HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-0156IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
No.O .-
Civil Action - ( X ) Law
( ) Equity
Tina Carannante and Paolo Carannante,
her husband
5750 Castlebridge Rd., Apt. 204
Fredericksburg, VA 22407,
George Richardson
83 Mountain Road
Mt. Holly Springs, PA 17065,
Plaintiff(s) & : Defendant(s) &
Address(es) : Address(es)
PRAECIPE FOR WRIT OF SUMMONS
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF SAID COURT:
Please issue a writ of summons in the above-captioned action.
1 Writ of Summons shall be issued and forwarded to ( ) Attorney ( X ) Sheriff
Ira H. Weinstock, Esquire
IRA H. WEINSTOCK, P.C.
800 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Phone: 717-238-1657
Name/Address/Telephone No.
of Attorney
Signature of Attorney
Supreme Court I.D. No. 01602
Dated: January 10, 2002
WRIT OF SUMMONS
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS:
YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE-NAMED PLAINTIFF(S) HAS/HAVE
COMMENCED AN ACTION AGAINST YOU.
( ) Check here if reverse is issued for additional information.
Prothonotary
' / / /FDeputy
TINA CARANNANTE AND
PAOLO CARANNANTE, her husband
Plaintiffs
GEORGE RICHARDSON,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-156
CIVIL ACTION-LAW
JURY TRIAL OF TWELVE DEMANDED
PRAECIPE
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY:
Enter the appearance of MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO on behalf of
Defendant in the above matter. Defendant hereby demands a twelve juror jury trial in the above
captioned action.
Dated: February 7, 2002
MAR~ D/~)F WILLIAMS& OTTO
By
G~(ff~ge B. Failer, Jr., Esquire
I.D. No. 49813
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-3341
Attorneys for Defendant
RULE
AND NOW, this ~t ~day of t~ ,2002, a Rule is issued upon the Plaintiffto file
a Complaint within twenty (20) days from service hereof.
Prothonotary !
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Nichole L. Myers, an authorized agent for Martson Deardorff Williams & Otto, hereby
certify that a copy of the foregoing Praecipe was served this date by depositing same in the Post
Office at Carlisle, PA, first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
Ira H. Weinstock, Esquire
IRA H. WEINSTOCK, P.C.
800 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
By~]~)~ ¢ ~ Nichole L. Myers
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-3341
Dated: February 7, 2002
F \FI LES~DATAFI LE\FORMS/747- accept I/nlm
Created: 02/07/02 07:37:49 AM
Revised: 02/07/02 07:38:12 AM
3090.747
TINA CARANNANTE AND
PAOLO CARANNANTE, her husband
Plaintiffs
GEORGE RICHARDSON,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-156
CIVIL ACTION-LAW
JURY TRIAL OF TWELVE DEMANDED
ATTORNEY'S ACCEPTANCE OF SERVICE
I, George B. Faller, Jr., Esquire, accept service of the Complaint on behalf of Defendant
George Richardson and certify that I am authorized to do so in accordance with Pa. R.C.P. 402.
Date: February 7, 2002
MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
By ~~
Ge~ F a~q'~4~E s quire
I.D. Number 49813 '
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013-3093
(717) 243-3341
Attorneys for Defendant
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Nichole L. Myers, an authorized agent for Martson Deardorff Williams & Otto, hereby
certify that a copy of the foregoing Attorney's Acceptance of Service was served this date by
depositing same in the Post Office at Carlisle, PA, first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
Ira H. Weinstock, Esquire
IRA H. WEINSTOCK, P.C.
800 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
Nichole L. Myers
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-3341
Dated: February 7, 2002
SHERIFF'S RETURN -
?%SE NO: 2002-00156 P
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND
CAR3LNNANTE TINA ET AL
VS
RICHARDSON GEORGE
REGULAR
BRIAN BARRICK , Sheriff or Deputy Sheriff of
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law,
says, the within WRIT OF SUMMONS was served upon
RICHARDSON GEORGE the
DEFENDANT
at MDW&O
at 1057:00 HOURS, on the 29th day of January , 2002
10 EAST HIGH STREET
CARLISLE, PA 17013 by handing to
MARK DENLINGER, ATTORNEY
a true and attested copy of WRIT OF SUMMONS together with
and at the same time directing His attention to the contents thereof.
Sheriff's Costs:
Docketing 18.00
Service 3.45
Affidavit .00
Surcharge 10.00
.00
31.45
Sworn and Subscribed to before
me this ~ day of
A.D.
