HomeMy WebLinkAbout94-00136
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BITH ANN TOMLIN80N,
Plaintitt
, IN THI COURT or COMMON PLlA8
, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PINNA.
,
, CIVIL ACTION - LAW
: ~~RY '~R~AL ~~D~~ 91/
v.
RINEI SPOHN,
Defendant
MOTICI TO DI.IID
You hay. b..n .ued in aourt. It you wi.h to d.t.nd again.t
the alaim. .et torth in the following pag.., you mu.t taka aotion
within tw.nty (20) day. attar thia complaint and Notia. ara ..rv.d,
by .nta~ing a written appeuana. p.nonally or b~ attorn.y alld
tiling in writing with the Court your det.n... or objeation. to the
olaim. ..t torth again.t yau. You ar. warn.d that it you tail to
do .0 the aa.e may proc..d without you and judqment may b. .nt.r.d
agdn.t you by the Court without furth.r notic. tor any mon.y
olaimad in the complaint or tor any oth.r alaim or r.li.t requ..t.d
by the Plaintift. You may lo.e mon.y or property or oth.r ri9ht.
important to you.
YOU 8HOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU DO
NOT HAVE LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPlIONIl THE OFnCIl
SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HBLP.
Court Admini.trator
cumb.rland county Courthou.. - 4th Floor
1 Courthou.. Square
Carli.la, PA 17013-3387
(717) 240-11200
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81TH ANN TOMLINSON,
Pla!ntUt
v.
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,
,
,
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IN TH. ~OURT or COMMON PLIAS
CUMBIRLAND COUNTY, PINNA.
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. (3 to fl, fqt1~
JURY TRIAL DIHANDID
RENEI SPOHN,
,Det.ndant
co. , L A I . T
1. Plaintift 8.th Ann Tomlin.on i. an adult individual and
citiun of the COD\lllonwealth of p.nn.ylvania who reaid.. at 1138
Market Stre.t, New Cumb.rland, Cumberland County, P.nn.ylvania.
2. D.t.ndant Rene. Spohn ia an adult individual and alti..n
ot the COllllllonw.alth of p.nn.ylvania who r..id.. at 1108 Bridg.
Street, N.w Cumb.rland, Cumberland County, Penn.ylvania.
3. The tact. and oacurrenc.. hereinatter r.lated took place
on or about Oatober II, 1993, at approximately 10'011 a.m. on State
Route 2018 in N.w cumberland, cumb.rland County, P.nn.ylvania.
4. State Rout. 2018 in the area of the accident i. a two-
lane urban .tre.t whiah aurve. at the acaident .it., but run.
g.nerally north and .outh with lanee tor parking on both .id.. ot
the .tre.t.
II. State Rout. 2018 .outh ot the acaident .it. i. known ..
Brandt Avenu. and north of the aacid.nt .it. i. known a. limp.on
Ferry Road.
37066f~AH
6. .tat. Rout. 2011 i. . .tat.-d..ignat.d through highway,
.nd at the .it. ot the .aaid.nt/ int.r..at. with a loa.l .tr.at,
Brandt Av.nu., which i. controlled by a .top .ign.
7. At that time and plaae, Plaintitt B.th Ann Tomlin.on wa.
op.rating a Sahwinn biayal. in a north.rly diuation on SR 2011
approaahing it. int.r.eation with Brandt Avenu..
8. At that time and plaa., O.tendant R.n.. Spohn w..
op.rating . 1992 Dodg. Caravan in a north.rly direation on SR 2018
trav.Unq in the .am. direction but behind Plaintitt Beth Ann
Tomlin.on.
9. At that time and plaae, Plaintiff B.th Ann Tomlin.on w..
att.mptinq to pr.oa..d around the aurv. to continua proaeeding on
SR 2018 n.ar it. int.r.eation with Brandt Av.nu..
10. Plaintitt Beth Ann Tomlin.on wa. prcc..dinq a. n.a~ to
the right .ide ot SR 2018 a. praaticabl. and wa. .xerai.ing due
aar. in ob..rvinq other trattic .topp.d on Brandt Av.nue.
11. At that time and plaa., Defendant R.n.. Spohn wa.
att.mpting to turn ott SR 2018 onto Brandt Avenu., at which time
the front right porticn ot Defendant Spohn'. vehicle viol.ntly
aollided with the bicyale op.rated by Plaintitt Beth Ann Tomlin.on.
12. A. a re.ult ot the aolli.ion, Plaintitt B.th Ann
Tomlin.on w.. thrown ott the blayal. and landed on the .tre.t/
cau.ing her .av.re and p.rmanent injurie..
2
13. The toregolng .aoid.nt and all at the injurh. and
damag.. let torth h.reinatt.r .u.tain.d by PlIintUt B.th Ann
Tomlin.on are the dinat and proximate n.ult of the neglig.nt,
oar.l..., wanton and r.akle.. manner in whiah Petendant Ren.1I Spohn
op.rat.d her motor vehiale a. tollow..
Failur. to hay. her vohiole und.r .uoh aontrol a.
to be able to .top within the a..ur.d al.ar
dbtanae ahead,
Failure to k..p alert and maintain a prop.r watoh
tor the pre..nae of bioyli.t. on the road,
Failure to ~pply her brak.. in .utfioi.nt time to
avoid .trikinq Plaintiff B.th Ann Tomlin.on,
Failure to travel at a .at. .p..d,
Failure to drive her vehiale with due regard tor
the hiqhway and traftia aondition. whiah w.r.
.xi.ting and ot whiah h. waa or .hould have b.en
aware,
Failur. to k.ep proper and ad.quat. aontrol ov.r
her v.hiale,
Drivinq her v.hiole upon t',he hiqhway in a manner
.ndangerinq p.r.one and property and in a reokl...
manner with aarel... di.nqard to the right. and
..tety of oth.re and in violation ot the Motor
V.hiale Code ot the CO\ll\llonwealth ot p.nn.ylvania.
14. Ae a dir.at and proximat. re.ult ot the atorementioned
(a)
(b)
(a)
(d)
(.)
(t)
(q)
aaaident, Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlin.on .u.tained paintul and ..ver.
injurie. whiah inalude but ar. not limited to three tracture. ot
her pelvi., and aontulionl, a. well aa g.neral .hcok to her n.rvou.
'Ylltela.
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15. BV raa.on of tha atore.aid injuria. .u.tainea by
Plaintitt Bath Ann Tomlin.on, .ha wa. toraad to inour liability tor
maaiaal traatment, mediaation., hoepitalization., and .imilar
mi.cellaneou. axpan.a. in an ettort to ra.tore har.elt to haalth,
and alaim i. mada tharefore.
16. laaau.a of the nature of her injuria., Pla1ntUt lath Ann
Tomlin.on ha. been advi.ed and, theretora, avare that .he may be
foraed to inour .imilar expen.e. in the futura, ana olaim i. made
tharetor.
17. A. a re.ul t of the aforementioned injuria., Plaintiff
Beth Ann Tomlin.on hae underqone and in tha futura will undergo
qreat phy.iaal and mental .ufferinq, 9raat inaonvanienoa in
oarrying out her daily activitie., 10.. ot life'. plaa.ura. and
anjoyment, and alaim i. made theretor.
18. A. a re.ult of tha atoramentionad injuria., Plaintitt
lath Ann Tomlin.on ha. baen and in the futura will ba .ubjaot to
qraat humiliation and embarra..ment, and claim i. mada therator.
19. Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlin.on continue. to be plaguad by
peuiatant pain and limitation and, theretore, aven that her
injurie. may ba ot a permanent nature, cau.ing re.idual probla..
tor tha ramaindar ot her litetima, and claim i. mada tharetor.
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BETH ANN TOMLINSON,
Pla1ntift
, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS or
, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
,
, NO. 136 CIVIL 1994
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I JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
v.
RENEE SPOHN,
Defendant
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AND NOW, aome. the defendant, Renee Spohn, by h.r attorn.y.,
Fowler, Addam., Shughart' Rundle, and makes the following answ.r
to the plaintitf's complaint I
1-3. Admitted.
4. After reaeonable investigation, the detendant i.
without knowledge ,ufficient to form a belief as to the truth of
the averm.nt. The same is therefore denied.
I
5. The answer to Paragraph 4 is incorporated herein by
reterence.
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6. Th. answer to Paragraph 4 is incorporated h.r.in by
reterence. Brandt Avenue extends directly north and .outh, and
northbound traffia is not controlled by a .top .ign.
7. Denied a. stated. The plaintiff was traveling north
on the right hand berm of Brandt Avenue.
8. Denied a. .tated. The defendant was traveling north
on Brandt Avenue.
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9. Denied as stated. It appeared that the plaintitf was
turning left onto simpson Ferry Road.
10. The aonclusion of law is denied and the an.wer to
Paragraph 7 is incorporated herein by reference.
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11. Denied. The defandant wa. continuinq north on Brandt
Avenua and the plaintiff .uddenly and without warninq turned left
diraotly in front of her vehiole.
13. After raa.onable invo.tiqation, the datendant i.
without knowledga .utfiaient to form I beli.f a. to tha truth of
the avarment. reqarding tha plaintiff" injuria. and damaqe..
The ..me are therafore denied.
