HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-0423PAUL F. D'EMILIO, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY I.D.# 16654
PAUL M. SCHOFIELD, JR., ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY I.D. #81894
905 W. SPROUL ROAD, SUITE 105
SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064
(610) 338-0338
ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG
P.O. BOX 5001
WESTFIELD CENTER, OH 44251-5001:
Plaintiff
I certify this is a true and
correct c y of the
B:
Paul M. Schofield, Jr.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
VS.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS NO..
CONSTRUCTION, LLC.
621 CREEK ROAD
CARLISLE, PA 17013
Defendant :
NOTICE
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. IF YOU WISH TO
DEFEND AGAINST THE CLAIMS SET FORTH IN THE
FOLLOWING PAGES, YOU MUST TAKE ACTION WITHIN
TWENTY (20) DAYS AFTER THIS COMPLAINT AND
NOTICE ARE SERVED, BY ENTERING A WRITTEN
APPEARANCE PERSONALLY OR BY ATTORNEY AND
FILING IN WRITING WITH THE COURT YOUR
DEFENSES OR OBJECTIONS TO THE CLAIMS SET
FORTH AGAINST YOU. YOU ARE WARNED THAT IF
YOU FAIL TO DO SO THE CASE MAY PROCEED
WITHOUT YOU AND A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED
AGAINST YOU BY THE COURT WITHOUT FURTHER
NOTICE FOR ANY MONEY CLAIMED IN THE COMPLAINT
OR FOR ANY OTHER CLAIM OR RELIEF REQUESTED
BY THE PLAINTIFF. YOU MAY LOSE MONEY OR
PROPERTY OR OTHER RIGHTS IMPORTANT TO YOU.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT
ONCE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER„ GO TO OR
TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW. THIS
OFFICE CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH INFORMATION
ABOUT HIRING A LAWYER.
IF YOU CANNOT AFFORD TO HIRE A LAWYER, THIS
OFFICE MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH
INFORMATION ABOUT AGENCIES THAT MAY OFFER
LEGAL SERVICES TO ELIGIBLE PERSONS AT A
REDUCED FEE OR NO FEE.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 S. Bedford Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-3166
(800) 990-9108
AVISO
Le han demandado a usted en la corte. Si usted quiere
defenderse de estas demandas expuestas en las pa inas
siguientes, usted tiene (20) dias de plazo a partir de la fecha
de la demanda y la notification. Usted debe presentar una
apariencia escrita o en persona o por abogado y archivar en
la corte sus defensas o sus objeciones a las demandas
encontra de su persona. Sea avisado que si usted no se
defiende, la corte tomara medidas y puede entrar una orden
contra usted sin previo aviso o notification o por cualgier queja
o alivio qua espedido an la peticion de demanda. Usted puede
perder dinero, sus propiedades o otros derechos importantes
para usted.
LLEVE ESTA DEMANDA A UN ABOGADO
INMEDIATAMENTE. SI NO TIENE ABOGADO O SI NO
TIENE EL DINERO SUFICIENTE PARA PAGAR TAL
SERVICIO, VAYA EN PERSONA O LLAME POR TELEFONO
A LA OFICINA CUYA DIRECCION SE ENCUENTRA
ESCRITA ABAJO PARA AVERIGUAR DONDE USTED
PUEDE CONSEGUIR ASISTENCIA LEGAL.
Cumberland County Bar Association
32 S. Bedford Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-3166
(800) 990-9108
PAUL F. D-EMILIO, ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY I.D.# 16654
PAUL M. SCHOFIELD, JR., ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY I.D. #81894
905 W. SPROUL ROAD, SUITE 105
SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064
(610) 338-0338
ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG
P.O. BOX 5001
WESTFIELD CENTER, OH 44251-5001:
Plaintiff
VS.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC.
621 CREEK ROAD
CARLISLE, PA 17013
Defendant
is is a true and
py of the original
, Jr.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
NO.. d?,' q?-3 ov-1+esN
NOTICE UNDER THE FAIR DEBT COLLECTION PRACTICES ACT,
15 U.S.C. §1601 (AS AMENDED)
THE PENNSYLVANIA UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES ACT
AND CONSUMER PROTECTION LAW,
73 PA.CON.STAT.ANN. §201, ET. SEQ. ("THE ACTS")
INASMUCH AS THE ACTS MAY APPLY, PLEASE BE ADVISED
THAT THIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR.
THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY
INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE
COMPLAINT
The Plaintiff, Westfield Insurance Company, by its attorney Paul F. D'Emilio,
Esquire, bring this action upon a cause whereof the following is a statement:
1. The Plaintiff, Westfield Insurance Company, is a Corporation authorized to do
business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, having an office at P.O. Box 5001,
Westfield, OH 44251-5001.
Plaintiff brings this action as subrogee of Craig Seig, herein the ("Insured") under
a policy of insurance issued by Plaintiff.
2. Defendant, Strickland Brothers Construction LLC, is a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the Pennsylvania, doing business in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, with its principal place of business at 621 Creek Road, Butler, PA 16001.
3. On or before January 20, 2006, the Insured contracted with the Defendant to
construct the foundation, framing, roofing and siding of a residence being built on Lot 6 on
Longs Gap Road, Carlisle, PA. Thereafter, Defendant, started work on the site.
4. Plaintiff is not aware if the agreement is oral or in writing and if in writing, the writing
is not in Plaintiffs possession but a copy is in possession of the Defendant.
5. The residence under construction consisted of a one story ranch structure with an
attached garage with a roof ridge running right to left.
6. On January 20, 2006, the Defendant installed pre-engineered roof trusses
constructed from 2x4 lumber on the Insured's residence. The trusses on the gabled ends
above were covered with wooden sheathing.
7. The trusses were not installed with any field installed wood bracing elements.
8. On July 21, 2006, the trusses collapsed during a period of wind gusts in the area.
9. The sheathed left side gable end truss toppled out and away from the structure.
10. The sheathed right side gable end truss toppled into the structure.
11. Plaintiff avers that as a result of the incident, the property of the Insured was
damaged, the reasonable costs of repair thereto being Eighteen Thousand Five
Hundered Sixty Nine and 61/100 ($18,569.61) Dollars plus the insured's deductible of
Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars for a total of Nineteen Thousand and Sixty Nine and
61/100 ($10,069.61) Dollars. A true and correct copy of the accounting of the damaged
is attached hereto, made a part hereof and marked Exhibit "A."
COUNT I - BREACH OF CONTRACT
12. Plaintiff Westfield Insurance Company incorporates all of the allegations contained
3
in paragraphs 1 through 11 inclusive of this Complaint as fully as though same were herein
and set forth at length.
13. Defendant breached the terms of their contract in that they:
a. did not properly secure or brace the roof trusses;
b. did not properly install the roof trusses;
C. failed to observe the process to insure the proper installation of the roof
trusses; and
d. failed to adequately brace and secure the trusses against possible wind
damage.
COUNT II - BREACH OF WARRANTY
14. Plaintiff, Westfield Insurance Company incorporates all of the allegations contained
in paragraphs 1 through 13 inclusive of this Complaint as fully as though same were herein
and set forth at length.
15. Defendants expressly and implicitly promised, covenanted and warranted that their
aforesaid roof truss system, including all related components, would be merchantable,
safe, free of hazards and fit for this particular use and purpose for which it was intended.
16. Plaintiffs Insured relied, to theirdetriment, upon the aforesaid promises, covenants,
warranties and other representations.
17. Defendants, by their aforesaid conduct, breached and/or violated their warranty
and covenant that the roof truss system was fit for the particular purpose for which it was
intended thereby causing damage to Insured, as a result whereof Defendant is liable to
Plaintiff's Insured for their damages.
18. Defendants, by their aforesaid conduct, breached and/or violated their warranty
and covenant that the roof system was fit for the particular purpose for which it was
intended thereby causing damage to Insured, as a result whereof Defendant is liable to
4
Plaintiffs Insured for their damages.
19. Defendants have been given timely notice of their aforesaid breach of warranty.
COUNT III - NEGLIGENCE
20. Plaintiff, Westfield Insurance Company incorporates all of the allegations contained
in paragraphs 1 through 19 inclusive of this Complaint as fully as though same were herein
and set forth at length.
21. Defendants, by and through their agents, servants and employees were negligent
in that they:
a. carelessly and negligently failing to provide a safe roof trusses to its
customers;
b. carelessly and negligently failing to adequately check and inspect said
roof trusses for signs of defects;
C. carelessly and negligently allowed or permitted the trusses and sheathed
gable ends to exert undue force upon the truss connections thereby damaging Insured's
property;
d. carelessly and negligently failed to warn Insured of hazards associated
with said roof truss and sheathed gable end;
e. failing to insure that the roof truss and sheathed gable end was properly
secured; and
f. failed to use that degree of care, skill foresight and caution required by the
Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania relating to the installation of the roof trusses
and sheathed gable ends.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against the Defendants upon each
count in an amount not in excess of Twenty Five Thousand and 00/100 ($25,000.00)
5
dollars together with costs of suit.
Date: /- (?- ?r'
entfil cation No.: 81894
e-mail address: pauls@demiliolaw.com
Paul F. D'Emilio, Esquire
Identification No.: 16654
e-mail address: pauld@demiliolaw.com
905 W. Sproul Road, Suite 105
Springfield, PA 19064
Telephone No.: 610-338-0338
VERIFICATION
I, Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire certify that I am the attorney for the Plaintiff,
Westfield Insurance Company, in the above-captioned matter, do hereby verify that the
facts contained in the foregoing Complaint are true and correct. I understand that false
statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa. C.S. Section 4904 relating
to unsworn falsification to authorities. The representative of the Plaintiff was outside this
jurisdiction and was not able to verify the complaint within the time required by the Rules
and Laws of this Commonwealth.
DATE: ' 7' Y
7
Exhibit A
Adjuster Summary claim# HOPI
859048102
Claim Rep. Westfield Insurance
Greg Snyder P.O. Box 3010
Phone (800) 732-0050 Lancaster, PA 17604 January26, 2006
Fax (717) 558-8288 Phone (800) 732-0050 6764 Fax (717) 569-6303
Insured Name Seig, Craig
Loss Address Lot # 6 Longs Gap Rd, Carlisle, PA 17013
Phone Number Policy # HOPI859048
Other Phone Ins Claim # HOPI 839048-012106
Ias Company Westfield Insurance Date of Loss 1/21/2006
Coverage - Building
Exterior
Remove Truss, 6/12 Pitdk 30' Re
pL Cost r.
ACV OP RD
Replace Tress, &12 Pitch, 30' 26 EA @ $29.80
26 EA @ $204
33 $774.80
$0.00
$774
.80
Remove Truss, 6/12 Pitch, 32' .
6 EA @ $30
65 85,312.58 $0.00 $3,312.58
Replace Truss, 6/12 Pitch, 32' .
6 EA @ $214
88 $193.90 $0.00 $183.90
Remove Truss, 6/12 Pitch, 40' .
16 EA aj $30
65 $1,289.28 $0.00 $1,28928
Replace 17rusa, 6112 Pitch,.40' .
16 EA @ 3265
04 $490.40 $0.00 $490.40
Special Crane Rental .
12 HR @ 375
00 $4,240,64 $0.00 34,240.64
Special clean up ? Removed .
12 HR @ $25
72 $900.,00 $ooo $900-00
.
Coverage - Building Totals $308.64 $0.00 $308.64
$13,500.24
$0.00
$13,50824
Summary
1wimate Totals
6 % Tax
Total With Tax
Less Deductible Applied (5500.00 Maximum)
Net Claim
RepL Cost Deer. ACV
$13,500.24 $0.00 $13,500.24
$493.68 $0.00 $493.68
$13,993.92 $0.00 $.13,993.92
($500.00) ($500.00)
A copy of this document does not co 513,493.92 50.00 513,493.92
??y ?Pm? n a settlement of this claim no above figures are seihject to insuepnce
Accepted by
Price Database Legend
All prices from TCD05DI 101.
Adjuster Summary (MS/B 0120)
Claim # HOPI 85904810210 Ian 26, 2006
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FLOOR Tau s$"
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FROM
17177328577
FAX NO,
Fulmer Construction Services, Inc.
223 N. Low% Point VA
Mechanicsburg. PA 17050
BILL TO
cmk us
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Coriicle, PA 17013
PAGE 02
Feb. 20 2006 06:SVM PI
Invoice
DAM 1*?OICEO?
2/i6R006 G6-3801
TERi?,{$
Do on rwei c
0?(Pi70N ??
lROV1Q8 L.Aa03i ?Np u'QVIPMC;NI'NLtCLS3AttY TO x&AM THE
DAMmi -0 Vu m AND S'TRAX*M-N WALLS. 00
CRAM
LMM(D HRS @$33." 183.4
MVM I48(1it. MA7EkR AND EQWMUW NCCI-=P.Y TO 3C1' AND l• 0&
?7WNBWR00F7RU53E8. 0.0
I?MATMU4 , 5o3.a
1ADM (k4 M8 @ S33." 256.0c
PRO M LABOR MATMUAL AND R0U1PmKNTNF ARy To FRAME 2,772.a
ROOF. 0.00
PAY' Pox Mole 7671 )big
q._ / ?,.? ,
732- l?axs
Total
MECHANICAL DEPT5t
PROJECT
0642
AMOUNT
000
18:3.00
1,947.00
0.00
503.o0
256.00
2.772.00
0.00
2.934.00
RECEIVED TIME FEB.22. 7:55AM PRINT TIME FEB.22, 7:57AM
UW 11/ 2006 07:51 1717737' '77
MECHANICAL DEP"-`.
PAGE 03
RjTotteigff Construction; Services, Inc.
P .O. Box 164
New Mngstown, PA, 17072
BILL TO
Greg ai9 --
i ' Wlnchestar Gorden Apts.
Carpe. PA 1701,3
Phone: 717-697-3192
Pals: 717-697-3193
Invoice
DATE INVOICE NO.
2/7/2006 i5B3
RECEIVED TIME FE8.22. 7:55AM PRINT TIME FEB.22. 7:57AM
$18,569.61
RECEIVED OF Westfeld
Insurance ("Company" herein), Westfield Center, Ohio, the sum of
($18,569.61) being in full settlement of all claims and demands for loss and
damage, arising on the 21st day of January, 2006, to the Dwelling
insured by Policy No. HOP1859048 issued on a Homeowners Policy
at the Gunn-Mowery Agency of said Company, and in consideration of such
payment, the undersigned hereby assigns and transfers to the said Company
each and all claims and demands against any other person, firm, property or
corporation, arising from or connected with such loss and damage, and the said
Company is hereby subrogated in the place of and to the claims and demands of
the undersigned, against said person, firm, property or corporation, in the
premises, to the extent of the amount above named, and the said Company is
hereby authorized and empowered to sue, compromise or settle in My
name or otherwise to the extent of the money paid as aforesaid.
The undersigned covenants that Craig Se has not released or
discharged any such claim or demand against such other party and that
Craia_ Seio will furnish to said Company any and all papers and information
in his possession, necessary for the proper prosecution of such claim.
The undersigned further states that the,claim for the property insured has been
paid or repaired to the undersigned's satisfaction. Company is authorized by
undersigned.to pay upon undersigned's behalf, the sum of Eighteen Thousand
Five Hundred. Sixty Nine and 61/100 Dollars.
($18 5_ . 69,61,1, being the amount due from Company for said damage to
my dwelling.
:05/10;006 09:28 7177328208 HERRE BROS INC. PAGE 02
.. lp
01gFWU OW Rapp eT L- . MIS --
. _ day of W%A
.
Insured Signatum
V 5 at LA Insured (Print Name)
VVltnesses:
Signed in my presence
and does de2mfl1Qd ah
Individual's Signature
Name of Corporation
Signature of Officer of Corporation
?S 19.089.e7 Entire Loss
r-vp. w.wwrr r
s00.Qg lift lble
,?? 18,569,61 Insurance Loss
Attach repair statements or supporting documents.
E RECEIVED TIME MAY. 10. 9:26AM PRINT TIME MAY. 10 1 ?9.35AW 'OI '?vw
LAW OFFICES OF
PAUL F. D-EMILIO, LLC
905 WEST SPROUL ROAD, SUITE 105
SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064
(610) 338-0338
FAX (610) 338-0303
Paul F. D'Emilio
Paul M. Schofield, Jr.
ALSO ADMITTED IN N.J.
January 17, 2008
Prothonotary's Office
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Re: Westfield Insurance Company a/s/o Selig v.Strickland Brothers
Dear Sir/Madam:
Please find enclosed herewith the following in the above entitled matter:
1. One (1) copy of the Complaint in civil action;
2. Check in the amount of $78.50 payable to the Cumberland County Prothonotary;
3. Check in the sum of $100.00 Sheriff of Cumberland County;
4. One (1) Order for Service for the Sheriff of Cumberland County;
Please accept the original for filing and forward one (1) time stamped copy to the
undersigned in the enclosed self-addressed stamped envelope.
Also, kindly forward one (1) time stamped copy of the Complaint in Civil Action and
Order for Service and check in the sum of $100.00 to the Sheriff of Cumberland County.
Thank you for your assistance and cooperation in this matter.
Very truly yours,
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR ARGUMENT
(Must be typewritten and submitted in duplicate)
V5.
(Plaintiff)
(Defendant)
No. Civil 19
1. State matter to be argued (i.e., plaintiff's motion for new trial, defendant's
demurrer to capplaint, etc.):
2. Identify counsel who will argue case:
(a) for plaintiff:
Address:
(b) for defendant:
Address:
3. I will notify all parties in writing within two days that this case has
been listed for argument.
4. Argument Court Date:
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
Please list the within matter for the next Argument Court.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CAPTION OF CASE
(entire caption must be stated in full)
Dated:
Attorney for
r'l c-.:a 1.:7
c7
9` J
W
? A
3
r
0
C
SHERIFF'S RETURN - REGULAR
CASE NO: 2008-00423 P
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
VS
STRICKLAND BROTHERS CONSTRUCTI
MARK CONKLIN , Sheriff or Deputy heriff of
Cumberland County,Pennsylvania, who being duly swo n according to law,
says, the within COMPLAINT & NOTICE was ser ed upon
STRICKLAND BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION LLC the
DEFENDANT, at 0900:00 HOURS, on the 23rd day of January 2008
at 623 CREEK ROAD
CARLISLE, PA 17013 by Nandi
BREE HARVEY, SECRETARY, ADULT IN CHARGE
a true and attested copy of COMPLAINT & NOTICE
to
together with
and at the same time directing Her attention to tl?e contents thereof.
Sheriff's Costs: So Answers:
Docketing 18.00
Service 4.80
Affidavit 00 _
Surcharge 10.00 R. Thomas Kline
.00
32.80 01/24/2008
PAUL E'EMILIO
Sworn and Subscibed to By:
before me this day De u y e
I
of A.D.
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NOTICE TO PLEAD
TO: Westfield Insurance Company, Plaintiff
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire, Attorney for Plaintiff
905 West Sproul Road
Suite 105
Springfield, PA 19064
You are hereby notified to file a written response to the enclosed Answer with New
Matter within twenty (20) days from service hereof or a judgment may be entered against you.
