HomeMy WebLinkAbout08-6209fe
WILLIAM T. BAIR, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. : NO. ® Fr-- (? 0 c rr ; l -(
HERRE BROS. INC., : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PRAECIPE FOR ISSUANCE OF WRIT OF SUMMONS
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
Please issue a Writ of Summons on the above named Defendant at the
following address:
Herre Bros., Inc.
4417 Valley Road
Enola, PA 17025
Respectfully submitted,
FOREMAN, FOREMAN & CARACIOLO, P.C.
Date: IO I'I D? 1)),l1W M.
Michael M. Jerominski, Esquire
112 Market Street, 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney I.D. No. 92977
(717) 236-9391
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WILLIAM T. BAIR,
Plaintiff
V.
HERRE BROS. INC.,
Defendant
To:
Herre Bros. Inc.
4417 Valley Road
Enola, PA 17025
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
You are hereby notified that William T. Bair has commenced an
action against you.
Date: &4-dLer "2oes-
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Prothonotary all
Deputy
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SHERIFF'S RETURN - REGULAR
CASE NO: 2008-06209 P
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
BAIR WILLIAM T
HERRE BROS INC
VS
NOAH CLINE
Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff of
Cumberland County,Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law,
says, the within WRIT OF SUMMONS
HERRE BROS INC
DEFENDANT
the
at 0013:50 HOURS, on the 23rd day of October , 2008
at 4417 VALLEY ROAD
ENOLA, PA 17025 by handing to
GAYLE ROBERTS-HOWELL VICE PRESIDENT OF ACCOUNTING
a true and attested copy of WRIT OF SUMMONS
together with
and at the same time directing Her attention to the contents thereof.
Sheriff's Costs:
Docketing 18.00
Service 13.00
Affidavit .00
Surcharge 10.00
Postage
/o%t/ lor 42
41.42
Sworn and Subscibed to
before me this day
So Answers:
R. Thomas Kline
10/24/2008
FOREMAN FOREMAN CARACIOLO
By: D puty Sheriff
was served upon
of A. D.
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WILLIAM T. BAIR, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. : NO. 08-6209
HERRE BROS. INC., : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
COMPLAINT
AND NOW comes the Plaintiff, by and through his attorneys, Michael M.
Jerominski, Esquire and Foreman, Foreman, & Caraciolo, P.C., and file this
Complaint in Civil Action whereof the following is a statement:
1. Plaintiff is an adult individual residing at 538 S. 17th Street, Harrisburg,
Dauphin County, PA 17104.
2. Defendant is Herre Bros., Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation with their
primary place of business located at 4417 Valley Road, Enola, PA
17025.
3. On or about the morning of October 23, 2006, while working for Herre
Bros., Inc. at the Central Dauphin High School, Plaintiff was asked to
adjust a fork on a forklift in order to take off the skids.
4. Also on or about the morning of October 23, 2006, at the above
location, after being asked to adjust the fork, Plaintiff asked the forklift
operator if such an adjustment was feasible given the size of the lift.
5. Also on or about the morning of October 23, 2006, at the above
location, Plaintiff performed the adjustment on the fork, said
adjustment resulting in the crushing of Plaintiff's right ring finger,
necessitating the amputation of approximately one half inch of the
Plaintiff's right ring finger.
6. Solely by reason of Defendant's negligence, and as its direct proximate
result, Plaintiff suffered the crushing and subsequent amputation of
his right ring finger. Various muscles, ligaments, membranes, nerves,
blood vessels, and tissues of Plaintiff's right ring finger were torn, cut,
bruised, and injured. The function of Plaintiff's right ring finger is
impaired. By reason of the facts set forth above, Plaintiff became sore,
disabled, and remained so to the present time. Plaintiff is informed
and believes, and on the basis of such information and belief alleges,
that Plaintiff's injuries, pain, and disability will continue for a long
time in the future and will be permanent, all to Plaintiff's damage in
the sum of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00).
7. The injuries alleged in this complaint were caused without any
negligence on the part of Plaintiff, but solely by the negligence of
Defendant, who failed to act with due care by failing to procure and
direct the safe use of safe equipment.
8. Defendant was grossly negligent in failing to procure and direct the
safe use of safe equipment, despite the obvious danger to the Plaintiff,
and despite the fact that the Defendant well knew that by the above
grossly negligent conduct, Defendant was unreasonable exposing
Plaintiff to the obvious danger.
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9. Defendant did willfully and with wanton and reckless disregard for
Plaintiff's safety procure and direct the safe use of safe equipment,
without warning Plaintiff or attempting in any way to avert injury to
Plaintiff, and with full knowledge that by the above conduct
Defendant was unreasonably exposing Plaintiff to probable serious
harm; and Defendant thereby wantonly and recklessly disregarded the
probable consequences to Plaintiff of the above conduct.
