11,0, 7.12 A.2d 5%
1199'11; lI'ghland Tank alld Mfg, ('0 1', I>uen, ,\2.1 i'a.
,IX7, 225 1\,2d X.1 (1%1I1, l\pl','lIel's hal'l' tolllellded
that Appellants' plOcedurul clailH was ahunduncd by
Appellal\h' 1IItellllon, slaled HI a rootnutl', not "1(1 wilsle
lilllc 011 procedural argulIIl'nts of tillS IYlll',"
(I\pp\"ll'"l!' Bm'f al ,111 11. IX) We agrl'e, All
c.\ullIinatioll Ill' the merits of Appellallts' argulIlent,
hOWt'\'\'r, dlles not altL'r IIIL' result,
I' I ~' I ~ .'\ l'Olllpulsory nOI\''iuil I~ ilppnlj1l'i;IIL'ly
gr.wted ollly w!l\,'rt.: "the filcflindl'r, "Il'wlng nil the
l'\'ldellL'l' in 1(1\'11I" (11' 111i..' pluilltil'f, could 110t rClIslIllilbly
cOI\l:llldc thaI the l'S'il'llllal t'k'lIl1.'llts of a t'llll',c \)1'
il\'lIllll have ht'\"1\ estuhlish('d." Bhhlll' \'
Johlll'ollbaugh, 44.) i'a,Snpe!'. 450, 6(,4 1\,2d 15'1, 11I1
( 1(195),
[X 111 I h Appullallis' l"Ialln is based 'III the theolY of
hYSltlllllt'f rl'l'overy till' llt'gllgel1t infliction uf emotitlnnl
distress enullcluted 11\ SlIIn \" nili'd, 4l-lh P<t, 14h,40.1
A,2d ()12 (J(J7I)). The crillo'rin for statlllg this CUUSL' of
lIl'tltlfl, Ihill IS for deterlllll1lng the liHesceahilll>' of till'
lurt, are I) tllL' locution of the plaintiff Ileal' the scene nf
the traumal!\,' L'ven!; 2) the 'tshm:k fL'sultlingj from II
dil'c\"l efllotiollul imp,lc! UpOIl plallltllT frollllh~' sensory
and cOlllcmporanl.!tltls ohsL'rVanCl,1I of thl.: event; ,') iI
dose ft'IUIHlIlship hl'tWL'CIl plilintll'f and the \'il;lilll of
Ihe e\'ullt. Id al 171l, 41l.1 A,2d al 6X); Mlluagalll v.
I':\'l'l'ingham hy 1,:\"t:nngIHllll, )12 P.I, 2hh, 27H, 51h
1\.2" 672, 677 (I"~I>), Thc plallllll'l' I1II1SI alsll h"l'e
SlIst,lilll.'d ~,11I11L' huddy h.lfIll hum IhL' IIll'llt;1I
dlsturhance hltlll~'ht 011 hy ohservatlon {If thl' ('\'l'lI1.
~1aaagatll, supra; (';Ivelhlltl \" PellnsylvJll1iI PowL'r
& Ughl e.., ,\'ill'",SII)>e!'. In, 0191 A,2d 21l7, 21l9.11l
( !')X5),
1"1 .: 17 Thl' hll'" ..I' I\I')>ellalll's dllllll IS hl"
/l'l't'pllllll, (III Jllllt' I, II)t)J, Ill' lhe 11\'\\S that till.'
dlSl'ololallllll of "shky's kg which sIll' had IlTl'\'low,ly
ht'l'll i1'isllI'L'd was .1 hl\lis(', WilS III fill'! it Ihromlmsls,
alHI that illl\putatHIIl nf till' Iimh was Iikdy t\ppdlilllb
rha:aL'll'r1/L' tillS as ;1 disL'lL'll' OL'\'lIITl'lll'L' L'qlllvaknllll
!he i1UltllllOhik accldcnt \\llldl !lltl'" lillo' \'It'lIIl1''; 1111: ill
('np!..( \\'l'St .~O(l() :-\0 ('hUIllID ()IW l'_S I ill\.l, \\'llr~'i
7,IHA.2d21.1
(Clle u.; 748'\,2<1213. '217)
Sinll, Sh~ relics hCilvily J()f' all i1llalogul' 011 till' lill:tuul
sitUllfioll ill LO\'l' \" ('rullll'r, 414 Pa,Super. 2ll, hOC!
A,2d 1175 (1'1'12). Th,',. till' plallllil'l' .1I.1:IIII.d Ih.
ul'llollllhle shock Whl'lI sill' willll'ss~d hl'l ll\otllL'r's
dCtllh fl'OllI 11 heart llllack allc!" llll' mother's doctor hnd,
0\'1.'1' illl L'.\(cllded 11('riod, refuscd h.\ IIl\'l'sllgalL'
S>'IIIIHoIllS indicative of LA cmdllll' prohlcllI. This ('ourl
fuund lhal the plalllllfl's ohsL'l'valioll of Ihe lillal heurt
lIltul.:k supplied the discrl't<: and ldcnlltiaole tl':.illlllaliL'
event triggering n~l'ovcry 1IIHIL'!' Sinll. We madc clear
lhutlhc dct\th, lIo1lhe lll'gligCIICL' (lfthc doctor was till'
uctionahk' liletOl'. Thus Love offt.'rs 110 allalo~y with thL'
illSlallt CilSL'
'i I X Appellullts also ad\'i1l1l'l' lhls ('Olin'", dL't'I~I{l1\ in
rumel' \" ~,tcdkal ('11"" IkuI'l'r, 1'/\, Inc., .l:,-I
Pol, Super (d\ fl,"\() A,."!d XJO (11l1)()), as dISpnsill\'l'
,';\Ippmt rill' lhl'ir pOSlllOl1, Tl11'I'l' the plulIIlil'f WilS
forl:ed 10 dl'iiVl't IIl'I sislvr's slillhorn k,tus, in Ih..: *21 H
h(l~pil..L uncI' hospilal pl'l'solltll'llgllOled hl" pk'as lill
assislulln,', We ill'hl Ihat sill' had statvd U C;llISl.: oj'
UL't1on for nl'gligl~1I1 inflictioll of l'lllotiunal distress a... it
rl'lalivc III if situalHlII wherl' tllt~ lrauma was
li)rcsl'cahle, ulId ill wllll'h slw would otherWl'iC h<l\'c
hl.:cn II hyslandcr, hut \\a~.; Illl'L'l'd to pal'1icipall' in the
foreseeable traumatic l'\'l'nt spl'cllll'ally tH'cUIISi.' (If Ihe
dclcndlll1t's nl.'~digl'IIl'l" t\lthllll~h thl' ddivl'ry or the
rettl~ \VIIS nol l'ollSHh.'rl'd lhe tralllllatll' e\'ent. till'
hnspltlll's ncglig\'lIcc llS 111\: Cilll,'Ie of the p!<lintirrs
parridplltlon in Ihl' dl'li\'ery where the trllllnm was
f()fcBccublc llistinguishcs this case from lh~' instant
mattcr.