So Answers:
R. Thomas Kline
oz/3o/2oo2
IRA H. WEINST~
Deputy Sheriff
Acceptance of Service
I accept the service of thewrit of b-~ns
(on beh~f of George Richardson
and
certify that I am authorized to do so.)
Martson Deardorff Williams & Otto
Mailing Address
for
John Fowler
10 E. High St. Carlisle, PA 17013
TINA CARANNANTE, and
PAOLO CARANNANTE, her husband,
Vo
Plaintiffs,
GEORGE RICHARDSON,
Defendant.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-156
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
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 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 loose 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 Ave.
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-3166
AVISO
USTED HA SIDO DEMANDADO EN LA CORTE. si usted desea defenderse
de las quejas expuestas en las paginas siguientes debe tomar accion dentro de veinte (20) dias a
partir de la fecha en que recibio la demanda y el aviso. Usted debe presentar comparecencia
escrita en persona o pot abogado y presentar en la Corte por escrito sus defensas o sus objeciones
a las demandas en su contra.
Se le avisa que si no se defiende el caso puede proceder sin usted y la Corte
puede decidir en su contra sin mas aviso o notificacion por cuaiquier dinero reclamado en
la demanda o pot cualquier otra queja o compensacion reclamados por el Demandante.
USTED PUEDE PERDER DINERO O PROPIEDADES U OTROS DERECHOS
1MPORTANTES PARA USTED.
LLEVE ESTA DEMANDA A UN ABOGADO INMEDIATAMENTE. SI
USTED NO TIENE O NO CONOCE UN ABOGADO VAYA O LLAME A LA
OFICINA EN LA DIRECCION ESCRITA ABA JO PARA AVERIGUAR DONDE
PUEDE OBTENER ASISTENCIA LEGAL.
Cumberland County Bar Association
2 Liberty Ave.
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-3166
TINA CARANNANTE, and
PAOLO CARANNANTE, her husband,
Vo
Plaintiffs,
GEORGE RICHARDSON,
Defendant.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-156
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
COMPLAINT
AND NOW, the Plaintiffs, Tina Carannante and Paolo Cararmante, by and through
their attorney, Ira H. Weinstock, P.C., submit this Complaint demanding judgment against
the Defendant, George Richardson, and in support thereof aver the following:
1. Plaintiffs, Tina Carannante and Paolo Carannante, husband and wife, are
adult individuals and residents of the Commonwealth of Virginia, residing at 5750 Castle
Bridge Road, Apt. 204, Fredericksburg, Virginia 22407.
2. Defendant, George Richardson, is an adult individual and citizen of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania residing at 83 Mountain Road, Mt. Holly Springs,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, 17065.
3. On January 21, 2000 at approximately 11:33 p.m., Defendant, George
Richardson, was operating a motor vehicle in the southbound direction of Route 81 in thc
area of mile post 62, Hampden Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania and was
involved in an accident with a vehicle operated by Brian Nicholson.
4. In the aforementioned accident, Defendant violently collided with the rear of
the vehicle operated by Brian Nicholson causing both vehicles to be disabled.
5. On the same date, at approximately 11:34 p.m., Plaintiff, Tina Carannante,
was operating a 1998 Honda Civic in the southbound direction directly behind the
Defendant on Interstate 81 in the vicinity of mile post 62, Hampden Township,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania.
6. At~er the accident occurred, Defendant, George Richardson, removed
himself from the vehicle and left the vehicle sitting in the left hand lane in the southbound
direction of Interstate 81, in the path of the vehicle operated by Tina Carannante.
7. Plaintiff, Tina Carannante, while operating her vehicle in the left hand land,
collided with the rear of the Defendant's vehicle.
8. Subsequent to both of the aforementioned accidents, Defendant was
determined to be driving under the influence of alcohol and was charged with the same,
together with a violation of Section 3361 (Driving vehicle at safe speed) and Section 3714
(Careless Driving) of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code.
9. As a result of the aforementioned collision with Plaintiff's vehicle, which
was caused by the negligence of the Defendant, Plaintiff Tina Carannante sustained various
serious bodily injuries and damages which will be described in greater detail herein.
10. As a direct and proximate result of the carelessness and negligence of the
Defendant, as described in the foregoing paragraphs of this complaint, Plaintiff, Tina
Carannante, sustained severe and disabling injuries to the bones, muscles, tissues, nerves,
tendons and nervous system, including but not limited to facial fracture, nasal fracture,
complex lacerations of the nose, right forehead and lip, and fracture of the septum.