Respectfully submitted,
Date:
,Attorney I.D. # 780Y4
4833 Spring Road Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DEFENDANT'S ANSWER WITH NEW MATTER
AND NOW, comes Defendant, Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC by and through its
attorney, Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire, who respectfully files the following Answer With New
Matter to Plaintiff's Complaint and Joinder of Additional Defendant Craig Seig and in support
thereof avers as follows:
1. Admitted in part. It is admitted upon information and belief as to Plaintiff's
ability to conduct business in Pennsylvania and address. By way of further response, after
reasonable investigation, Plaintiff is without belief or knowledge as to the remaining averments
in paragraph I of Plaintiff's Complaint.
2. Denied. To the contrary, the principle place of business of Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC is 623 Creek Road, Carlisle, PA 17013.
3. Denied. To the contrary, Plaintiff and Defendant entered into a written agreement
for the construction of a residential home to be located on Lot 6, Longs Gap Road, Carlisle,
Pennsylvania. By way of further response, Defendant was responsible for the construction of the
home with the understanding that Craig Seig would be performing certain parts of the
construction on his own including, but not limited to excavating the foundation.
4. After reasonable investigation, Defendant is without knowledge or belief as to
what Plaintiff may or may not be aware of in set forth in paragraph 4 of Plaintiff's Complaint.
By way of further response, the agreement between Defendant and Plaintiff's insured was in
writing and is in the possession of both Defendant and Plaintiff's insured, Craig Seig.
5. Admitted.
6. Admitted.
7. Denied. To the contrary, all trusses and gable ends were installed on site with
proper wood bracing to secure them and in compliance with general construction industry
standards.
8. Denied as stated. By way of further response, on July 21, 2006 the prefabricated
and properly installed truss system collapsed during a period of severe and excessive wind gusts
up to and exceeding 45 miles per hour which occurred on site.
9. Admitted.
10. Admitted.
11. Denied. Paragraph 11 is a conclusion of law to which no response is necessary.
By way of further response, after reasonable investigation, Defendant is without belief or
knowledge as to the accuracy of the averment contained in paragraph 11 of Plaintiff s Complaint
or the exhibit attached thereto as Exhibit "A".
Count I - Breach of Contract
12. Paragraph 12 is a paragraph of incorporation which no response is necessary. In
the event a response is required, paragraph 12 is specifically denied.
13. Denied. Paragraph 13 is a conclusion of law to which no response is necessary.
By way of further response, Defendant did not breach the terms of the contract.
(a) Denied. Defendant properly secured all trusses as they were set in compliance
with general construction industry standards.
(b) Denied. All roof trusses were properly installed by Defendants in compliance
with general construction industry standards.
(c) Denied. To the contrary, Defendants were the individuals installing the roof
trusses and, therefore, observed the entire process of proper installation which process
was in compliance with general construction industry standards.
(d) Denied. To the contrary, Defendant placed all adequate bracing and secured
the trusses pursuant to industry standard to ensure against normal weather conditions. By
way of further response, the intense gusts and winds which caused the collapse of the
trusses do not constitute normal weather conditions, but instead, constitute extreme
weather conditions.
Count II - Breach of Warranty
14. Paragraph 14 is a paragraph of incorporation which no response is necessary. In
the event a response is required, paragraph 14 is specifically denied.
15. Denied. Paragraph 15 is a conclusion of law to which no response is necessary.
By way of further response, the truss system attached to the house was not Defendant's truss
system, but was a purchased truss system from York PB Truss. By way of further response,
Defendant provided no warranty for the structural integrity of the truss system. By way of further
response, said warranty would have been provided by York PB Truss.
16. Denied. Paragraph 16 is a conclusion of law to which no response is necessary.
By way of further response, Defendant provided no promises, covenants, warranties or other
representations as to the quality of the truss system.
17. Denied. Paragraph 17 is a conclusion of law to which no response is necessary.
By way of further response, Defendant provided no warranty as to the truss system and its use for
fit for a particular purpose. The truss system was a pre-purchased, pre-built truss system from
York PB Truss.
18. Denied. Paragraph 18 is a conclusion of law to which no response is necessary.
By way of further response, Defendant made no covenant or warranty with regard to the truss
system.
19. Denied. Paragraph 19 is a conclusion of law to which no response is necessary.
By way of further response, Defendant provided no warranty, but was notified of the collapse of
the trusses.
Count III - Negligence
20. Paragraph 20 is a paragraph of incorporation which no response is necessary. In
the event a response is required, paragraph 20 is specifically denied.
21. Denied. Paragraph 21 is a conclusion of law to which no response is necessary.
(a) Denied. Paragraph 21(a) is a conclusion of law to which no response is
necessary. By way of further response, there is no evidence, nor facts plead, that in any
way relate to the safety of the truss system to the damages alleged by Plaintiff. By way of
further response, the truss system installed on the house by Defendant was not
constructed, nor any warranty or promise of safety provided by Defendant.
(b) Denied. Paragraph 21(b) is a conclusion of law to which no response is
necessary. By way of further response, Defendants personally installed the roof trusses,
securing all braces for normal weather conditions and performing all checks and
inspections for any signs of defects prior to installation. By way of further response, had
defects been detected, Defendant would have rejected the delivery of the pre-built trusses
from York PB Truss.
(c) Denied. Paragraph 21(c) is a conclusion of law to which no response is
necessary. By way of further response, Defendant has no ability to control the severe
wind gusts that caused the collapse of the truss system.
(d) Denied. Paragraph 21(d) is a conclusion of law to which no response is
necessary. By way of further response, Defendant had no obligation or necessity to warn
the insured. By way of further response, no allegation has been made that the roof trusses
presented any hazard to Plaintiff or its insured, or that they were unsafe.
(e) Denied. Paragraph 21(e) is a conclusion of law to which no response is
necessary. To the contrary, Defendant properly secured and braced the roof trusses as
they were set in compliance with general construction industry standards.
(f) Denied. Paragraph 21(f) is a conclusion of law to which no response is
necessary. By way of further response, there are no laws in the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania relating to the installation of roof trusses or gable ends. By way of further
response, Defendant installed and braced the roof trusses and gable ends pursuant to
construction industry standard. By way of further response, the gable ends of the trusses
came pre-built and had sheeting already installed as is normal and customary. By way of
further response, Defendant has no ability to control what amount of force wind can place
upon a building. By way of further response, the amount of force created by 45 mile per
hour winds exceeded normal weather conditions over which Defendant has no control.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter judgment
in favor of Defendant and dismiss Plaintiff's Complaint with prejudice.
NEW MATTER
22. Defendant hereby incorporates their responses in paragraphs 1 through 21 to
Plaintiff's Complaint by reference as if set forth at length herein.
23. Defendant is the Plaintiff in a pending civil action in the Court of Common Pleas
of Cumberland County against Plaintiff's insured, Craig Seig for failure to pay for work
performed which includes a claim for failure to pay for the roof trusses which are the subject
matter of Plaintiff's Complaint.
24. Defendant has already paid for one set of roof trusses and Plaintiff has no ability
to require or collect payment for a second set.
25. Plaintiff has issued an insurance check to their insured, Craig Seig who has failed
to pay Defendant.
26. Plaintiff's right of reimbursement is through their insured, Craig Seig who has a
fully-constructed home, including trusses for which he has never paid.
27. Plaintiff's cause of action is not valid as Defendant, Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC, has never been paid for the truss system and Plaintiff has no right to collect
payment for a second truss system from Defendant.
28. Plaintiff's right of subrogation is limited to the rights to collect held by their
insured.
29. Plaintiff's insured was required by written agreement to bear the risk of loss
during construction for damage caused by weather conditions such as those described within
Plaintiff's Complaint.
30. Because Plaintiff's insured was required to bear the risk of loss and insure against
said loss, Plaintiff's insured has no cause of action for loss against Defendant, nor does Plaintiff.
31. Defendant's properly inspected, installed and braced the roof trusses pursuant to
construction industry standard.
32. The cause of collapse of the roof trusses was not due to any fault or negligence on
the part of Defendant, but was as a result of severe wind gusts which snapped and broke the
existing bracing.
33. The wind gusts were so severe that one gable end of the house was carried a
distance of approximately 50 (fifty) feet from the constructed residence.
34. Simultaneously with the filing of this Answer with New Matter, Defendant has
filed a Complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County joining Plaintiffs
insured, Craig Seig as an additional defendant to this action as liable to Defendant for the cause
of action arising out of the occurrence upon which Plaintiffs cause of action is based pursuant to
Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 2252.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter judgment
in favor of Defendant and against Plaintiff.
Date: a?
Respectfully submitted,
u?.
k W. Allshouse Esquire
ttorney I.D. # 78014
4 33 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff ;
V. NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC, : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document has been duly served upon the
following, by depositing a copy of the same in the United States Mail, first-class, postage
prepaid, as follows:
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
905 West Sproul Road
Suite 105
Springfield, PA 19064
Date: d
Respectfully submitted,
M k Allshouse, squire
orney I.D. # 7801
33 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
VERIFICATION
We, M. Jeffrey Strickland and Matthew G. Strickland, members of Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC, being authorized to do so, verify that the statements in the foregoing
document are true and correct to the best of our knowledge, information and belief under
penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.A. Section 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date: pq/Ioq/y
Date: oI/,/14 ?
STRICKLAND BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION, LLC
By
By: Matthew G. Strickland,
r ?
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„:?
y
C?
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
v
CRAIG SEIG,
Additional Defendant
NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NOTICE TO PLEAD
TO: Craig Seig, Additional Defendant
c/o John H. Pietrzak, Esquire
REAGER & ADLER
2331 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4642
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 Complaint or for any other claim or relief requested by the
Plaintiff. You may lose money or property or other rights important to you.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO
NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE THE
OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
Cumberland County Bar Association
2 Liberty Avenue
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-3166
Date: a V/14(
1orn k W.Allshouse, E uire
ey ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
v
CRAIG SEIG,
Additional Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
COMPLAINT JOINING ADDITIONAL DEFENDANT CRAIG SEIG
PURSUANT TO PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 2229
AND NOW, comes the Defendant, Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC, by and
through its attorney, Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire and respectfully files this Complaint joining
Additional Defendant, Craig Seig pursuant to PA. R.C.P. 2229 and in support thereof avers as
follows:
1. Defendant, Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC, is a Pennsylvania limited
liability company having a business address of 623 Creek Road, Carlisle, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania 17013.
2. Additional Defendant, Craig Seig, is an adult individual having a current address
of 116 Winchester Garden Apartments, Carlisle, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17013.
3. On or about May 5, 2006 Defendant filed an independent action in the Court of
Common Pleas of Cumberland County captioned Strickland Brothers Construction. LLC v.
Craig Seim, docket number 06-2532 Civil Term. Pleadings in that action are complete.
4. Thereafter, on January 18, 2007, Plaintiff in the above-referenced matter filed a
Complaint against Defendant, Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC regarding reimbursement
for loss for payment by Plaintiff under an insurance policy.
5. The alleged loss arose out of the same series of occurrences and relates directly to
a common question of law or fact affecting the rights to relief of Plaintiff against Defendant,
Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC, as those which form the basis of the prior action between
Defendant Craig Seig as previously referenced.
6. Plaintiff in the above-captioned matter is seeking damages arising from a collapse
of roof trusses during the construction of a residential home by Defendant for Additional
Defendant.
7. It is believed and, therefore, averred that Additional Defendant, Craig Seig is
individually liable to Defendants or jointly liable with Defendant for the relief sought by Plaintiff
in this matter based upon Additional Defendant's contractual obligation to insure for losses
occurring during construction. A true and correct copy of the contract is attached hereto and
made a part hereof marked as Exhibit "A".
8. It is believed and, therefore, averred that Additional Defendant, Craig Seig is
liable to Defendant for non-payment for materials, including the roof trusses, per the contract in
the amount of Thirty-six Thousand Five Hundred Six and 76/100 Dollars ($36,506.76).
9. Plaintiff's ability to collect from Defendant is directly related to the contractual
relationship existing between Defendant and Additional Defendant and the legal liabilities and
obligations between them.
10. If Defendant is liable to Plaintiff, Defendant believes and, therefore, avers that
Additional Defendant is individually liable to Defendant for such amount as set forth in the
allegations contained in Plaintiff's Complaint captioned Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
2
v. Craig Seig, docket number 06-2532 Civil Term, which averments are incorporated herein as if
set forth at length.
11. Plaintiff is seeking damages in the amount of Nineteen Thousand Sixty-nine and
61/100 Dollars ($19,069.61).
12. Additional Defendant is either liable to Defendant, or jointly and severally liable
to Defendant, for the amount sought by Plaintiff.
13. As a result of Additional Defendant's liability to Defendant, Defendant is seeking
judgment against Additional Defendant in an amount not less than Nineteen Thousand Sixty-nine
and 61/100 Dollars ($19,069.61) nor more than that amount set forth in its prior Complaint as
referenced herein.
WHEREFORE, Defendant respectfully requests this Honorable Court to enter judgment
in favor of Defendant and against Additional Defendant in an amount not less than Nineteen
Thousand Sixty-nine and 61/100 Dollars ($19,069.61).
Respectfully submitted,
Date:11/6/ag
M k W. Allshouse, E /quire
A on: ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
3
Exhibit "A"
STRICKLAND BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION. LLC
Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
New Home Construction cost to be built on vacant lot
on Longs Gap Road
House Plan 99812 "The Brownstone"
2046 square foot ranch with the addition of square footage to be
gained by adding 2' to the left and right sides of house. Foundation
to be the same size as finished house. 611 sq. ft (two car) garage.
Design specifications and standards
9 foot poured concrete foundation walls
TJI Truss Joist silent floor system
2x6 exterior construction
Electric will be according to municipal code. 350 connections.
Aker tubs and showers to be selected by homebuyer.
Strickland Brothers Construction uses Pex-tubing for plumbing
supplies and a Manabloc system. Two exterior hydrants are
standard for this plan.
Moen plumbing fixtures are standard
Anderson maintenance free vinyl windows
Therma-tru steel entry doors
STRICKLAND BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION UX
Maintenance-free vinyl siding (choice ol'beaded or dutch lap:
color to be picked by homebuyer)
Full face of house to be stone (choice of colors and styles to be
picked by homebuyer)
Shutters and shutter boxes supplied by Strickland Brothers
Construction on front of house only (shutter colors to be picked by
homebuyer)
Elk 30-year architectural shingles
Fridgidaire (with 10 year warranty) propane fired furnace with
buried propane tank
Electric hot water heater
Central air conditioning
I311co entry steps and doors leading to basement
Seamless gutters and downspouts
51200.00 light fixture allowance
$12500.00 floor covering allowance
$16500.00 kitchen/bath cabinets and kitchen/bath top allowance
Appliance package includes a ceramic smooth top electric range,
side by side refrigerator with icemaker, microwave above the
range, and a 3-cycle dishwasher
Vinyl front porch posts
Cost of construction: $253,000.00
Thank you for choosing Strickland Brothers Construction.
STRICKI,AND BROTHERS CONSTRUC' IION, L.LC
Homebuyer will be responsible for maintaining all applicable
insurances during the phase of construction.
Homebuyer will be responsible to assume PPL/North Middleton Authority
charges during the phase of construction. Strickland Brothers Construction,
LLC will set up all utilities and will notify homebuyer when the time is right
to switch into their name.
Homebuyer will be responsible for reimbursement of 1 " water line to be
installed by Strickland Brothers Construction for future Municipal water.
Homebuyer will be responsible to apply for credit with Aero Energy or
Shipley Energy for Propane tank.
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
VERIFICATION
We, M. Jeffrey Strickland and Matthew G. Strickland, members of Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC, being authorized to do so, verify that the statements in the foregoing
document are true and correct to the best of our knowledge, information and belief under
penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.A. Section 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date:
Date: ??*?""'
STRICKLAND BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION, LLC
-0. al
By: M. J ,cAtrickland, member
By: Matthew G. Strickland,
1 ? e
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney 1D # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
v
CRAIG SEIG,
Additional Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document has been duly served upon the
following, by depositing a copy of the same in the United States Mail, first-class, postage
prepaid, as follows:
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
905 West Sproul Road
Suite 105
Springfield, PA 19064
John H. Pietrzak, Esquire
REAGER & ADLER
2331 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4642
Respectfully submitted,
Dateo24?al()X
k W. Allshouse, squire
ttorney I.D. # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
t
e
4?
'er
C
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
PLAINTIFF
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2532 CIVIL
WESTFILED INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
P.O. BOX 5001
WESTFIELD CENTER, OH 44251-5001:
PLAINTIFF
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC.,
621 CREEK ROAD
CARLISLE, PA 17013
DEFENDANT NO. 08-0423 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 12th day of February, 2008, the Court having been advised that
another suit has been filed by Westfield Insurance Company which may need to be
consolidated with the above captioned matter,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that this Court's previous order of January
23, 2008, requiring that the parties file pre-trial memorandum with the Court on or before
February 13, 2008, is RESCINDED.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND DIRECTED that a status conference on this case to
include counsel representing Westfield Insurance Company will be held on Tuesday, April 29,
2008 at 3:30 p.m. in chambers of Courtroom No. 5 of the Cumberland County Courthouse,
Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
By the Court,
'R\ -?, ?AA
M. L. Ebert, Jr.,
VI VAIArNN"zid
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.//Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
John H. Pietrzak, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
,/Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
Attorney for Westfield Insurance Company
Court Administrator . SAS 11ploc-
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WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
v
CRAIG SEIG,
Additional Defendant
NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE
I, John H. Pietrzak, Esquire, accept service of the Complaint Joining Additional
Defendant Craig Seig Pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 2229 on behalf of Craig
Seig regarding the above-referenced action.
Date: ?1,2JICX
Jo)fil H. Pietrzak, Esquir6
AGER & ADLER
2331 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4642
(717) 763-1383
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WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
CONSTRUCTION, LLC, ;
Defendant
v.
CRAIG SEIG,
Additional Defendant
NOTICE TO PLEAD
To: Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE
ENCLOSED NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM WITHIN TWENTY (20)
DAYS FROM SERVICE HEREOF OR A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED
AGAINST YOU.
Date: March 7, 2008
Respectfully submitted,
REAGER & ADLER, P.C
,Lie lJoh. Pietrzak, Esquire
A mey I.D. No. 79538
Thomas O. Williams, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 67987
2331 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4642
Telephone: (717) 763-1383
Attorneys for Additional Defendant
REAGER & ADLER, P.C.
BY: JOHN H. PIETRZAK, ESQUIRE
Attorney I.D. No. 79538
Email: JJpietrzakgReagerAdlerPC.com
BY: THOMAS O. WILLIAMS
Attorney I.D. No. 67987
Email: Twilliams@ReagerAdlerPC.com
2331 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011
Telephone: (717) 763-1383
Facsimile: (717) 730-7366
Attorneys for Craig Seig
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: CIVIL ACTION -LAW
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
CONSTRUCTION, LLC, ;
Defendant
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
Additional Defendant
ANSWER AND NEW MATTER OF CRAIG SEIG ADDITIONAL DEFENDANT TO
THE COMPLAINT JOINING ADDITIONAL DEFENDANT FILED BY STRICKLAND
BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION LLC
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted in part. By way of clarification, Additional Defendant Craig Seig's
address is 1250 Longs Gap Rd., Carlisle, PA 17013.