13. The aonolusion of law that the operation of the
defandant'. vehiale was neqligent, oarelese, wanton and reakle..
i. denied.
14-31. The answer to Paragraph 12 is incorporated herein by
refarenae.
WHEREFORE, the defendant roquests the complaint be
di.mi..ed.
NEW MATTER
By way of further answer and defense, the detendant ....rt.
the tollowing in new matterl
32. The aaaident set forth in the complaint wa. aau.ed
eolaly or in part by the plaintiff's oontributory negligenoa inl
A. Making a left turn directly in front ot the
defendant'. vehicle.
B. Failing to signal her intention to turn left onto
Simpeon Ferry Road.
c. Failing to operate her vehiale to tha laft .id. of
Brandt Avenue prior to attempting to turn left.
.
~1J:E FJC",'nOH
Renea Spohn hareby v.rifia. that the faats ..t torth in tha
toragoing An.wer ara trua and aorreat to the ba.t of her
knowladga, information and beliat, and undarstand. that tal.a
.tatement. herein are made .ubjaat to tha penaltia. ot ,18 Pa.
C.B. 14904 relatlng to unsworn falsitiaation..
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B~T" ANN TOMLI~SON,
pla!ntift
v.
,
,
I
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,
,
,
IN THE COURT or COMMON PLIAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
,
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 136 CIVIL 1994
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
RENEE SPOHN,
Defendant
.LJIKTI..'. ...LY TO D...KDANT'. NOTIOH IN LINIH.
AND NOW, Plaintitt, Beth Ann Tomlinson, by and through h.r
attorn.y., Angino , Rovner, P.C., hereby re.pond. to D.tendant'.
Motion in Limine as followSl
COUNT I
1. Admitted.
:Z. Admitted.
3. Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlinson .u.tained . traatur. ot the
pUbia rami. extending into the anterior aolumn of the iliac win9
area of her pelvis with . subtle anterior margin tractur. of the
left aaetabulum. aAa, anatomical diagram. of pelvi. .howinq the
loaation. of the fracturee, attaahed hereto a. Exhibit "A".
Plaintitf Beth Ann Tomlinson wa. ho.pitalized for a p.riod ot nine
day. at Harri.burg Ho.pital wh.r. Ih. wa. in traation, .urgery wa.
not r.quired, and .he wa. oft work until r.bruary, 1994, a p.riod
ot approximately four manths.
Although Plaintitt Beth Ann
Tomlin.on did make a good reaov.ry, Plaintitf's treatinq orthopedio
phyaioian, Craiq W. rultz, M.D., prepared a report, dated May 11,
1994, indicating that .he had the po..ibility of dev.loping ahronio
&n60/DMII
pain in her pelvi., a. well al developing poat.traumatio arthriti.
in h.r aaaroiliao ~oint.. Plaintift Seth Ann Tomlin.on do.. not
beli.v. that .h. ha. r.turned to h.r full funation at thi. point.
11.I, report ot Dr. Fulta attaah'cS h.reto .. Exhibit "S".
4. Admitt.d. It i. admitted that the ottiae not.. of Dr.
Fultz were attaahed a. Exhibit "S" tc Detendant'. Motion.
~(b). Deni.d. It i. .peoifiaally d.ni.d that Plaintitf S.th
Ann Tomlin.on did not auetain a "ledou. injury" in aacordanae with
the penn.ylvania Motor Vehiale Finanaial Re.pon.ibility Aat, 7~
Pa.C.B.A. 51702. Plaintiff Seth Ann Tomlinaon wa. ho.pitaliz.d tor
a period of nine daya for a tr.atured pelvia, durin9 whiah time .h.
wa. totally r.stricted from any activitie.. Plaintitt w.nt on to
a period of re.trictiona from work for tour month., during whioh
time .he wa. reetricted from any w.iqhtbearin9 on her l.g. Ov.r
the four month p.riod, Plaintiff .lowly proqr....d to full
w.ightbea~ing at the time .h. wae rel.a.ed to r.turn to h.r work.
Plaintitt B.th Ann Tomlin.on oontinu.a to have re.idual probl.m.
and ia .u.a.ptibl. to future aompl!oat1on. .. a ra.ult ot the
injury and therefore maintain. that ah. did .uatain a .eriou.
injury and .uatained a .erious impairm.nt of body funation in the
plat and may have .erioua aompliaation. in the futur..
7. D.nied. It i. .peaitiaally d.nied that Plaintitf Beth Ann
Tomlin.on i. precluded trom maintaining an action for non..oono.io
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10.... in Icaordanc. with Section 1705(d). To th~ oontrary, it 1.
avarr.d that Plaintitt did .u.tain a ..riou. injury and ther.tor.,
i. permitted to obtain non-economia damage. (pain and .utfering)
again.t the Detendant.
WHEREFORE, Plaintift Beth Ann Tomlin.on re.p.cttully requ..t.
th!a Honorable Court to deny Defendant'. Motion in Limin. to
prealud. reaov.ry on non-eoonomia damage..
COUNT II
7. It i. admitted that Plaintitt B.th Ann Tomlin.on wa. on
her bicyale and wa. prooeeding around a curve on sa 2018 while the
Detendant'. van wa. traveling north on Brandt AVenue in N.w
Cumberland. It i. further admitted the aooident oaaurred a.
Plaintitt Beth Ann Tomlin.on started through the aurve to aontinu.
on SR 2018, whioh turn. into Simpeon Ferry Road beyond the aurv..
Plaintiff B.th Ann Tomlin.on objeat. to Defendant'.
aharacter1zation that the Oetendant Wla aontinuing on the .am.
.tr..t on whioh .he had been traveling prior to .triking Plaintitf
Beth Ann Tomlin.on. Althcugh the loaal .tre.t nam. remain. the
..m., the Stat.-de.ignated highway and the through trattia tlow i.
around the aurve on the Stat.-d..ignated highway, a. indicated by
the .igning and pavem.nt marking. Which exi.ted at the int.n.ction
at the time ot the accident.
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8. Adm!ttad.
9. Plaintitf Bath Ann Tomlin.on propol" to aall tha Di.t~iat
TratUa Enginear trom the Pann.ylvania Departmant o~ Tranlportation
to axplain the .igning and pavament marking. whiah axi.t.d at tha
intar.aotion, a. .~t torth in Plaintitf'. Of tar ot Proof aontainad
in a lattar to Attorney William A. Addam., dated Augu.t 14, 1994,
attached herato a. Exhibit "C".
10. Admitted.
11. Oanied. It ie .pecifiaally denied that plaintitt Bath
Ann Tomlineon i. aallinq tha Di.triot Trattio Engineer trom the
Penn.ylvania Department of Tran.portation to render op!nion. ot an
expert nature, and in hat, the OiBtriat Traftia Enqineer ia
prohibited trom aatinq as an expert on behalf ot a party in aivil
litiyation. Plaintiff'. purpo.e in oallinq the Di.triat Trattia
Enqinau ia to explain the aiqninq and pavement markinq. whiah
exi.tad and why the .iqninq wa. in plaae at the intar.eotion, a.
.et torth in Plaintitt'e otter ot Proof. Plaintiff Bath Ann
Tomlin.on maintains that tha Di.triat Traffio Enqinaar'. ta.timony
i. tactual and i. intended to explain to tha jury tha .ignitioanaa
and maaninq ot the .iqn and pavement markinq., ba.ed upon whioh the
Court will ba required to aharqe the jury .. to tha 18gal
obliqation. on the partie. involvad in tha aaaidant. Plaintitt
Bath Ann Tomlin.on maintain. that the Di.trict Traffic En9in.e~"
4
t..Ulllony will b. limply to axplain to the jury tha a1gnll1g ancS
whit ita intancSad purpo.a WI' in aontrollinq the tlow ot trattia cn
tha state-de. ignited highway, whiah il under the Di.trlat Traftla
Enginaar" juri.diation and control
12. Denhd. It is .peaitiaally deni.d that thi. a..a
involve. how a reasonable driver would proaeed through the aurva
under the airoumstanaes whioh Ixi.ted. Defendant wa. .till
obligated to tollow the rules of the road in addition to latinq
rea.onably under the oiraumstanoes. Plaintiff Bath Ann Tomlin.on
maintain. that thi. aasl aenter. around the legal obligation. ot
both oparator. and whether Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlin.on, a. a
biayole rider proaeeding around the aurva on the stata-da.ignlted
highway, had any obligation to .ignal or .top batore proaeeding
around the curve and whether Detendant Renee Spohn had any
obligation to yield the right-ot-way before exiting tha stata-
da.ignated highway. Plaintiff maintain. that tha legal dutie. ot
the parU.. to the lawsuit are the aentral ia.ua aonaernlnq
liability in this aase, and those dutie. oannot be datermined by
the jury without a alear under.tanding of the legal obligation. and
phy.iaal taatora, inoluding the layout of the highway which ex!ated
in thia aue.
14. Denied. It i. .peaifioally dani.d that the te.timony ot
the Di.triot Traffia Enginear i. not ralevant. TO the oontrary,
is
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Plaint1tt Bath Ann Tomlin'Qn maint.in. that the Di.triot Trlttla
Enginaar'. ta.timony b In ....nti.l toundation tor tha Cou~t"
ahug8 a. to the lagal obligltion. ot tha oparatora under the
P.nn.ylvlntl Motor Vahiol. Cod..