'1 It) In filL't, Ihe HIllIHlla!ioll of t\:.;hley's leg {H'curfL'd
eight days uliel' t\ppl'llant rl'~'ci\'cd the news that
Ill'gligellCl' had occulTed, Indeed, at the poillt
idcntified as the traunntic t'\'~'III, amputatlOlI WiIS a
likL'lihood, not <l certainty', 'I'rllgkillly, Ihe throllllHlsIs
could not hc I'l'sol\'cd ;llh~J lllL' lreatlllellts applil'd
liming A,;hky's Slay ilt ('hildl'cn's Ilo,'iPllal. hut fhl'
discrete and idt'l\tillahll.: traumatic eVent hccill1ll.:
1'i!~tlgllil.ahlL' as slIch only after clght days had passed,
Thus what is identil1ed as a Cl'lsis p011l1 WilS not
conlclllpoHHleowi with thl' ilmpulatlon, nor with the
I\t.'gligcnt plal.:l'llll'lIt of the cathl'll'!', to Ilt.'lihcl' of which
WilS Appl'lhull a witness, ('allll'ilrt \" KI;l:lIl' Indu'ltnal
III.ul"III>I1, .12,1 Pa,Sup"I, 12\ ,171 A2d ,1'1.1 (I 'is.11
Accmdingly, lllls 1.'1i111ll r,III'i,
~I 20 ,\s to IIIL' ISSlll'S rilJ~l'd hy Appdke~ 1111 thl'lf no'iS
t\ppcal, it is art!IIl'd thill lh\" trlill Cllllrll'ITl'd III l'efusIIl~
In allow periodiC paYHll'lI1 or fllHll'l' dalllagL's pursuanl
10 lIl'altJ\i.'all' SL'r\'ll'l'~ \lalpr;Jl'IIL'\" t\L'I, -10 PS_ ~
1.\01.101 cl scq.. 01 lu relluel' IIIl' dillllagt'S to IHl'~l'f11
I'UNO ~
v"lue,
111111121 S..W"l IlOI.H:12-A <>flh. A.I p",\'id.. Ihul
till' court, HUpllfllllotiollllf nnr pal1y, may cllllsit!(lf IIll1t
the dlllllagl'~ ~Il' paid hy pl'rindk Of' IllSlalllllLll\t
paYlIll'nts, proVIded thllt tilt: lnms of such payments tH~
llgn~cd 10 hy all parlH!s," Appcllllllt~ p,'lilsed 10 IIcccpt
puynwllI 011 Ih. in'lillllll.nl plall. Allhough Appdl...
would have U'l hl'liL'\'c lhut the Ida I court'!oI refusal tu
order I)Cnodll' parllll'l\ts IS attnhulahh' solely to 11
h.li.f Ihul IIIi1ck.d )llIi.dldllllllo tlo so, Ih. Iriul .ourt
III H\l't conduded tllllt it would in any eVl'nl huw
rl'ru_wd In onh.'r ~uch pilymcnls bcc~:use Appdle(:s' solu
re;ISOll Ii II' tlwir requL'st was lhl~ ullsupported assertion
Ilwt sllch tl plan would he ill tile best inlL'rests of all
pa~.lles, AppdlL'l'S also argul' lhat the Act lld\'O\:atcs
paYlllellls IIH'I' tllilL', hut wc are not persuuded, Indeed,
our SUprl'1I11.' Court has hl'ld thai "!pll'r~nIHII injury
il\\'arlh: 1I11' usually hUnp''lIllll Pilj'l11l'nts, und are 1101
paid ill WL'l'Kly (If II\DllIlll)' Illstalllllcnts," Kacl.knwSKi
\" I\olllhil'/, .')1 PiI. 51>1, 5h7, 421 A,2d 11127, lOll
(11)XO) ItilOtl\ole ollutled), The Act provides' an oplion
Wllll'h the (ourt Illay adopt cOlltingt.'lll upon the partiesl
agrcellll'lll, \'0 agrecment is mandaled, and the
language or the staltlll' SC!eIllS to HlIply Ihal till: court
lllilY tl\'i.TritiL' an ilgr\,'clllclIl. IIcre AppellcL's provided
the Cllllrt \\'llh nil 1'l',ISOIl 10 (hsrt.'gard t\ppdlnnls'
rl'Jl'l'lltJlI or the proposed plall, F\'l'f1 nu\\' Appellees
offcr nOlhlflg spec ilk to this t.'ll!iC which would justify
the order Ihl'y seek. We find no rault with lhe court'!!
dt'(,'isioll,
111I ~122 FlI\ally, Appdle.. Wlllt'lld thalllll' Irial courl
erred III dl'nYlflg Iheir motion to n:ducc the dllllmgl'
aWim! It) presclll vahlt.', In KaczkowskL ~t1prll, our
SUIUl'lll1' ('ourt ht'ld lhat l\ilul'L' Inst \\'i1gl'!oI shoulll not
he dlscoUlltl'd. thaI "bOlh a pl'OdUCtlVlly jill'lor illld illl
IllflatlClI1 l"olelnl" should he rl'lleclcd ill all i\wanl of IU'lt
fUlurt l'llf/lings," Id, at )lJti, 421 ,\,2d lit 1029, 10
olwiutl' the IIl'U-'SSity for an adju~lmenl of lhc \'l'rdiL't
Oil thl' hasls of Ihl'Sl' factor'l, The ('ourl adopted 11ll'
lolal off'll'l I1lClhod or cakullllillg d,lmages which
n:quil'l's lllill IIIJillmalioll c11llcerning hoth inllatilllllllld
produl.'tivily he pl'L'sel\led 10 thc jllry ralher dUl1l merely
dlSl'oulllillg .1 dalllage aWllrd hy ()Oi, :;illlpk; IlIlerl'sl 10
rl':lI.:1: IHl'Sl.:1l1 value,
.: 2J Although IIIL' ('our! spt:dlk.llIy di.'dlrlctl 10
l'.xp.llld lb IHIIII)! III (onll'.x!s ollieI' *211' Ihullltlluw lost
L'a1'111 llgs, OJlll1ll1~~ (hal 11lL'~1.' ~hOllld hl' rcsDlved Oil ,\
L'ast' hy ra~t' hasls, il !loll'd IHllll'lplL's long sl'llkd ill
j1l'nll'iyhatH:1 law lhal "dalll;I~!l'" illL' to he
(OIllIWIIS,l!IlIY lothl' nil! l'.\tl' 11 I or llll' IIIJury sU...tililH'd,"
and that actuall'olllpl'll~atiol\ is gi\'l'll "hy gl'il<luiltlllg
('tlp1. ( Wl'sl 20()() ~1I CI.Jilll ((I (lng (:s (,0\1. \\'lIlks
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RICHARD L. HOFFMAN and
GLORIAM. HOFFMAN,
Plaint] Hs
v.
MISTY LEHMAN,
Defendant
AND NOW, this
IN 'l'IIE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - l,AW
No. 99-247 CIVIL TERM
ORDER
OF CtURT
~t
I.~ day of May, 2000, upon
consideration of Plaintiff's Motion for Damages for Delay
in an Action for Bodily Injury Pursuant to Pa, R.C.P. 238,
. a rule is issued upon Defendant to show cause why the
relief requested should not be granted.
RULE RSTURNABL,E within 20 days of service.
timothy A. Shollenberger,
1820 Linglestown Road
P.O, Box 60545
Harrisburg, PA 17106-3700
For the Plaintiff
Richard H. Wix, Esquire
4705 Duke Street
Harrisburg, PA 17109-3099
For the Defendant
wcy
By the Court,
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M" Wesley Ie, Jr. J.
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MIlY r 2 ;nor
SHOLLENBERGEH & JANUZZI, LLP
1020 L1nglestown Road
P,O, Box 60545
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17106-0545
Telephone Number: (717) 234-3700
Fax Number: (717) 234-8212
Attorne vs for Plaintiff
-- .
