HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-3201RITA ERDMAN,
Plaintiff
vs.
ARTHUR THOMAS DITLOW,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY,
NO. O2 -- 2201
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
PERSONAL INJORY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PENNSYLVANIA
NOTICE TO DEFEND ~ CLAIM RIGHTS
You have been sued in court. If you wish to defend against
the claims set forth in the following pages, you must take action
within twenty (20) days after this Complaint and Notice are served,
by entering a written appearance personally or by attorney and
filing in writing with the Court your defenses or objections to the
claims set forth against you. You are warned that!if you fail to
do so, the case may proceed without you, and a judgment may be
entered against you by the court without further notice for any
money claimed in the Complaint or for any claim or relief requested
by the plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights
important you.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCe. IF YOU DO
NOT F~VE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO THE OR TELEPHONE THE
OFFICE SET FORTH B~LOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County BarAssociation
Two Libe~tyAvenue
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-3166
RITA ERDMAN,
Plaintiff
vs.
ARTHUR THOMAS DITLOW,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERIJ%ND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 6/)2 -- 350!
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMJUNDED
O0~4PLAINT IN CIVIL ACTION
AND NOW, comes the Plaintiff,
attorneys, The Law Offices of Patrick
files this Complaint in Civil Action,
avers as follows:
1. The Plaintiff, Rita Erdman,
currently resides at 212 Mount Holly
County, Pennsylvania 17011.
2. The Defendant, Arthur
individual who currently resides
CLumberland County, Pennsylvania 17011.
Rita Erdman, through her
F. Lauer, Jr.,L.L.C. and
and, in support thereof,
is an adult individual who
Drive, Camp Hill, cumberland
Thomas Ditlow, is an adult
at 2315 Kent Street, Camp Hill,
3. On or about August 12, 2001, at approximately 11:45
a.m., the plaintiff was operating a 1989 Buick Park Avenue.
4. On or about August 12, 2001, at approximately 11:45
a.m., the defendant, was operating a 1997 Saturn.
5. On the aforementioned date and time, plaintiff was
legally stopped at a red light facing northbound on 21~t street.
6. On the aforementioned date and time, Defendant was
traveling northbound on 21~t street.
7. On the aforementioned date and time, defendant was
traveling at a high rate of speed with a blood alcohol level of
.187%.
8. On the date, time and place aforesaid, the defendant, so
negligently, carelessly, recklessly and wantonly operated his motor
vehicle so as to cause it to strike and come in contact with the
rear of another vehicle, which then struck Plaintiff's vehicle,
resulting in the serious and severe injuries to plaintiff which are
more fully set forth.
9. The collision,
plaintiff, Rita Erdman,
the negligent, careless,
and the resulting injuries and damages to
were caused directly and proximately, by
reckless and wanton behavior of defendant,
Arthur Thomas Ditlow, as follows:
a. In failing to keep and maintain vehicle under proper and
adequate control;
b. In failing to promptly and properly apply the brakes and
other stopping devices of said vehicle;
c. In failing to slow, stop, turn aside, reduce speed or
take any other action to avoid colliding with the
vehicle which struck plaintiff's vehicle;
d. In failing to be properly attentive while operating said
motor vehicle;
e. In failing to observe the vehicle which plaintiff was
operating, which was traveling in fullcompliance with
the law;
f. In failing to drive his vehicle with due regard for the
roadway and traffic conditions which were existing and
of which she was or should have been aware;
g. In driving his vehicle upon the roadway in a manner
endangering persons and property and in a reckless
manner with careless disregard to the rights and safety
of others and in violation of the Motor Vehicle Code of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
h. In operating his vehicle with a blood alcohol level
above the legal maximum of .10%.
i. In operating his vehicle while driving under the
influence of an alcohol or other intoxicating beverage.
10. The accident was caused by the negligent, careless,
reckless and wanton behavior of the defendant, Arthur Thomas
Ditlow, as set forth in paragraph 9 above, and in no way was caused
by the plaintiff, who was operating a vehicle in compliance with
traffic conditions and laws at the time it was struck
11. The plaintiff, Rita Erdman,
injuries and suffered damages, as will
which were caused by the negligence
following ways:
sustained various severe
hereinafter be set forth,
of the Defendant in the
a. Pain and bruising to her right knee;
b. Neck and back pain with disc herniation and stiffness
resulting in medical treatment;
c. Diagnosed Cervical strain and acute lower back strain;
d. Tenderness over her right trapezius and cervical paraspinal
muscles;
e. Some and/or all of these serious injuries have or may
result in a serious impairment of a bodily function; and
f. Severe headaches.
12. As the direct and proximate result of the negligent,
careless, reckless and wanton behavior of the defendant,
plaintiff, Rita Erdman has sustained the following damages:
13.
the
a. Great pain, inconvenience, humiliation, embarrassment
and mental anguish, past and future;
b. Loss of well being and loss of many of the enjoyments
of life and life's pleasures,
c. Permanent impairment of her
and vitality;
d. Medical expenses
under 75 Pa.C.S.
past and future;
general health, strength
that may exceed the sums recoverable
Section 1711 et seq.;
14. Prior to the accident, plaintiff, Rita Erdman, pursuant
to Section 1705 of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial
Responsibility Law, had made an election and/or is deemed to have
made an election to retain the right to maintain and/or pursue an
action for non-economic damages resulting from injuries sustained
in a motor vehicle collision, as a result of the nature of the
injuries sustained by her, as listed above, and as a result of the
condition of the Defendant while driving under the influence of an
intoxicating beverage.
WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff, Rita Erdman, respectfully demands
judgment against defendant in an amount in excess of the
' permanent nature,
her lifetime.
causing problems
e. Reduced and or permanently impaired earning power or
capacity.
Plaintiff continues to be plagued by persistent pain and
injuries may be of a
residual for the remainder of
limitation and, therefore, avers that her
jurisdiction of the compulsory board of arbitrators of this county.
Date:
Respectfully submitted,
~~ire
2108 ~arket Street, Aztec Building
Camp }{ill, Pennsylvania 17011-4706
ID# 84745 Tel. (717) 763-1800
RITA ERDM3kN, :
Plaintiff :
:
vs. : NO.
:
ARTHUR THOM-AS DITLOW, :
Defendant :
:
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
%~RIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in this Complaint are true
and correct. I understand that false statements herein are made
subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. § 4904, relating to unsworn
falsification to authorities.
Signature:~