WHEREFORE, Plaintitf Bath Ann Tomlin.on r..p.attully raqua.t.
thb Honorabla Court to d.ny Datendant'. Motion in Limin. to
prealuda reoovery on non~.aonomia dam.q...
.. . 01
I. D. No. 36/S13
4/S03 North Front straat
H.rri.burg, PA 17110~17ii'
(717) 238-671l1
Coun.al tor Plaintitt
Dat.d, q/IIJ/qll
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CUluberland Orthopaedic hssociates, LTD.
811 November Drive. Camp HIli, PA 17011.e087
Phone 717.7111.81144 . Fax 717.761.11880
Thoma, H. M.lln, M.D., F.A.C.S.
WIIII.m J. Pol.oh.o~, Jr., M.D.
Craig W. Fullz, M.D.
May 11, 1994
Michael E. Kosik, Esquire
Anlllno & Rovner, P.C.
4~03 North Front Street
Harrlsburll. P A 1711 0
RE; Beth Tomlinson
~38 Market Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
Dear Mr. Kosik:
1 am wrltinll you In rellards to Beth Tomlinson as you requested in your letter dated
March 30. 1994.
Beth Is a 32-year-old white female who was reportedly Involved in a bicycle accident on
October~, 1993. She claimed to have been rldinll her bicycle and was struck by an
automobile sustalninll injury to her pelvis on the left side. She was seen by me at Harrlsburll
Hospital where she was broullht for evaluation. Her X-rays at that time demonstrated a pubic
ramus fracture extendinlllnto the anterior column and the iliac winll area of her pelvis. She
Is Ilrossly neurovascularly Intact and she did not appear to have any other slllnlficant Intra-
abdominal or other orthopedic injuries. She was admitted to the hospital for pain control as
well as to obtain a CT scan of her pelvis to further evaluate the anatomy of her fracture. It
was necessary so that definitive and appropriate treatment could be outlined for her.
The CT scan of her pelvis demonstrated a left Inferior pubic ramus fracture as well as a subtle
anterior marllln fracture of her left acetabulum. She did not appear to have sillnificant Intra.
articular involvement of her fracture. There is no evidence of any Instability of her hip joint
created by these fractures. She also had a fracture extendinll into her left iliac winll. The
pubic symphysis as well as the SI joints appear to be intaot. These findinlls allowed us to
outline an appropriate conservative treatment rellimen for her in that acute surllical
intervention was not necessary for these fractures. The patient was advised on the prollnosis
of her injury includinll the possibility of developlnll chronic pain in her pelvis, nonunion of
the fractures, an4 the possible need for future surllery. She was also advised on possibly
developlnll post traumatic arthritis in her SI joints.
PRACTIC! LIMITlD TO ORTHOPAI!DIC SUROERY
RE: Beth Tomlinson
May 11, 1994
Palle 2 I
The patient was treated with a course of bedrest and was subsequently dlscharlled to home on
October I~, 1993. She Willi uslnll crutches for ambulation at the time ofdlscharlle. She wu
still havinll a moderate dellree of discomfort in her pelvis. but had markedly improved in
comparison to her admission status.
The patient wu seen in my office on October 22, 1993, on November 19, 1993, on
December 17, 1993, on January 27, 1994, and her last office visit Wll8 on March 23, 1994.
Durinll these office visits, she had physical exams completed and intermittent radlollraphlc
evaluations. As these findinlls demonstrate slllns of bony healinll, we advanced her
welllhtbearlnll status. At approximately elllht weeks post fracture, she was advanced to partial
weillhtbearinll on her left lei. At ten and one half weeks post fracture, she was allowed to
advance herself to welllhtbearinll as tolerated. At her last office visit, on March 23, 1994. she
was approximately five and one half. months status post her pelvic fracture. The patient wu
dolnll well. She would lIet occasional achiness In her pelvis which did not appear to be
related to any speclflc activity and it spontaneously resolved. She had no radicular symptoms
or pain with s~dinll or walkinll activities. Her physical examination demonstrated no
~nderness about her fracture sites or to stressinll of the pelvis. There was a full ranlle of
motion of her hip and lower extremities with normal neurolollical and vascular examination.
At her last office visit, the patient hu an excellent result for the extent of her injury. It is my
opinion that it will be uniikely that she will need any further Intervention for these fractures.
Her proanosis is Ilood. She is statistically at slillhtly IIreater risk for developinll post
traumatic arthritis in the SI joints, but one cannot be sure whether this would definitely
develop or not. At the present time, 1 believe that there would be no further costs for any
future treatment related to this injury.
1 believe this answers all of your questions and concerns rellardinll Beth Tomlinson's injuries.
Sincerely,
C~~~~~
CWF/mb
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Auquat 24, 1194
Willi.. A. A44.ma, I.quir.
lOWJ..B, ADDAMS, SHUGHART' RUNDLE
P. O. lox 20.
2. Bouth Pitt Str..t
c.rli.l., PA 17013
RII To~lin.Qn v. S90hn
D.ar lilll
Pl.... acc.pt thb l.ttar a. a written ottar ot prootr a.
.uqq..t by Ju4q. Hottar in hi. Pr.-Tri.l Order, d.ted Auqu.t 17,
1994. A...t torth in our Pr.-Trial Memorandum it iI our
intantion to call a rapre..nt.tiv. ot the penn.Ylvan!a Dapartment
ot Tran.portation to ta.titl to the aiqninq which existad at tha
accidant .ite and tho dqni icanc. ot the aiqninq, a. it pertain.
to vahicle. oparatinq on that .eation ot hiqhway.
I contactad tha Diatrict Enqin.erinq ottic. and waa advi.ad
that Ronalel Irown, tha Diatrict Trattic Enqinaar, would bl the
elaaiqn.. to taatity at the trial. In apeakinq with Mr. Brown, h.
can contira that the "Latt Turn with Sid. Road straiqht Ahead 819n"
(W1-1LS) ia an otticial D.partm.nt ot Tranaportation trattic
control elevic.. 1aI, attach.d aiqn eliaqraa. H. will tlltity
conaiatant with the elaacription which ia contain in tha D.partment
of TranaportatJ.on raqul.tiona for tha plac.mant anel ue. ot the
81qn.
In aelelitJ.on. Mr. Brown will axplain that aa tar II tha
Dapartmant of Tranaportation ia concarneel, the local atra.t namaa
ar. irrelevant to the aiqninq and tratfic controla which ara
in.t.ll.el. In thi. caaa, the State-elaaiqnat.el hiqhway (SR 2018) i.
tha major throuqh hiqhw.y, anel Brandt Avenu. notth ot the curv.
woulel be conaid.rad the local ..conelary ro.d. SR 20U w.a
praviou.1Y daaiqnatad aa Leqialativa Routa (LR) 21022, which hael
b.an Idopt.el by the P.nnaylvania L.9ialatur. a. I Stat.-d..ignatad
hiqhWIY, a. indicat.el by the two ..ction. ot Purdon atatut.. . 3.
P.'. 1173.-2 and 11753-2. The sacret.ry ot Trln.portltion
pr.viou.ly iaauad a l.qal l.ttar eleai9na~inq tha Stata hiqhwlY a.
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CERTIFICATE or SERVICI
I, Donn. M. Rineer, an employee ot the law firm of An9ino ,
Rovner, P.C., do hereby certify that I am thi. day .ervin9 a true
and correct oopy of the foregoing .LAINTI"', a"LY '0 D.'IMDAMT'I
NotIO. IN LININ' upon all counsel of record, via postage pre-paid,
first cla.. United atate. mail, addr...ed a. followSl
William A. Addam., E.quire
FOWLER, ADDAMS, SHUGHART' RUNDLE
P. 0, Box 208
2U South pitt Street
carli.le, fA 17013
If) /7}?~ /?1. -,eh? ~ in
Donna . lneer
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Auquat 24, U94
Willi.m A. Add.m., I.quir.
FOWLER, ADDAMS, SHUGHART , RUNDLE
P. O. Box 208
28 South Pitt Street
carli.l., PA 17013
REI Tomlin.on v. Spo~
D..r Billl
Pl.... accept thia letter a. a writt.n otter ot proot, ..
.uqqe.t by JUdqe Hotter in hi. Pre-Trial order, dated Auqu.t 17,
U1l4. A. ..t torth in our Pre-Trial Memorandum it 18 our
int.ntion to c.ll a representative ot the p.nnaYlvania Department
ot Transport.tion to testity to th~ siqning which existed at the
.ccid.nt sit. .nd the aiqniticanc. ot the aiqninq, aa it pertains
to vehicl.. operatinq on that section ot hiqhway.
,
"
I contacted the District Enqineerinq ottice and was advi.ed
that Ronald Brown, the D18trict Trattic Enqineer, would be the
designee to teetity .t the trial. In apeaking with Mr, Brown, he
can conUrm that the "Lett Turn With Side Road straight Ahead Siqn"
(W1-1LS) 18 .n otUcial Department ot Transportation trattic
control device. IU, attached siqn diaqram. He will te.tity
conaistent with the de.cription which i. contain in the Department
ot Tranaportation requlation. tor the placement and use ot the
siqn.