Richard L, Hoffman,
Plaintiff
v,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO, 99-247
Misty Lehman,
Defendant
CiVIL ACTION - l.AW
JUfW miAL DEMANDED
PRAECIPE TO REISSUE WRIT OF SUMMONS
To the Prothonotary:
Please re-issue a Writ of Summons against the Defendant, Misty Lehman, Please return
Writ to the undersigned,
Respectfully submitted,
By:
SHOLLENBERGER & ,JANUZZI, LLP
, /'
_U~~?j:;'~;d~~J~n/
Timothy A, Shollenberger, Esq, '~'.~
Attorney 1.0, #34343 ,.'. "1
1'\'
Dated: February 24, 1999
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state farm Insurance Companies
Februar.y 3, 1999
tun ....
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unUI""t
TimothY A. SholunlJergRr, Esq.
flhol1onberger , Januzzl, LLP
POB 60545
Harrisburg, p~ 17106-0545
REI Claim Nu~lJerl
tnsuradl
bate of T.,oss:
Your oli.ent I
38_n51-895
Minty Lehman
31'24/97
Riohard Hoffman
Dear Mr. Shol.lenberger:
This letter servos to respond to your demand packagR. I a~
sending this via fax per your request since WIB had such difficulty
reaching ono anothfJr over the phone rRcQntly. '
In reviewing the information provided, 1. note that', Mr, Hoffman
suffered post. r,:oncuflflive syndrome. 50ft tissue cervical strain
l1nd IIprai,n with an aggravation of degenerative joint/degenerativa
disc disease/ resolved visual. disturbance and extensive dental.
restoration.
You outline substantial financial lOSS that your client sustained
due to the auto accident but, it appearS not to be documented as
proof. For example, you indlcated that Mr. Hoffman accepted a $100
per week raise but felt he could have negotiated a higher figure.
\Iou ask us to calculate that into the value but it illn/t proven that
he could have gotten the hl.ghar tlgure. \loU also indicate that he
may have to retire early yet I note that Dr. Gelb indicates that his
injury should not cause him any substantial dis&bility or handioap.
It appears that Mr. ~offman continued to work since the aooident.
Mr. Hoffman outlines ell.tllnGive out of pocket expenses suoh as lawn
care service. prescriptions and medical devices. D08S he have proof
for the services that he hired? His medical expenses should have been
covered by his First party Benefit coverage. Doell he have proofS of
the out of pocket expenses that he in~urred?
Based on the injuries that he sustained, we are in a pOllition to
offer $30,000.00 to settle this matter. please take this offer to
your client and advise his position. In addition, please feal free to
submit any additional proofS for our review.
Nadine aenn ,6
Claim specialist
(717\ 774-9052
state Farm Mutual ~utomobile Insurance company
HOME OflFICUj BLOOMING {ON 1\,.\.INO\~' I'll n 0.000'
74K A,2d 21.1
2000 I' A Super 44
(Cite MOl 748 A.2d 213)
A,hley Nicole SONLlN. M 11I1IlUl', Ill' her "MI'I!IIIH
Mud Nallll'M' GIIM.'dIMII'.
lIollald ,f. SONI.IN alld .1111 SOIlIlIl, Mud IIOIIMld ,I,
SOIlIlIl Mild .111I SoUIlIl,
'udh'hIIlMlll' Mild lu Ih.h' OWII l'IKhl
\'.
AlIINOTON I\U:MOIUAI. 110S"ITAI. Mild ,\"M
SMl'kh l\IoolIIJIMII, M.Il, Mild NllhuM IhKMVI"',
M.Jl. Mull .:1'1. .1, MMI'KolIs, M,II" Mud I.MUI'.lIrl' A,
Smu.I", M.II" '\1111.111"'"
A'II"'MI ,,".1111 SOIlIlIl.
A.hlel' Nicole SOlllh., M IIIluol', hl' her I'MI'I'lIh 1l1ld
NMlul'MI OIlMl'dIMU', 1I0llMld ,I,
Soullll Mild ,1111 SOIlIlIl, Mud 1I0llMld ,I. SOllllu Mild ,1111
SOUIlIl, 'udh'hluMlly Mild
IlIlhell' owu l'IKhl
\'.
Ahl1l81011 M,,,,,,"'llIllIo'I,1I111 Mud AI'M SMI'kl,
Mool1l,IIMu, M.II, Mild NllhuM RONM\'MO.
I\I.Jl, Mild .;l'le .1. MOI'NolI" M,Jl" Mild I.lIu.'.lIee A,
NOmtH'S, M.Il., AIIIIl!lIces,
Ap,".alo! A,hll'y Nicol. Soullll. hl' hel' ""I'ellh Ulld
NMlu1'1I1 ""Ml'dloll\, JlolIMld ,J,
Mud Jill SOUIlIl,
Ashley Nicole SOIlIlIl, a Mluol', hy Ill'r "Uf'(!1I1H IIlId
Nalul'Ml Gllllrdlllll', Jlclllllld .1.
Soullllallll ,1111 SOUIlIl, oud JlollullI .1. Soullll MIIII ,111I
SOUIlIl, IlIdlvlduMlll' Mild
IlIlhell' owu l'INhl
\'.
Ahlr18101ll\lel1l01'IMlllo'IIIIuI Mild AI'M SlIl'kl,
MoomJIMu. M.II. uud NlllmM RMKM\'MII,
1\1.11, Mild I.Murellee A. Soulel", M.I>" AI.pellell',
A"I'.MI or Allh'NIOII MelllorlMlllu'pllol, AI'M SMI'kl,
l\IoomJlllu, 1\1.11" NlllmM
Rugovau, M.II,
Superior Cnurt of Pl'llllsylvunhl.
Arglwd DeL', 7, Il)Qt),
l'Ued Feb, 17,2000,
Rllilrgulllcul /lcnied Milreh .11. 2000,
Ilal'cllts hrought llliJdical mulprudicc ill'lion nguillsl
hospitill ulld physiduns, llllcgillg negligence Ihill
I'rsultcd in pilnial umplIliltinn of their duughll'r's lell It'g
whell ,he IVilS II dilYs old, I.iilbihly WilS l'oll('('dl'd, illld
uncI' jury trial in the Coun of ('Olllllltlll l'lcils,
Munlgollll'IY County, Civil Division, No. IJ4. O'~XS"7,
Stlhl'rs, J., part'lIts \"cl'l~ uWlmkd $2,4lJJ,SXlJ ill
damagl's, 1)lInk's llppcak'd, 'rhl' Supl'ritll ('mll'l, NtIS,
I.1K I, I.1N2 il,"1 I ~.10 ElM l'llJ'l, Mo"ll'l11l1fO. .I., held
"llIe'
1111I1: ( I) U','l'''l11elll ot' ,luluy ,Iulll,'g,,' wu, "011011",1 by
sl'Ulcll1cnt ofl'l'ri (2) pillClll/ol could IInl recoVer 011
lI"gligl'lIl 1"lIielioll ut' el11ollollill "i,II"" dllhn: IIlId (J)
Pt'l'ludic I1"YlIll'llts Ii II' nlttln..~ dlllllUgcs cUlIld nnt he
ullll\Vl'd nn"er lIell1tlwule Sl'lVIt:US Mull'rill'til'l' Act.