3. Admitted.
4. It is admitted that Plaintiff filed a Complaint in subrogation against Defendant
Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC (hereinafter "SBC"). Additional Defendant denies
Defendant SBC's characterization of Plaintiff's Complaint as the Complaint is a document that
speaks for itself.
5. This paragraph contains a legal conclusion to which no response is required.
6. Denied as stated. Plaintiff's claim is stated in its Complaint, which speaks for
itself. To the extent further answer is required, Plaintiff's claim is for subrogation of an
insurance payment made to Additional Defendant Craig Seig for damages sustained when the
truss system constructed by Defendant SBC fell down.
7. This paragraph contains a legal conclusion to which no response is required. To
the extent that this paragraph contains factual averments, such averments are denied. It is denied
that Additional Defendant is individually liable to Defendant SBC or jointly liable with
Defendant SBC for the relief sought by Plaintiff. It is further denied that Additional Defendant
was obligated to provide insurance coverage for Defendant SBC in any manner whatsoever. It is
admitted that Defendant SBC has attached a document as Exhibit "A" that it contends is a
contract between Defendant SBC and Additional Defendant. Additional Defendant notes that
this document is different than the contract Defendant SBC attached to its Complaint against
Craig Seig at docket number 06-2532. Additional Defendant denies that the document
Defendant SBC has attached as Exhibit "A" is the contract between the parties because this
document does not reflect the proper scope of work or payment terms that the parties agreed
upon.
8. This paragraph contains a legal conclusion to which no response is required. To
the extent that this paragraph contains factual averments, such averments are denied. Additional
Defendant denies Defendant SBC's averments in this paragraph relating to non-payment for
materials as such averments go beyond the subject matter of Plaintiff's Complaint and are
therefore irrelevant and immaterial to this action. By way of further answer, Additional
Defendant has paid Defendant SBC for all work performed by SBC in a workmanlike manner.
Additional Defendant does not owe Defendant SBC $36,506.76 or any amount.
9. This paragraph contains a legal conclusion to which no response is required. To
the extent that this paragraph contains factual averments, such averments are denied.
10. This paragraph contains a legal conclusion to which no response is required. To
the extent that this paragraph contains factual averments, such averments are denied. Additional
Defendant denies Defendant SBC's averments in this paragraph relating Defendant SBC's
separate action against Craig Seig to the extent that such averments go beyond the subject matter
of Plaintiff's Complaint and are therefore irrelevant and immaterial to this action. By way of
further answer, Additional Defendant denies that it is individually liable to Defendant SBC for
any amount, and incorporates its Answer to Defendant SBC's Complaint at docket number 06-
2532 inasmuch as Defendant SBC has incorporated its Complaint against Craig Seig into its
Complaint to Join Additional Defendants.
11. Denied as stated. Plaintiff's claim is set forth in its Complaint, which speaks for
itself.
12. Denied. Additional Defendant denies that it is liable to Defendant SBC or jointly
and severally liable to Defendant SBC, for any amount sought by Plaintiff.
13. Additional Defendant denies that it is liable to Defendant SBC for any amount.
WHEREFORE, Additional Defendant Craig Seig requests this Honorable Court to enter
judgment in its favor and against Defendant Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC, together
with costs and any other recovery deemed appropriate.
NEW MATTER
14. Additional Defendant incorporates herein by reference the averments of
paragraphs 1 through 13 above as if set forth fully herein.
15. Defendant SBC's claim is barred by the doctrines of waiver and estoppel.
16. Defendant SBC's claim is barred by the doctrine of laches.
17. Defendant SBC's claim is barred by the doctrines of accord and satisfaction,
justification and/or payment.
18. Defendant SBC's complaint fails to state a cause of action for which relief can be
granted.
WHEREFORE, Additional Defendant Craig Seig requests this Honorable Court to enter
judgment in its favor and against Defendant Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC, together
with costs and any other recovery deemed appropriate.
Respectfully submitted,
REAGER & ADLER, P.C.
Date: March 7, 2008
John. Pietrzak, Esquire
Att ey I.D. No. 79538
Thomas O. Williams, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 67987
2331 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-464
Telephone: (717) 763-1383
Attorneys for Additional Defendant
VERIFICATION
I, JOHN H. PIETRZAK, ESQUIRE, being duly sworn according to law, depose and state that I am the
attorney for Additional Defendant Craig Seig, and I make this verification on his behalf; and that said
Additional Defendant is unavailable and unable to make this verification on his own behalf within the time
allotted for filing of this pleading and the facts set forth in the foregoing pleading are true and correct to the
best of counsel's knowledge, information and belief.
This verification is made pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1024 and is based on interviews, conferences, reports,
records and other investigatory material in the file.
REAGER & ADLER, P.C.
Date: March 7, 2008 By: _ Y'f,
JO H. PIE , ESQUIRE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
AND NOW, this 7th day of March, 2008, I hereby verify that I have caused a true and
correct copy of the foregoing document to be placed in the U.S. Mail, postage prepaid and
addressed as follows:
Mark W. Allshouse, Esq.
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
Law Office of Paul F. D'Emilio, LLC
905 West Sproul road
Suite 105
Springfield, PA 19064
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JOP? H. P RZAK, ESQUIRE
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Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney 1D # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
CRAIG SEIG,
v
Additional Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-423 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DEFENDANT'S REPLY TO
ADDITIONAL DEFENDANT'S NEW MATTER
AND NOW, comes the Defendant, Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC, by and
through its attorney, Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire and respectfully files the following Reply to
Additional Defendant's New Matter:
14. Paragraph 14 is a paragraph of incorporation to which no response is necessary.
In the event a response is deemed necessary, it is denied.
15. The averment in paragraph 15 is a conclusion of law to which no response is
necessary. In the event a response is deemed necessary, it is denied.
16. The averment in paragraph 16 is a conclusion of law to which no response is
necessary. In the event a response is deemed necessary, it is denied.
17. The averment in paragraph 17 is a conclusion of law to which no response is
necessary. In the event a response is deemed necessary, it is denied.
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO. 06-2532 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document has been duly served upon the
following, by depositing a copy of the same in the United States Mail, first-class, postage
prepaid, as follows:
Date: 3//s/0 r
John H. Pietrzak, Esquire
REAGER & ADLER
2331 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4642
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
905 West Sproul Road
Suite 105
Springfield, PA 19064
ark W. Allshouse, squire
Attorney ID # 780
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Defendant
N_
A
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Ca
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
PLAINTIFF
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
DEFENDANT
NO. 06-2532 CIVIL
WESTFILED INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
P.O. BOX 5001
WESTFIELD CENTER, OH 44251-5001
PLAINTIFF
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC.,
621 CREEK ROAD
CARLISLE, PA 17013
DEFENDANT
NO. 08-0423 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 29th day of April, 2008, after status conference with counsel and it
appearing that all parties agree to consolidation of these cases for trial,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that:
A. All Discovery in these cases will be completed on or before July 30, 2008;
B. Pre-Trial Motions in this matter shall be filed and the Motions set down for argument
on or before August 14, 2008; Argument of any Pre-Trial Motions will be held at Argument
Court on September 3, 2008;
C. All parties will file a Pre-Trial Memorandum with the Court on or before
September 25, 2008, in the following format:
1. A concise statement of factual issues to be decided at trial.
II. A list of witnesses the party intends to call at trial along with a concise
statement of their anticipated testimony.
III. A list of all exhibits each party anticipates presenting at trial.
€I I :C d OE ?Jv BBDI
?ps F
IV. A statement of any legal issues each party anticipates being raised at trial
along with copies of any cases which may be relevant to resolution of the stated issue.
V. An estimate of the anticipated time needed for the party to present its case.
D. Trial of this matter will be held at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, October 3, 2008, in Courtroom
No. 5 of the Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
? Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
//Attorney for Plaintiff
?John H. Pietrzak, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
---Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
Attorney for Westfield Insurance Company
Court Administrator
bas
00 pI ES' M.-a r LCL
M. L. Ebert, Jr.,
2
By the Court,
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
PLAINTIFF
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
DEFENDANT
NO. 06-2532 CIVIL
WESTFILED INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
P.O. BOX 5001 ;
WESTFIELD CENTER, OH 44251-5001:
PLAINTIFF
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC.,
621 CREEK ROAD
CARLISLE, PA 17013
DEFENDANT
NO. 08-0423 CIVIL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 6th day of October, 2008, after the first day of testimony in the Non-Jury
Trial in this matter, it appears that possibly 2 more days will be needed,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that the continuation of the Non-Jury Trial
will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. and Friday, February 20, 2009, at
9:00 a.m. in Courtroom No. 5 of the Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
By the Court,
ark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
Ahn H. Pietrzak, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
.,4d*aul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
Attorney for Westfield Insurance Company
Court Administrator _ bAs I vib ar
bas
A?l X"A' I -
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
A
'6 S :01 WV 9- 190 BUZ
M ' ? 1 t1?
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2532 CIVIL TERM
CRAIG SEIG,
V.
Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE
COMPANY AS SUBROGEE OF
CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-0423 CIVIL TERM
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN RE: NON-JURY TRIAL
ORDER OF COURT
_f
AND NOW, this 1St day of April, 2010, after nonjury trial in the above captioned matter,
the verdict of the Court is as follows:
L On Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC's claim of breach of contract by Seig
(Plaintiff's Complaint, Count I) the Court finds in favor of Seig and against Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC.
2. On Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC's claim of unjust enrichment (Plaintiff's
Complaint, Count II) the Court finds in favor of Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC and
against Seig and awards the amount of $12,907.77.
3. On Seig's claim of breach of contract by Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC,
(Defendant's Counterclaim, Count I) the Court finds in favor of Seig and against Strickland
Brothers Construction, LLC, and awards damages in the amount of $500.00.
4. On. Seig's claim of the violation 73 Pa.C.S.A. §201-2(4)(xvi) of the Unfair Trade
Practices and Consumer Protection Law, (Defendant's Counterclaim Count II), the Court finds in
favor of Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC, and against Seig.
5. On Westfield's claims of (1) breach of contract, (Westfield's Complaint, Count I), (2)
breach of warranty, (Westfield's Complaint, Count II), and (3) negligence (Westfield's
Complaint, Count III), the Court finds in favor of Westfield and against Strickland Brothers
Constriction, LLC, and awards damages in the amount of $18,569.61.
By the Court,
V
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
Mark W. Allshouse, Esq.
Attorney for Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esq.
Paul F. D'Emilio, Esq.
Attorneys for Westfield Insurance Company as Subrogee of Craig Seig
../John Pietrzak, Esquire
Attorney for Craig Seig
(26 ?S rn? c l?c,?
2
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2532 CIVIL TERM
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE
COMPANY AS SUBROGEE OF
CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-0423 CIVIL TERM
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN RE: NON-JURY TRIAL
OPINION and ORDER OF COURT
Ebert, J., April 1, 2010 -
FINDINGS OF FACTS
Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC (hereinafter SBC) is a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of Pennsylvania, doing business in Pennsylvania, with its principle place
of business at 623 Creek Road, Carlisle, PA 17013. Morris Jeffrey Strickland (hereinafter J.
Strickland) is a fifty percent owner of SBC.' Matthew Gordon Strickland (hereinafter M.
Strickland) is the other fifty percent owner.2 Craig Seig (hereinafter Seig) owns Lot No. 6,
Longs Gap Road, Carlisle, PA.3 Westfield Insurance Company (hereinafter Westfield), subrogee
' Notes of Testimony, Oct. 3, 2008, p. 5 (hereinafter N.T. Day 1 at ?.
' N.T. Day 1 at 5.
3 Notes of Testimony, Feb 18, 2009, p. 8 (hereinafter N.T. Day 2 at
3
of Seig, is a corporation authorized to do business in Pennsylvania, having an office at P.O. Box
5001, Westfield, OH 44251-5001.
On September 11, 2005, Seig met J. Strickland and reviewed the plans and proposals for
construction of a residential home on Lot No. 6 along Longs Gap Road in North Middleton
Township. They discussed what each party's scope of work would be.4 SBC's scope of work
generally included pouring the foundation, laying the deck, framing of the interior and exterior
walls, finishing the exterior with siding and constructing the roof.' Construction of the roof in
this case consisted of installing pre-engineered roof trusses supplied by PB Truss Inc., laying 4 x
8 sheets of oriented strand board (O.S.B.) over the roof trusses, laying tar paper over the OSB,
and then installing 30 year architectural shingles.b Seig's scope of work included the excavation,
all interior work, and the installation of exterior doors and windows. During the meeting Seig
was advised that both J. Strickland and M. Strickland would be taking vacation during November
of 2005.8
On September 26, 2005, settlement on the construction loan from Commerce Bank to
Craig Seig was completed.9 Additionally, even though Seig has maintained that he was serving
as the general contractor of this project, he allowed Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 1 to be presented to
the bank in order to give the impression to the bank that he had hired a general contractor. Seig's
motive for doing this is clear. It was necessary because banks were reluctant to grant
constriction loans directly to property owners who had not hired legitimate recognized
4 Stip. of Facts at 1, N.T. Day 1 at 8, N.T. Day 2 at 9.
5 N.T. Day 2 at 11.
6 Plaintiff's Exhibits 1, 3.
7 N.T. Day 2 at 10.
s Stip. of Facts at 1.
9 Stip. of Facts at 1.
4
contractors. 10 This explains why Seig went through with the closing utilizing Plaintiff's Exhibit
No. 1 even though he felt that he was between a "rock and a hard place.""
At settlement, J. Strickland stated that the house would be under roof by Christmas of
2005 and completed within six months. 12 The Court finds that the December 25 date was a
reasonable estimate, but one which could be easily impacted by factors such as weather and
completion of excavation. There is no signed document that specified when the house would be
under roof 13 The Construction Loan Agreement between Seig and Commerce Bank set
April 26, 2006, as the time limit for the completion of the project. 14 April 26, 2006, was six
months plus an additional thirty-day grace period from the date of settlement. 15 The end loan
interest rate was locked in until April 26, 2006.16
SBC maintains that they never agreed to finish the home in six months and that they
normally recommend a twelve month term for construction. 17 The Court does not find this
credible. Clearly, when J. Strickland went to the construction loan closing, he signed a
"Guarantee of Completion and Performance" which said that the project would be "substantially
completed within the time limits set forth in the construction loan agreement." The construction
loan agreement signed by Seig at the same closing clearly indicates at page 4 "borrower
(emphasis added) agrees to complete the project for purposes of final payment to the general
contractor on or before April 26, 2006, regardless of the reason for any delay."18
10 N.T. Day 1 at 7.
11 N.T. Day 2 at 12.
12 N.T. Day 1 at 169.
13 N.T. Day 1 at 176.
14 N.T. Day 1 at 165.
15 N.T. Day 1 at 165.
16 N.T. Day 1 at 169.
17 Plaintiff's Ex. 15.
is Def. Ex. 4, N.T. Day 1 at 163-164.
5
SBC was to be paid for their work from the draw schedule established by the
Construction Loan Agreement.19 The previously agreed upon breakdown of the scope of work
was not reflected in any contract signed by both parties. 20 SBC has consistently maintained that
the document presented to the Court as Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 1 constitutes a "construction
agreement" which was in essence the contract between SBC and Seig to construct the home in
question. The Court having examined the document and the context in which it was utilized
finds that this was not a written construction contract. In reality, SBC provided this document to
Seig in order to establish for the bank the general specifications of the house being built and the
cost of construction. 21 Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 1 lists the construction cost as $253,000.00.
Commerce Bank provided a construction loan for $250,000.00 and Seig provided the additional
$3,000.00 as evidenced in Defendant's Exhibit No. 8, the "Advance Schedule," to cover the total
construction cost of $253,000.00 reflected in Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 1.
SBC had scheduled Peifer Construction (hereinafter PC) to pour the footers for the
foundation on October 11, 2005. Seig was responsible for excavation of the hole in which the
foundation footers and concrete basement walls were to be built. However, Seig's excavator,
Mike Neidig (hereinafter Neidig), did not even start excavation until October 17, 2005, and
completed the excavation on October 19, 2005.22 Consequently, since the hole was not even dug
by the time PC's footer crew arrived on October 11, 2005, to begin pouring the footers, PC
rescheduled this work for their next available date which was not until November 16, 2005. The
footers were completed on November 19, 2005. On November 29, 2005, PC began to pour the
concrete basement walls which were completed on December 1, 2005. Consequently, the Court
finds that at least one month of construction time was lost as a result of Seig not having the
19 N.T. Day 2 at 12.
20 N.T. Day 2 at 12, N.T. Day 2 at 16.
2' N.T. Day 2 at 14 -15.
22 Stip. of Facts at 1, N.T. Day 2 at 80, N.T. Day 2 at 20.
6
basement excavation completed prior to PC's first scheduled date for the pouring of the footers
which was October 11, 2005.
A question arose as to who was responsible to backfill the foundation. Seig states that
SBC told him they would backfill the foundation free of charge. Later, after the basement walls
were finished, he says M. Strickland told him that SBC's excavator was unable to do the job.
Seig immediately arranged for and paid Neidig to backfill the foundation. 2' Backfilling was
completed on December 19, 2005.24 This Court finds that Seig was responsible for
"excavation." In this type of construction, excavation includes not only digging the hole but
backfilling the foundation. However, this dispute is of little moment in this case. SBC always
charged Seig for anything done in the constriction of this home. There is no evidence
whatsoever that SBC would have gratuitously done the backfilling of this foundation for free.
Accordingly, whether Seig paid to backfill the foundation or would have been charged by SBC
for backfilling, the money still would have come out of the account created by the Commerce
Bank construction loan.
The Court does find that in the construction industry, it is customary to allow the concrete
basement walls to cure before backfilling and framing begins. Again backfilling was completed
on December 19, 2005, and that was the date that SBC had the lumber for the framing delivered
to the site and set the steel I-beam and lolly columns necessary to support the deck. Thus the
period of time between December 1 and December 19, 2005, was not a period of unexplained
delay which can be attributed to SBC.25
Snowfall prevented SBC from pouring the concrete floor in the basement.26 Instead SBC
proceeded with the construction of the deck and the exterior and interior walls.27 The Court
1`3 N.T. Day 2 at 11, 24 - 26.
- N.T. Day 2 at 25.
25 Plaintiff's Ex. 3, 4, and 15, N.T. Day 1 at 22.
26 N.T. Day 2 at 27 -28.
7
finds that SBC proceeded with constructing the deck and the walls so that the roof could be
completed thereby making the rough framing watertight and allowing all the inside work to
proceed. Pouring the final concrete basement floor was definitely something that could have
been completed at a later date and did not in any way delay construction of this home. In
essence, Seig's shoveling and melting of the snow between Christmas and New Year 2005 was
totally unnecessary.
On January 20, 2006, the walls were complete and ready for SBC set the roof trusses. 28
This Court finds that SBC provided insufficient temporary bracing for the roof truss system, and
did not meet industry standards regarding the type of bracing that was required for these
trusses. 29 Per industry standards, a complete temporary bracing system for the roof truss system
should have secured the first truss with adequate ground bracing. As additional trusses are set
longitudinal and diagonal bracing are required.30 This Court finds that SBC failed to provide
sufficient ground bracing of the sheathed gable end trusses and clearly insufficient longitudinal
and diagonal bracing for this roof truss system. Given the size of the gable end trusses, and the
fact that they were delivered to the home site with the external plywood sheeting already
installed, they presented a very large solid surface (similar to a giant sail) which would be
especially vulnerable to high winds. 31
As a direct result of this insufficient bracing by SBC, the roof truss system collapsed on
January 21, 2006, during a period of wind gusts which may have reached 32-45 miles per hour.32
Had the bracing on the truss system been correctly installed, the trusses would have been able to
27 N.T. Day 2 at 28.
1-8 Stip. of Facts at 1.