In .ddition, Mr. Brown will explain that .. tar as the
Department ot Tr.nsportation i. ooncern.d, the loc.l .tr..t names
are irrelevant to the si9nin9 and tratUc controla which .n
install.d. In this c..e, the state-desi9nated hiqhway (SR 2018) ia
the major through highway, and Br.ndt Av.nu. north ot the curve
would b. conaider.d the loc.l s.condary road. sa 2018 wa.
previou.ly de.igneted a. L.9islative Route (LR) 21022, which had
been adopted by the Penn.ylvania L.qislatur. a. . state-de.iqnated
highway! a. indicated by the two .ections ot Purdon etatutes - 36
P.8. '1738-2 and 11753-2. The Secretary ot Transportation
previously issued a 1e9al lett.r desiqnatin9 the state hiqhway as
BETH ANN TOM~INSON,
Plaintiff
I IN THE COURT OF COMMON P~EAS or
I CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSY~VANIA
I
I NO. 136 CIVI~ 1994
I
I
, JURY TRIA~ OEMANDEO
v.
RENICE SPOHN,
Detendant
DEFENDANT'S REOUESTEO POINTS FOR CHARGE.
AND NOW, come. the defendant, Renee Spohn, by her attorney.,
Fowler, Addams, Shughart' Rundle, and requests Your Honorable
charge the jury as followSI
Under the law and the evidence, your verdict mu.t be in
Defendant Renee spohn.
2. The Vehicle COde, 75 Pa. C.S.A. 53331(b) provide.'
Lett turn. - The driver of a vehicle intending
o turn left shall approach the turn in the extreme
eft-hand lane lawfully available to traftic moving
in the direction of travel of the vehicle.
3. The Vehicle Code, 75 Pa. C.S.A. 53334 provide.,
Turning movement. and required .i9nal.
ea) General rule. - upon a roadway no peraon
.hall turn a vehicle or move from one traffic lane
tQ.anothor or enter the traffic stream from a parked
'~o.ition unless and until the movement can be made
with reasonable safety nor without giving an
appropriate aignal in the manner provided in this
.ection.
>,
'I
eb) .i9nal. on turnin9 and .tarting. - At .peed.
of lea. than 35 mile. per hour, an appropriate eignal
ot intention to turn right or left ehall be given
continuouely during not lese than the last 100 teet
traveled by the vehicle before turning. The aignal
ehall be given during not lesa than the last 300 teet
at .peeds in excess of 35 milea per hour. The eignal
.hall aleo be given prior to entry of the vehicle into
the traffic at ream from a parked position.
i'
4. The Vehicle code, 75 Pa. C.B.A. 53324 provide.'
VebiDle ente~in9 O~ D~o..in9 ~o.4w.y
The driver of a vehiale about to enter or cro..
a ~oadway from any place other than another roadway
.hall yield the riqht.of-way to all vehicle.
approachinq on the roadway to b~ entered or cro..ed.
"Roadway" is def ined as, "That portion of a hiqhway
improved, de.iqned or ordinarily used for vehicular travel,
exclusive of sidewalk, berm or shoulder even thouqh such
sidewalk, berm or shoulder is used by pedicycl$s. In the event a
hiqhway includes two or more separate roadways the term 'roadway'
reters to each roadway separately but not to all such roadwaye
oollectively" 75 Pa. C.B.A. 5102.
5. The abov'il provision of the Vehicle Code "dictatee the
oare required of someone in the same situation as the
If you find that there was a violation ot this Aot,
find the plaintiff neqliqent as a matter of law.
However, before you answer the question of plaintiff's ri9ht to
reoover, you must determine whether this negligence was a
substantial factor in bringing about the plaintiff's injury."
Pa.SBJI Cciv) 53.30.
6. The defsndant claims that the plaintiff wae
ne91igent. contributory neg1igen08 is negliqence
on the part of the plaintiff that is a substantial factor in
brinqing about the plaintiff'. injury. The burden i. not on the
, .
plaintiff to prove her freedom from oontributory neqliqenoe. The
dlfendant ha. the burden of provinq contributory neqli91nce by a
fair preponderance of the credible .vidence. You mu.t d.termine
wheth.r the defendant ha. proven that the plaintiff, under .11
the circum.tance. pre.ant, failed to exerci.e realonable oare for
hi. own protection.
The defendant contends that Miss Tomlinlon wa. neqliqent inl
A. Ridinq alon9 the berm or shoulder and then enterinq
the roadway in the path of the defendant, thus violatinq
53324 of the Vehicle Code.
,
1 .... B. Turninq left from the riqht hand side of the road,
, thus violatinq 53331(b) of the Vehicle Code.
1-
C. Turninq left without a siqnal, thus violatinq 53324
of the Vehicle Code.
D. Failinq to look for traffic cominq behind her.
.
1-
.
E. Failinq to have a mirror
F. Failinq to observe the defendant's vehicle in time
to avoid a oollision.
Even if you find that the plaintiff was neqliqent, you mUlt
al.o determine whether the defendant haa proven that the
plaintiff' I oonduot was a substantial factor in brinqinq about
the plaintiff's injury. If the defendant does not sUltain that
burden of proof, then the defense of contributory neqliqence ha.
not been made out. Pa. SSJI (Civ) 53.03.
7. Under P.nnsylvania law, the plaintiff may recover
non-economic 10s8 damages in this oase if the plaintiff can show
by the greater weight of the evidenoel
(1) Defendant wae negligent in one or more way. .s X
d.soribed to you in my instruotions,
(3) Defendant's negligenoe was a substantial factor in
about injury to the plaintiff, and
(3) Plaintiff's injury resulted in non-eoonomio damages,
and
(4) Plaintiff suffered serious impairment of a body
function.
To deoide this last and additional element of proof,
you must decide, based upon the evidence I
(1) Whether the injuries sustained by plaintiff in the
acoident impaired one or more body functions I and
(2) Whether that impairment of a body funotion was .erious.
In determining whether the impairment of a body function was
serious, you should consider such factors as the extent of the
impairmont, the particular body function impaired, the length of
time the impairment lasted, the treatment required to oorrect the
impairment, and any other relevant faotors.
An impairment need not be permanent to be serious.
The terms, "serious", "impairment", and "body funotion" have
no special or teohnical meaning in the law and should be
SETH ANN TOMLINSON,
Plaintiff
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLANO COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION. LAW
94.0136 CIVIL TERM
v.
RENEE SPOHN,
Oefendant
VEROICT FORM
1. 00 you ttnd that the Oefendant Renee Spohn wal negligent?
YES )(
NO
I).,
If you anewer YES, proceed to question 2.
If your answer Is NO, please notify the clerk or bailiff and you will have
reached a verdict and you will be returned to the courtroom.
2, Wae the negligence of the Oefendant, whom you have found to be negligent
In qUlltlon 1, a substantial factor In causing the Injuries to Plaintiff Beth Ann
Tomllneon?
YES 'X NO
. ,~
It you answer YES, proceed to que.tlon 3.
If your answer II NO, please notify the clerk or bailiff, and you Will
have reached a verdict. and you will be returned to the courtroom.
3. Wae Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomllneon negligent?
YES_X- NO
11
It your anewer to thle question Is YES, proceed to question 4.
It you anewered NO to thle question, proceed to question 6,
... Do you find that Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomllnlon'l negllg.noe, whloh you found In
qUlltlon 3, WII a lubltantla' faotor In bringing .bout her h.rm?
YES~ /1-. NO
It your .nlwer II YES. proo..d to qUlltlon 5.
It your anlwer to thll qU8Itlon II NO, prooeed to qUlltlon 8,
&. raking the oomblned negligence that wal a Iubltantlal faotor In bringing about
the Plaintiffs harm as 100%, what percentage of causal negllgenc. wu
attributable to the Defendant, and what percentage wal attributable to the Plaintiff
Beth Ann Tomlinson?
a. The percentage of cauaal negligence attributable
to Defendant Renee Spohn (answer only If you have
answered both qU8Itlons 1 and 2 YES). 70 %
b. The percentage of causal negligence attributable
to Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlinson (answer only If you
have answered both qU88tlons 3 and 4 YES) ~c;'"
It you have found that the Plaintiff's causal negligence to be great.r than
50%, then Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlinson cannot recover, and you should not anawer
qU8ltlona 6 and 7 and should retum to the courtroom.
It) ~\ ';l
6. a. Did tha Injury sustained by Plaintiff In the accident Impair one or
more body functions?
YES X \ l NO
b. Was that Impalnnent of a body function serloul?
YES X
12...
NO
If you answer YES to both questions, proceed to queatlon 7.
If you answer NO to each question, Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlinson cannot
reoover, and you should notify the clerk or bailiff and you will be retumed to thl
courtroom.
7. etat8th. amount of damagee, If any, IUltalned by Plaintiff Seth Ann Tomlln.on.