10. The Plaintiff sustained various severe injuries and suffered damages
causing great pain and suffering as a direct result of the negligence of
Defendant.
11. As the direct and proximate result of the negligent, careless, reckless, and
wanton behavior of the Defendant, the Plaintiff suffered the following
injuries:
a. Complex lacerations to the right ring finger;
b. Nailbed laceration to the right ring finger;
C. Germinal matrix, tuftal fracture, open fracture to right ring
finger;
d. Open comminuted fracture to the right ring finger with
exposed bone;
e. General muscle pain and soreness.
12. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the Defendant,
Plaintiff has suffered and/or suffers and/or may continue to suffer
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shock and injury to the nerves and nervous system, right ring finger,
and/or may continue to suffer emotional distress.
13. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the Defendant,
Plaintiff have been deprived of and will continue to be deprived of the
ordinary pleasures of life.
14. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the Defendant,
Plaintiffs has unreimbursed medical expenses.
15. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the Defendant,
Plaintiff may be compelled to spend additional monies for medical aid,
medicine, physical therapy and the like.
16. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the Defendant,
Plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer from lameness and loss
of mobility during the future duration of his life.
17. As a direct and proximate result of the negligence of the Defendant,
Plaintiff has suffered and/or may continue to suffer physical and/or
mental anguish, pain, suffering, and inconvenience.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff William T. Bair demands judgment against the
Defendant in the amount of $50,000, said amount being above the statutory limit
for arbitration in Cumberland County.
Respectfully submitted,
Foreman, Foreman & Caraciolo, P.C.
Date: In 109 *f
MICHAEL M. JEROMINSKI, ESQUIRE
112 Market Street, Sixth Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-9391
I.D. #92977
Attorneys for Plaintiffs
WILLIAM T. BAIR, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. : NO. 08-6209
HERRE BROS. INC., : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in this Complaint are true and correct. I
understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.
C.S. § 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Date: Z- 6 10,;6
1 B C
Signature:
WILLIAM T. BAIR
WILLIAM T. BAIR,
Plaintiff
V.
HERRE BROS. INC.,
Defendant
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: NO. 08-6209
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
I, Michael M. Jerominski, Esquire, do hereby certify that on this, the 2?
day of January, 2009, I served a true and correct copy of the foregoing document
by sending the same by First Class U.S. mail, postage prepaid, registered mail,
addressed as follows:
Herre Bros. Inc.
Attn: Gayle Roberts-Howell
4417 Valley Road
Enola, PA 17025
Respectfully submitted,
FOREMAN, FOREMAN & CARACIOLO, PC
Michael M. Jerominski, Esquire
112 Market Street, 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(717) 236-9391
Attorney ID No. 92977
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THOMAS, THOMAS & HAFER, LLP
305 NORTH FRONT STREET
P.O. BOX 999
HARRISBURG, PA 17108
WILLIAM T. BAIR.
Plaintiff
Mark J. Powell, Esquire
Attorney I.D.87582
Corey J. Adamson, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 204508
717-255-7645
Attorneys for Defendants
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
HERRE BROS., INC..
Defendant
:NO. 08-6209
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
DEFENDANT'S PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS TO PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT
AND NOW comes the Defendant, Herre Bros., Inc., by and through its counsel, Thomas,
Thomas & Hafer, LLP, and respectfully files the instant Preliminary Objections to Plaintiff's
Complaint, stating and averring as follows:
1. Plaintiff commenced this action via a Writ of Summons on or about
October 17, 2008.
2. Plaintiff thereafter filed his Complaint on or about January 28, 20091.
3. In his Complaint, Plaintiff alleges that he was injured, on the job, while working
for his employer, Defendant Herre Bros., Inc. ("Herre Bros."). Complaint, ¶3.
' All Exhibits will be attached to Defendant's Brief.
FIRST PRELIMINARY OBJECTION:
DEMURRER PURSUANT TO PA.R.C.P.1028(A)(4)
4. Herre Bros. incorporates paragraphs 1 through 3 by reference as if the same were
set forth fully at length herein.
5. Pa.R.C.P. 1028(a)(4) provides that a defendant may file a Preliminary Objection
in the nature of a demurrer where a Complaint lacks legal sufficiency.
6. Pursuant to the Workers' Compensation Statute, an employee who is injured on
the job is precluded from suing his employer for his work-related injuries, and his sole remedy is
through the Workers' Compensation Act. 77 P.S. §481.