29 N.T. Day 2 at 170.
30 N.T. Day 2 at 170-171.
31 Def. Ex, 26, N.-F. Day 2 at 178.
32 Def. Ex. 23
8
withstand such wind force. 33 Clearly, SBC as an experienced construction firm should have
anticipated that bad weather in the winter often comes with higher winds requiring more than
minimal bracing.
The sheathed front gable end truss toppled inward, the sheathed rear truss and the
sheathed left end truss toppled out away from the home. 34 The trusses between both gable ends
collapsed in a similar orientation as the gable ends. 35 The collapse caused damage to both the
roof trusses and some framed walls. 36 The Court finds that the trusses shown in Defendant's
Exhibit No. 11 were damaged such that they were not suitable for reuse. 37 Accordingly, an
entire new set of trusses was ordered and installed by Fulmer Construction Services. R. J.
Potteiger Construction Services Inc. removed the first set of damaged trusses. 38 Westfield was
the insurance company Seig selected to insure the construction project as required by Commerce
Bank as a condition of their granting Seig the construction loan. 39 All told, Westfield paid Craig
Seig $18,569.61 as settlement for the claim associated with the collapsed damaged trusses.
Additionally, Craig Seig had a $500.00 deductible on this policy for a total damage claim of
$19,069.61.40
After collapse of the trusses, uncertainty reigned with regard to completion of the project.
According to J. Strickland, SBC contacted Seig and advised him to call his insurance company in
order to determine how to proceed. SBC did tell Seig that they would reset the trusses that
weren't damaged, order new ones to replace the damaged trusses and proceed with the project.
33 Def. Ex. 26, N.T. Day 2 at 181.
34 Def. Ex. 26.
32 Def. Ex. 26.
36 Def. Ex. 11, N.T. Day 2 at 46.
" Def. Ex. 11, N.T. Day 2 at 187-188.
38 Def. Ex. 16, N.T. Day 2 at 46.
39 Def. Ex. 4, N.T. Day 2 at 148-149.
" Def. Ex. 15
9
SBC indicated that they could "fix it" and that it would take about a week.41 Seig never returned
any of SBC's calls after January 21, 2006.
Having viewed the damage to his home, Seig naturally lost confidence in the construction
ability of SBC. On January 26, 2006, Seig's attorney sent SBC a letter terminating the
construction contract with SBC. Seig claimed untimely performance and defective
workmanship. Seig requested an accounting of the first $37,000.00 draw made on the
construction loan, and advised SBC if they wanted payment beyond the initial $37,000.00 draw
they would be required to provide documentation of all materials and manpower used.42 The
Court finds that Seig did legitimately terminate the construction contract based on SBC's
defective workmanship in setting and bracing the roof trusses. Seig has not proven his claim of
untimely performance.
Westfield, as the insurer, paid for all materials, to include a new set of trusses and the
labor to remove the old trusses and set new trusses.43 Again, the total payment was $19,069.61
which included Seig's $500.00 deductible. SBC was not invited back on site and did not
perform any work after the January 26, 2006, notice of termination.44 Interestingly, an
examination of the invoices relating to the damaged trusses provides the Court with some insight
on how long it took to repair the damage. The new trusses from PBS Truss, Inc. were scheduled
for delivery to the site on February 2, 2006. Fulmer Construction Services' invoice which
includes the labor for resetting the trusses is dated 2/16/06. R.J. Potteiger Construction Services
provided "roof materials" for Seig's home by invoice dated February 7, 2006. While R.J.
Potteiger Construction Services final invoice for removal of the first set of damaged roof trusses
is not dated until April 6, 2006, it is apparent to this Court that having the damaged roof trusses
41 N.T. Day 2 at 41.
42 Def. Ex. 14
43 N.T. Day 2 at 157-158.
44 Stip. of Facts, Para. #12.
10
on the home site would not have in any way delayed the project. Accordingly, the Court finds
that the roof on Seig's home was completed on or about February 16, 2006, approximately 27
days from the collapse of the first set of trusses.45
After terminating SBC from the project, Seig proceeded finishing the house on his own.
As he has maintained throughout the course of this proceeding, he did in fact become the general
contractor of this construction project. Seig testified that he had no agreement with Commerce
Bank which allowed them to control who would be the builder after he terminated SBC.46 Seig
indicated that he along with this father, brother-in-law and a friend of his father's did a lot of the
work.47 Additionally, Seig hired other subcontractors to complete the home and they were paid
from the Commerce Bank draw schedule.48
Seig maintains that he did not complete the house by March 26, 2006.49 Gethen Wilson,
mortgage originator with Commerce Bank, attempted to explain the March 26 date as the date
the house was to be completed. She stated April 26, 2006 was simply a date which represented
an additional 30 day grace period which she always included in construction agreements. Be that
as it may, this Court finds that the only stated "completion date" contained in the construction
loan agreement was April 26, 2006.50 Based on this, Seig, as general contractor, had a period of
three months from January 26, 2006, to April 26, 2006, to complete his home.
All of this has significance for only one purpose, that being Craig Seig's claim that he is
owed damages in excess of $70,000.00 as a result of additional interest payments he will have to
pay as a result of Commerce Bank increasing his locked in mortgage rate from 5.375% to
4' Def. Ex. 16.
46 N.T. Day 2 at 73.
47 N.T. Day 2 at 70.
48 N.T. Day 2 at 73-74.
49 N.T. Day 2 at 20.
so plaintiff's Ex. 2, N.T. Day 1 at 165.
11
6.375% by their letter dated May 12, 2006.51 Two points are of interest here. First, Commerce
Bank obviously didn't consider the completion date to be March 26, 2006, or they would have
advised Seig of the new interest rate much earlier. Second, Seig specifically testified that after
the roof truss system collapsed, he talked with Commerce Bank the next morning and "the bank
told me to terminate the Strickland Brothers."52 The Court notes that unlike the negotiations that
preceded approval for the construction loan, Commerce Bank no longer required Seig to have a
separate general contractor to complete his home. Clearly Commerce Bank's interest in
completing Seig's home was nil. Their motive for this attitude is obvious. They were the ones
who would benefit from the increased interest rate if completion of the home was delayed.
The Court finds that SBC will not be held responsible for the final delay, and accordingly
SBC will not be required to pay damages for the extra interest the Defendant claims he now has
to pay. Seig's own delay in completing the excavation caused at least one month delay in the
construction. This delay dictated that the roof truss system would have to be installed in January.
Accordingly, subtracting one month from the final completion date would have brought the
project's completion within the final April 26, 2006, deadline. This Court finds that this home
could have been completed by April 26, 2006, even given the truss collapse and that the final
delay is not attributable to SBC.
SBC received the first construction draw from Commerce Bank in the amount of
$37,500.00.53 SBC used $31,282.77 to pay its subcontractors and retained the remaining
$6,217.23.'4 SBC also claimed $540.00 for the rental of a trash pump to Seig which he utilized
in pumping out his basement. SBC owned the pump and allowed Seig to use it. It wasn't until
after Seig terminated SBC, that SBC decided to charge Seig for the pump rental. Accordingly,
" Def. Ex. 5.
52 N.T. Day 2 at 43.
53 Stip. of Facts at 12.
54 Stip. of Facts at 2.
12
the Court finds that Seig never agreed to pay for the rental of the pump nor was payment for use
of this pump ever anticipated by either party. Accordingly, the $540.00 claim for the pump
rental is denied.
At issue then is the legitimate amount of money owed to SBC for its framing of the home
prior to the roof truss collapse. Clearly from the record, SBC was not keeping a daily log of its
man hours expended on this project. J. Strickland admits that he did not keep a daily log and
only created the compilation of hours after being terminated and told by Seig's attorney to
provide such an accounting. SBC claims that they spent 505 man hours on the project. In
examining Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 4, this amount of hours includes 50 hours for setting the trusses
which eventually collapsed. Obviously, given SBC's defective workmanship in setting the
trusses they cannot claim reimbursement for these hours. Accordingly, SBC's total claim for
hours is 455 hours.
Seig on the other hand utilizing a construction program on his computer calculated that
given the amount of work done, SBC would have only expended 348 hours. SBC claims labor
costs at $45 an hour based on the rate they normally charge other people for odd jobs that are
done on an hourly basis. 55 Seig maintains that the labor costs should be $33 an hour because
SBC is a nonunion firm and he claims that only union builders would get $45 an hour. Seig's
approach is not persuasive. In essence he admits "builders" do get $45 an hour and since there
was no agreed upon hourly rate, the Court finds that SBC's use of the rate they normally charge
people for hourly projects is reasonable. Accordingly, the Court will compute the labor costs at
$45 an hour.
ss N.T. Day 1 at 41.
13
Again, SBC admits that its written logs of the hours found in Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 4
"weren't meant to be the gospel truth of every day."56 In examining Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 4, the
Court finds that SBC's claim of 60 man hours to set the I-beams and lolly columns and laying
out the sill plate is exaggerated. The Court finds that this work should have been completed in
no more than 30 man hours. The remainder of the time allocated to lay the floor joists, sheet the
deck, frame the exterior and interior walls, and sheet the outside walls does appear reasonable.
Thus subtracting the time spent on setting the trusses (50 hours), and the over estimated time for
setting the I-beams and laying the sill plates (30 hours) reduces SBC's claimed labor hours to
525. In essence, this is within 77 hours of Seig's own estimate. Again, basically considering a 5
man crew which generally worked 10 hour days brings the 2 estimates to within a difference of
only 1 %2 days.
The Court does find from its examination of the photographs and video tapes of the
project (Defendant's Exhibits 11, 12, 17) that SBC did frame the home in a workmanlike
manner. Thus the value of the labor expended by SBC up to the setting of the trusses is 425
hours at $45 an hour for a total of $19,125.00. It is interesting to note that SBC's attorney in his
proposed settlement letter dated February 1, 2006, requested $23,265.00 for "design and framing
labor." Equally important is the fact that the fax from Seig's attorney to Seig dated February 2,
2006, indicates "the amount requested is probably pretty close to what you thought SBC was
owed. ,57 (emphasis added)
DISCUSSION
This case presents the not uncommon scenario of a property owner with some
construction experience choosing to serve as his own general contractor in the construction of his
personal home. Having made the decision to serve as his own general contractor, he needed to
56 N.T. Day 1 at 35.
57 Plaintiff's Ex. 15.
14
find another contractor to do what in the trade is referred to as the "rough framing." This
basically consists of laying the foundation, putting on the floor deck, framing the outside and
inside walls, and putting on the roof. Seig then wanted to control the completion of the inside
work such as dry walling, plumbing, heating, painting, flooring, and carpeting etc. In seeking
such a contractor he found that most contractors did not want to perform just rough framing and
preferred to build the entire home themselves. 58
SBC maintains that it was the "General Contractor," and that it was simply going to
utilize the subcontractors named by Seig to perform the tasks necessary to finish the house. This
appears unlikely in that nothing in the record suggests that SBC even talked to any of the
subcontractors for electric, plumbing, HVAC, insulation, etc. Without such bids and agreements,
it would be impossible for SBC to know the final cost of the project. However, resolution of the
issue as to who really was the "General Contractor" is not necessary to resolve this case given
the fact that SBC was legitimately terminated as Seig's contractor even before the "rough
framing" was complete.
In any regard, the various causes of action to be decided by the Court in this case are as
follows:
1. SBC's claim of breach of contract by Seig (Plaintiff's Complaint, Count I).
2. SBC's claim of unjust enrichment (Plaintiff's Complaint, Count II).
3. Seig's claim of breach of contract (Defendant's Counterclaim, Count I).
4. Seig's claim of violation § 201-2(4)(xvi) of The Unfair Practices and Consumer
Protection Law (UPCPL) (Defendant's Counterclaim, Count II).
5. Westfield's claim of breach of contract (Westfield's Complaint, Count I).
6. Westfield's claim of breach of warranty (Westfield's Complaint, Count II).
58 N.T. Day 2 at 8, 9.
15
7. Westfield's claim of negligence (Westfield's Complaint, Count III).
Based on these causes of action, each party claims damages against the other. The Court
will now discuss the causes of action seriatim.
L Breach of Contract
All parties have claimed in essence that the other breached the construction contract. "A
breach of contract claim in Pennsylvania requires three elements: (1) the existence of a contract
(2) a breach of a duty imposed by the contract and (3) resulting damages." J.F. Walker Co., Inc.
v. Excalibur Oil Group Inc., 792 A.2d 1269, 1272 (Pa. Super. 2002), citing Williams v.
Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 750 A.2d 881, 884 (Pa. Super. 2000). Contrary to SBC's pleadings,
the Court agrees with Defendant Seig that there never was a written construction contract agreed
to by the parties.
This, however, is not fatal to a breach of contract claim. "In cases involving contracts
wholly or partially composed of oral communications, the precise content of which are not of
record, Courts must look to the surrounding circumstance and course of dealing between the
parties in order to ascertain their intent". Refuge Mamt. Sys. v. Consol Recycl Sys., 671 A.2D
1140 (Pa. Super. 1996). An agreement is a valid and binding contract if the parties have
manifested intent to be bound by the agreement's terms, the terms are sufficiently definite, and
there is consideration. Johnston the Florist Inc. v. TEDCO Connt Corp., 657 A.2d 511 (Pa.
Super. 1995).
There is no doubt that there was an oral contract between SBC and Craig Seig that at a
minimum SBC would construct the rough frame of a ranch home pursuant to house plan No.
9812 entitled "The Brownstone" on Seig's property on Longs Gap Road. This would include
building the basement walls, the floor deck, the outside and inside stud walls and the roof,
complete with shingles. Here SBC had completed the foundation for the house and was
16
performing the framing. Seig was adequately satisfied with SBC's performance such that he did
not object to SBC taking the initial draw of $37,500.00.
This Court finds that SBC did breach this contract to frame the home. SBC had a duty
imposed by the contract to install in a workmanlike manner a safe and secure roof truss system.
SBC breached this duty by not installing sufficient temporary bracing during installation of the
roof trusses. As a direct result of this breach, the roof truss system collapsed during a period of
wind gusts. This collapse caused damage to Seig's property. The damage consisted of the
broken roof trusses and some additional, relatively minor damage to the framed walls of the
home. Damages for defective performance of a building contract are determined by the
reasonable cost of correcting the defects. Fetzer v. Vishneski, 582 A.2d 23 (Pa.Super. 1990).
Here the damage cost $19,069.61 to repair and equals the sum paid by Westfield on the
insurance claim ($18,569.61) plus Seig's $500.00 deductible.
In regard to Seig's additional claims of SBC's supposedly deficient work, we find for
SBC. Basically, Seig claims that SBC improperly framed the rough openings for certain
windows and doors, improperly framed the tub space in the small bathroom, and failed to align
the knockout holes in the floor truss joists. Additionally, Seig complained about the way the sill
plate was attached to the steel I-beam and some additional concrete work that was needed to
complete the front porch. In examining Defendant's Exhibit Number 22, Seig claims these
various "deficiencies" resulted in damages amounting to $8,824.54. In a bench trial it is the duty
of the trial Judge to judge credibility of witnesses and to weigh their testimony. Weir b Gasper
v. Estate of Ciao, 556 A.2d 819 (Pa. 1989). In any case, the finder of fact is entitled to weigh the
evidence presented and assess its credibility. The finder of fact is free to believe all, part or none
of the evidence presented. Smith v. Smith, 904 A.2d 15 (Pa.Super. 2006). Here, the Court finds
that the defects claimed by Seig are typical minor problems that a contractor would routinely
17
correct. This Court finds as fact that the additional damages claimed by Seig are not supported
by the evidence and in any regard, did not require $8,824.54 worth of repairs. See, Pittsburgh
Const. Co. v. Griffith, 834 A.2d 572 (Pa.Super. 2003). Accordingly, this claim is denied.
Although SBC made statements to Seig at settlement that the house would be under roof
by Christmas of 2005, SBC is not responsible for the delay in the construction and failure to
meet that date. Seig was responsible for scheduling the excavation. Seig was aware when hiring
SBC, that J. and M. Strickland would both be taking vacation during November. The delay of
the excavation. by Seig resulted in the rescheduling and a subsequent delay in the pouring of the
footers and walls. That delay coupled with the agreed upon vacation of J. and M. Strickland,
caused the delay in the construction of the house and meant that it could not be under roof by
Christmas of 2005 as previously planned. The failure to meet the April 26, 2006 date set by the
Construction Loan Agreement that resulted in a higher end loan rate must be born by Seig.
R Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law
Seig has filed a counterclaim against SBC for violation of the Unfair Trade Practices and
Consumer Protection Law. Specifically Seig maintains that SBC violated §201-2(4)(xvi) of the
UTPCPL. That section reads as follows:
(xvi) Making repairs, improvements or replacements on
tangible real or personal property, of a nature or quality inferior
to or below the standard of that agreed to in writing; (emphasis added)
73 Pa.C.S.A. §201-2(4)(xvi).
Interestingly, in his answer to SBC's complaint, Seig basically maintains that there never
was any written agreement with SBC. However, for the purposes of satisfying the writing
requirement for his UTPCPL violation counterclaim, he maintains that Plaintiff's Exhibit #1 is
the writing in which SBC agreed to construct the home in a manner which would not be inferior
to or below the standard normally expected in such work.
18
As previously stated the work that SBC did on Seig's home up to the point of setting the
roof truss system was satisfactory and done in a good and workmanlike manner. As discussed in
other portions of this opinion, SBC was under a duty and did warrant that it would construct
Seig's home in a reasonable workmanlike manner which would be fit for habitation as a
residential dwelling. However with regard to this counterclaim, under the UTPCPL, the
"standard" must be agreed to in writing. Goldstein v. Bison Bede Ltd., 2009 WL 2710235 (E.D.
Pa. 2009). See also, Com. v. Burns, 663 A.2d 308 at 311 (Pa.Cmwlth. 1995).
An examination of Plaintiff's Exhibit #1 does have a section designated "Design
specifications and standards " Close examination of this portion of the exhibit however says
absolutely nothing about the roof truss system. The only thing mentioned which even applies to
the roof is that SBC would utilize "Elk 30-year architectural shingles."
This Court finds that to prove a violation of §201-2(4)(xvi) of the UTPCPL utilizing
Plaintiff's Exhibit #1 as the "writing," would require, for example that SBC used 2 x 4 lumber in
the exterior construction, rather than the standard stated in the document which called for 2 x 6
lumber for exterior construction. In any regard, the Court finds there was no "standard" agreed
to in writing, and accordingly, Defendant Seig cannot recover for this counterclaim under the
UTPCPL.
III. Breach of Warranty
Westfield, who insured this construction project and is the subrogee of Seig, maintains
that SBC breached their warranty that they would construct the roof truss system in a
workmanlike, merchantable manner, and that the truss system would be fit for the purpose of
supporting the finished roof. In Pennsylvania, the Courts have recognized that a builder, when
contracting with a landowner to construct a residential home on the owner's land, impliedly
warrants that the structure will be erected in workmanlike manner. Groff v. Pete Kingsley Bldg
19
Inc., 543 A.2d 128 (Pa. Super. 1988), In re Gordon Urmson Builder & Sons Inc., 295 B.R. 546
(US Bkrtcy. W.D. Pa. 2003).