2
11. As a direct and proximate result of the carelessness and negligence of the
Defendant, as described in the foregoing paragraphs of this complaint, Plaintiff, Tina
Carannante, has been obliged to receive and undergo medical attention and care and to
incur various medical expenses for the injuries which she has suffered, and she will be
obliged to acquire in the future, medicines, medical care, hospitalization and treatment and
will in the future be compelled to expend large sums of money and incur monetary
obligations for such care and treatment.
12. As a direct and proximate result of the carelessness and negligence of the
Defendant, as described in the foregoing paragraphs of this complaint, Plaintiff, Tina
Carannante, has been disabled and will continue to be disabled from performing her usual
duties, occupations and vocations with a consequent loss of earnings, earning power and
earning potential and has suffered and will continue to suffer excruciating and agonizing
aches, pains, mental anguish, humiliation and disfigurement as well as limitations and
restrictions on her usual activities, pursuits and pleasures.
COUNT I
PLAINTIFF, TINA CARANNANTE VS. DEFENDANT, GEORGE RICI-IARD$ON
13. The Plaintiff, hereby incorporates by reference 1 through 12 as though set
forth at length herein.
14. Defendant, George Richardson, was guilty of negligence, carelessness,
and/or recklessness in the following particular respects:
(a) Failure to have his vehicle under such control as to be able to stop within the
assured clear distance ahead to avoid colliding with the vehicle operated by
Brian Nicholson which was the cause of Plaintiff's injuries;
3
(h)
Failure to keep alert and maintain a proper watch for the presence of other
motor vehicles on the highway;
(c)
Failure to apply his brakes in sufficient time to avoid striking the rear of a
vehicle operated by Brian Nicholason which led to the collision between the
Plaintiff and Defendant;
(d)
Failure to travel at a safe speed which resulted in the collision with the
vehicle operated by Brian Nicholson and which led to the collision with
Plaintiffs vehicle;
(e)
Failure to yield the right of way to the vehicle operated by Brian Nicholson
which led to the accident which caused the collision with Plaintiffs vehicle;
(f) Failure to keep a proper watch fo.r traffic on the highway;
(g)
Failure to drive his vehicle with due regard for the highway and traffic
conditions which were then occurring and of which he was or should have
been aware;
(h) Failure to keep proper and adequate control over his vehicle;
(i)
Driving his vehicle upon the highway in a manner endangering persons and
property in a reckless manner with careless disregard to the rights and safety
of others in violation of the motor vehicle code of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania; specifically Defendant was found to be in violation of 75 Pa.
C.S.A. § 3731(Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol), § 3361(Driving
Vehicle at Safe Speed) and § 3714 (Careless Driving);
(J)
Driving his vehicle while under the influence of alcohol to a degree which
rendered him incapable of safe driving and driving his vehicle while having
a blood alcohol content of .2% in violation of 75 Pa. C.S.A. § 3731;
(k)
Failing to take appropriate actions to remove his vehicle from the roadway
in a reasonable and prudent manner;
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, Tina Carannante, demands judgment in her favor and
against Defendant for a sum in excess of the jurisdictional amount requiring arbitration
under the Rules of Cumberland County, together with delay damages pursuant to
4
Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 238, Attorney's Fees, lawful interest, ptmitive
damages, costs and any other relief the Court deems just and appropriate.
COUNT II
PLAINTIFF, PAOLO CARANNANTE VS. DEFENDANT, GEORGE
RICHARDSON
15. The Plaintiff, hereby incorporates by reference 1 through 14 as though set
forth at length herein.
16. At all times material hereto, Plaintiff, Paolo Carannante, was the lawfully
wedded husband of Tina Carannante.
17. As a result of the aforementioned injuries sustained by his wife, Tina
Carannante, Plaintiff, Paolo Carannante has been and may in the future be deprived of the
care, companionship, consortium and society of his wife all of which will be to his great
detriment and claim is made therefore.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, Paolo Carannante, demands judgment in his favor and
against Defendant for a surn in excess of the jurisdictional amount requiring arbitration
under the Rules of Cumberland County, together with delay damages pursuant to
Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 238, Attorney's Fees, lawful interest, punitive
damages, costs and any other relief the Court deems just and appropriate.
Respectfully Submitted,
IRA H. WEINSTOCK, P.C.