. 30,oC:>O 10- \ ~
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COof\PNWEAIJllI OF Pl'NNHYl,VANIA,
COUm'Y m' CllolJ3f:1l1ANll
In The Court of Common Plells of
ClIm~)erland county, Pennsylvania
No, 136 Clv 11 THill 1994
Complaint in civil Action I,aw ancJ
NotJ.ce to Defend
Peth Ann Tomlinson
VII
Renee Spohn
W~sley Coo~__.____--__--..-__-." >mJl6IJ~lk DO[lllty Sheriff. of
Cunberland County, Pennsylvania, who boin.,') duly swor.n i1c,~ordJ.ng to law, says,
that he served the within
ComplaJ.nt in Civil Action Law and
-tThTiino------ ------.-----.
, the defendant, elt 5150
Notioe to
upon Renee Spohn
o'clock
_"y_..M. EST / ~ on the __.___H__.____. day of ___~_~1I11:.~_' 1994 at
508 Bridge ~ee.i.L1i\l'!l'_G.\!m.!?.!l.X.UllliL______________._, Cl.D11oorland County,
Pennsylvania, by handing to .._ __ll~.llii..\l._QI)_g!lD__._______.n.___.__
a true and attellted copy of the _~..9.!Jl..R1!!JJ)_LJJl_C!.vi.Ll\.f;_t.i~' to
Defend
and at the sarm time diroet:ing .._._l)~J:___ attention to the contents thereof and
the "Notiee tcl Pl('<,)d" endorsed thO/:non.
Sheriff's Costlll
Docketing
Service
At tidav it
Surcharge
14.00
9.52
So answers I
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2.00
25.52 Pd. by atty.
1-25-94
H. 'I'IV,l11ilB KUn{!, Sheriff
SWorn l111d subscdbed t'.1 ll<)fon! 1m
lJy__.....iL~t.tk/j&.,jL:...._
. Deputy SM6riff
this .JiAl!:._ day of '"fl.Ll"'''''H.,..--_-
19 'i'( A.D.
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Prothonotary
"
_ITH ANN TQM~INSON,
plaintiU
, IN THE COURT or COMMON PLEAS or
I CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
I
. NO. 136 CIVIL 1994
.
I
I JURY TRIAL DF-HANOED
v.
RENEE SPOHN,
Detendant
MOTION IN LIMINE
AND NOW, comes the detendant, Renee spohn, by her attorney.,
FOWler, Addams, Shughart' Rundle, and makes the tollowing motion
in limine.
COUNT I
1. The plaintiff was injured in a motor vehiole aocident
which i. the ba.i. for this suit.
2. The plaintiff is subj eot to the "Umi ted tort" option,
3. The plaintiff sustained a fraoture of the pelvi., but
ha. apparently made a full and oomplete reoovery.
4. The offioe notes of her attending physioian, Craig W.
.rultz, M.D., are attaohed as Exhibit "A".
5. The plaintiff did not sustain a "serious injury" in
aocordance with the Motor Vehiole Finanoial Responsibility Aot,
75 fa. C.B.A. 51702, whioh is defined as, "A personal injury
re,ulting in death, serious impairment of body function or
permanent .erious disfigurement."
6. The plaintiff i8 preol.uded from maintaining an aotion
tor noneconomic loss in acoordanoe with S1705(d).
WHEREFORE, the defendant requestB.Your Honorable Court to
i..ue an order preoluding reoovery for noneoonomic 10...
qOUNT II
7, The plaintiff on her bicycla wa. preceding the
defendant" van traveling north on Brandt Avenue in New
Cumberland. The .ooident ocourred a. the plaintiff .tarted into
the ourve to go left on Simp.on Ferry Road a. the defendant
continued .tra1qht on Brandt Avenue.
e. A oopy ot the .ign po.ted .outh ot the inter.ection i.
attached a. Exhibit "B".
9. The plaintiff proposes to oall the oi.tr.iot Traffic
Engineer from PennOOT to explain why the inter.eotion wa. .0
po.ted.
10. The engineer will teetify that Brandt Avenue .outh of
the inter.eotion and Bimpoon Ferry Road together are de.ignated e
.tate highway (B.R. 20U) and that a. .uoh it 11 a "major through
highway" and that Brandt Avenue north of the inteuection ie a
"looal .econdary road." His attend te.timony is .et forth in
detail in the letter from plaintiff" attorney attaohed a.
Exhibit "C".
11, Expert t..timony i. not admi..ibl. when the faote ere
within the clear understanding of the jury.
12. The i..ue i. not why PennDOT po.ted the inter.eotion or
whether B.a. 2018 i. a .tate highway I rather it ie how reaeonable
drivere (both bioyole and motor vehiole) would prooeed through
the intereeotion ul\der the ciroumetanoe. then exiltinq.
'1 _I
13. The te.ti.ony of the en91neer i. not relevant.
WHERErORE, the defendant reque.t. Your Honorable CQUrt to
i..ue an ordlr precludin9 the tl.ti.ony of the PlnnDOT
I'.pn..ntati VI.
Re.pectfully lub.itted,
fOWLER, ADDAMS/ SHUGHART , RUNDLE
aYI
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aJII A. AddaJII.
28 South pitt stre.t
P.O. Box 208
Carli.l./ PA 17013
(717) 249-8300
Attorney. for Defendant
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TOMlINSON. Beth
636 Market' Strftet
New Cumberland. PA 170'10
((; Q jQ1),p
M.IAY 10' ,;}. .1 ';l..J f' e' /.". ,\ ',,' "
,. Octobe~ 22, 1993--FRIDA Y AM
Beth is approximately 2 wks, post Injury. She Pl'elllnts usln, crutches for
ambulaUon. The patient notes that she is more comfortable. She has some
intermittent ,",oin discomfort whan she lets in and out of a chair. Thll
patient has no si,nltic$l1t discomfort when she Is ambulatinl and III only toe
to\lch WB on the left aide.
PE I Her lower extremity is ,roasly n/v intact. Gentle PROM of her hip
causes no pain about the pelvic fractures. She haa no si,n1tiClUlt tenderne..
to palpation in her 1P'0in I buttocks, or over the illac win,. Vl,orous
stressin, i.s not carried out today.
XRI Pelvic X-rays including Jude views were carried out. There is no
chan,e in the nondisplaced fracture. involving her Wac wins and pubic ramus
fractures includin, the anterior column. ' '
DX I Pelvic fracture
Pl,: The patient was advised on continuing her pain medication on a prn
basis and her toe touch nmbulation. We will re-evaluate her in 4-5 wks.
clinically and radio,raphically. rr there is adequate healing. we can , "
consider starting to let her advance her WB in a slow progressive 'fashion.
If she still haa pain, we will need to protect her even longer. She was,
advised that she will be using ,the crutches 8-12 wks.
CWF Imka
RTO: 4-5 wks.
c. 4j' (
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[( - I 9 -13 ~I VI ~ - ~ y
November 19. 1993--FRIDAY PM
Beth is now 6 wks. post fracture. She has been toe touch WB. She notes that
the only time that she has pain is when she is attempting to set in and out
of a car. Occasionally. she will get some achiness in her left ,roin.
PE I There is no tenderness to her pelvis with palpation about the iliac
crest wins about her Ischial tuberosity or about her groin over the pUbic
rami. PROM of her hip causes no pain in her groin. She is grossly n/v
Intact.
XRI X-rays today demonstrate no change in the alignment of the fracture
segments. They continue to be in excellent alignment. There is some leu
distinction of the fracture sites consistent with some early healing. I do
not see alot of bony formation. though.
CONTINUED
)
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,TOMLINSON, Beth
638 Market Street
New Cumberland, PA 17070
~(Q)flf
November 18. 1883--FILIDAY PM CONTINUED
OXI Pelvic fracture
PLI I adviled the patient on continwni to toe touch WB for an additional
2 wk.. and then ....dually work hereelf up tll 50' WB on the left Ie, over the
la.t 2 wk.. W. wID re-evaluate her clinically In 4 wk.. It .he i. havinlJ
no .irniflcant pain at 50' WB statu., we will Il'adually advance her to full
WB. She can return to work with the restrictione noted.
CWF/mka
RTO: 4 wks.
12/14/93 Copy of.offlce notes to Aetna. Authorization In chart./dmr
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Oecenlber 17, 1993--FRI0AV PM
Beth Is 10 1/2 wks. post fracture to her pelvis. She notes that she has occastonal
achiness In her pelvis. She has been partial WB with no pain referable to her
pelvis. She continues to use crutches for ambulation.
PEl She has no tenderness about her pelvis to palpation In both over the iliac
. wing, iSchial araa and pubic ramas area. She has no pain In her groin or about the
" pelYit-.with PROM of ./'erJ.en hip. She can stand with equal weight on both legs with
no apparent pain i.n n~r pelvis. She Is grossly n/v intact.
. .:",(r,
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OX: Pelvic fracture
PL: Th~ patient was advised that she may advance herself'to full WB. She can
return to work with the restrictions noted. We will see her back In'the office
In 6 wks. She should be full WB with no crutches and pain-free. X-rays will be
obtained at that time. If she reaches these goals, we will allow her to return to
work with only lifting restrictions.
CWF/mka
RTO: 6 wks.
12/27/93 Prepayment card to Anglno & Rovner. PC. $10.00 copy of office notes & billing
Authorization In chart./dmr
'..'JI'~I':""l-I.'II". '." I ,.1.
