HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-6318MELISSA W. LAY and
TORRIE L. LAY, husband and wife
Plaintiffs
DAVID L. McDERMOTT,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 2003- (~ 3/,v CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION-LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
COMPLAINT
1. The Plaintiffs, Torrie L. Lay and Melissa W. Lay, husband and wife are adult
individuals residing at 105 Minick Drive, Newburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17240.
2. The Defendant, David L. McDermott, is an adult individual residing at 718
Walnut Bottom Road, Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17257.
3. On Mayl 0, 2003, the Plaintiff, Melissa W. Lay was operator of a 2000 Toyota
pick up truck bearing Pennsylvania registration plate YBP 2920.
4. On May 10, 2003, the Defendant, David L. McDermott was the operator of a 1986
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera bearing Pennsylvania registration plate FBZ 7107, which was owned
by and used with the permission of Donald McDermott.
5. On May 10, 2003, at approximately 1:40 p.m., Plaintiff, Melissa W. Lay was
operating her vehicle northbound on PA State Route 696, approximately 4 miles from
Shippensburg, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
6. At the same time and place, the Defendant was operating his vehicle southbound
on State Route 696 when he lost control of his vehicle rounding a right hand curve in the
roadway, and crossed the center of the roadway directly into the Plaintiff's path of travel, causing
a collision which resulted in injuries and damages to the Plaintiffs.
7. This accident occurred as a result of the negligence of the Defendant and was due
in no manner to any act, or failure to act, on the part of the Plaintiffs.
8. This matter is alleged to exceed the applicable limits of arbitration, and a jury trial
is hereby demanded.
COUNT I
MELISSA W. LAY
DAVID L. MCDERMOTT
9. The allegations contained in paragraphs 1 though 8 are incorporated herein and
made part hereof as though fully set forth at length.
10. The negligence of the Defendant consisted of the following:
a. Failing to properly operate and control his motor vehicle;
b. Failing to keep alert and maintain a proper lookout for the presence of
other motor vehicles on the streets and highways;
c. Operating his motor vehicle with careless disregard for the safety of others
and the Plaintiff in particular, in violation of 75 Pa.C.S. § 3361;
d. Violating 75 Pa.C.S. § 1786 (f);
e. Failing to operate his vehicle on the right hand side of the roadway;
f. Operating his vehicle too fast for the conditions then and there existing in
the violation of 75 Pa,C.S. § 3361;
g. Operating his vehicle on the left hand side of the roadway; and,
h. Failing to exercise reasonable care to maintain control of his vehicle so as
to prevent it from crossing into the opposite lane of the roadway directly
into Plaintiff' s path of travel.
11. As a result of the negligence of the Defendant, Plaintiff, Melissa W. Lay suffered
serious and permanent injuries including but not limited to a complex oblique fracture involving
the body of the calcaneus and a severe shock to her nerves and nervous system.
12. As a result of the negligence of the Defendant, the Plaintiff was forced to incur
medical bills and expenses for the injuries she has suffered, the cost or reasonable value of which
is, or may be, in excess of the sum recoverable under the Pemlsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial
Responsibility Law, and she will continue to incur medical expenses in the future.
13. As a result of the negligence of the Defendant, the Plaintiff has suffered, or may
suffer, a severe loss to her earnings and impairment of her earning capacity. This loss of income
and impairment of earning capacity has exceeded, or may exceed, the sum recoverable under the
Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law, and the loss of income and
impairment of earning capacity will, or may, continue in the future.
14. As a result of the negligence of the Defendant, the Plaintiff has undergone, and in
the future may undergo, great mental and physical pain and suffering, mental anguish and
humiliation, loss of life's pleasures, and severe limitation in her pursuit of daily activities, all to
her great loss and detriment.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter judgment
against the Defendant in an amount in excess of the mandatory arbitration limits.
COUNT II
TORRIE L. LAY
DAVID L. MCDERMOTT
15. The allegations contained in paragraphs I through 14 are incorporated herein and
made a part hereof as though fully set forth at length.
16. Solely as a result of the negligence of the Defendant, and the resulting injuries to
his spouse, Plaintiff; Torrie L. Lay has been deprived of the assistance, companionship and
consortium of his wife, all of which has been to his great loss and detriment. Said losses may
continue for an unknown time into the future.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter judgment
against the Defendant in an amount in excess of the mandatory arbitration limits.
Respectfully submitted,
OzI3.RIEN, BARIC & SCHE~lt/
David A. Baric, Esquire
I.D. 44853
17 West South Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
(717) 249-6873
dab.dir/litigation/lay/complaint.pld
VERIFICATION
The statements in the foregoing Complaint are based upon information which has been
assembled by our attorney in this litigation. The language of the statements is not our own. We
have read the statements; and to the extent that they are based upon information which we have
given to our counsel, they are true and correct to the best of our knowledge, information and
belief. We understand that false statements herein are ~nade subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.
§ 4904 relating to unswom falsifications to authorities.
DATE:
Melissa W. Lay
SHERIFF'S RETURN -
CASE NO: 2003-06318 P
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
LAY MELISSA W ET AL
VS
MCDERMOTT DAVID L
REGULAR
RICHARD SMITH , Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff of
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law,
says, the within COMPLAINT & NOTICE was served upon
MCDERMOTT DAVID L
DEFENDANT , at 1231:00
at 718 WALNUT BOTTOM ROAD
SHIPPENSBURG, PA 17257
DANOAL MCDERMOTT, FATHER
a true and attested copy of
the
HOURS, on the 10th day of December , 2003
by handing to
COMPLAINT & NOTICE
together with
and at the same time directing His attention to the contents thereof.
Sheriff's Costs:
Docketing 18
Service 11
Affidavit
Surcharge 10
39
00
73
00
00
00
73
Sworn and Subscribed to before
me this /~'~ day of
So Answers:
R. Thomas Kline
12/11/2003
OBRi