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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL MUTUAL
CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, as
Subrogee of Callen Kinback, Inc.,
CIVIL DIVISION
No.:
Plaintiff,
vs.
COMPLAINT
MEL'S HEATER SERVICE, LLC,
Defendant. Filed on Behalf of Plaintiff,
Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty
Insurance Company, as Subrogee of
Callen Kinback, Inc.
Counsel of Record For This Party:
Christopher P. Deegan, Esquire
PA I.D. #85635
Email: cdeegan(&wglaw.com
WEBER GALLAGHER SIMPSON
STAPLETON FIRES & NEWBY LLP
Firm #594
Two Gateway Center, Suite 1450
603 Stanwix Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 281-4541
Fax: (412) 281-4547
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL MUTUAL
CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, as
Subrogee of Callen Kinback, Inc.,
CIVIL DIVISION
NO..
Plaintiff,
VS.
MEL'S HEATER SERVICE, LLC,
Defendant.
NOTICE TO DEFEND
TO: Mel's Heater Service, LLC
16 Queen Road
Intercourse, Pennsylvania 17531
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. IF YOU WISH TO DEFEND AGAINST THE
CLAIMS SET FORTH IN THE FOREGOING 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 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
32 South Bedford Street
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Telephone: (717) 249-3166
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL MUTUAL
CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, as
Subrogee of Callen Kinback, Inc.,
Plaintiff,
CIVIL DIVISION
NO..
VS.
MEL'S HEATER SERVICE, LLC,
Defendants.
COMPLAINT
AND NOW, comes the Plaintiff, Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance
Company, as Subrogee of Callen Kinback, by and through its attorneys, Christopher P. Deegan,
Esquire and the law firm of Weber Gallagher Simpson Stapleton Fires & Newby LLP, and files
the following Complaint:
1. Plaintiff, Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company (hereinafter
referred to as "Penn National"), as Subrogee of Callen Kinback, Inc., is a corporation doing
business within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and having a place of business at Two
North Second Street, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17101.
2. Callen Kinback, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as "Callen Kinback") is a corporation
organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with a principal place of
business located at 905 Market Street, Lemoyne, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17043.
3. At all times relevant hereto, Callen Kinback was the holder of a policy of
insurance issued by Penn National which covered its property and contents located at 905 Market
Street, Lemoyne, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania 17043.
4. Defendant, Mel's Heater Service, LLC (hereinafter referred to as "Mel's Heater
Service") is a limited liability company with its principal place of business located at 16 Queen
Road, Intercourse, Pennsylvania 17531.
5. Callen Kinback contracted with Defendant for the purchase and service of a waste
oil furnace located on Callen Kinback's aforementioned property.
6. Defendant attempted to service and/or repair the waste oil furnace on several
occasions, including but not limited to October 15, 2009, November 13, 2009, December 28,
2009 and December 29, 2009.
7. Defendant was the only servicer and/or repairer of the waste oil furnace.
8. On or about December 30, 2009, an employee of Callen Kinback arrived at the
property at approximately 6:00 a.m. and discovered soot and/or oil blowing out of the
aforementioned waste oil furnace, which was located in the garage of Callen Kinback's
aforementioned property.
9. As a result of the soot and/or oil emitting from the furnace, Callen Kinback's
property and contents sustained significant damage.
10. Upon learning of the damage, John Kinback of Callen Kinback called "Mel" from
Mel's Heater Service to notify him of the problem.
11. "Mel" arrived at the scene at approximately 8:00 a.m., inspected the furnace and
said that Mel's Heater Service would take responsibility for the damage.
12. Pursuant to its policy of insurance, Penn National has reimbursed Callen Kinback
for the aforementioned damages in the amount of $166,566.92.
13. Pursuant to its policy of insurance and common law, Penn National retains
subrogation rights against any party or parties liable for causing damage to the covered property
-2-
owned by Callen Kinback and/or for payments made pursuant to its policy of insurance to others
as a result of the same.