AffirUlcd III paU, vaclIll'd in purt, ulld rcmandCll,
III A"I'EAI. ANIl .:IUmR ~IIH4(1)
,10k'lK4( I)
The Snp,'rim ('uurl will "01 disllIrh Oil uppeilllhl' Iriill
court's llwanl or dt!lay dUllUlges ilbsenl UlI uhusc of
disCI'l'tiun, Knies ('IV,l'lOl'" Rul" 2.1K, "2 l'il.C.S,A,
121 AI'I'.:AI. ANIl .:RltoR ~94b
.I0klJ"6
All IIhose ot' disnelion hy Ihe Irlill l'uurt l11ilY lIot be
)o""d l11erely hl'l'illlSe Ihe IIppl'lJllle l'llnrt l11ighl hilve
Il'achcd [\ dilTcrcnl conclusion, hut 1'C4uircs II showing
of llliWilcsl ullI'cllsonnblclless, or partiality, pl'ejudiec,
hius. or ill. will, or sneh lill'k ut'SlIllllOrl MS (u he dellrly
CITnnCO\lS,
IJIINn:IU;ST ~49
21lJk4lJ
Assessmcnt of dt'lllY damages was 1101 I\JUed in medical
malpnll.:tke action hy suttlelllent oncl' lhal (!ill not
i""lIlit'y Ihl' """l'rwrill'r ot' Ihe "l'Ollllllelll. did lIot '1lItl'
IIii.' Ilclllal cost of the structured settlement, and did not
contHill a duust,' expressly vuliduling the otTcl' fUl' 90
days or unlil time of Iriul, where settlement offel'
merely l'onluined h\'o proposals which were described
liS uvulid for sewn days," Rules Civ,Proe" Rule 238,
42I'n,(',S,A,
141INTER.:S'I' ~49
21CJk49
A scttlt.'Il11'1I1 prnpnslll, in ordcr 10 loll assessmont of
dl'luy dnlllages, lIlllsl contain a clause expressly
vulidnling Ihl' om'r lilr 90 dilYs or ulIlil lillll' IIr Il'iol;
sllch u tcrm IW1Y lIot he asstllllcd to he intended,
eXlrupolatcll from outside sources, 01' infcncd, if the
uffer ilsclf is In he cOllsidel'cd gcnuilll~, I(ulcs
('lv,l'roe" Rule 2.1K, 42 l'a,C,S,A,
I~I IIAMAm:S ~20K(I)
115k20N( I)
1I11spitul llull physkians were not entitled to
l'OlHplllsol'Y nonsuit wilh r"spccl tn parents' claim of
lIl'gligl'nt inl1kllon of C1l1otiolllll distress, in IIclioll
hlouglll agllinsl hospitlll and physicians for the parrial
llmputilliol1 of daughtcr's lel'l leg, where hospital and
COpl'. (', \\'l'SI 2000 No ('Iaimlo Orig, U,S, Clo\'!. WlII'ks
74N A,2<1 2 U
(Cite a'l 74M A.111 1U)
IlhY,ltidilll!i PH'St'lIlt'd t1l'1't.'nsc l'vidullt'l' dudng IHlll'ul'i'
case.
161 AI'I%\1. ANII.:ItIIOM <!;w>11I7M(4)
JOkIU7N(4)
Plln~l1ls uhal1dout'd, Oil uPllcul. pO!iitiulI lhul hospital
lint! Jlhysit~ians \VCIl' lIut l'lllitlcd 11ll:0I11puhmry nOlllluil
UII 11I""e<l\ll'ul gHlulld tiulI hospitul ulld phl'siciulls
prcscntl'd den,'llSt' cvidl'l1CC dming plll'tmls' I:USl', III
which they usse,.",,1 IIegligellt 11I11I"lillll of ellloliollal
lIislfl'SS claim fur partial ull1pululinn of tJ1l!ir dnnghll'l"s
leg, whcl'<' pU,.ellls stuled III Ihei,. uppellule h,.il'l' thei,.
inlclllioll \Vas 1I0t ifill wllste lillll.' Oil proccdural
argul1wnls orthi~ lypc,H
171 'I'MIAI. <!;w>139.1(1~)
JRRkI.W,I(15)
A cOl11rlllsor~' nonsuit is llpprnprilltt~ly gl'illllcd ollly
where the faclfilldcr, viewing allthc cvidc.'lIL'(" in fllvor
of til<' pluilllifl; could 1101 ,.eusnlmhly collclu<le Ihat the
essential ell'ments of II Cllllse of actioll hll\'\~ hel'lI
eSluhlished,
171 'I'IUAI. <!;w> 16~
JRRkl65
A eOlllpulsmy IIOllsllit is uppHlp,.lu":ly gralltl'd ollly
where lhe fl\dlinclcl', viewing all the ('vidcm:c in fkiVOI'
of Ihe plaillllff, e(luld noll'Casollahly c(llIclude thai the
essential l'll'menls of a f.:ause of action havc heell
estnhlished,
1811MMACa:s <!;w>~1
115k51
The crilcl'ia 1(lf delcnlllnillg the Itlri,'s(~cahillty of tilt'
lort of Ill'gligcllt inllictioll of emotional distn~ss, Oil
theory of hyslundl'j' recovery, lire: (I) the location of
lhe plaintiff nCiH lhe seem' of the lraullmlk event; (2)
the shock resulting from il direct l'motional impact
upon plaintiff fmm lhe sCIl~lIry lllld contemporalleous
uhscrvancc of (he evenl; (J) it I.'ln~ll' I"l'lalionship
he tween plaillliff alld till' v,clilll of Ihe even\.
1911lAMAm:s <P51
115k51
Purents could not WCo\'l'r 011 c111illl ftH Ill'gligelll
infliction of I.'motional distrcss, on hystander thC'n~'Y of
n'('ov('ry, 1(11' the partial 11ll1put41tioll of dUllghter'!i !l'.!.~,
where till' ampulation nl'ClIITl'd l'ight days aftel pllf'l'nlS'
I'l'ccivcd II('\\'S 11Ft! physicians Ilcgligently phtCl'd a
cathell'r in llwir dilllghtcl"s leg, till' m'w.'! '''''llS lIot
contcmporuneous with the arnplltatillll or lhl' Ill'gligClI1
pluccmenl of tlu' cnthclcr, illld purenls did lUll witncss
the calhcl('ffs plllcl~ll1l'IlL
I'~ac 1
1101 ,1I11l0Mt:NI' *"113
l2Rk21.1
Pl'Ilodk l1uYlllt'nh fill nllllf(~ dUl11ltgc" cnultl nul he
ullowt,tI ullller IIl'allll\'llIt, Servkes Malpl'lletic,' Ael, ill
I",rollls' 11Ie<licaIIllUlpl'lll'tice actioll uguillsl hllspllul ulld
physkiulls Ii" Ihe 11alllnl ulllpolalioll Mthcir dallghtCl"s
Il'g, ,,,'heu' pltH'Il1s Il'lll!il'd 10 lll'l'Cpt fluymolll on thc
illstallll"'lIlplall, 411I'.S, ~ 1:\OI.R.\2.A,
IIIIIIOSI'I'I'AI.S <PM
2114kN
J>ltlllllgl' uWind, in parents! IlIcdklll lllulpnwhcc uctlun
aguillsl hospilul alld physieialls lill Ihe purlinl
umputation of lhl'ir duughwrls k'g when she WIIS II
dllYs old, wus properly nul reduced 10 prcsent voluc,
giVl'lIlhl' pcnnanclIl'Y of the daughter's loss.