The Court finds that SBC, at a minimum, impliedly warranted that their construction
work, including construction of the roof truss system, would be done in a workmanlike manner
and fit for the purpose for which it was intended. SBC, as a home construction company, knew
the particular purpose for which the roof truss system was intended. Seig, as the buyer, relied on
the skill and judgment of SBC to construct the roof truss system, in a manner such that it would
support the home's roof and not fall down.
SBC breached this warranty. The temporary bracing was clearly insufficient and did not
meet with industry standards. Due to this insufficient bracing, the roof truss system collapsed.
Without question this truss system was not constructed in a workmanlike manner. The breach of
this warranty resulted in a loss to Westfield in the amount of 518,569.61.
IV. Negligence
Westfield has filed a claim for negligence. "The prima facie elements of a negligence
cause of action are: (1) a duty or obligation recognized by law; (2) a breach of the duty; (3)
causal connection between the actor's breach of the duty and the resulting injury; and (4) actual
loss or damage suffered by complainant." Cooper v. Frankford Health Care System Inc., 960
A.2d 134 (Pa. Super. 2008). This Court finds that SBC acted negligently in that they failed to
properly install a safe roof truss system for Seig. SBC had both a duty and an obligation during
the construction phase to properly brace the roof truss system in an adequate manner. SBC
breached that duty by disregarding the industry standards and using clearly insufficient bracing
for this roof truss system especially given that it was constructed during the winter season. As a
direct result of this insufficient bracing, the roof truss system collapsed during a period of wind
gusts. This collapse caused damage to Seig's property, which included the fallen and broken
20
roof trusses and some minor damage to the framed walls of the home. This damage resulted in
an actual financial loss to Westfield in the amount of $18,569.61. Therefore, this Court finds
that SBC acted negligently because they had a duty to properly brace and construct the roof truss
system, they breached that duty by providing insufficient bracing, and the breach of the duty
resulted in damage to Seig's property, and an actual financial loss to both Seig and Westfield.
V. Unjust Enrichment
"To sustain a claim of unjust enrichment, a claimant must show that the party against
whom recovery is sought either "wrongfully secured or passively received a benefit that it would
be unconscionable for her to retain." Roman Mosaic & Tile Co., Inc. v. Vollrath, 313 A.2d 305,
307 (Pa. Super. 1973). "In order to recover, there must be both (1) an enrichment, and (2) an
injustice resulting if recovery for the enrichment is denied." Torchia on Behalf of Torchia v.
Torchia, 499 A.2d 581, 582-83 (Pa. Super. 1985). SBC contends that Seig was unjustly enriched
by the labor SBC expended in framing Seig's home before Seig terminated the contract. This
Court finds that Seig was unjustly enriched. Seig has passively received a benefit that would be
unconscionable for him to retain.
Generally speaking the doctrine of unjust enrichment is inapplicable when the
relationship between the parties is founded on a written agreement or express contract. Roman
Mosaic & Tile Co., Inc. v. Vollrath, 313 A.2d 305, at 307 (Pa. Super. 1973). In this case, the
Court has found that initially there was an express oral agreement between Seig and SBC.
However the law does recognize that "where a party justifiably refuses to perform on the ground
that his remaining duties of performance have been discharged by the other party's breach, the
party in breach is entitled to restitution for any benefit that he has conferred by way of part
performance or reliance in excess of the loss that he caused by his own breach." Restatement,
21
2°d, contracts §374. The illustrations provided in §374 of the restatement are remarkably similar
to the fact scenario presented here.
In this case, SBC orally agreed to frame Seig's house. Seig agreed to pay for this work.
Because SBC breached the contract by failing to properly brace the roof trusses causing their
collapse and damage, Seig was justified in terminating the construction contract. SBC has been
held responsible for the loss caused by his own breach in that it must pay Westfield $18,569.61
and Craig Seig his $500.00 deductible on the Westfield policy for the total damages caused by
SBC of $19,069.61.
This Court has determined that SBC expended 425 hours of labor at a value of
$19,125.00. From this sum, the amount of $6,217.23, the amount SBC retained from the initial
$37,500.00 construction draw, must be deducted. Accordingly, the Court awards SBC the sum
of $12,907.77 on its unjust enrichment claim.
Accordingly the following order is entered:
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this I" day of April, 2010, after nonjury trial in the above captioned matter,
the verdict of the Court is as follows:
1. On Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC's claim of breach of contract by Seig
(Plaintiffs Complaint, Count I) the Court finds in favor of Seig and against Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC.
2. On Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC's claim of unjust enrichment (Plaintiff's
Complaint, Count II) the Court finds in favor of Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC and
against Seig and awards the amount of $12,907.77.
22
3. On Seig's claim of breach of contract by Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC,
(Defendant's Counterclaim, Count I) the Court finds in favor of Seig and against Strickland
Brothers Constriction, LLC, and awards damages in the amount of $500.00.
4. On Seig's claim of the violation 73 Pa.C.S.A. §201-2(4)(xvi) of the Unfair Trade
Practices and Consumer Protection Law, (Defendant's Counterclaim Count II), the Court finds in
favor of Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC, and against Seig.
5. On Westfield's claims of (1) breach of contract, (Westfield's Complaint, Count I), (2)
breach of warranty, (Westfield's Complaint, Count II), and (3) negligence (Westfield's
Complaint, Count III), the Court finds in favor of Westfield and against Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC, and awards damages in the amount of 518,569.61.
By the Court,
??l ?AA
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
Mark W. Allshouse, Esq.
Attorney for Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esq.
Paul F. D'Emilio, Esq.
Attorneys for Westfield Insurance Company as Subrogee of Craig Seig
John Pietrzak, Esquire
Attorney for Craig Seig
23
Fri FG-t t-fiICE
OF " PP,MHC+K,7ARy
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
2010 APR 15 PM 2: 41
CUMBEF"ILMD COUNTY
PEWMAN 'IS
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO. 06-2532 Civil Term
: CIVIL ACTION- LAW
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
NO. 08-0423 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF
REQUESTING MODIFICATION OF DECISION
AND NOW comes Plaintiff, Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC by and through its
attorney, Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire and respectfully files this Motion for Post-Trial Relief
Requesting Modification of Decision pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 227.1.
1. Plaintiff, through its counsel, received notice of the filing of a Decision of the
Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County by Honorable Judge M.L. Ebert, Jr., Decision
dated April 1, 2010 via first class mail received by the undersigned on Tuesday, April 6, 2010.
Therefore, this Motion for Post-Trial Relief is being filed within ten (10) days of the notice of the
Decision in this non jury trial matter.
1
2. Plaintiff's Motion for Post-Trial Relief is based upon the evidence and exhibits
presented by Plaintiff at trial and set forth in their Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law
submitted to the trial Court prior to its written Decision.
3. The purpose of this Motion is to request the Court to change paragraph 2 of the
Court's Decision as to Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC's claim of unjust enrichment
(Plaintiff's Complaint, Count II) for the cost of materials.
4. In paragraph 2 the Court found in favor of Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
and against Seig in the amount of Twelve Thousand Nine Hundred Two and 77/100 Dollars
($12,907.77) which amount, according to the Court's Decision, was based upon the Court's
determination as to the "legitimate amount of money owed to SBC for its framing of the home
prior to the roof truss collapse". (Paragraph 1, page 13 of the Court's Decision).
5. Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC is not seeking a modification of the
$12,907.77 amount awarded from the Court representing Strickland Brothers Construction,
LLC's labor costs.
6. However, Plaintiff is requesting a modification in the amount awarded for Unjust
Enrichment to Plaintiff because the Court's Decision fails to address either affirmatively or
negatively Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC's request for an award in unjust enrichment
for the materials purchased and services rendered and utilized in Defendant Craig Seig's home
from Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC for which no payment or reimbursement was
received.
7. The Court correctly found in its Decision that Strickland Brothers Construction,
LLC received the first bank draw in the amount of Thirty-seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars
($37,500) and used Thirty-one Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-two and 77/100 Dollars
($31,282.77) to pay its subcontractors and retained the remaining Six Thousand Two Hundred
Seventeen and 23/100 Dollars ($6,217.23). (Last paragraph, page 12 of the Court's Decision).
8. The Court further found that "thus the value of the labor expended by SBC up to
and setting of the trusses is 425 at $45 an hour for a total of $19,125." (Court's Decision, third
paragraph page 14). Thereafter, the Court credited Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC for
the amount retained from the first draw in determining its final award of unjust enrichment of
$12,907.77 for its labor. The Decision does not address Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC's
additional unreimbursed material costs.
9. Evidence was presented at trial and post-trial that, among other expenses,
Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC paid for the trusses from York PB Truss and the crane to
set those trusses from its own business funds and that payment for those materials was not made
from any portion of the first draw received from Commerce Bank or any other reimbursement.
10. The evidence presented to the Court in support of this proposition is as follows:
a. Stipulation of Fact Nos. 15 and 16 which set forth the amount used from
the first draw and the specific subcontractors paid, which do not include York PB Truss.
b. Stipulation of Fact No. 17 which provides a clear inference that Craig Seig
did not make a claim against Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC for the first set of
trusses hung on the property because he did not pay for them. A copy of the Stipulations
of Fact are attached hereto and made a part hereof as Exhibit "A".
The first page of Plaintiff's Exhibit P3, being a breakdown of costs
incurred by Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC and its calculation as to the amount
that it was due. That breakdown clearly separates materials and subcontractor costs from
labor costs. Subtracting out the subcontractors and materials paid from the first draw,
leaves a deficit representing subcontractors and materials which have not been addressed
in the Court's Decision. For example, from that Exhibit, Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC paid on March 4, 2006 to York PB Truss the amount of Nine
Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty-eight and 16/100 Dollars ($9,758.16) after the date of the
collapse and termination of the agreement by the parties. A copy of the first page of
Plaintiff s Exhibit P3 is attached hereto and made a part hereto as if set forth length for
the Court's reference as Exhibit "B".
d. Verbal evidence was received by this Court and acknowledged in its
Decision that no further draws were received by Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
after the initial draw or after Seig terminated the contract.
Plaintiff s Exhibit 15 (a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit "C")
being the facsimile which the Court references in the bottom of paragraph 2 page 14 of its
Decision which indicates in the third paragraph that Defendant Seig is offering the return
of the trusses for which Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC paid. Moreover, the final
paragraph of that facsimile is a clear acknowledgement by Seig that Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC is responsible for payment of the initial set of trusses which collapsed
on January 21, 2006.
f. Plaintiff s Finding of Fact and Conclusion of Law No. 22 indicates to the
Court that Plaintiff has expended Ten Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety and 04/100
Dollars ($10,890.04) in materials for the construction of Craig Seig's home which
amount does not include Plaintiff s labor and is supported by Exhibits P3 and P4
presented at trial.
4
g. Plaintiff's Finding of Fact No. 64 is consistent with the testimony and
exhibits set forth herein and states that payment of the original truss materials which
collapsed on January 21, 2006 were made by Plaintiff Strickland Brothers Construction,
LLC for which they have not been reimbursed or otherwise compensated. A copy of the
excerpted relevant Findings of Fact are attached hereto and made a part hereof for the
Court's reference as Exhibit "D".
11. The result of the Court's Decision as it now exists is as follows: Strickland
Brothers Construction, LLC, being found negligent and an award for damages to Westfield for
the payment and re-setting of the second set of trusses, has caused Plaintiff to incur and be liable
for twice the damages (paying for two sets of trusses and installation) for a single act of
negligence.
12. The result of the current Decision is that Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC is
required to pay for two sets of trusses for a single act of negligence, is not in direct correlation to
the damages suffered and is more than compensatory.
13. As subrogee, Westfield stands in the shoes of Craig Seig, both having legally
suffered the same damage and the same loss of a single set of trusses.
14. Defendant Craig Seig and his insurance carrier did not suffer two separate
damages and, as such, should not receive separate damages for a single act of negligence.
15. Moreover, the result of the Decision, which requires Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC to pay for both the initial set of trusses and the second set of trusses, is that
Defendant Craig Seig has neither paid the insurance company nor Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC for the trusses currently existing on his home. In effect, he has received free
trusses while Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC has been caused to pay for both.
16. Had Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC completed the work and received the
amount due under the contract, a portion of the amount due for the materials provided would
have been payment for one set of trusses and Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC would have
recouped the value of one set of trusses for which it now must pay.
17. As a result of the Court's Decision, Craig Seig has been unjustly enriched in that
he has retained the use, benefit and value of a set of trusses for which he has not paid.
18. It is believed this was not the Court's intended result as it is contrary to justice
and equity.
19. Plaintiff respectfully requests this Court to reevaluate and reconsider its award of
unjust enrichment and to award Plaintiff the additional amount of materials expended toward the
purchase and installation of the original set of trusses and construction on Seig's home, for which
no reimbursement has been received, in the amount of $10,890.04.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests this Honorable Court to modify its award
of unjust enrichment and to award Plaintiff the amount of $10,890.04 along with any additional
relief the Court may deem just and appropriate.
Respectfully submitted,
Date: 05// o
Park W. Allshous?, Esquire
Attorney I.D. # 78 14
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
Exhibit "A"
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
CRAIG SEIG,
v_
Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 06-2532 CIVIL TERM
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-0423 CIVIL TERM
STIPULATIONS OF FACT
L On September 11, 2005, Jeff Strickland and Craig Seig met at Jeff Strickland's house to
review plans and proposals for construction of a residential home at Lot No. 6, Longs
Gap Road, Carlisle, Pennsylvania and to discuss the scope of each party's work.
2_ During their meeting on September 11, 2005, Craig Seig was advised that both Jeff
Strickland and Matthew Strickland would be taking vacation during November 2005.
3. On September 26, 2005, settlement on the construction. loan to Craig Seig from
Commerce Bank was completed.
4. Craig Seig was responsible for the scheduling of, and retained control over, the
excavation of the foundation for the home through his excavator, Mike Neidig.
5. On November 16, 2005, Peifer Construction began pouring the footers for the foundation.
6. On November 19, 2005, the footers were complete-
7. On November 29, 2005, Peifer Construction began to pour the walls.
8. On December 1, 2005, walls were finished by Peifer Construction.
9. Trusses were set by Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC on January 20, 2006.
10_ The trusses fell on January 21, 2006. The cause of the collapse is in dispute.
11. The trusses fell at or around 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on January 21, 2006.
12_ Strickland Brothers was not invited back on site and did not perform. any work after the
January 26, 2006 notice of termination.
13. Craig Seig's father videotaped the hanging of the trusses on the home. The videotape is
now unavailable for use at trial because it was inadvertently erased.
14. Strickland Bros. received the first construction draw in the amount of $37,500.00.
15. Strickland Bros. used $31,282.77 from the first construction draw to pay its
subcontractors, leaving a balance of $6,217.23, which Strickland Bros. retained.
16_ Strickland Bros. paid the following subcontractors from the first construction draw:
Peifer Const. $5,966.09
Peifer Const. $15,170.79
Trout Foundation $336.96
Clouse $1,291.05
Myers $7,326.07
Myers $906.17
Myers $202.99
Myers $82.65
17. Craig Seig is not seeking recovery from Strickland Bros. for the $16,284.00 cost stated in
Paragraph 45 of his Counterclaim, for having another contractor purchase and set the
second set of trusses.
Exhibit "B"
Register: Craig custom
From 01/01/2006 through 04/17/2006
Sorted by: Date, Type, Number/Ref
Date Ref. Payee
Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
Account Memo
01/06/2006 2274 Clouse Crane Servic... Orrstown Bank [split]
01/06/2006 2275 Peiter Construction, ... Orrstown Bank
01!06/2006 2276 Trout Foundation Sp... Orrstown Bank
01/17/2006 2290 John N. Myers & Son Orrstown Bank [split]
02105/2006 2310 John H. Myers & Son Orrstawm Bank [split]
02/05/2006 2317 Clouse Crane Servic.__ Orrstown Bank [split]
02/08/2006 2323 Wickes Lumber Orrstown Bank [split]
03/04/2006 2352 York PB Truss, Inc Orrstown Bank
In 14 7426
say
4/ 17/2006
Decrease C Increase Balance
1,291.05 1,291.05
21,136.88 22,427.93
336.96 22,764.89
8.517.88 31.282.77
2,291.00 33,573.77
866.55 34,440.32
543.28 34,983.60
9,758.16 44,741.76
" yV7zll. 7G
* 27 -1 ?P5 °`'
so.N
1.<r- ,0,29"1
Ar 37, S00. ''
-?Ar 3v5aG.7G
Page 1
Exhibit "C"
02117V2006 15:19 17177326577
02/02/2008 16:18 PAZ 717 730 ,68
FACSIMILE
MECHANICAL DEPT50:t
READER & A.DLER
To: Crag Seig,
Fax: (?17)732-9208
Re: Respontselsettlement proposal from SAC
Pages: 45 jncluft this cover sheet.
Date:
PAGE 04
?001
Attached please lid a letter ftm SBC's astorney. He has included doma=M Sion showing the
allocation of the original $37,500 draw, showing a credit due to you.on that draw of $6,217.23.
Also included are tmpaid invoicc,% including ono for the ttussea. SBC attacked an invoice fbr
their &wing costs, including time far setting the trusses. SWs invoice does not break the total
tune down w show how much time was iavolved in the ttuse wo&
PIm- se review the documcntadion and go over it with Commerce Bank if necessstyf Let me
know bow you and/or Commerce Bank want to respond.
I placed a call to SRC's ana mey and requested to know whether SBC wanted the ttusscs_ I a tao
called your insw2 mcc comp=y to make sere they didn't have a problem with you disposing of
the trusses or SBC taking View. I have not received a call back ftom either SBC's lawyer or the
insutaace company 3k
The $400 charged so far for Iagal fees included the initial review of decurnews and drafting of
the termination latter to SBC. If you would like us to follow up on this seta email proposal from
SBC, we uri31 geed to bill you at the hourly rates set forth in ow retainer letter.
From ray brief review of the attached letter and documents, If you subtract out ft amount path
for the trusses and the likely amouw of time to set the trusses, the amount requester) is probably
pretty close to what you thought SBC was owed. Please advise haw you would like to proceed.
Please C4 Jvlm Piet zak at (717) 763-1383 if there is sooty problem in izxasadaftsr.
The tntoeagatios cant cee to tuts triellaeslanAe s? tr?asrpdttM Ay as ?tosuey, use
pr4rHa?ed clad to>,t?Aaiisyiobeaidea cab
for tes one oltbe iMMdaaf ereaRtty naneedt skore. Ytehe t+eauaer oitbls maylat?ela awtthe irtenAiOdaaaripiefftyen ame peacDy
aocified ttwlt cry Aston, dt>n?iatsion er eepyrraa of this coaaaana+dasiob If saaid?y Dtot??ikd. trllafo e?ouopaicetlon
has ban r Kved in tmr, ptaare iW=fttatyatoti r ys by tdspMn4 nlitet ff tae r, and ae talc ens oalstatst ?s5ugc m
us At the Owe WS" via the U.S. Pond Sallee (we WM anlmbase Dosanpa),' Thank yon.