COUNT ONE - NEGLIGENCE
14. Paragraphs 1 through 13 of this Complaint are incorporated herein by reference as
if the same were set forth at length below.
15. Defendant was negligent in general and breached its duty of care owed to Callen
Kinback in the following particulars:
(a) in failing to service and/or repair and/or maintain the waste oil
furnace in a safe, proper and workmanlike manner;
(b) in failing to follow industry safety standards during the service
and/or repair and/or maintenance of the waste oil furnace;
(d) in failing to properly test and inspect the waste oil furnace during
and following Defendants' service and/or repair and/or
maintenance;
(e) in violating the applicable standards, local ordinances and national
codes;
(f) in failing to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when
servicing and/or repairing and/or maintaining the furnace;
(g) in causing soot and/or oil to emit from the waste oil furnace;
(h) in bypassing the primary control in the waste oil furnace;
(i) in failing to properly adjust the burner in the waste oil furnace; and
(j) in allowing the waste oil furnace to keep operating when it was not
working properly;
(k) in failing to properly supervise its employees and/or agents and/or
representatives;
(1) in failing to properly train its employees and/or agents and/or
representatives;
-3-
(m) in failing to properly protect Callen Kinback's property from the
possibility of damage from the waste oil furnace;
(n) in acting in a careless, reckless, negligent manner;
(o) in permitting its employees and/or agents and/or representatives to
act or admit to act as described in the above subparagraphs (a)
through (n); and
(p) in failing to provide Callen Kinback with the standard of care
owed to it under the existing circumstances
16. As the sole, direct, legal and proximate result of Defendant's negligence as
aforesaid, 4'allen Kinback has suffered the damages as set forth above.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Company, as Subrogee
of Callen Kinback, demands judgment in its favor and against the Defendant, Mel's Heater
Service, LLC, in the amount of $166,566.92, exclusive of interest and costs.
COUNT TWO - BREACH OF CONTRACT
17. Paragraphs 1 through 16 of this Complaint are incorporated herein by reference as
if the same were set forth at length below.
18. Defendant entered into an oral contract with Callen Kinback for the sale,
servicing and maintenance of the waste oil furnace.
19. Defendant breached the terms of the contract, generally and in the following
particulars
(a) in failing to service and/or repair and/or maintain the waste oil
furnace in a safe, proper and workmanlike manner;
(b) in failing to follow industry safety standards during the service
and/or repair and/or maintenance of the waste oil furnace;
(d) in failing to properly test and inspect the waste oil furnace during
and following Defendants' service and/or repair and/or
maintenance;
-4-
(e) in violating the applicable standards, local ordinances and national
codes;
(f) in failing to follow the instructions of the manufacturer when
servicing and/or repairing and/or maintaining the furnace;
(g) in bypassing the primary control in the waste oil furnace;
(i) in failing to properly adjust the burner in the waste oil furnace; and
(j) in allowing the waste oil furnace to keep operating when it was not
working properly;
20. As the direct and proximate result of Defendants' aforementioned breaches,
Callen Kinback suffered damages as set forth above.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff, Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Company, as Subrogee
of Callen Kinback, demands judgment in its favor and against the Defendant, Mel's Heater
Service, LLC, in the amount of $166,566.92, exclusive of interest and costs.
Respectfully submitted,
WEBER GALLAGHER SIMPSON
STAPLETON FIRES & NEWBY LLP
By: ?A(19
Christopher. Deegan, Esquire
Attorneys for Plaintiff
-5-
VERIFIED STATEMENT
I, Christopher P. Deegan, Esquire, being the attorney for Pennsylvania National Mutual
Casualty Insurance Company in the within action, am duly authorized to make this Verified
Statement on its behalf. I hereby verify that the statements set forth in the foregoing
COMPLAINT are true and correct to the best of my information and belief based upon
knowledge obtained from representatives of Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance
Company.
I understand that false statements made herein are subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.