1IIII'II\'SIClANS ANIl SIIMm:ONS 0=>18,1111
2'IlJk I R, 110
Dllmagt; nwmd, in piHCnl'.l' medical malpractice 1I1:'tiOll
agaillsl hospital ulld physiciuns I'lli' Ihe parlial
amputatloll of their daughter's leg whcn she was II
days old, was properly not reduced 10 prosent value,
givclI the permanency of tI\(' duughtcl"s loss.
'214 Thlllllas II. Rllllcr, Philutlelphiu, lill' Ashley N..
iill '1IId IJ,,"ul<l SOllliu,
Murcy II. I.alltlis, Philadelphiu, fOl' Ahillglllll
MeIllOl'iulllosp., MOOIIUluII, M,IJ" Ragavall, M,IJ, UII"
Margolis, M,IJ,
Dehorah M. Kllight, Philadelphiu, 1'0l' Laure lice A,
Somers, M.I>.
1Ie/,",' MlISMANNO, IIESTER ulld '21~
MON'I'EMIJIUJ IFN'I, ii,
FN'" Hctll'cd .fuslil:C ussigllcd 10 SUJlcl'lor COllrt.
MONThMlIRO, .I,:
111 The parlies 10 this nlL'dkallllalprucliee aclioll have
lTlI\s.appeakd tillll1 a judgll1enl for $2,49J,RR9 in
iiI VIII' of Appellants, plaintiffs helow,
11 2 On May 29. 19(JJ, Appellant Ashley SOlllin \Vas
hlllll (, 1/2 w\'<'ks prelllUllII'ely in Appellee hospilal.
Following the phu:cnll'llt of un ullIhilkul catheter to
lI10ullllr hlood o.xygell levcls, II'N II Ihe child
dc.'velol1cd il thromhosis in her Il'll leg, ilnd ltlh~r three
days \ViiS Inllisf(.'lTl'd tll ('hildrcn's Ilospilul. Appclltlcs'
lililurl' to diagnose the vasculm COllllll'Pl1lisl' caused hy
the' dill I"l..'sulll'd in dry gUllgrelle requiring amputotioll
of'lll(; illHlIlt's kft leg SWill' few inchc.'s helow tlltl knee
('npl'. f'., Wl'sl 2000 No C111illllo Odg. l !,S. Uo\,!. \Vmks
74K A,2t1 21,1
(('It~ MNI 74N A.2d 213, -liS)
1\'11l'1I A,hky \\'IIS II dill" 111<1,
t:N I. l.uck of 11l11~ il~'\'c1tlpl1ll'lll III prcll1ulurc Il\fallt.~
dll'lall'~ Ihill hlutl!'l (Jl(ygclI hl' Illunilun.'l.l
'1 .\ ;':lIil \\'a, """ll1l,,",,'d 1111 Ma.ch 15. 1994 hy
/"hlt.y,s ,"II"III,s 1111 he. hehlllf IIl1d ill Ihei. 0\\'11 lighl,
IIcl'IHlsl' Iiuhilily ''''liS L'olll'(.'dcd, lriul \\'i1" hl'ld solely 10
dclcl'lllilll' dalllages, holh 1(11' Ashll'Y'S illjUl")', and 011
Appelllllll Jill SIIIIIiIl'S c1llilll III' lIegligelll illllll'lioll III'
l'lllntiol1ul dishess, Wlllch was dismissed hy thl' (rial
cuurt UIl AI1Ill'IIt.cs' molioll for ('IlIllPlllslll'Y IHIII"SUlt,
The jury 1I\\'lI.dcd ~2,IK5.I)(,O, III which 'Vi" IIddcd
$307,929 ill d"IIIY dll'llllg," nil' illsllllll cross IIppellls
1"lIl1wed,
'1 4 Appellllllls hlll'e chlllkllgcII Ihe propriel)' Illld
adl'quul'Y of tht' delay dillllagc IIwilrd and the l'Olll'l'!..
grunt of II <"OInpubwry 1l01l-SUit us to Jill Sonlin's
IIcgligc.'nt jlllliL'linn or ('lIlotiollal di!'l111'SS clai,ll.
Appellees, Oil Ihe 1I111l'r hlllld, 11I-gIll' Ihlll Ih,' Irill! """11
erred ill 1-l'f'USll1g their rcqlwsls to pu}' 11ll' damugl'
.wlI.d ill illslllllmellls IIl1d red """ Ihe IIwlI.d 10 p.eselll
vllllle.
111121 %57 5 We lirsl'"lle Ihill we will 11111 dislmh Ihe
Irinl l'ourr's award or dilll1UgCS awarded 1111<11..'1
I'll, It< ',I', 23K IIhselllllllllhllse III' discrelillll, I.ihl'rly v,
Oell,'vlI ('ollege, 4511 l'iI,Sul'er. 544, 11'111 A.2d 124.\
(19lJ'l), "fAln ahus.... of disl:rclioll may 1101 ill' Ii.HIIHI
IIlt'rcly hCC,HHil' Ihe ilplll'lIntl' COllrl might have rcudH.'d
a diflcrcnl conclusioll, hUI rC'IUirl's II showing of
1l1a11ili.~sl umca!t{}lIahlclH~sS, or partiality, prejudice,
hill', or ill-will. or sUl'h I.ck IIfSllppOIl ilS III he dellrly
crroncotl~,tI Pullen \'. HuhI' Concrete COlIstnwtion.
Iue" 54111'11, 411'1, 412, 658 A,2d, .141, .14.1 (1995),
/.l J '1 6 Appellants first ussign t'ntll' 10 llli.' trial court's
llccCplllllCl' of n sl'ulcllICll1 offer which, it is lIrgul'd, did
nlll wlllpl)' Wilh Ihe .equi.ellll'uls III' Ruk 2.18,
Spedlkally, Appellallls daillllhallhe wl'iting hy which
the offer was ('onveyed did 1101 rC\'l'ul lhl' idl'Il1lly of
lilt' Lllldl'I'\\'riler, Ihl' tl'nlls of the offer \\'l'rc 1101 OPt'1I
fur 90 ttnys. and lhe ncllllll costs invol\'l'd in l~arh of till'
1I1Il~rnali\'c prtlJ10sals advuncl'd \\'l'n~' IHlt (lisl'I(lscd.
Appellllnls .:so tnke' I','ceplioll 10 lilt' dllle n,\ed hy Ihl'
triall'oml 11l1'akHlaling (h:lllY t111lllllgl'S.
'17 1'1I.1t< '.I', 2.18 lelld, '1'1 1"'lInll'lIIplln liS 1i,lIo\l'S:
(a)(2) ll11nlilgt.'s Jill. dt'luy slUlII ill' awmdt.:d iiiI' thl'
pl'rjod lIftiull' .
(ii) ill ,Ill IIl'lion l'tllllllll'nl'l'd 011 or ant'l August I,
Il)X9, fWIll n dull' OJll' Yl'ill' "fil'l IhL' dllll' oliginal
I1roct.'s.~ WlIS lilSI scrwd 11Ithl' al'lillllllp to Ill\' date of
J'lal' J
Ihe llwunl, n'lditl Of' dorisioll ...