From tbG desk of..,
Jobe H. Pietrzak Esquire
Reager & Adler, PC
2331 Market Street
C" EM, FA 17011
717-763-1383
Fax: 717-730-7366
RECEIVED TINE FEB. 17. 3,21PM
Exhibit "D"
17. A bank account was established in the name of Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC for the purpose of receiving construction draws from Commerce
Bank-
18. Payment for materials and labor for the construction of the house was to
be made by Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC to the respective subcontractors,
including Seig and his subcontractors.
19- Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC received the initial draw in the
amount of $37,500. (Stipulation # 14.)
20. From the initial draw, Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC paid
subcontractors for materials and labor provided for the construction of the home in the
amount of $31,282-77 leaving a $6,217-23 balance on the first draw to Defendant.
(Stipulation # 16.)
21- Strickland Brothers have not retained any additional monies nor have they
been paid any additional monies by Seig, despite request.
22. Strickland Brothers have actually paid $48,390.04 out of pocket for
materials and labor actually used or provided in construction of Defendant's home,
leaving a deficit of $10,890.04, which amount does not include Plaintiffs labor for
framing in the amount of $22,725.00_ (See Exhibits P-3 and P-4.)
23. Strickland Brothers were terminated by Defendant by written letter of
January 26, 2006, which letter acknowledged the contract between Plaintiff and
Defendant executed on September 26, 2005. (See Exhibit D-4-)
24. At the time of termination, Strickland Brothers had not been paid for the
work performed in framing the decking and walls of the house, or the cost of labor and
materials for setting of the roof trusses.
25. Plaintiff testified that Plaintiff was required to attempt to reconstruct and
remember the man hours utilized in framing of the subject property and that the amount
requested was not exact, but was Plaintiff's best estimate and based upon Plaintiff s
standard hourly rate.
26. Plaintiff acknowledged that the dates on the reconstructed labor time
estimate were best estimates, but that the amount of time was generally consistent with
the amount of time it would take to frame a house of that size and used as a reference a
similar home of structure and design which had been done several months earlier and
shown to Defendant-
27. Exhibit P-15 confirms that seven days after terminating the Agreement,
Seig and his counsel believed the estimated hours for labor to be "probably pretty close-"
62_ Plaintiff testified that the reason for the shift of responsibility was that
owner was going to use subcontractors with whom Plaintiff was not familiar and would
not insure.
63. There was no evidence presented which contradicted the written statement
that Defendant was required to obtain all insurances.
64. Payment for the original truss materials which collapsed on January 22,
2006 was made by Plaintiff Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC for which they have
not been reimbursed.
B. Conclusions of Law
Pennsylvania Appellate Courts have clearly addressed the issue of whether a contract can
prevent an owner can prevent from pursuing a claim against a contractor or subcontractor for
damage allegedly caused by such subcontractor if the damage is covered by property insurance
which the owner was required to obtain. Jalapenos, LLC v. GRC General Contractor, Inc.; 939
A.2d 925 (Pa. Super. 2007). Typically, the courts in interpreting such provisions looked at the
intent of the parties in allocating risk of the first party property loss. Specifically, courts are
looking for indications that the parties have shifted the risk of first party property loss from one
to the other or from one another to an insurance company. Id.
The courts have stated that "because it is economically insufficient for both parties to
insure against the same risk, the parties' inclusion of an insurance procurement clause indicates
the parties intended to avoid both parties having to face potential liability for the same risk." Id.
The Superior Court in the Jalapenos matter follow closely the reasoning of the Missouri
Court of Appeals case of Nodaway Valley Bank v. E.L. Crawford Construction, Inc., 126 S.W.
3d 820 (Mo. App. 2004). In reviewing that case, the Jalapenos Court noted that if the parties had
a intent contrary than to relieve each other from liability and look only to one insured to bear the
risk, then each party would be responsible for obtaining their own insurance policies and it
would be unnecessary for the contract to indicate a duty to obtain insurance covering both
parties' interests on one of the parties- The court further noted that several cases have reached
the same conclusion that parties may contract away the risk of first party property loss relying
upon the presence of an insurance procurement clause alone, without the need for additional
language, such as a subrogation of waiver clause-
While there is a clear distinction between the complex AIA form contract as set forth in
the Jalapenos case and the simple statement that Defendant Seig is to obtain all insurances, the
reasoning of the Jalapenos Court and the unambiguous indication that there was a clear intention
to shift the risk of loss from one party to the other i.s present in the instant matter. Clearly,
because both parties agreed that Craig Seig as owner would be performing work on the property,
the intention of the parties was to shift the normal burden from Strickland Brothers to Seig. That
shift and clause requiring Seig to obtain all insurances, having knowledge of the building
industry and insurances necessary, was executed by Seig on the date of closing showing his
15
agreement therefore. As a result, it is Seig's insurance that must bear the loss, even the specific
loss contemplated. Seig has acknowledged that he was to carry insurance to cover other losses,
such as vandalism or loss by fire, during the course of construction of the project. A loss by
wind gust is no different. As such, it is Craig Seig and his insurance company who bear the loss
alleged. In the event makes a determination that there was negligence as alleged by Seig and
Westfield, their right to recovery is barred because the allocation of risk of loss is present within
the written agreement of the parties. As a result, both Craig Seig and Westfield's claim of
damages for lost trusses must be denied.
In the alternative, in the event the Court does not follow Plaintiff's legal argument with
regard to subrogation as set forth above, it should be noted that Plaintiff has already paid for the
original set of trusses which were placed on the Seig residence and have not been reimbursed
therefore. While Craig Seig was provided money to purchase new trusses from his insurance
company, he never paid Plaintiff for the original set. As a result, even if Plaintiff is found liable,
the insurance company may only look to their insured for recovery. Plaintiff has already paid for
a set of trusses.
The undersigned believes that there is no theory of law which would entitle Westfield
Insurance Company to collect additional monies from Strickland Brothers Construction for a
second set of trusses unless they have been paid by Seig. Otherwise, the result would be to
double charge Plaintiff for trusses while Defendant Seig has never paid for any trusses used to
build his home. While a cause of action may arise where Plaintiff is responsible for the damages
caused for replacement of the original set of trusses, that replacement responsibility is contingent
upon Plaintiff having been paid for that original set- Craig Seig has a home which has been
constructed with trusses, but has not, to date, paid a cent out of pocket to either Strickland
Brothers Construction or Westfield Insurance Company for those trusses. Clearly, the Court's
remedy in this matter must address the fact that Craig Seig is not entitled to "free" trusses and
that his payment responsibility for materials used in the construction of his house must be
addressed either to Strickland Brothers or Westfield Insurance-
Respectfully submitted,
f> ?7 ?
Date
Mark W. Allshouse?Esquire
/'Attorney ID ## 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC
16
STRICKLAND BROTHERS IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V. NO. 06-2532 Civil Term
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing has been duly served upon the following, by
depositing a copy of the same in the United States Mail, first-class, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
The Honorable M.L. Ebert, Jr.
Cumberland County Courthouse
One Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
John H. Pietrzak, Esquire
REAGER & ADLER
2331 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4642
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
905 West Sproul Road
Suite 105
Springfield, PA 19064
Date: 4115110
Respectfully submitted,
ark . Allshouse, E ui
Atty. I.D. # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Sherman Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
1D?0 fl pry( ?d 4 !? ?3
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
"'cn?rlaa,.1a 199L
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO. 06-2532 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION- LAW
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
NO. 08-0423 Civil Term J'
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NOTICE OF APPEAL
Notice is hereby given that Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC, Plaintiff above-named
to Civil Action 2006-2532 and Defendant above-named to Civil Action 2008-0423, hereby
appeals to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania from the original Order entered on April 1, 2010 in
the above matter, which was consolidated for trial. This Order has been entered in the docket as
evidenced by the attached copy of the docket entry.
Respectfully submitted,
Date:
/b
ark W. Allshouse, squire
Attorney I.D. # 78044
4833 Spring Road
Sherman Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
ID
e'rp ? sW?y up 416
04 -aSS,t
C
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2532 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION- LAW
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
NO. 08-0423 Civil Term
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
REQUEST FOR TRANSCRIPT
A Notice of Appeal having been filed in this matter, the Official Court Reporter is hereby
Ordered to produce, certify and file the transcript in this matter conforming with Rule 1922 of the
Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Respectfully submitted,
Date:
ark W. Allsho e, Esquire
Attorney I.D. # 014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page 1
Civil Case Print
2006-02532 STRICKLAND BROTHERS CONST (vs) SEIG CRAIG
Reference No..: Filed........: 5/05/2006
Case Type ..... : COMPLAINT
Jud
00
ment Time.........:
E
ti
D 9:54
g
......: . xecu
on
ate 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: EBERT M L JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments --------- Higher Crt 1.:
Higher Crt 2.:
General Index Attorney Info
STRICKLAND BROTHERS PLAINTIFF ALLSHOUSE MARK W
CONSTRUCTION LLC
623 CREEK ROAD
CARLISLE PA 17013
SEIG CRAIG DEFENDANT
CLO JOHN H PIETRZAK ESQUIRE
REEAGER & ADLER 2331 MARKET ST
CAMP HILL PA 17011 4642
116 WINCHESTER GARDEN A
APARTMENTS
CARLISLE PA 17013
* Date Entries
- FIRST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
5/05/2006 COMPLAINT - CIVIL ACTION
-------------------------------------------------------------------
5/10/2006 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE - COMPLAINT - BY MARK W ALLSHOUSE ATTY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
6/01/2006 DEFENDANT'S ANSWER WITH NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM - BY JOHN H
PIETRZAK ATTY
-------------------------------------------------------------
6/09/2006 PLFF'S-REPLY-TO DEFT'S NEW MATTER AND ANSWER TO COUNTERCLAIM- - -BY- -
MARK W ALLSHOUSE ATTY FOR PLFF
-------------------------------------------------------------------
6/19/2006 PRAECIPE TO ATTACH THE OMITTED EXHIBIT "B" TO DEFT'S ANSWER WITH
NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM TO PLFF'S COMPLAINT - BY JOHN H
PIETRZAK ATTY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1/17/2008 PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR TRIAL - BY MARK W ALLHOUSE ATTY FOR
PLFF
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1/23/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 1/23/08 IN RE: NON JURY TRIAL IN THE ABOVE
REFERENCES CASE HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TO THIS COURT - PRIOR TO SETTING
AN ACTUAL TRIAL DATE - HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT THE
PARTIES IN THIS CASE FILE A PRETRIAL MEMORANDUM WITH THE COURT ON
OR BEFORE 2/13/08 IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT 1- A CONCISE
STATEMENT O FACTUAL ISSUES TO BE DECIDED AT TRIAL 2- A LIST OF
WITNESSES THE PARTY INTENDS TO CALL AT TRIAL ALONG WITH A CONCISE
STATEMENT OF THEIR ANTICIPATED TESITMONY 3- A LIST OF ALL
EXHIBITS EACH PARTY ANTICIPATES PRESENTING AT TRIAL 4- A
STATEMENT OF ANY LEGAL ISSUES EACH PARTY ANTICIPATES BEINGJ RAISED
AT TRIAL ALONG WITH COPIES OF ANY CASES WHICH MAY BE RELEVANT TO
RESOLUTION OF THE STATED ISSUE 5- AN ESTIMATE OF THE
ANTICIPATED TIME NEEDED FOR THE PARTY TO PRESENT ITS CASE - UPON
RECEIPT AND REVIEW OF THESE MEMORANDUMS THE COURT WILL SET A TRIAL
DATE FOR THIS CASE - BY M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 1/23/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2/13/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 2/12/08 IN RE: THE COURT HAVING BEEN ADVISED THAT
ANOTHER SUIT HAS BEEN FILED BY WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY WHICH
MAY NEED TO BE CONSOLIDATED WITH THE ABOVE CAPTIONED MATTER - IT
IS HERBEY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT THIS COURT'S PREVIOUS ORDER OF
1/23/08 IS RECINDED - IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT A
STATUS CONFERENCE ON THIS CASE TO INCLUDE COUSNEL REPRESENTING
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY WILL BE HELD ON 4/29/08 AT 3:30 PM IN
CR5 OF THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURTHOUSE - BY M L EBERT JR J -
COPIES MAILED 2/13/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4/30/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 4/29/08 - AFTER STATUS CONFERENCE WITH COUNSEL
PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page
,, Civil Case Print
2006-02532 STRICKLAND BROTHERS CONST (vs) SEIG CRAIG
Reference No... Filed......... 5/05/2006
Case Type ..... : COMPLAINT Time..... 9.54
Judgment. .....: .00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Ass igned: EBERT M L JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
--------- --- Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.:
Hi her Crt 2.:
AND IT APPEARING THAT ALL PARTIES AGREE TO CONSOLIDATION OF THESE
CASES FOR TRIAL - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT A- ALL
DISCOVERY IN THESE CASES WILL BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE 7/30/08
B- PRE TRIAL MOTIONS IN THIS MATTER SHALL BE FILED AND THE MOTIONS
SET DOWN FOR ARGUMENT ON OR BEFORE 8/14/08 ARGUMENT OF ANY PRE
TRIAL MOTIONS WIL BE HELD AT
ARGUMENT COURT ON 9/3/08 C- ALL
PARTIES WILL FILE A PRE TRIAL MEMORANDUM WITH THE COURT ON OR
BEFORE 9/25/08 IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT 1- A CONCISE STATEMENT OF
FACTUAL ISS
E
U
S TO BE DECIDED AT TRIAL 2- A LIST OF WITNESSES
THE PARTY INTENDS TO CALL AT TRIAL ALONG WITH A CONCISE STATEMENT
OF THEIR ANTICIPATED TESTIMONY 3- A LIST OF ALL EXHIBITS EACH
PARTY ANTICIPATES PRESENTING AT TRIAL 4- A STATEMENT OF ANY
LEGAL ISSUES EACH PARTY ANTICIPATES BEING RAISED AT TRIAL ALONG
WITH COPIES OF ANY CASES WHICH MAY BE RELEVANT TO RESOLUTION OF
THE STATED ISSUE 5- AN ESTIMATE OF THE ANTICIPATED TIME NEEDED
FOR HE P
TRIAL
TER
T
Y
0
S
T
T
O
H
WILL
AT
9:00
AM
ON
10/3/08 IN CR5 CUMBER
LAND
BE HELD
COUNTY
COURTHOUSE - BY M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 4/30/08
10/06/2008 -------------------------------------------------------------------
ORDER OF COURT - 10%6/08 - AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF TESTIMONY IN THE
NON JURY TRIA
L IN THIS MATER IS APPEARS THAT POSSIBLE 2 MORE DAYS
WILL BE NEEDED - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT THE
CONTINUATION OF THE NON JURY TRIAL WILL BE HELD ON 2/18/09 AT 9:00
AM AND 2/20/09 AT 9
00 AM
:
IN CR5 CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURTHOUSE - BY
M L E
ER
B
JR J - COPIES MAILED 10/6/08
4/01/2010 -----------------------------------------------------------------
OPINION AND ORDER OF COURT DATED 04-01-10 IN RE NON JURY TRIAL -
VERDICT OF THE COURT AFTER THE NONJURY TRIAL - BY THE COURT ML
EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 04-01-2010
4/15/2010 -------------------------------------------------------------------
MOTION FOR POST TRIAL RELIEF REQUSTING MODIFICATION OF DECISION -
BY MARK W ALLHOUSE ATTY FOR PLFF
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - LAST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2
********************************************************************************
* Escrow Information
* Fees & Debits Bed*Bal***Py*mts/Adl End Bal
******************************** **** ****** *******************************
COMPLAINT 35.00 35.00 .00
TAX ON CMPLT .50 .50 .00
SETTLEMENT 5.00 5.00 .00
AUTOMATION 5.00 5.00 .00
JCP FEE 10.00 10.00 .00
SUBPOENA 12.00 12.00 .00
PRAECIPE TRIAL 25.00 25.00 .00
SUBPOENA 24.00 24.00 .00
SUBPOENA 18.00
-------------- 18.00
-- .00
134.50 -------- ---
134.50 ---------
.00
********************************************************************************
* End of Case Information
********************************************************************************
TRUE COPY FROM RECORD
M Testimony whemd. i here unto set my hind
end tlw,? of "M Court at ?P? ,
Thta r(?.d?gf at ?
C.
PYSSll Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page 1
Civil Case Print
2008-00423 WESTFIELD INSURANCE CO (vs) STRICKLAND BROS CONSTRUCTION
Reference No... Filed......... 1/18/2008
Case Type ..... : COMPLAINT Time...... .
Jud
00 E
ti
D
ment 12:27
g
......: . xecu
on
ate 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: EBERT M L JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ---- --------- Higher Crt 1.:
Higher Crt 2.:
********************************************************************* ***********
General Index Attorney Info
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY PLAINTIFF D'EMILIO PAUL F
SUB
P O BOX 5001
WESTFIELD CENTER OH 44251 5001
SEIG CRAIG PLAINTIFF D'EMILIO PAUL F
STRICKLAND BROTHERS DEFENDANT
CONSTRUCTION LLC
621 CREEK ROAD
CARLISLE PA 17013
********************************************************************************
* Date Entries
FIRST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - -
1/18/2008 COMPLAINT FILED BY PAUL F D'EMILIO ESQ FOR PLFF
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1/24/2008 SHERIFF'S FILE RETURNED FILED.