§4904, relating to unsworn falsifications to authorities.
Christoph P. Deegan, Esquire
DATE: October 28, 2011
SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Ronny R Anderson
Sheriff
Jody S Smith
Chief Deputy
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T11r PROT1 10?JOT 'D11 's'
Richard W Stewart
Solicitor
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CUMBERLAND OMNI"(
PENNSYLVANIA
Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company Case Number
vs.
Mel's Heater Service, LLC 2011-8234
SHERIFF'S RETURN OF SERVICE
11/15/2011 Ronny R. Anderson, Sheriff who being duly sworn according to law states that he made a diligent search
and inquiry for the within named defendant, to wit: Mel's Heater Service, LLC, but was unable to locate
them in his bailiwick. He therefore deputized the Sheriff of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania to serve the
within Complaint and Notice according to law.
11/21/2011 04:10 PM - Lancaster County Return: And now November 21, 2011 at 1610 hours I, Terry A. Bergman,
Sheriff of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, do hereby certify and return that I served a true copy of the
within Complaint and Notice, upon the within named defendant, to wit: Mel's Heater Service, LLC by
making known unto Melvin Stoltzfus, adult in charge for Mel's Heater Service, LLC at 16 Queen Road,
Intercourse, Pennsylvania 17531 its contents and at the same time handing to him personally the said true
and correct copy of the same.
SHERIFF COST: $37.00
November 28, 2011
SO ANSWERS,
RON R ANDERSON, SHERIFF
jc Cour,`.ySuite Shesnft. Tel.eowlt. Lac.
SHERIFF'S O.EF1CE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Ronny R Anderson C111114
Sheriff
Jody S Smith Richard W Stewart
Chief Deputy r= Solicitor
3
Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Company
Case Number
vs.
Mel's Heater Service, LLC 2011-8234
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SERVICE COVER SHEET
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w Now, ovember 15, 2011 I, Sheriff of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania do hereby deputize the Sheriff of Lancaster County
d to exe ute service of the documents herewith and make return thereof according to law.
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W Return To:
-i Cumberland County Sheriffs Office
One Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013 onny R Anderson, Sheriff
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL MUTUAL CIVIL DIVISION- "4--
CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, as - r-n
Subrogee of Callen Kinback, Inc., NO.: 11-8234
Plaintiff,
ems...
vs. PRAECIPE TO SETTLE. D
DISCONTINUE
MEL'S HEATER SERVICE, LLC,
Defendant.
Filed on Behalf of Plaintiff,
Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty
Insurance Company, as Subrogee of
Callen Kinback, Inc.
Counsel of Record For This Party:
Christopher P. Deegan, Esquire
PA I.D. 485635
Email: cdeegan(?wglaw.com
WEBER GALLAGHER SIMPSON
STAPLETON FIRES & NEWBY LLP
Firm #594
Two Gateway Center, Suite 1456
603 Stanwix Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Phone: (412) 281-4541
Fax: (412) 281-4547
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IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY. PFNNSYI.VANIA
PENNSYLVANIA NATIONAL MUTUAL ) CIVIL DIVISION
CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, as )
Subrogee of Callen Kinback, Inc., ) NO.:
Plaintiff, )
vs.
MEL' S HEATER SERVICE, LLC,
Defendants.
PRAECIPE TO SETTLE AND DISCONTINUE
TO: DAVID D. BUELL, PROTHONOTARY
Kindly settle and discontinue the above-captioned action.
Respectfully submitted,
WEBER GALLAGHER SIMPSON
STAPLETON FIRES & NEWBY LLP
By: ??" '??
Christop r P. Deegan, Esquire
Attorneys for Plaintiff
h
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing PRAECIPE TO SETTLE
AND DISCONTINUE has been served by first class U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, this 8th day ol'
March, 2012, upon the following party:
George B. Faller, Jr, Esquire
Marston Law Offices
10 East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Christopher P. Deegan. Esquire