(h) Th,' pe.iod or lilli,' til' which <llIlllages ti" tidilY
,hull he ellklllllled Wilier snhdivi,ion (11)(2) sllllll
cxdlHtt'lhc J1Nl1ll1 oftlrnc, irilllY,
(I) afk.whlch the dell'ntlanl hll' 1'1111111' II w.illen OnCl'
0/,
(ii) u slllll'lIIll'd "'lIlen",nl IIndelwritten hy II
linllncilllly lI:spon,ihle enlily
lllUll'OltllnUed Ihal offer in cffcl't IiiI' ut lellst ninety
days or lI11tiI1'0I11lI1CII1'l'IIlCIlI of trinl. whkh ever first
"'TlIl'S, \l'hich onc. \l'11S nOlllel'epled and Ihe pl.inlifl'
did not !"L'CO\'l'r hy *216 u\VllI'd, verdict or decisioll,
cxdtl~iVt.' Ill' dnnlagcs 'hI' delny, lIIorl' than 125
percl'nt of '" tht, IIctulll cosl uf the structured
selllellll'nl pins IIIlY cllsh puymenllo Ihe pluinliff ".
,: H TIll' sl'Illcll1el11 olkr ducument, II Ie ltCI', conlllills
Iwo 1"0110",1, which a.e specificlllly deSl,.ihed liS
"valid ti" se\'en tlllYs nOIll Jnly 22," (I.ellrr of Jnly 23,
flJ'I7), Ihlll ", Ihe dill' he fore Ihl' p"'po,"ls we.e
Sllhlllilled in wriling, The In.1 c'""llIeveliheless fOllnd
Ihul "111'1 onc. IlIlVing II vulne of $1,7.\0,000, rewained
ill eflccl nnlillhe lillle oft.ial." (T.ial ('I. 01" aI8). ulld
Ihal Ihe seven day lillle pe.iod specilied in the onc.
"WllS II refcnmcc 10 thc vuluc nl' Ihe illv~stll1CIINl which
\\'ould have 10 hl' rCl'illculated afh.'r sevell days 10
l'Clh~l.:t thelll.:urrcnlmarkc! conditiolls." (hi,) There is,
hO\\'l'vl'l, no mClltioll mndc anywhere In the sclllclllclIl
Icuer of il chnngl' in l11i1rh,t l'OIUliuOIlS affecting Ihe
validily of 1111' offc., 01' of its pendency nlllillhe lime of
!rial. Thl' trial court's illlerpolatinll of such a
l'ol1lingclwy IS thcn'fore imprnpeL
'1'1 Appellanls IIlso find Appellees' I.ilure 10 idelllify
Ihe nnde.w.ite. of Ihe 'elllelllOIlI 01 Ihe 0,,","1 cosioI'
the Hlrllclurcd sl'lIlcl11Cll1 10 he in cOlltHI\'Cl\linn of tlu-
Rnle, The I.illl cOllrt opilled thlll ill,,"nd no SllppOl't ill
lhc rule ttn ^f1pdlces' c1ulm of ClIlitlcl11l'1I1 tn surh
inlill'lllutillll.
'1 10 Wl,ik I\'\' 11'<'1'(' IInllhle 10 )ocllle spc'dlie ellS<'
alllhlll'ily for the pmpllsition thill U \Wlllcn setllcnKmt
oller must, 10 he legitll1lilll'ly uSl~d as It lolling
l1lechillllsrn fur Iht' pl'l'llHl f~)J' calcullltloll (If delay
dUHlilgcs, include those l-ll'lIll'lIls t'lUllncl'afcd ill fhe
Hille, our SIIP'I'IlIl' ('oUII has lIddremd lit lellsl olle of
Ih,'s<' hy indi,,'clion, In "'lhOl' v, Kucltll', 54C11'1I, 12,
ClH2 A,2d 1251l (1'1'161, Iltc' ('onll Iblllld thlll IIn oral
selllclIll'lll uHl'r which had hl'l'lI phll'l'd 011 thl' ft:curd
durillg frill I nnd Iilter tl'llllsl'rihed ill thl' Ilfltcs (If
tl''ilimoIlY \ViiS Ihe 1~1II('lillllal l'qui\'illenl of il wrilh.'n
Ont'r lill PUr-POSl'S lIf thl' Hille, Thl' oner WitS
conditioned Oil illlllll'dillll' i1cccpllml't.' of thl' propoSlIl
lII\llll.'l'Il1inutlOlI or trial. The ('ourl fUUlld Ilml hecause
('opl'. ,(' Wl'~il 2000 No ('J:lll11ltl ()ng, [l.S. (in\'!. \\'ol'ks
'14M A,2d 213
(Clio MlI74H i\,Zd Z1.1, 'Zlr'l
il was '101 spl'cilklllly cnlllilllled III "''It'I'1 Ii II' 1111 days
u",1 111111 hud IIheildy C'lIl1lllell"ed, Ihl' nni'< lid"'d 10
sllllsfy II\<' Iillllllg 'eljlllrellll'lIls 01'11", RIII<',
141 '1 II lJesplle Ihe fU1'11I1I1 dlvc'gl'III'I' hclwcl'lI Ihl'
IlIslalll 1'1"0 IIl1d MIIIIII, we nlld Ihlll '1I11' prllldp'" Is
(:nIllIllOIlI(1 hOlh: It sl'llhmwlll !11'01l1l'illllllllSIl'Ollluin n
c1ullse o'Plossly vulidalillg Ihe onl-I !ill' 1111 days 01
t1lltillilllc tlf trill I, SUi..'h II l('uum,,}' lint hl' ilsstll1lt.'d 10
he Illh~lldt'd, ('xtrapolall'(1 thull tlulsidl' ,1lOurC('S 01
IIII"lI'od If Ihl' onh hsclf Is 10 hI' cOllsldCled gellllllll'
IIl1der Ih" Rille,
~I 12 MOI'l'OVCr, without idL'llIilkalloll of till'
lllldcrwrili.'I', nn knowlcdgl~ilhlt' npprnislll of Ihe olTl1I"S
Icgitinmcy is !Iossihlc, sill\.'c tho trinl ('oml'.,
determlnatiulI of whether UII offb is suflh:icnl III toll
Ilsscssmcnl of <lday dlllllagl,ls depends, intel' alill, onlhl'
I1l1ulldal sluhilily of Ihl' IIl1derwrlle!'. Soo l'u,IU',I',
23M, (,ivil 1'l'llcedll",1 Rilles ('oIlIlOilloo Expllllllllory
Nole, I'tl/lhor, Iho Iixplallalory NIIII' pl'llvides Ihal IIII'
court's main inquiry us In the Villhi)ily of the SIHIl'llll'l'd
selllolllolll will levolvo uholll Iho cosls of Ihe
selllel11elll. Jd. AllS('lIllhoso elellll'IIIS, Ihe lilliI' tiKI""
the IIl1dolwliler. alld moslof 1111 Ihe aclual eosl of Ih,
sCIlIl'II1l11ll, we lUl' <.'ompdlcd 10 rind lhul the lriul COIlr!