LitiganLppe: STTRICKILAND& yyppNOTICE Ret BROTHERS CONSTRUCTIONR ggLLClar
Address..: 623 CREEK ROAD
CtY/St/Z . CARLISLE, PA 17013
Hnd To: BREE HARVEY, SECRETARY, ADULT IN CHARGE
Shf/D ty.: MARK CONKLIN
Date Time: 01/23/2008 0900:00
Costs....: $32.80 Pd By: PAUL E'EMILIO 01/24/2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2/13/2008 DEFENDANT'S ANSWER WITH NEW MATTER - BY MARK W ALLSHOUSE ATTY FOR
DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2/13/2008 COMPLAINT JOINING ADDITIONAL DEFT CRAIG SEIG PURSUANT OT
PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 2229 - BY MARK W ALLHOUSE
ATTY FOR DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
2/13/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 2/12/08 IN RE: THE COURT HAVING BEEN ADVISED THAT
ANOTHER SUIT HAS BEEN FILED BY WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY WHICH
MAY NEED TO BE CONSOLIDATED WITH THE ABOVE CAPTIONED MATTER - IT
IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT THIS COURT'S PREVIOUS ORDER OF
1/23/08 REQUIRING THAT THE PARTIES FILE PRETRIAL MEMORANDUM WITH
THE COURT ON OR BEFORE 2/13/08 IS RESCINDED - IT IS FURTHER ORDERD
AND DIRECTED THAT A STATUS CONFERENCE ON THIS CASE TO INCLUDE
COUNSEL REPRESENTING WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY WILL BE HELD ON
4/29/08 AT 3:30 PM IN CR5 CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURTHOUSE - BY M L
EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 2/13/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3/06/2008 ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE - COMPLAINT JOINING ADDITIONAL DEFENDANT
CRAIG SEIG - BY JOHN H PIETZRAK ESQ FOR DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3/11/2008 ANSWER AND NEW MATTER OF CRAIG SEIG ADDITIONAL DEFT TO THE
COMPLAINT JOINING ADDITIONAL DEFT FILED BY STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION LLC - JOHN H PIETRZAK ATTY FOR ADDITIONAL DEFT CRAIG
SEIG
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3/20/2008 DEFENDANT'S REPLY TO ADDITIONAL DEFT'S NEW MATTER - BY MARK W
ALLHHOUSE ATTY FOR DEFT STRICKLAND BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION LLC
------------------------------------------------------------------
4/30/2008 ORDER OF COURT --4/29/08 - AFTER STATUS CONFERENCE WITH COUNSEL
AND IT APPEARING THAT ALL PARTIES AGREE TO CONSOLIDATION OF THESE
CASES FOR TRIAL - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT A- ALL
DISCOVERY IN THESE CASES WILL BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE 7/30/08
B- PRETRIAL MOTIONS IN THIS MATTER SHALL BE FILED AND THE MOTIONS
PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page
Civil Case Print
2008-00423 WESTFIELD INSURANCE CO (vs) STRICKLAND BROS CONSTRUCTION
Reference No..: Filed........: 1/18/2008
Case Tye.....: COMPLAINT Time.........: 12:27
Judgmenpt..... : .00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: EBERT M L JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt l.:
Higher Crt 2.:
SET DOWN FOR ARGUMENT ON OR BEFORE 8/14/08 ARGUMENT OF ANY
PRETRIAL MOTIONS WILL BE HELD AT ARGUMENT COURT ON 9/3/08 C- ALL
PARTIES WILL FILE A PRETRIAL MEMORANDUM WITH THE COURT ON OR
BEFORE 9/25/08 IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT 1- A CONCISE STATEMENT OF
FACTUAL ISSUES TO BE DECIDED AT TRIAL 2- A LIST OF WITNESSES THE
PARTY INTENDS TO CALL AT TRIAL ALONG WITH A CONCISE STATEMENT OF
THEIR ANTICIPATED TESTIMONY 3- A LIST OF ALL EXHIBITS EACH PARTY
ANTICIPATES PRESENTING AT TRIAL 4- A STATEMENT OF ANY LEGAL
ISSUES EACH PARTY ANTICIPATES BEING RAISED AT TRIAL ALONG WITH
COPIES OF ANY CASES WHICH MAY BE RELEVANT TO RESOLUTION OF THE
STATED ISSUE 5- AN ESTIMATE OF THE ANTICIPATED TIME NEEDED
FOR THE PARTY TO PRESENT ITS CASE - D- TRIAL OF THIS MATTER
WILL BE HELD AT 9:00 AM ON 10/3/08 IN CR5 CUMBERLAND COUNTY
COURTHOUSE - BY M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 4/30/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10/06/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 10/6/08 - AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF TESTIMONY IN THE
NON JURY TRIAL IN THIS MATTER IT APPEARS THAT POSSIBLY 2 MORE DAYS
WILL BE NEEDED - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT THE
CONTINUATION AM IN TRIAL WILL BE HELD
COUNTY 2/18UR/09 AT 9:00
- BY
M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 10/6/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4/01/2010 OPINION AND ORDER OF COURT DATED 04-01-10 AFTER A NONJURY TRIAL
THE VERDICT OF THE COURT - ML EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 04-01-10
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4/15/2010 MOTION FOR POST TRIAL RELIEF REQUESTING MODIFICAITON OF DECISION -
BY MARK W ALLSHOUSE ATTY FOR PLFF
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - LAST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
2
********************************************************************************
* Escrow Information
* Fees & Debits Beq*Bal***Pmts/Adl End Bal
******************************** **** ****** *******************************
COMPLAINT 55.00 55.00 .00
TAX ON CMPLT .50 .50 .00
SETTLEMENT 8.00 8.00 .00
AUTOMATION 5.00 5.00 .00
JCP FEE 10.00
--------------- 10.00
- .00
78.50 -------- ---
78.50 ---------
.00
* End of Case Information
********************************************************************************
TRUE COPY FROM RECORD
M Testimony whored,1 ton unto set nW hwW
ow do 4,o of said Court??l? at `caffleft. Pa.
,
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 5824006
Attorney for Plaintiff
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO, 06-2532 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION- LAW
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO. 08-0423 Civil Term
: CIVIL ACTION -LAW
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that on the date indicated below, I caused the foregoing
Notice of Appeal, by U.S. Mail to the following persons, addressed as follows:
Court Administrator
Cumberland County Courthouse
One Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Official Court Reporter
Cumberland County Courthouse
One Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
The Honorable M.L. Ebert, Jr.
Cumberland County Courthouse
One Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
905 West Sproul Road
Suite 105
Springfield, PA 19064
John H. Pietrzak, Esquire
REAGER & ADLER
2331 Market Street
J Camp Hill, PA 17011-4642
?I/?Q
Date:
A ;ark W. Allshous Esquire
AI.D. # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
STRICKLAND BROTHERS IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYIRAIIM
Plaintiff 7) x
NO. 06-2532 CIVIL TERM fl" `r'
C_.
n
CRAIG SEIG, CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant a, -<
WESTFIELD INSURANCE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COMPANY AS SUBROGEE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff /
NO. 08-0423 CIVIL TERM ?
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 21st day of April, 2010, the Court being in receipt of a notice of
appeal in the above captioned matter,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that:
1. Plaintiffs file a concise statement of the errors complained of on
before May 12, 2010;
2. The Statement shall be filed of record;
3. The Statement shall be served on this Court pursuant to Pa.R.A.:
1925(b) (1);
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND DIRECTED that any issue not properly
included in the Statement shall be deemed waived.
By the Court,
?0' ??A
M. L. Ebert, Jr.,
?Mark W. Allshouse, Esq.
Attorney for Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
,,-Va'ul M. Schofield, Jr., Esq.
Paul F. D'Emilio, Esq.
Attorneys for Westfield Insurance Company as Subrogee of Craig Seig
hn Pietrzak, Esquire
Attorney for Craig Seig
bas
C.OPt eyt.,7l LcC
s?
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
PLAINTIFF
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
DEFENDANT
NO. 06-2532 CIVIL
WESTFILED INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
P.O. BOX 5001
WESTFIELD CENTER, OH 44251-5001
PLAINTIFF
V. t7
r- r.,
Ca
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC.,
621 CREEK ROAD c`;; ` tra C
CARLISLE, PA 17013 - '
DEFENDANT NO. 08-0423 CIVIL `? -
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 30th day of April, 2010, upon consideration of Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC's Motion for Post Trial Relief requesting Modification of Decision,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that the Motion is DENIED.
By the Court,
,- Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
John H. Pietrzak, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
Attorney for Westfield Insurance Company
Court Administrator Sf/?O
bas /
'SC 3 0 /c?
N\'-?? ?3A
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J
LED-i ski
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
2010 MAY 10 AM 10: 30
P1r{N"JIG 61AN 4.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2532 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION- LAW
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG, : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V. : NO. 08-0423 Civil Term ?
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant CIVIL ACTION -LAW
CONCISE STATEMENT OF MATTERS
COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL
AND NOW, comes the appellant, Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC by and through
its attorney, Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire, and in support of its Notice of Appeal and as directed
by the Court's Order of April 21, 2010, files the following Concise Statement of Matters
Complained of on Appeal and avers as follows:
1. The Court erred in failing to award Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC any
compensation for materials purchased by Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC and utilized in
the construction of the home of Defendant, Craig Seig as set forth in Count II of Plaintiff s
Complaint for unjust enrichment against Craig Seig. The issue of compensation for materials is
not addressed in the Court's Order/Opinion.
1
2. The Court awarded damages to Plaintiff, Westfield Insurance Company as
subrogee to Craig Seig for trusses damaged pursuant to Westfield's claim for breach of contract
and negligence.
3. The result of the Court's Order/Opinion as set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 above
was contrary to its own findings and reasoning but reaches a result which represents a clear error
of law for the following reasons:
a. Un-contradicted evidence was presented that Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC spent Ten Thousand Eight Hundred Ninety and 04/100 Dollars
($10,890.04) of its own money, not from the initial draw, for the purchase of the original
set of trusses which were utilized in the construction of Craig Seig's home, for which it
was never paid or reimbursed by Craig Seig and for which it was never awarded
compensation pursuant to its Unjust Enrichment count (Count II) by the Court.
b. By failing to award compensation for Strickland Brothers Construction,
LLC's materials under its Unjust Enrichment Count, and as a result of being ordered to
pay Westfield Insurance for a second set of trusses, Strickland Brothers Construction,
LLC has paid for two sets of trusses to be placed on the Seig residence when it was only
found liable for damage to one set of trusses.
C. Westfield, as a subrogee of Craig Seig, is not entitled to any more
damages than would Craig Seig be entitled, namely one set of trusses.
4. The result of the Court's findings and award is to require Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC to pay double the amount of damages incurred as compensatory damages
when only a single breach of contract/act of negligence was awarded to Westfield and Seig's
award we for breach of contract was limited to $500 represented Seig's deductible.
2
5. Furthermore, the Court's findings and award results in receipt by Craig Seig
of a free set of trusses which are installed on his home for which he has never paid, e.g. in Craig
Seig being unjustly enriched. The unjust enrichment is not connected to the damaged trusses; it
is determined by the fact Seig received free trusses as a result of the award in favor of Westfield.
Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC's obligation to Seig was to replace the damaged trusses
and Westfield as Seig's subrogee received that benefit. Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
fulfilled its obligation to pay for good trusses to be placed on the home, but in turn never
received compensation for the material costs it would have received had Seig not terminated the
construction contract, resulting in Seig receiving free trusses and Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC not being paid for materials used in the construction of Seig's home.
Respectfully submitted,
f
Date: r
k W. Allshouse, ?qui:
mey I.D. # 7801
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Sherman Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO. 06-2532 Civil Term
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant
: CIVIL ACTION- LAW
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO. 08-0423 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing has been duly served upon the following:
by depositing a copy of the same in the United States Mail, first-class, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
905 West Sproul Road
Suite 105
Springfield, PA 1906
Theodore A. Adler
REAGER & ADLER
2331 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-46424
By service in person to the office of the below named on the date of filing:
The Honorable M.L. Ebert, Jr
Cumberland County Courthouse
One Courthouse Square Carlisle, PA 17013
Date: ;5jlol/D f
T rk W. Allsho, Esquire
tty. I.D. # 780141
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
i W
STRICKLAND BROTHERS IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
NO. 06-2532 CIVIL TERM
V.
CRAIG SEIG, CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COMPANY AS SUBROGEE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff n
NO. 08-0423 CIVIL TERM ? c ;
V. :
STRICKLAND BROTHERS CIVIL ACTION - LAW"
CONSTRUCTION, LLC, `:.
Defendant ?.
IN RE: OPINION PURSUANT TO PA. R.A.P. 1925
Ebert, Jr., J., May 27, 2010 -
Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC, (hereinafter SBC), has filed this timely appeal
from our Order of Court dated April 1, 2010. SBC filed a Concise Statement of Matters
Complained of on Appeal on May 10, 2010. Basically, SBC claims that the Court committed
error in failing to award them compensation for the roof trusses they paid for which were
damaged and replaced by Westfield Insurance Company (hereinafter Westfield). In essence,
they maintain that they are owed $10,890.04 and that to not award them this sum constitutes
unjust enrichment of the homeowner, Craig Seig (hereinafter Seig).
This Court previously filed a 23 page opinion on April 2, 2010, which addresses the legal
issues presented in this case at length. This opinion is filed pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) to
i•
supplement the prior April 1, 2010 opinion and more specifically addresses the specific issue
raised in SBC's Concise Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal.
Supplemental Facts
Defendant maintains that there is "uncontradicted evidence" that Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC, paid $10,890.04 to purchase a set of roof trusses for use in the construction
of Craig Seig's home. This sum is not included in the Stipulation of Facts submitted by the
parties (Court Exhibit No. 1), nor is it the amount testified to by Morris Jeffrey Strickland
(hereinafter J. Strickland) at trial. J. Strickland testified that the amount paid to York P-B Truss,
Inc., the company that provided the trusses, was $9,758.16. (N.T. Day 1, p. 31). An examination
of the coversheet of Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 3 indicates that York P-B Truss, Inc. was paid
$9,758.16, but the actual invoice from York P-B Truss, Inc., included in Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 3
indicates a grand total of $9,578.16. Thus, it appears that the numbers 7 and 5 were transposed
on the coversheet.
Additionally, by way of explanation, SBC may have included the cost for the crane
service and box truss spacers used to set the trusses in their total amount requested. Plaintiff's
Exhibit No. 3 does have an invoice from Clouse Services Inc., dated 1/24/06 in the amount of
$866.55 for crane services on January 20, 2009, and box truss spacers. This invoice is marked
"not paid yet" as is the invoice from York P-B Truss, Inc. However, adding this sum to the
actual cost of the trusses still comes to only $10,444.71. In any regard, given the fact that this
Court finds that SBC is not entitled to an award for unjust enrichment for the trusses, the
discrepancy in the amount requested is irrelevant.
Seig contracted with Westfield to provide property damage coverage during the
construction of his home. Accordingly, as a result of SBC's negligence in improperly setting
and bracing the roof trusses they collapsed. Westfield was obligated to pay Seig for the damage
2
I
and became subrogee to any claim Seig had against SBC. Equally compelling is the fact that
SBC had its own insurance policy. According to the testimony of J. Strickland, SBC never filed
a claim for the damaged trusses with its own insurer. (N.T. Day 1, p. 62, Defense Exhibit 2)
While SBC did pay for the first set of trusses and utilize labor to set them, neither Seig
nor Westfield received any benefit as a result of these expenditures. Indeed because of SBC's
negligent work, the trusses collapsed and were damaged and rendered unusable. They were
removed from the home and piled on the building lot until they were taken from the lot by
Fulmer Construction Services, Inc. as part of the insurance claim. This Court finds as fact that
Seig was not "unjustly" enriched.
DISCUSSION
This Court has awarded SBC the sum of $12,907.77 for the satisfactory work it
preformed in framing Seig's house. SBC is not entitled to a claim of unjust enrichment for the
money and labor it expended on the first set of trusses. Westfield paid Seig for the damages
caused by SBC under a separate contract of insurance as a result of SBC's negligent installation
of Seig's home's roof truss system.
Stating the elements of unjust enrichment in terms of this case, SBC must demonstrate
that (1) a benefit was conferred upon Seig by SBC, (2) appreciation of the benefit by Seig, and
(3) acceptance and retention of the benefit by Seig under such circumstances that would be
inequitable for Seig to retain the benefit without payment of value. Stoeckinger v. Presidential
Financial Corp., 948 A.2d 828 (Pa. Super. 2008). Whether the unjust enrichment doctrine
applies depends on the unique factual circumstances of each case. The most significant element
of the doctrine of unjust enrichment is whether the enrichment of the Defendant is unjust. Id.
In this case, SBC's purchase of the first set of trusses and its subsequent negligent
destruction of those trusses conferred no benefit upon Seig. Obviously, Seig could not
appreciate any benefit because none was conferred. What Seig saw as a result of SBC's
negligent work was a pile of damaged trusses which were of absolutely no value to him. This
Court finds that under the doctrine of unjust enrichment, the equities in this unique case lie with
homeowner Seig. Seig was paid by his insurance company, Westfield, for the damages caused
by SBC's negligent work. SBC obviously owes Westfield for the damages it paid to Seig as
subrogee of the claim. If SBC was entitled to anything it was the pile of damaged trusses that
remained on Seig's lot after they were removed from the house. SBC obviously did nothing to
claim them. Interestingly, J. Strickland admitted that he was insured by Erie Insurance Company
and that he did not submit his own claim on behalf of SBC for the damaged trusses. (N.T. Day
1, p. 62, Defense Exhibit 2).
Unjust enrichment is an equitable doctrine under Pennsylvania Law. In re: Reading
Broadcasting, Inc., 390 B.R. 532 (E.D. Pa. 2008). In this case, Seig was definitely not unjustly
enriched by anything that SBC did with regard to the roof truss construction. If anything, Seig
was actually harmed by the emotional trauma of seeing his new home damaged and the delay in
completion caused by SBC's negligent and un-workmanlike performance. Accordingly, SBC's
claim for unjust enrichment is denied.
By the Court,
M. L. Ebert, Jr., ; J.
Mark W. Allshouse, Esq.
Attorney for Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
,,"T?a'ul M. Schofield, Jr., Esq.
Paul F. D'Emilio, Esq.
Attorneys for Westfield Insurance Company as Subrogee of Craig Seig
/John Pietrzak, Esquire
Attorney for Craig.Seig
0-6? t r Or"Ut' L'r'(
4
s'1-12 / !D
?r?'1
Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney ID # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
FILEC)-a? =iC,E A
t1F THE Poi r`;r ? \101A 1
2010 JUN -1 PM 1: "
P81?1NSYLVAN
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2532 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION- LAW
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
NO. 08-0423 Civil Term
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF FINAL JUDGMENT
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
Kindly enter final judgment in the above-referenced matters pursuant to Judge Ebert's
Order of April 1, 2010 and the Court's April 30, 2010 denial of Plaintiff's Request for Post-Trial
Relief.
vv)?
Date: (4iPcwo
Mark W. Allshous , Esquire
Atty. 1. D. # 7801
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
*14.0o PQ Arrrrt
C* 1101
??a?aga3
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
APPEAL TO THE PENNSYLVANIA
SUPERIOR COURT
DOCKET NO. 674 MDA 2010
CIVIL ACTION- LAW
APPEAL TO THE PENNSYLVANIA
SUPERIOR COURT
DOCKET NO. 674 MDA 2010
CIVIL ACTION -LAW
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing has been duly served upon the following by
depositing a copy of the same in the United States Mail, first-class, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
905 West Sproul Road
Suite 105
Springfield, PA 19064
Thomas O. Williams, Esquire
REAGER & ADLER
2331 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011-4642
Date.
ark W. Allshouse,?quire
)ftty. I.D. # 78014
4833 Spring Road
Shermans Dale, PA 17090
(717) 582-4006
Attorney for Plaintiff
VS.
-
bAae S l ?Q:C? RLV11l??
C
In the Court of Common Pleas of
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
OY
Civil.
No.
To Prothonotary
19 /
-14
Atto ney for Plaintiff
No. Term, 19
VS.
PRAECIPE
Filed 19
Atty.
? N
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2532 CIVIL TERM
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
Defendant
WESTFIELD INSURANCE
COMPANY AS SUBROGEE OF
CRAIG SEIG,
Plaintiff
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
Defendant
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-0423 CIVIL TERM
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
IN RE: NON-JURY TRIAL
L
?? n
Z!
I
Cam? c-i
C-0
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 1St day of April, 2010, after nonjury trial in the above captioned matter,
the verdict of the Court is as follows:
1. On Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC's claim of breach of contract by Seig
(Plaintiffs Complaint, Count I) the Court finds in favor of Seig and against Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC.
2. On Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC's claim of unjust enrichment (Plaintiffs
Complaint, Count II) the Court finds in favor of Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC and
against Seig and awards the amount of $12,907.77.
t
I On Seig's claim of breach of contract by Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC,
(Defendant's Counterclaim, Count I) the Court finds in favor of Seig and against Strickland
Brothers Construction, LLC, and awards damages in the amount of $500.00.
4. On Seig's claim of the violation 73 Pa.C.S.A. §201-2(4)(xvi) of the Unfair Trade
Practices and Consumer Protection Law, (Defendant's Counterclaim Count II), the Court finds in
favor of Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC, and against Seig.