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'TOML IHSOH. a,tll
538 M.rk.t Street
Haw CUMb.rl.nd. PA 17070
i;~ h~ /.<"'1 :1'\ \v/\ ,~.....'
,JaIlUI\!'V :.&7. 1l)1I4--nlUJ\HOAY )'M
...tb I. a 311 IlllInth" "/p f",lvle rrl\lltul'tl. Hhlll lICIt.. 'M' ,h. I. dCJIn, w.ll.
Bhe hill An 1I\1&:...lo"al ac:llbID"" about thB lLdduc:l.Ilr lIIu,Cllu tb.t arl III bar
lP"Oln ""lIIn. It 11 blfrClQUlnt .lId mild. Sha dllnt" IIhY pllln About 11...
l11nc wlnl! qr lachJlI1 ",ea. Ihe hM b4lun full WII,
1'1. 811ft hu no tllndemNl' W )I.lpntlon Dl'Ollt, her flel"l. IncludlnlJ 'hll
pubic rlllll" .nd "r.ht~ Rr..., Thfl'" 1M 1111 p"ln with AP and .,tarat
l1OIJlpl'll..lIIn "r her palvl". III,u I'lIn /lt4nd with equal woll,ht on both 11ll,. ..
Willi lIlI Ifn.llll 1111 .....nclI wlthllut It'lfnl,lcQllt lluln, Ilhlll III 'J'll/l/llll n/v
Intllet, Thllre I. nll pl\lll with PROM or her left hip,
"1\1 X'ra)'1I todllY llhow furthar /llIrnll IIf hon)' hcallnlt. 'l'l\e rCllllllnln.
.....ct.llr.. are h.rdty vl"lblll Itt I.hll\ point. Thl'lrll I' no nh.llse In l\lllPllllllllt
tor th. tracturM troIII "I'lwlou. X.r')'II.
DX I l'.,lvlCl r"lWturc--hllalllllC
l'LI '1'''e ,..tlont WI'" IIdvllll"t thltt If her I'rll(\tllre I. heallld 'Mu.h. 111111
can ratllrn \;A) full IWtlvity Milt NI/lUlllr work. 'rh. ol1ly thin, .he .hwid not
pnrt1clpatfJ In woulrl be oon....at, ll)'lOrtl. Rhe IJlIJl rllt,llm \0 work ol'/ 1/31/Uf,
W" will ....lIY.lu.t.II her III 8-11 wk". I' .h., Is doln. W.,U At that time. Wf
wW dlllchllr<<e her.
CWJ"/lDkll
WI'OI 11'11 wb.
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'l'OMLlNlION, Jktll
.531 MNu. SIIQtI
Now Cumberland, PA 17070
M.n. U.l',....WXDNrJlDAV I\M.
Both I. 5~ IIIDntllslllp pelvic "KIII.... IIIMl notOI thol Me I. 411111' we,l. "he will aot
ocllUlonolllOblna.. III IIIr polvla, II docI not aWN to be rohllcd In uny ~Inc 1lOd,\lllY.
ThiI will IplmtuooUlly FCNl,lvo. Sho dllllicI any rlldl~ular ")'mptolM or paln with atandln,
and walklllllsclivlllD*.
I'BI Thfro II no tClldlrlllllUl to palpation ..bout hor pelvis anteriorly or P1131arlorly. Sho Iw
l\ nlptlvll compreallllllelltu AP Ill1d lotllral COIllJllC1l\iIl/l. Thero f. . t'uIlIlOM of hol' blp,
Her lower oxtremitl.cl Ill'lI n/v Inlsct.
DX: Pelvlo Imotvro
PL: nIl patlont 11 bullla dllliharllcd tolUU I.C\lvil)' and roJ<lrletod work, SbG wu ouvilllld
on tho llroanoal, and II\lUl)'. Silo InUY Intllrmitte'lIly hava Ichh_ that Mil mllY JlCcd W lIka
Mvll on 1& JIrfI huaI.. She only ncods 10 roturn to tho offiee on a pm bII....
CWll/mka
Ino: prn 1111S.11
July 20, I".... WrmNMDAV, A.M.
XR LT HtEL 2v
B4llh ptohnlllQday fur ovaJUIIllon of a now problom. She hat bad hccl JlIIill on dWl loft lid.
tnr 111 undetermined llrIIOIIllt of 11m I. Hho I. unllllfC whothlll' it has baen hcro ~Irwo the
ICCldClltor JUIl moro monlty when 11I0 Inerooaed hOt walking. Sho denlos IlllY new blunt
trauma IlIIIoOIAIOd with the /loot pain" 'Illc heel poin I. oxcruollllnllln the IllOI'nlll8 with tho
ar.llICp,
JlXAMI 1'ha patient hu tllndcn_ ebolll tho pl.ntar lIIfloct of hor ca'C4llCUI whoro the
P'IIlI1r r.sll Ittaobrnlmt Ia. She he. no IClldomllll w mlldlaJllaloral palfl1llon or lb"
~... or .boutlhll AI:NIIOlI tendon rotroca'CIIlCll' bU1'll11nllI. !lha hill aood paulvc ROM
or her 11I1I.. 'fIl"" II 1llll4nder1l1lliM III II", SllblMllll' joint.
X-raYI today tlf her calOlllIlUl domonllr.le 11lP\lflC&llt colccncallllborollty or plantar 1IpIIl'.
111ft Ie 110 obvloul (Q or bony deatnll1llon.
DIAGNOSIS:
1.1.11'1' foot 1I'1lll1" fMOllllI
CONTINUED
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NU~t1A1U ". APmltm
I.Aw..r..II:..'"
ANUINU &, HOVNIlm. I W,
,..In.,. NOV"."
,t)fUIIIIIW,NI'.II...u
UAVIII,.l.IlTI
P""'I'.A n, .'IUM"'"
'Ut:n"tm A. IIAUIoINtll
",'m.. (J, m"ON
NIl'UN,. ..AIt......A
HAWN I. ,.,..NINlJII
".\JII,n'IIrI"'WUQ
TillY" UV"'''N
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')ATU.",N. M "'A.lAnY.....,T..
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../Un) ~fIIlT'1 rHnN1' H'rHWlIll1'
IIAN>>IMJIIJHlj."If.NNA 1'111'
1'11'1111"""1
Al.llilu.t 24, 1U4
W1ll1a. A. Adda.., I.quir.
FOWLER, ADDAHS, SHUGHART , RUNDLE
P. O. Box 208
28 South P1tt stre.t
Carlisl., PA 17013
RII Tomlin.on v. SDoh~
D.ar BUll
Pl.... acc.,pt thh l.tt.r as a writt.n ofter ot proot, a.
lugge.t by Judge Hotter in hi. Pre-Trial order, dated Augu.t 17,
1lI94. A. .et torth in our Pre-Trial Memorandum it i. our
intention to call a repre.entative ot the pennsYlvania Department
ot Tran.portation to testity to the sign1nq which exilted at the
accid.nt .it. and the .ignificance ot the .igning, a. it pertains
to v.hicle. operating on that .eotion ot highway.
I contact.d the Di.trict Engineerinq ottice and was advi.ed
that Ronald Brown, the Di.trict Traftic Engineer, would be the
de.ign.. to t..tity at the trial. In speaking with Mr. Brown! he
can contin that the "Lett Turn With Side Road Straight Ahead Siqn"
(W1-1LS) i. an otticial Depart.ent of Transportation tratfic
control d.vice. lI.I, .ttached siqn diagram. He wUl teltify
consi.tent with the description which 1. contain in the Department
ot Tran.portAtion regulation. tor the placement and use ot the
I1gn.
In addition, Mr. Brown will .xpldn that a. tar as the
D.part..nt of Tr.n8portation i. conc.rned, the local str.et nam..
are irr.l.vant to the signing and trattic controh which are
in.talled. In this ca.e, the Stat.-de.ignat.d highway (SR 2018) i.
the .ajor through highway, and Brandt Av.nu. north ot the curve
would b. consid.r.d the local .econdary road. SR 2018 was
pr.viou.ly d.signated .. Legislative Rout. (LR) 21022, which had
be.n adopted-by the P.nnsylvania L.gislature as a state-de.ignat.d
highway, es indioated by the two .eotion. ot Purdon statut.. - 36
P.8. 11738-2 and 117S3-2. The S.cretary of Transportation
pr.viously is.u.d a legal l.tter d.signating the stat. highway as
Elxhibit "e"
....
,
81TH ANN TOMtINSON,
plaintiff
I IN THE COURT or COMMON PtEA8 or
I CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
I
I NO. 136 CIVIL 1994
I
I
I
v.
RINIlI SPOHN,
Defendant
JlRAECIPE
sirl
Plea.e enter our appearance for the defendant.
FOWLER, ADDAMS, SHUGHART' RUN OLE
BYl
/4~~a(
, i am A. ame
28 South pitt Street
P.O. Box 208
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 249-8300
TOI Lawrence E. Wilker, prothonotary
DA'X'El February
6It .-
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4, 1994
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BETH ANN TOMLINSON, I IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
plaintiff I CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
I
v. I CIVIL ACTION - LAW
I
RIlNlIl SPOHN, I NO. U6 CIVIL 1994
Deftndant I JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
n.III'1'I'.'1 I7DaV III'1'.aaoa.'l'oan.