erred in llel~('plillg Appellees' proposal U~ sufl1cicnl
ullder Iho lerms of Ihe Rule 10 loll Ihe peliod lin
assessm'lIlof delay damages. IFN21 Accordingly, 11'1'
Inllst I'cnmnd Ill!' rel'ulculation of the U1110unt due,
which hrlllgs us 10 Appellallls' lIexl r1aim, Ihallhe dale
from which till' tlday dalllagc:~ were to he l'ulculaled
Wus \\TOllg,
FN2. AppelleL's illsist lhal hccuusc lIw offer was /lot
\&"ilhdruwll, lllld hccau,qc Ih~ identity of 1I11' UlJderwriter
Ilod the l'{Jsl uf the scUli.'ll1Clll wen: "hUWll to
Plllinliffs' counsel," the rctluircl1lCllls of thl' l{uk IlI'l'
lIlet. (Appellees' Bricrlll 14). The obvIolls purpuse or
II wriling 10 com".'}' settlell\ent one,s, nol 10 I1lcntllll1
the sp~'cific provisions or the !{uk, would he dcfcall'd
hy lll'Cl'l'lmlcc of AppclICl'S' urgullli.'lIt,
'217 'i 1.1 Appl'ilrlllls argul' Ihal Ihc cotlll eIIl.d III
computing till.' llllhHlIl1 of the dday dUlllugt.'s lhllll July
2:\, 19()7, when Ih(' Sl'lIk'II1('nt olfer disl'uss('d aho\'l'
wus Icndcn:d, IInd UIl IIIl' l1loldl'd vcrdicl, lhul is, the
verdicl 10"' $MIIO,OOO I'ald III i\ppl'ilallls prior 10 Irial
hili alll'r July 2.1, 199'/, As 11'1' hill'!' dOll'll1llned IIIul
Ihe struelUI'l'" sl'lIll'menl pl"UPllSals udviJlll't.'d 011 July
2.1, 11)9'1 did n"llIualify ullder Ihl' 1I'II1IS of Ihl' Ruil' 10
tnlllhl' dcluy dllmages jll'r1OlI, \\'l' IIl'cd not lIddrc% ,his
iSSUl' l\irtller Ihanlo lI~rl'e Illllllhl..' dall' used hy the trial
court is ineoncl't.
I'MKI,4
1511('1 ~II.I Appellallt.' alsol'II11telllllllllt Ihl' IrllIl cOllrl
I' IH'd , ,>II holh pl'llC\'dlllllllllld sllhslulIdvl' grnllllds, ill
di'illllssing Oil llIotioll liU' U cOlllpulso,-y IlUIHIUil
Appollillll Jill :,oulill's claim of' lIegligelll IlIllkllOIl "I'
('lIIotlollal distH's~, As to thl' pl'llcedul'o, we orc
l'IIlllpl'i1el1 III IIgrel" liS Apl''''lee, ha,1 prescllled
defellSl' l'vjdclIl'l' during ^JlpdJantst ellSC, Our
SlIp.euw ('oull hilS ruled Ihlll where II dell-lIdulIl hus
III'1l-I('d evidl'nl'c eilhcr dll,illg or IIller the plllllllill's
l:ilS(' lllHHHHlitlltuy nllllw gl'lllllcd, Ilnrnish v. Sehonl
Illslrlcl "f' I'hilad('lphla, 55'1 I'll. 1110, '1.12 A,2d 5'16
(1999); IJlghlulld Tallk IIl1d Mfg, ('0, v, Iluw, 42.1l'a,
4M7, 225 A,2d M.1 (1%6), Appellees hllve cOllll'lIded
thut Appl'lllll1ts' pro~cduml claim \Vus ahnndolled by
^rpellllllh:' intentioll, stated iUll footnote, lIot Utu wasil'
linK' 011 prw,,'cdul'lIl urgllluclItl'i of lhis type, II
(Appellanls' 111'1"" al .10 n, I M) We IIgree, All
('Xamillatioll of the merits of Appellllllts' argument,
however, tines lint nlter Ihc(O~ulL
I'll '1 1.\ A ClJl1lp"lsolY lIoll-slIil Is apprnprlalely
grallletl only where "Ihe fllelfi"tler, viewing 1111 the
l'I'Itlelloe III lill'lll of' Ihe plnJnlln; eo"ltlnol rCII,o"uhly
l:onclud(' tlull till' essentilll clements of II calise 01'
"olioll h"ve heell estahllshed," BIdtlle v,
Johnsonh""gh, 444 l'o,S"per, 450, 6104 A.2d,IW. 161
( 11)95),
IMI'I 16 Appell"nls' e1ulm Is hased on Ihe Iheory of
hyslundcr recovery for 1I~'gligCIlI infliction of emotional
dlslress en"nclllled in Sinn v, BllI'd. 4M6 I'a, 141<,404
1\,2d672 (1979), The criterl" fiJl' Sllltillg Ihls eat"" of
"elinn, Ihlll Is fill ,klenllilllng the foreseeahility of Ihe
tort. life I) till' location oflhe plaintiff Ileal' the scelle of
Ih" Irllllmutk evelll; 2) Ihe "siwek reslIlllingl Ihllll u
dirccll~lIIotiol1al impact lIpon plllintifT frol11lhc ~cnsor'y
und cOlllclIlpOmllt:.'OlLlJ ohservllllccl' of the evenl; J) II
clnse rcllllilmship hetween pllllnllff Ulltl the vkllm of
IIIl' el'elll. Id. lit )70. 404 A,2d lit 685; Mllzzagulli v,
Everinghllm hy Everingham, 5 I 2 I'u, 266. 17M, 516
A,2d 672, (,77 (19Mf,), The pllllnliff 11111'1 IIlso hlll'C
slIstained SOllll' hodily harm from the melltal
disturhlllK'l' hWlIght 011 hy ohscrvullnn of the evellt.
Ml1Z1,llgalli, SUpl'll; ('ri\'(dlmn \" Pennsylvania Power
& I.iglll ('n" 341 I'II,SlIpe!'. 17.1,491 A,2d 207, 209-10
( 19M5),
191 '1 17 Th" h"sts of Appellllnl's eJalm IS her
H';.'cplloll, 011 JUIll' I, IIN.1, of the news lhnl the
discojonllioll of ^shlt,y,s leg whkh she had prl'viotlsly
!l,'ell asslll'i..'d WilS II hl'llisc, WIIS in filct u thromhusi",
alltllhllllnllpullIliollof' Ihe Ihllh was likely, Apl'ellrlllls
ch<Hill'lt'rizc this as II dlSl'Il'Il' on:llrn,'l!cc cqUivlllclltto
IhL' lllllolllohllc Ilccidl'lIt wltleh took lhe \'ktirnls life in
('0111, ,'. W,'sl 2000 N(I ('1<1111110 ()Iig, I J,S, (;(1\'1. Wmks
748 A,2d 21.1
(Clle UMI 74HA.Zd Z13, 'Z171
Sinn, She' relics hellvily IiiI' IIn llnlll"gne on Ihe lilelnlll
silnati"n in ,,"W 1', ('rume" 414 I'II,SlIper. 2:\1, CIO(,
A,2d 117~ (1992), There the pl.,intirr snstllin,'d Ihe
lU:linlluhk' shock when ~hl' wihll'Sscd IIl'I" motlll'tls
tlt'ath from II heart nHllt'k liner Ihe t11t1II11'r's doctor hlld,
OVl'l' an l',I(Il'lUll'd pl'riod, rl'lilsed to invcstigllll'
symptoms Il1dklltivl' of II L'llrdiul' prohlt~llI. This Court
liHmd 11'"1 Ihe plllinlin's "b"',vllli,,n "I' Ih" lilllll heart
aUllek sllPplied 1Ill' dism'te and id('miliable lrulllllalie
evcnt triggering n.Jcll\'L'I)' tIIHIt.'r Silln, We nmde dt'UI
lhllllhe <leath, n"llh" neglig""ce "I' the' d"ct", W,!!, Ih,'
aclinnahk' tlu..'tot. Thus Love offers 110 lInalogy with the
installt case.