5. On Westfield's claims of (1) breach of contract, (Westfield's Complaint, Count I), (2)
breach of warranty, (Westfield's Complaint, Count II), and (3) negligence (Westfield's
Complaint, Count III), the Court finds in favor of Westfield and against Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC, and awards damages in the amount of $18,569.61.
By the Court,
140\ -k, ?4\
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
./ Mark W. Allshouse, Esq.
Attorney for Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esq.
Paul F. D'Emilio, Esq.
Attorneys for Westfield Insurance Company as Subrogee of Craig Seig
.John Pietrzak, Esquire
Attorney for Craig Seig
w
?Ft V4 ywa c 1 o,
Ail,/10
2
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC,
PLAINTIFF
V.
CRAIG SEIG,
DEFENDANT
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 06-2532 CIVIL
WESTFILED INSURANCE COMPANY IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
P.O. BOX 5001
WESTFIELD CENTER, OH 44251-5001:
PLAINTIFF :
V.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS rr ?;
`' -a -?-
rn
CONSTRUCTION
LLC. ..?
,
,
621 CREEK ROAD
to
CD
"r
CARLISLE, PA 17013
DEFENDANT NO. 08-0423 CIVIL :...
ORDER OF COURT w
AND NOW, this 30th day of April, 2010, upon consideration of Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC's Motion for Post Trial Relief requesting Modification of Decision,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that the Motion is DENIED.
By the Court,
,- Mark W. Allshouse, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
John H. Pietrzak, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
Paul M. Schofield, Jr., Esquire
Attorney for Westfield Insurance Company
Court Administrator - ?>pk S 41-tcI c
bas
3 10
/
?le'1
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J
CERTIFICATE AND TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS UNDER
PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 1931 (C)
To the Prothonotary of the Apellate Court to which the within matter has been appealed:
Superior Court of PA
The undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County,
the said court being a court of record, do hereby certify that annexed hereto is a true and
correct copy of the whole and entire record, including an opinion of the court as required
by PA R.A.P. 1925, the original papers and exhibits, if any on file, the transcript of the
proceedings, if any, and the docket entries in the following matter:
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG
VS.
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC.
2008-423 CIVIL
674 MDA 2010
The documents comprising the record have been numbered from No.l to 138, and
attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list of the documents correspondingly numbered and
identified with reasonable definiteness, including with respect to each document, the
number of pages comprising the document.
The date on which the record has been transmitted to the Appellate Court ' 06-17-10 .
avid D. Buell, Prothon tary
Regina Lebo
An additional copy of this certificate is enclosed. Please sign and date copy, thereby
acknowledging receipt of this record.
Date
Signature & Title
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
County of Cumberland ss:
In TESTIMO~hWHEREOF, I have hereunto
this
I, David D. Buell ,Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said
County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a
full, true and correct copy of the whole record of the
case therein stated, wherein
Westfield Insurance Company
As Subroaee of Craig S~~.g
Plaintiff, and Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLG.
Defendant , as the same remains of record
before the said Court at No. of
Term, A. D. 19
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
day of ~, .7une 1 n A. D., I~~ro
Prothonotary
I, Kevin A Hess President Judge of the Ninth
Judicial District, composed of the County of Cumberland, do certify that
pa~T,~u„oll by whom the annexed record, certificate and
attestation were made and given, and who, in his own proper handwriting, thereunto subscribed his name
and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, was, at the time of so doing, and now is
Prothonotary in and for said County of C~tlar~~ in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly commissioned and qualified to all of whose acts as such full faith
and credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of judicature as elsewhere, and that the said record,
certificate and attesar;ion are in due form of law and made by the oper of r.
President ,ludge
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
County of Cumberland ss:
I, David D. Buell ,Prothonotary ;of the Court of Common Pleas in
and for the said County, do certify that the Honorable Kevin A. Hess
by whom the foregoing attestation was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was, at the time
of making thereof, and still is President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Orphan' Court and Court of
Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified; to all whose acts
as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given, as well in Courts of judicature as elsewhere.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, 1 have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this
day of A.D. }~~~0
Prothonotary
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Among the Records and Proceedings enrolled in the court of Common Pleas in and for the
county of C<m~Y~rland in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
674 NIDA 2010
to No. OS-423 Ci~~~ ~ -Term, 19 is contained the following:
COPY OF
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG
VS.
STRICKLAND BRO'T'HERS
CONSTRUCTION, LLC.
DOCKET ENTRY
**SEE CERTIFIED COPY OF DOCKET ENTERIES**
YY~511 l.:U[RU~i1cLt1U I.UUt1Ly YiULilU1lUl.diy'~ VLi1C:C rayc i
Civil Case Print
2008-00423 WESTFIELD INSURANCE CO (vs) STRICKLAND BROS CONSTRUCTION
Reference No... Filed......... 1/18/2008
Case Ty e.....: COMPLAINT Time........ 12:27
Judgmen~......: 18,569.61 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: EBERT M L JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00 0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt l.: 674 MDA 2010
Higher Crt 2.:
General Index Attorney Info
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY PLAINTIFF D'EMILIO PAUL F
SUB
P O BOX 5001
WESTFIELD CENTER OH 44251 5001
SEIG CRAIG PLAINTIFF D'EMILIO PAUL F
STRICKLAND BROTHERS DEFENDANT
CONSTRUCTION LLC
621 CREEK ROAD
CARLISLE PA 17013
Judgment Index Amount Date Desc
STRICKLAND BROTHERS 18,569.61 6/01/2010 FINAL JUDGMENT
CONSTRUCTION LLC
****************************************~**~***~r,~*******************************
* Date Entries
1/18/2008 COMPLAINT FILED BY PAUL F DFEMILIONESQ FOR PLFF
1-17
-------------------------------------------------------------------
g 1/24/2008 SHERIFF'S FILE RETURNED FILED. yypp gg
CasegTy~e: S~RICKLAND&BROTHERS CONSTRUCTIONRLLClar
Liti an
Address..: 623 CREEK ROAD
Ctyy/St/Z CARLISLE, PA 17013
Hnd To: BREE HARVEY, SECRETARY, ADULT IN CHARGE
Shf/D ty.; MARK CONKLIN
Date/Time; 01/23/2008 0900:00
Costs....: $32.80 Pd By: PAUL E'EMILIO 01/24/2008
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jq ~ oZ 2/13/2008 DEFENDANT'S ANSWER WITH NEW MATTER - BY MARK W ALLSHOUSE ATTY FOR
DEFT
1p -------------------------
oC-1- 3g 2/13/2008 COMPLAINT JOINING ADDITIONAL DEFT CRAIG SEIG PURSUANT OT
PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF CIVIL PROCEDURE 2229 - BY MARK W ALEHOUSE
ATTY FOR DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3 -t'I,O 2/13/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 2/12/08 IN RE: THE COURT HAVING BEEN ADVISED THAT
ANOTHER SUIT HAS BEEN FILED BY WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY WHICH
MAY NEED TO BE CONSOLIDATED WITH THE ABOVE CAPTIONED MATTER - IT
IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT THIS COURT'S PREVIOUS ORDER OF
1/23/08 REQUIRING THAT THE PARTIES FILE PRETRIAL MEMORANDUM WITH
THE COURT ON OR BEFORE 2/13/08 IS RESCINDED - IT IS FURTHER ORDERD
AND DIRECTED THAT A STATUS CONFERENCE ON THIS CASE TO INCLUDE
4/029%08 ATP3E30NPMNINWCR5FCUMBERLAND COUNTYMCOURTHOUSEBE BYLM ON
EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 2/13/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
~iI 3/06/2008 ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE - COMPLAINT JOINING ADDITIONAL DEFENDANT
CRAIG SEIG - BY JOHN H PIETZRAK ESQ FOR DEFT
-----------------------------------
%l01- y ~ 3/11/2008 ANSWER AND NEW MATTER OF CRAIG SEIG ADDITIONAL DEFT TO THE
COMPLAINT JOINING ADDITIONAL DEFT FILED BY STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION LLC - JOHN H PIETRZAK ATTY FOR ADDITIONAL DEFT CRAIG
SEIG
-------------------------------------------------------------------
q -5 a,3 /20/2008 DEFENDANT'S REPLY TO ADDITIONAL DEFT'S NEW MATTER - BY MARK W
ALLSHOUSE ATTY FOR DEFT STRICKLAND BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION LLC
rY~511 ~umperlana ~ounzy rroLnonoLary~s ~==ice rdye ~
Civil Case Print
2008-00423 WESTFIELD INSURANCE CO (vs) STRICKLAND BROS CONSTRUCTION
Reference No... Filed......... 1/18/2008
Case Ty e.....: COMPLAINT Time.........: 12:27
Judgmen~..... 18,569.61 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: EBERT M L JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00 0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.: 674 MDA 2010
Higher Crt 2,:
-------------------------------------------------------------------
$ ~j -`j~"~4/30/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 4/29/08 - AFTER STATUS CONFERENCE WITH COUNSEL
AND IT APPEARING THAT ALL PARTIES AGREE TO CONSOLIDATION OF THESE
CASES FOR TRIAL - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT A- ALL
DISCOVERY IN THESE CASES WILL BE COMPLETED ON OR BEFORE 7/30/08
B- PRETRIAL MOTIONS IN THIS MATTER SHALL BE FILED AND THE MOTIONS
SET DOWN FOR ARGUMENT ON OR BEFORE 8/14/08 ARGUMENT OF ANY
PRETRIAL MOTIONS WILL BE HELD AT ARGUMENT COURT ON 9 3/08 C- ALL
PARTIES WILL FILE A PRETRIAL MEMORANDUM WITH THE COU T ON OR
BEFORE 9/25/08 IN THE FOLLOWING FORMAT 1- A CONCISE STATEMENT OF
FACTUAL ISSUES TO BE DECIDED AT TRIAL 2- A LIST OF WITNESSES THE
PARTY INTENDS TO CALL AT TRIAL ALONG WITH A CONCISE STATEMENT OF
THEIR ANTICIPATED TESTIMONY 3- A LIST OF ALL EXHIBITS EACH PARTY
ANTICIPATES PRESENTING AT TRIAL 4- A STATEMENT OF ANY LEGAL
ISSUES EACH PARTY ANTICIPATES BEING RAISED AT TRIAL ALONG WITH
COPIES OF ANY CASES WHICH MAY BE RELEVANT TO RESOLUTION OF THE
STATED ISSUE 5- AN ESTIMATE OF THE ANTICIPATED TIME NEEDED
FOR THE PARTY TO PRESENT ITS CASE - D- TRIAL OF THIS MATTER
WILL BE HELD AT 9:00 AM ON 10/3/08 IN CR5 CUMBERLAND COUNTY
COURTHOUSE - BY M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 4/30/08
-----------------------------------------
fj J'~ 10/06/2008 ORDER OF COURT - 10/6/08 - AFTER THE FIRST DAY OF TESTIMONY IN THE-
NON JURY TRIAL TN THIS MATTER IT APPEARS THAT POSSIBLY 2 MORE DAYS
WILL BE NEEDED - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT THE
CONTINUATION OF THE NON JURY TRIAL WILL BE HELD ON 2/18/09 AT 9:00
AM AND 2 20 09 AT 9:00 AM IN CR5 CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURTHOUSE - BY
M L EBER JR J - COPIES MAILED 10/6/08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
~j(,p~ ~g 4/01/2010 OPINION AND ORDER OF COURT DATED 04-01-10 AFTER A NONJURY TRIAL
THE VERDICT OF THE COURT - ML EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 04-01-10
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1~'~ 4/15/2010 MOTION FOR POST TRIAL RELIEF REQUESTING MODIFICATION OF DECISION -
BY MARK W ALLSHOUSE ATTY FOR PLFF
--
r1~0'1Q34/20/2010 NOTICE OF APPEAL TO SUPERIOR COURT - BY MARK W ALEHOUSE ATTY FOR
PLFF
I0~'I-ID~'4/22/2010 ORDER OF COURT - 4/21/10 - IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT
1- PLFFS FILE A CONCISE STATEMENT OF THE ERRORS COMPLAINED OF ON
APPEAL ON OR BEFORE 5/12/10 2- THE STATEMENT SHALL BE FILED OF
RECORD 3- THE STATEMENT SHALL BE SERVED ON THIS COURT PURSUANT
TO PA RAP RULE 1925 B 1 - IT IS FURTHER ORDERED AND DIRECTED THAT
ANY ISSUE NOT PROPERLY INCLUDED IN THE STATEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED
WAIVED - BY M L EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 4/22/I0
~SA-- D ------------------------------------
-------------------------------
4/22/2010 SUPERIOR COURT OF PA NOTICE OF APPEAL DOCKETING TO # 674 MDA 2010
-------------------------------------------------------------------
O(o-~~ 4/30/2010 ORDER OF COURT - 4/30/10 IN RE: MOTION FOR POST TRIAL RELIEF
REQUESTING MODIFICATION OF DECISION - MOTION IS DENIED - BY M L
EBERT JR J - COPIES MAILED 4/30/10
------------
oL7 -I3 OS/10/2010 CONCISE STATEMENT OF MATTERS-COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL - BY MARK W-
ALLSHOUSE ESQ FOR PLFF
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3 ~ r~3 5/27/2010 IN RE: OPINION PURSUANT TO PA RAP ].925 - BY M L EBERT JR J -
COPIES MAILED 5/27/10
-------------------------------------------------------------------
13~ ~ 6/01/2010 PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF FIANL JUDGMENT - IN RE: JUDGE EBERT'S ORDER
OF APRIL 1 2010 AND THE COURT'S APRIL 30 2010 DENIAL OF
PLAINTIFF'S REQUEST FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF - IN FAVOR OF WESTFIELD
AND AGAINST SBC LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $18,569.61 - BY MARK W
ALLSHOUSE ATTY FOR DEFT STRICKLAND BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION LLC
-------------------------------------------------------------------
13 6/15/2010 TRANSCRIPT FILED - DAY 1 - BY M L EBERT JR J
2 -------------------------------------------------------------------
!V~ 6/15/2010 TRANSCRIPT FILED - DAY 2 - BY M L EBERT JR J
-------------------------------------------------------------------
6/17/2010 NOTICE OF DOCKET ENTRIES MAILED TO MARK W ALESHOUSE ESQ AND PAUL F
PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Ottice rage
Civil Case Print
2008-00423 WESTFIELD INSURANCE CO (vs) STRICKLAND BROS CONSTRUCTION
Reference No..: Filed........: 1/18/2008
Case Tyyppe.....: COMPLAINT Time..;......: 12:27
Judgmeht......: 18,569.61 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: EBERT M L JR -- Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ----------- Higher Crt 1.: 674 MDA 2010
Higher Crt 2.:
D' EMILIO ESQ - _ _ _ _ _ LAST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
* Escrow Information *
* Fees & Debits Be Bal P is/Ad' End Bal
COMPLAINT 55.00 55.00
50 .00
00
TAX ON CMPLT
SETTLEMENT .50
8.00 .
8.00 .
.00
AUTOMATION 5.00
00
10 5.00
10.00 .00
.00
JCP FEE
JDMT .
14.00
---- 14.00
---------- --- .00
---------
----------
92.50 92.50 .00
********************************************************************************
* End of Case Information
********************************************************************************
TRUL COPY~12011LRECGRD
In Testimer-y :Yi~~ f ~ers,un~o aet my hand
and the Otseid.~ Carhta ~
Thia.~~~~..~~,-
~~ ~ ~~.~~
' R , 1
~u~erior court of ~ettu~pYbaufa
Karen Reid Bramblett, Esq.
Prothonotary Middle District
Milan K. Mrkobrad, Esq.
Deputy Prothonotary
June 29, 2010
Buell, David D.
Prothonotary
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
RE: Strickland Bros. v. Seig, C.
674 M DA 2010
Trial Court Docket No: 06-2532
08-0423
Dear
Pennsylvania Judicial Center
P.O. Box 62435
601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 1600
Harrisburg, PA 17106-2435
(717) 772-1294
www.superior.court.state.pa.us
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C~ C.y> t..:1
received from the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, Middle District Office,
the certificate of discontinuance of the court, in the above entitled case.
QRIGIIdAL RECORD CQNTENTS
Original Record Item
Description
^ Parts w/2 Exhibit Folders
2
Return to: Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Office of the Prothonotary
Pennsylvania Judicial Center
P.O. Box 62435
601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 1600
Harrisburg, PA 17106-2435
7177721294
/aas
Buell, David D.
Prothonotary
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
- -
----- -- --- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AOPC 1014 Rev.06/29/2010
L7
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
SITTING IN HARRISBURG
No.674 MDA 2010
Strickland Brothers
Construction, LLC.
v.
~f;.
~_
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.._
S"~ 1--
~_ ,_
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~'
:Appeal from the JE 6/1/10
:Court of Common Pleas
Craig Seig
:for the county of Cumberland
No. 2532/06 0423/08
June 29, 2010 -The above appeal is hereby withdrawn and
discontinued by order of:
Mark W. Aflshouse, Esa.
Attorney for Appellant
June 29, 2010 -DISCONTINUED
TRUE COPY FROM RECORD
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IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal
of said Court, at Harrisburg, this 29th day of June, 2010.
Deputy rothonotary
Karen Reid Bramblett, Esq.
Prothonotary Middle District
Milan K. Mrkobrad, Esq.
Deputy Prothonotary
June 29, 2010
NOTICE OF DISCONTINUANCE OF ACTION
RE: Strickland Bros. v. Seig, C.
674 MDA 2010
Appeal of: Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC
Initiating Document: Notice of Appeal
Trial Court: Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas
Trial Court Docket No: 06-2532
08-0423
Pennsy]vania Judicial Center
P.O. Box 62435
601 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 1600
Harrisburg, PA 17106-2435
(717) 772-1294
www superioccourt. state.pa.us
The above-captioned matter has been marked "Discontinued" with this court. Certification is
being sent to the lower court.
Attorney Name Participant Name Participant Type
Mark Wayne Allshouse, Esq. Strickland Brothers Construction, LLC Appellant
John Harold Pietrzak, Esq. Mr. Craig Seig Appellee
Paul M. Schofield Jr., Esq. Westfield Insurance Company Appellee
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PAUL F. D'EMILIO, ESQUIRE ~~ ~~`~ ~['~J~F3~~®1'Ar~`r
ATTORNEY I.D.# 16654 2Q ~ ~ ~~-~ _ ~¢ ~,~.~ ~~; ~ c
PAUL M. SCHOFIELD, JR., ESQUIRE
ATTORNEY I.D. #81894 ~~~,~~~~~`~~ ~~jUq~~-.~~•
905 W. SPROUL ROAD, SUITE 105 ^~'~:~~:gc;~~a ~~~b~~4~,
SPRINGFIELD, PA 19064 ,
(610) 338-0338
ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF
WESTFIELD INSURANCE COMPANY COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
AS SUBROGEE OF CRAIG SEIG
P.O. BOX 5001 .
WESTFIELD CENTER, OH 44251-5001: CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Plaintiff
vs. NO.: 08-423
STRICKLAND BROTHERS
CONSTRUCTION , LLC. .
621 CREEK ROAD
CARLISLE, PA 17013
Defendant
ORDER TO SETTLE DISCONTINUE AND END
TO THE PROTHONOTARY, P.C.:
Kindly mark the above entitled matter settled, discontinued and ended upon
payment of your cost only.
~~.
Paul F. D'Emilio, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
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