SET I
I,
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c ae . o. ,
I. D. No. 361513
41503 North Front street
Harrieburq, PA 17110-1799
(71'7) :238-6791
Coun.el for plaintiff
I,
Datacll q / ~ II Iq~ .
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1. Do you find that the Det.ndant a.n.. Spohn wa. ne9l19.nt1
Y..
NO
It you en.aw.r "Y.a", proooed to queation 2.
It your anawer ia "No", pl.... notify the olerk or bailiff and
yOU will have r.ach.d a verdiot and you will be return.d to the
court room.
2. Wa. the ne9ligenc. ot the Detendant, whom you have found to b.
ne9li9.nt in qu.ation 1, a aubatandal tactor in cauain9 the
injurie. to plaintitt B.th Ann Tomlin.on?
Ye. __
No
If you anawer "Yea", prooeed to qu.ation 3.
It your answer i8 "NO", plane notify the clerk or bailiU,
and you will have reach.d a verdict, and you will b. returned to
the court room.
r' II-
II. Talein9 the oombin.d n'9U9.no. that w.. . aubatantial faotor in
brin9in9 about the Plaintiff'a harm aa lOOt. what
parcanta9a of oauaal ne9li9anoe waa attributable to the Defendant,
and what perc.ntag. w.. attributabla to the PlaintUf Bath Ann
Tomlinaon?
(a)
Th. p.rc.ntaqe of cauaal neqUgenoe
attributable to Defendant Renee spohn
(anawer only if you have anewered both
qu..tione 1 and 2 nYe.n). . . . . . . . , . , .
(b)
Th. percentage of cau.al n.q119ano.
attributable to Plaintiff Bath Ann Tomlineon
(an.Wer only if you have anewered both
queetion. ) and 4 nVe.n) . , , . , . , . . .
TOTALl lOOt
If you have found that the Plaintiff'. causal neqligence to ba
,
guater than !Sot, then Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlinson cannot recover,
and you .hould not anewer queetione 6 and 7 and .hould return to
the courtroom.
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11TH ANN TOMLIN'ON, I IN THI COURT or COMMON PLEAS
*,ldntUt I QUMBIRLANDCOUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
,
v. , CIVIL ACTION - LAW
,
'; RENIIl SPOHN, I NO. 136 CIVIL 1ii4
Defenelant I JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
'~AII1I..'. JURY IHTI.,OQATOII..
SET II
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c e , o.
I, 0, No. 36513
4503 North Front street
Harriaburq, PA 17110-17ii
(717) 238-6791
Coun..l for Plaintiff
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Dateell q/').{,/Cfi/
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U1U/DMA
1. Did Plaintiff 'eth Ann Tomlin.on .u.tain a ..riou. injurY1
No
Ye.
If you an"wer "Yea", proceed on to que.tion ...
If you anawer "No" , plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlin.on cannot
recover, and you .hould notify the clerk or bailiff and you will be
returned to the court room.
... state the amount of damaqe., if any, euetained by Plaintiff
8eth Ann Tomlinson. Ineert a figure for each category .et forth
below, It, for e partioular oategory, you do not beliave that the
Plaintiff auatained any damage., put the figure "0" in the apaoe.
Plaintiff 8eth Ann Tomlinson
(e) Pain and suttering - Past and Future . . . . , $
(b) Loa. of Enjoyment of Life . . . . . . . . . $
(c) Inconvenience in carrying out one'. daily
aotivitie. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $
(d) pa.t and Future Loet Earning. and Earning
capacity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . II . . , .
(e) Recoverable Medical Expen.e. . . . . . . . . , .
TOTAL .
Foreper.on
4
11TH ANN TOMLIN'ON,
,laiJ')t!U
I IN THI COURT or COMMON 'LIl.
I CUIIIIJU.AND COUNJ'Y, 'INN.YLVANIA
I
I CIVIL ACTION - LAW
I
I NO. 136 CIVIL 1ee4
I JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
v,
RINII &PONN,
Def.ndant
'L&!~I"'. J"LY TO DI'IVD~'. ... MATT"
AND NOW, plaintitt, I.th Ann Tomlin.on, by and throuvh h.r
attorn.y., Anvino , Rovner, P.C., hereby r..pond. to Detendant'.
An.w.r and N.w Hatt.r a. tollow.,
22. D.ni.d. Thl8 av.rm.nt i. a conclu.ion ot law to which no
r..pondv. pl.adinv 18 required. To the extent that a r..pon.. may
be d....d prop.r, it i. .p.citically denied that Plaintitt B.th Ann
Tomlin.on w.. comparetivelY or contributorily n.gUg.nt in any
mann.r upon the cau.. of action .tatad in h.r Complaint. Iy way of
turth.r r..pon.., Plaintitt I.th Ann Tomlin.on pl.ad. a. follow.,
(a)
It i. .p.citically deni.d that Plaintitt B.th Ann
TomUnlon wa. making a l.ft turn at the time that .he wa.
.truck by the Det.ndant. To the contrary, it i. av.rr.d
that Plaintiff I.th Ann TomUn.on w.. tollowing the
curvatur. ot stat. Rout. 2011, and it wa. the Detendant
who wal l.avinv the State d..ignat.d hivhway and turn1n9
onto the local highway d..ivnat.d a. Brandt Avenu.,
It i. .p.oitioally d.ni.d that Plaintitt B.th Ann
Tomlin.on had any Obli9ation to .ignal her int.ntion to
trav.l around the ourv. ot SR 2011, It i. .p.oitioally
d.ni.d that Plaintitf I.th Ann Tomlin.on wa. makinv e
l.ft-hand turn onto Simp.on F.rry Road. To the contrarYi
it i. averred that .h. wa. tollowinv tha natura
ourvatur. ot tha hiVhway, a. indioat.d by the .ivninv and
hivhway d..ivnation axl8tinv at the .o.n.. By way ot
furthar an.wer, it i. averr.d that D.fendant Ranaa Spohn
wa. makinv a turn otf the Stat. d..ignatad highway onto
(b)
401U/DlIJl
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the 10011 hi9hWlY d..ignated a. lundt Aven"e, and it w..
the Defendant who flUed to yield the ri,ht-of-way to
Plaintiff 'eth Ann Tomlineon,
It i. .peoifioally denied that plaintiff leth Ann
Toalinaon wa. required to drive her vehicle to the left
.ida of 8ft 2018 at ita inter.ection with Irandt Avenue.
A. uq\lired by the Penn.ylvania Motor Vahicle COde,
Plaintiff leth Ann Tcmlin.on we. driving her vehicle a.
far to the right a. practicable a. .he wa. round in, the
curve of sa 2018 and therefore, wa. in the propel'
po.ition to proceed around t:he curVe .. ahe had intended.
To the contrary, it ia averred it w.. the Defedant'.
failure to yield the right-of-way to Plaintiff 'eth Ann
Tomlinaon a. ahe wa. properly proceeding around the curve
on SR 2018,
Denied, It ia apecifically denied that Plaintiff Beth
Ann To.Un.on flUed to look for tufric prooeecUn, north
on SR 2018, To the contury, it i. averred that
Plaintiff Beth Ann TomUnaon w.. properly proceed in,
around the curve on SR 2018 in her proper pOlition, and
it wa. Defendlnt aenee Spohn who failed to properly
oblerve and yield the right-of-way tc Plaintiff Beth Ann
Tc.linlon,
(e) Denied. It ie Ipacifically denied that Plaintiff Beth
Ann Tcmlin.on hid an obligation to ob.erve and avoid the
Defendant'l vehicle which wa. approaching from her rear.
Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlinlon maintain. that Ihe wae
prOperl! proceeding around the curve on SR 2011 in the
appropr ate pOlition, Ind it wa. Defendlnt Renee Spohn"
flilure to obi. I've her and yield the right-of-way which
relulted in the collilion.
(0)
(d)
WHIRIFORI, Plaintiff Beth Ahn Tomlinlon relp.ctfully reque.t.
thJ.. Honorable Court to dilmi.. Defendant'. An.war and New Matter
and enter judgment in her fevor againlt the Defendant.
Dated I ~/lIlq1
~.
ae . 01 , Iquire
I. D. No. 36512
4503 North Front Street
Harri.burg, '1 17110-17"
(717) 238-6711
coun.el for plaintiff
v,aX,XCATJON
I, ..,. ANN 'IOIILZII.OII, ndaUff, have read the fore90inv
.LaX.,Z..', ..'LY TO DI.IIDAIT'I II" KA".. and do hereby ewear or
afUra that the facte eet forth in the foraCjJoinCjJ are true and
correct to tho b..t o~ my knowlod\J., information and beUef. I
under.tand that thi. Verification i. .ade .ubject tQ the penalti..
of II Pa. C.B. 54'04, relatinCjJ to un.worn fal.ifiaation to
authorltb..
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8ETH ANN TOMLINSON, , IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintift , CUMBl:RLANO COUNTY, PENNSYLVANI~
t
v. I CIVIL ACTION - LAW
I
RENEE SPOHN, I NO. 136 CIVIL 1994
Dehndant I JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
'LAINTI"'. 'OINT. 'OR OHARO.