800 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Phone: (717) 238-1657
IRA H. WEINSTOCK
]3. DOUGI-~RT~
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA )
) SS:
COUNTY OF
We verifY that the statements made in the attached COMPLAINT are true and
correct. We understand that false statements herein are made subject to the penalties set forth
in 18 Pa.C.S. §4904 relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
- TINA (~ARAI~NANTE
PAOLO CARANNANTE
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
AND NOW, this 27th day of March, 2002, I, John B. Dougherty, Esquire, attorney
for Plaintiff, hereby certify that I served the within COMPLAINT this day by depositing
the same in the United States mail, postage prepaid, in the post office at Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, addressed to:
By First Class Mail:
George B. Faller, Jr., Esquire
MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
~(~HN B. DOUGI~RT~'
F:heILES~DATAFILE\Travdec cur\747 - am. I/nlm
C'[¢ated: 0~/09/02 04:19:48 PM
Revised: 04/10/02 09:49:44 AM
3090747
TINA CARANNANTE AND
PAOLO CARANNANTE, her husband
Plaintiffs
V.
GEORGE RICHARDSON,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 02-156
CIVIL ACTION-LAW
JURY TRIAL OF TWt
DEFENDANT'S ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS' COb
1. After reasonable investigation, the Answering Defendan
information sufficient to form a belief as to the troth or falsity of these
2. Admitted.
3. Admitted.
4-12. Denied pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1029(e).
COUNT I
;LVE DEMANDED
[PLAINT
is without knowledge or
.verments.
PLAINTIFF TINA CARANNANTE VS. DEFENDANT GEOI~GE RICHARDSON
13. The averments of paragraphs 1 through 12 of this Answer are hereby incorporated
by reference.
14. Denied pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1029(e).
WHEREFORE, Defendant demands judgment in his favor an~ dismissal of Plaintiffs'
Complaint with prejudice.
COUNT II
CARANNANTE VS. DEFENDANT GEORGE RICHARDSON
PLAINTIFF
PAOLO
averments of paragraphs 1 through 14 of this Answer are hereby incorporated
The
by reference.
16-17. Denied pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1029(e).
WHEREFORE, Defendant demands judgment in his favor and dismissal of Plaintiffs'
Complaint with prejudice.
MARTSON DEARDORF~ WILLIAMS & OTTO
BYGeoi~. F~ !ui~,
I.D. Number 49813
Ten East High Street 1
Carlisle, PA 17013-309~
(717) 243-3341
Attorneys for Defendan
VERIFICATION
The foregoing Defendant's Answer to Plaintiffs' Complaint is based upon information which
has been gathered by my counsel in the preparation of the lawsuit. The ilanguage of the document
is that of counsel and not my own. I have read the dogument and to the ~xtent that it is based upon
information which I have given to my counsel, it is true and correct to t~e best of my knowledge,
information and belief. To the extent that the content oi~ the documeni is that of counsel, I have
relied upon counsel in making this verification, i
This statement and verification are made subject to the penalties o~ 18 Pa. C.S. Section 4904
relating to unswom falsification to authorities, which provides that ii I make knowingly false
averments, I may be subject to criminal penalties.
~'Ge~t~e Ri~chard[on
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Christina N. Yost, an authorized agent of Martson Deardorff Williams & Otto, hereby
certify that a copy of the foregoing Defendant's Answer to Plaintiffs' Complaint was served this date
by depositing same in the Post Office at Carlisle, PA, first class mail, po!tage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
John B. Dougherty, Esquire
IRA H. WEINSTOCK, P.C.
Suite 100
800 N. Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
Dated:
By
Christina N. Yost
Ten East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-3341
TINA CARANNANTE and PAOLO
CARANNANTE, her husband,
VS.
GEORGE RICHARDSON,
Plaintiffs,
Defendant.
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNA.
No. 02 - 156
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
PRAECIPE
TO THE PROTHONOTARY:
Please mark the above-captioned matter settled, discontinued and ended.
Respectfully Submitted,
IRA H. WEINSTOCK, P.C.
800 North Second Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Phone: 717-238-1657
~-jOH~,,I B. DOUGI~RTY ~
Atty. I.D. No. 70680
DISCONTINUANCE
AND NOW THIS ~ day of _~ ~ ~/~___
case is hereby marked settled, discontinued and ended.
2003, the above-captioned
PROTHONOTARY:
By:
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
AND NOW, this 6th day of August, 2003, I, JOHN B. DOUGHERTY, Esquire,
attorney for the Plaintiffs, hereby certify that I served the within PRAECIPE this day by mailing
the same to:
George B. Faller, Jr., Esquire
MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS & OTTO
10 East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
By: (~,o4,-~.., ~I:~. /~CA.I~ ~
~)HN B. DOUGHERI~Y ~