~I 18 Appellanls also a,lvallee this ("Hili's tlel'ision ill
Turner y, Medlenl ('II'., Bl'il\'l'r, PA, Illl'., 454
"",SlIper. fI<Is, (,Xli A,2d 8.\() (19%), as dispositive
sUpJlOl't ICl!" lhch- position. There till' plaintiff WllS
fmeed 10 deliver her sistcr!s slillhorn fetus, ill thl' *21M
hosl'itll!. line, h"sl'ilalpCl'S"1lI1l'1 igllO/ed he, pleas r"r
assistllllce, We held Ihal she had stal,'d a eallse or
aclion for negligent inl1ictioll of emolional distl'ess as II
relative in u situation whcfc the IJ'i.WlIla was
ltlfcsccahle, and in which she would othcrwisl~ haw
heen a hystander, hut was fnn:cd to Ilill'lidpatl' ill the
fnrcsccuhlc tmumatk l~\'Cnt spel'ilkully hl'clHlS(' or tlll'
defendlln!'s negligen"e, Altho\lgh Ihe delivery of Ihe
fetus wus not l'ollsidt.'red the traumatic eVCIlI, the
hospitul's Ilegligence us tlw l'aUse of th~ plainliffs
parlicipution in the ddi\'ery where thl' traullla was
fhrc!i~cllhle distingui'ihcs this l'aSl' Ihull Ihe inslallt
matter.
~I 19 In lael, Ihe l\lllp\llalioll "I' Ashley's leg ""nHed
eighl days aflc, Al'pelllllll reecived Ihe n"lI's Ihal
negligence imd (I('cuned. Indeed, ul IIIl' point
idenlilicd as Ihe tl'aul1lallt: eve III, amputation WlIS a
likL'lihond, lIot U l'l'rtainty. Tl'Ilgkully, the thromhosis
could 1101 hl' n:solved [llkr Ihl' trcalnll1nls lIpplkd
d\l,ing Ashk'y's stay al ('hild,en's Ilospital, hUI Ih"
discrete and idellliliahlt, tralll11ntiL' evcllt hccCllllc
recognizahlt.' us such only lI11el' t.'jghl days had ll11sst.'d.
Thus what is identified liS a cdsis point was not
contemporaneous wilh the llmputlllion, nor with thL'
negligenl placcment of till' l'athcll'!", to I\l,itlll'r of which
\\'as ApP,!IIi1llt u witness. ('llthcurl v, Kccl\l' Industrial
IIlStlllll'oo, J24 l'a,Sllper I2J, 471 A,2d 4'),1 1I')X4),
A""o,dillgly, Ihis "hlll1lliJils,
'1 20 ^~ In the issues luisl'd by Appl'lIl'l's 011 I lll.'i I' \..'I'O:o;s
appcnl, il is urglH'd thai till' IrialroUrl t.'ln'd illl'l'hlSillg
tn allow pCrltldk paymL'llt of fHhHl' damages pursuant
10 lIealllu:nrc Servicel; MalpntCIil'l' Acl, 40 P.S. *
!JOI.IOI t.~l sClj., 01' In reducc the diHnagcs 10 pre:-it.'1l1
J'MK" ~
vnhw.
II 01 ~I 21 Seeli"lI UO I.H:!2,A or tlu' Ael pl'llvides Ihlll
IIIl' l'OUlI, "uptllll1\olioll ofnny fliuly,lI1i1Y l'OIv:lldcl- thai
III<' dllnlllges he' paid hy \""iodie 0' iustalllllellt
pllymt.'llls, providt.'d thul tin' tCrI1l!{ 1)1' such 11IJymcnls ht.!
ll\\I'('l'd 10 hy 1111 pill tics. II Appl'llultts It.'nlsl\d to IIcccpl
pllYl1leul (1/1 th" illstlllll1lelll phlll, Alth""gh Apll<'lIces
\\'o\lld hav" \IS helieve Ihal III<' Irilll e"lIIt's wlilSal I"
order Ill'riodk PllYIIll'llts Is lIttl'ihulilhle solely 10 it
1",lier Ihlll il lacked jlllistlklioll 10 do S", Ihe lrilll courl
ill lill'l con"hulud Ihllt il 11'",,1,1 ill allY evellt hl/vC
rt.'fuse,llo order sw:h puyments hera\lsc Appcl!c('S' snit'
Il'uson tin thl'll rl'quest WIlS till' unsupported assertinn
Ihal stich u plilll would he in tlw hest inlercsls of nil
p~lrtil':l, Appdlctls also llrgut.' that the Act advnclllcs
paYllll'llls over tilllC, hUI Wl' IHe Ilul pcnHlndcd. Illdl'cd,
our Supremc ('ourt has hcld Ihul "lrlcrsonul injury
uwurds arc wHlally lump-sum payments, and fue not
pllid in we,'kly or monthly illslallmellts," Kaezkowski
\', BoluhaSl" 491 I'a, ~61. 5(,7. 421 A,2d 1027. IIlJI
(1980) (lilOlnole omilted), The Aet provides an "I'I ion
which till.' court IIll\Y udoJ1t contingcntuJ1{)11 tht' partlcs'
agrt.'elllcnl. No ngrccl1lcnt is rmll1datcd, and the
hlllgullge of lhe stlllute seems 10 imply thaI the {;(lurt
may ovcrride an lIgrecllwnl. lIere ApJ10llccs providl'd
III(' court with 110 I't.'uson to disl't.~gilrd Appellants'
n.'jeclinn 01' thc proposed plan. Even now Appcllees
oncr nothing spcdfic to this case which would justify
Ihe order they seck, We lind no lintll with Ihe rourl's
dt.'cisioll.
IIII ~122 I.'inally, Appellees e"ntend 1I'"llhe lrial enu,l
l'lTcd in denying their motion to reduce the damage
award 10 prescnl vnlue, In KaczkowskL supra, nur
SUPI't.'llll' Court hcld thut futUJ'l' losl wugcs should nul
ht.' diSl'ollllted, lhat "hoth u prodllCflvity fu\.'(OI' and UIl
inlllltion Iilelor should be relleeted in all award of lost
ruture earnings," id, !II 566, 421 A,2d al 1029, 10
ohviull' tlu: nccessity I()r un udjuslmclIl of the VCHIif,,'1
011 lhe Im'iis of thl'SL' faclors. The Court udoptcd Ihe
lotlll offsct tlll'lhlld of culculllting dllmages which
I'Ctluhcs thai infornllltioll conccrning hnlh inflation and
,"od,/('Iivily he I're.lented III Ih" ju,y rulher Ihan me'ely
disl'oUllling II damage u\\'unl hy 6% simple intercsl to
rellch plCscnl vahll',
~i 2J Although Ihe ('(lml speeilielllly deehned 10
l'XPillld its ruling 10 conte xIs other .219 than futl11'C lost
t.'innings, opining that Ihesl' should hc resolvcd on II
ellS(' hy cast.' hllSis, it noled prim:ipk's long sellled ill
Pl'lI11s,vlvUl1iu Iilw that "dllmages llH~ to be
cOl1lpensatory 10 Ihe fulll'xlent of the injury slIslaincd, II
and thlll urtllal cOl11pells;:llion is given IIby grudu8ling
('npr. ('; WL'sl lOOO No ('Iallllln (lrig. lJ.S. Ull\'l. Works
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