7. Moreover, Plaintiff made a claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits, and
accepted benefits paid to him under that claim.
8. As Plaintiffs alleged injury occurred during the course and scope of his
employment with Herre Bros., Plaintiff's instant suit is barred. See, M.., Vosburg v. Connolly,
591 A.2d 1128 (Pa. Super. 1991).
9. Accordingly, as Plaintiff cannot maintain a civil suit against his employer for his
employment-related injuries, his Complaint must be dismissed.
SECOND PRELIMINARY OBJECTION:
FAILURE TO CONFORM TO LAW OR RULE OF COURT PURSUANT TO PA.R.C.P.
1028(A)(2)
10. Herre Bros. incorporates paragraphs 1 through 9 by reference as if the same were
set forth fully at length herein.
11. Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1028(a)(2), a defendant may file a Preliminary Objection
where a Complaint fails to conform to law or rule of court.
12. Numerous paragraphs in Plaintiff s Complaint contain multiple averments of fact.
13. For example, Paragraph 6 of Plaintiff's Complaint states:
2
6. Solely by reason of Defendant's negligence, and as its direct
proximate result, Plaintiff suffered the crushing and subsequent amputation of his
right ring finger. Various muscles, ligaments, membranes, nerves, blood vessels,
and tissues of Plaintiff's right ring finger were torn, cut, bruised, and injured. The
function of Plaintiff's right ring finger is impaired. By reason of the facts set
forth above, Plaintiff became sore, disabled, and remained [sic] so to the present
time. Plaintiff is informed and believes, and on the basis of such information and
belief alleges, that Plaintiffs injuries, pain, and disability will continue for a long
time in the future and will be permanent, all to Plaintiffs damage in the sum of
Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000).
14. Pa.R.C.P. 1022 commands that every pleading shall be divided into consecutively
numbered paragraphs, and each paragraph is to contain only one material allegation.
15. Plaintiff's Complaint is full of violations of Pa.R.C.P. 1022's mandate of single
averment paragraphs.
16. These paragraphs are essentially narratives that contain multiple material
allegations in a single paragraph.
17. Plaintiffs Complaint should be dismissed for failure to conform to law or rule of
court.
18. Alternatively, Plaintiff should be ordered to plead over, separating the compound
paragraphs into paragraphs each containing a single material allegation.
THIRD PRELIMINARY OBJECTION:
INSUFFICIENT SPECIFICITY PURSUANT TO PA.R.C.P. 1028(A)(3)/FAILURE TO
CONFORM TO LAW OR RULE OF COURT PURSUANT TO PA.R.C.P. 1028(A)(2)
19. Herre Bros. incorporates paragraphs 1 through 18 by reference as if the same were
set forth fully at length herein.
20. Pursuant to Pa.R.C.P. 1028(a)(3), a defendant may file a Preliminary Objection
when a Complaint is insufficiently specific.
21. Paragraph 10 of Plaintiff's Complaint alleges that "Plaintiff sustained various
severe injuries and suffered damages causing great pain and suffering..."
3
22. Pa.R.C.P. 1019(a) provides that a complaint must not only allege all the material
facts upon which a cause of action lies, but it must plead each fact in a concise and summary
form.
23. A defendant may file preliminary objections and move to strike off an insufficient
statement, or may obtain a rule for a more specific statement. Connor v. Allegheny Gen. Hosp.,
461 A.2d 600, 603 n.3 (Pa. 1983).
24. Plaintiff s allegation of "various severe injuries" is insufficiently specific to allow
Defendant to respond.
25. Plaintiff's use of the overly broad, catch-all "various severe injuries" phrase is
extremely prejudicial to Herre Bros., as Plaintiff may use this language to amend his damages
claim long after the applicable Statute of Limitations has expired.
26. Accordingly, the phrase "various severe injuries" should be stricken from
Plaintiff's Complaint.
WHEREFORE, Defendant Herre Bros., Inc. respectfully requests this Honorable Court
sustain its Preliminary Objections, and enter an Order in the form proposed.
Respectfully submitted,
Date: February 17, 2009 By:
orne I.D. No. 87582
ore . Adamson, Esquire
L-Aefforney I.D. No. 204508
P.O. Box 999
305 N. Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0999
667773.1 (717) 255-7645
4
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, COREY J. ADAMSON, of the law firm of THOMAS, THOMAS, & HAFER, LLP
do certify that I served the foregoing document on the following person(s), by depositing the.
same in the United States Mail, postage prepaid, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania addressed as
follows:
Michael M. Jerominski, Esq.
FOREMAN, FOREMAN & CARACIOLO, P.C.
112 Market Street, 6 h Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
Date: February 11, 2009
667773.1
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THOMAS, THOMAS & HAFER, LLP
305 NORTH FRONT STREET
P.O. BOX 999
HARRISBURG, PA 17108
WILLIAM T. BAIR.
Plaintiff
V.
HERRE BROS., INC..
Defendant
Mark J. Powell, Esquire
Attorney I.D.87582
Corey J. Adamson, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 204508
717-255-7645
Attorneys for Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:NO. 08-6209
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PRAECIPE FOR ENTRY OF APPEARANCE
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
Please kindly enter our appearance on behalf of Defendant Herre Bros., Inc.
Respectfully submitted,
Date:
a I 3/'q 7
667771.1
By:
Par -ell, Esquire
y I.D. No. 87582
J. Adamson, Esquire
ey I.D. No. 204508
P.O. Box 999
305 N. Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0999
(717) 255-7645
A-
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, COREY J. ADAMSON, of the law firm of THOMAS, THOMAS, & HAFER, LLP
do certify that I served the foregoing document on the following person(s), by depositing the
same in the United States Mail, postage prepaid, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania addressed as
follows:
Michael M. Jerominski, Esq.
FOREMAN, FOREMAN & CARACIOLO, P.C.
112 Market Street, 6t' Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
Date: ? v? 0 I
667771.1
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THOMAS, THOMAS & HAFER, LLP
305 NORTH FRONT STREET
P.O. BOX 999
HARRISBURG, PA 17108
WILLIAM T. BAIR.
Plaintiff
V.
HERRE BROS., INC..
Defendant
Mark J. Powell, Esquire
Attorney I.D.87582
Corey J. Adamson, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 204508
717-255-7645
Attorneys for Defendants
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
:NO. 08-6209
: CIVIL ACTION - LAW
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
TO: PROTHONOTARY:
Please list Defendant Herr Bros., Inc.'s Preliminary Objections to Plaintiff's Complaint
for oral argument for the March 18, 2009 Argument Court session.
1. State matter to be argued (i.e., plaintiffs motion for new trial,
defendant's demurrer to complaint, etc.):
Defendant Herr Bros., Inc.'s Preliminary Objections to Plaintiff's
Complaint
2. Identify counsel who will argue case:
(a) for Plaintiff: Michael M. Jerominski, Esquire
address: Foreman, Foreman & Caracoilo, P.C.
112 Market Street, 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
(b) for Defendant: Corey J. Adamson, Esquire
address: Thomas, Thomas & Hafer, LLP
P.O. Box 999
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0999
3. I will notify all parties in writing within two days that this case has been listed for
argument.
4. Argument Court Date: March 18, 2008
Da,. ala???`1
671559.1
By:
LLP
Maz Well, Esquire
Ze yI.D. No. 87582
y J. Adamson, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 204508
P.O. Box 999
305 N. Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17108-0999
(717) 255-7645
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, COREY J. ADAMSON, of the law firm of THOMAS, THOMAS, & HAFER, LLP
do certify that I served the foregoing document on the following person(s), by depositing the
same in the United States Mail, postage prepaid, at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania addressed as
follows:
Michael M. Jerominski, Esq.
FOREMAN, FOREMAN & CARACIOLO, P.C.
112 Market Street, 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
Date:
671559.1
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WILLIAM T. BAIR,
Plaintiff
V.
HERRE BROS. INC.,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 08-6209
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
To the Prothonotary:
PRAECIPE TO WITHDRAW COMPLAINT
Please withdraw the Writ of Summons and Complaint filed in the above captioned matter
and mark the file closed.
Respectfully submitted,
FOREMAN, FOREMAN & CARACIOLO, P.C.
Date: ?y Af-of *
Michael M. Jerominski, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
112 Market Street, 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Telephone (717) 236-9391
Facsimile (717) 236-6602
Attorney ID No. 92977
WILLIAM T. BAIR, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. : NO. 08-6209
HERRE BROS. INC., : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
Defendant
PERSONAL INJURY
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that I am this day serving a copy of the foregoing Praecipe upon the
persons and in the manner indicated below, which service satisfies the requirements of the
Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, by mailing the same postage prepaid, first class mail,
addressed as follows:
Corey J. Adamson
Thomas, Thomas & Hafer, LLP
P.O. Box 999
Harrisburg, PA 17108
Respectfully submitted,
FOREMAN, FOREMAN & CARACIOLO, P.C.
Date: Won
Michael M. Jerominski, Esquire
Attorney for Defendant
112 Market Street, 6th Floor
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Telephone (717) 236-9391
Facsimile (717) 236-6602
Attorney ID No. 92977
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