AND NOW oomes Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlinson, by and throuqh her
ettorneye, Anqino , Rovner, P.C., and providee the tOllowinq jury
instruotions whioh she moves the Court to read to the jury.
"
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o ae . 0
I, O. No. 36513
4503 North Front Street
Harrisburq, PA 17110-17g9
(717) 238-6Hl
Counsel tor Plaintiff
Dated, qlJ,(;lq~
,I,
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13UI/DMII
3. If thl Ividlnol in thi, 01.1 I.tabli.hl. tha Defendant'_
na9li9anoa ha. plaYld a .ubatantial part ~n brin9in9 about
Plaintiff Bath Ann Tomlin.on" injuril', then thl Pleintiff ha,
proved hlr oa,a a9ainlt the O.fendant.
Ra.tatamant of Tort. 2d 5432/ Commlnt b" cited wit~ approvat in
Hamil v. Baahl1na, 481 Pa. 256/ 392 A,2d 1280/ 1287 n.6 (197' .
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II. Ladi.. and gentlemen of the jury, it b the general
r"PQnaibility of any vehicle opllrator to obey traffic control
device. which exist alon9 the highway and which were erected to
warn and 9uide operator. that travel on the hi9hway. In thia case,
you have heard testimony that traffic control device. include
warninq .igne, such as the yellow diamond shaped si9ns inr.talled in
advance of curve. or turn., which in this case aignalled a curve to
the 18ft with a secondary road qoing .traight ahead, the large
yellow arrow on the outside or the curve showing the direction of
flow of traffic on the main highway, and the pavement markin9.,
whioh included thl! double yellow center line which showsd the main
flow of traffic on the highway.
The PennsYlvania Motor Vehiclo Code provide EO that unle.e
direoted otherwi.e by a uniform police offer or any appropriately
attired person authorized to direot, control, and regulate traffic,
thll driver of any vehiole shall obey the instruction. cf any
applicable, oUioial traffio oontrol devices placed or held in
accordance with the provi.ions of this title. Thu., in thia ca.e,
you mu.t determine whether Derendant Renee Spohn complied with the
traffic control device. which were erected and in place on the day
of the accidont in traveling on the highway.
711 Pa.c.S.A. 53111/ 75 Pa.c.S,A. 56121 , 16122.
10. Onl who il oplratinq a motor vehicle upon thl hiqhwayil
under a duty to be oontinuoully alert, to peroeive any warninq of
danqer that ie re8lonably likely to e)lilt, and to have their
vehiole under luoh oontrol that injury to perlon or property oan be
averted.
W~l.on Fr,~aht Forwardinq Co. Ino. v. S8al, 367 Pa. 18, 71 A.2d 64.
(11151) ,
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13. Ladie. and !Jentlemen, .. you have heard in thh oa.., the
state deai9nation or route number and the local .treet name a on
thi. ourve and int.nection diHer and the local .treet nallloa
oo~reapond with what il legally conlid.red to be the throu9h or
main hi9hway I and what il oQne1dered to be the leoondary or
inter.eotin9 road. In this cau, althouqh Brandt Avenue appean to
oontinue in a Itraiqht Une and continu811 north beyond the ourve on
the Stah dea1qnated highway I the state dea1gnated highway (Sa
2018) 18 conl1dered to be the through hi\lhway. You have heard
t..timony about the traftlc control devicel, which inolude the
adviaory curve .ign, and the pavement markingl which exiated on the
highway. The Pennsylvania Legislature and the Pennaylvania
Department of Transportation have the authority to desiqnate
through highwaYI, and this desiqnation takes precedence over any
looal street name. of highways which are the responsibility ot the
looal governmental unit which, in th18 ca.e, il New cumberland
Borou\lh.
There 18 allo no dispute that Brandt Avenue south of the curve
and simp.on Ferry Road north or welt of the ourve were the state
de.ignated route, and thi. wal the route establiehed by the
Penn.ylvania Le9i.l.ture and penn.ylvania Department ot
Transportation a. the throu9h h19hway. Brandt Avenue north ot the
ourVe wa. con8idered the 8econdary, looal hi9hway under the
juri.diotion ot New cumberland Borou9h.
36 P.8, 51738-2 and 17~3-2.
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14. The traffio oontrol devices whioh existed at this ourve
wen oomposed ot both pavament markin'll whioh. you know a. the
yellow oenterline and signinq whioh had been plaoed by the
pennsylvania o.partment at Transportation. These trattiu oontrol
,
devio.. were intended to warn end quide vehiole operators to a..ilt
them in understanding their duties and responsibilities a. they
prooeeded on the hiqhway.
The provisions of the Pennsylvania Motor Vehiole Code require
that any vehiole operator shall obey the instruotions of any
applioable, oHicial tratfio oontrol devices which were in place on
the hiqhway. In this oase, as I have already indioated to you, the
traffio control devices whioh Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlinson
maintains existed for the section of highway were both the yellow
oenterline pevement markings which indioated that the ourve in the
hiqhway was the main through hiqhway and the left turn with side
road straiqht ahead sign, which existed in advanoe of the
intersection, 88 well as the advisory speed of 25 mile. per hour
which was marked directly below the turn sign.
Based upon the.e pavement markings and signing., Plaintiff
Beth Ann Tomliuon maintains that state Route 2018, whioh oontinued
around the curve, was olearly marked as the main through hiqhway,
and that vehioles entering trom or exitinq onto the north branch of
Brandt Avenue, which wae oonsidered to be the .econdary/ local
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16. L~dl'l and Ilentlemen of the jury, ln the commonw.alth of
p.nnlylvania, bicyole d(j.re are I1lven the ume r1llhtl and are
lubj.ct to the lame dutl'l of any other v.hiol. op.rator trlv.llnq
on the hlllhway, with the exoeption of eeveral epeoial provieion. of
the Motor Vehiole Code, which are applioable lolely to blcyollltl
or pedicyclel, al they are termed under the Vehlcle Cod.. AI I
previou81y Itated, the Motor Vehicle Code provide. that ev.ry
p.rlon ridin9 a bicyole upon a roadway ehall be 9ranted III of the
rivhte and Ihall be subjeot to all of the dutiel applicabl. to the
driver of a vehicle, except which I will cover with you now.
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7~ Pa.C.S.A. S3~Ol(a).
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17. The penn.ylvania Motor Vehicle Code provide. that a
penon riding a bicycle on a roadway ehall ride III near to the
ri9ht .1de of the roadway a. practicable. Thu., although a bicycle
rider i. allowed to uee the highway, they are not permitted to ride
down the center of a lane when thero i8 room and it 1. .afe for
them to ride to the right-hand portion of the traveled lane. The
t.rm "roadway" ae und in thie seotion is ooneidered to be the
paved portion of the highway where motor vehiclee travel, and a
bicycle rider is not obligated to ride on the shoulder or the
sidewalk, even if they exist. Thus, you muet determine whether
Plaintiff 8eth Ann Tomlinson was properly proceeding and Will
complying with the provision of the Motor Vehicle Code which
required her to ride her bicyole as near to the right .ide of the
roadway .. practicable based upon the testimony whioh you have
heard. Reep in mind, the state-designated highway in thi. ca..,
which Plaintiff 8eth Ann Tomlinson testified that she had intended
to proceed on, actually curved, and she W88 not obliqated to travel
off the state-de.ignated highway in order to go around the curve in
the hiqhway.
75 Pa.c.S.A, 53505/ 67 Pa. Co~. 5211.412,
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18, Ladi.. and qenUemen of the jury, Plaintiff Beth Ann
Tomlineoat further maintainl that certain lectionl of the
Penn.ylvania Motor Vehlcle Code apply to the conduct and drivin9 of
Defendant Renae Spohn. Plaintiff Bath Ann Tomlinaon maintainl that
the Defendant, in travellnq from the State~desiqnated hi9hway onto
the northern portion or Brandt Avenue/ would actually be conlid.red
to be .n exit trom the main hlqhway to travel onto the local,
lecondary hiqhway. Althouqh there would actually be no physical
turnin9 movement necesaary, since Brandt Avenue wa. actually a
.trai9ht continuation north ot the ourve/ proviaions ot the Motor
Vehicle Code ooncerninq turning movements would still be
applicable. The Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code provide. that upon
a roadway, no pereon ahall turn a vehicle or mo~e trom one traftic
lane to another until the movement can be made with realonable
aatety and without 'llvinq an appropriate siqnal in the manner
provided in thil section. ThUS, in addition to technically bein9
required to .iqnal her intentions to leave the main travel lane to
the .econdary road, Detendant Renee Spohn also had a reapon.ibility
to make certain that the movement in travelinq oft the main hi9hway
could be made with rea.onable satety.
75 Pa.c.S.A. 53334.
111, Plaintiff Beth Ann Tomlin.on furthu maintain. that
.nother proviaion of the penn.ylvania Motor Vehicle Code i.
applicable to the tact. of this oase. The Pennsylvania Motor
Vehicle Code provide. that the driver ot a vehicle overtakinq
another vehicle prooeedinq in the ume dinotion ahall paa. to the
lett of the other vehicle at a eate dietano. and ehall atay to the
lett of the other vehicle until .lItely clear ot the overtakinq
vehicle. Plaintitt Seth Ann Tomlinson maintains that whether the
Defendant intended to prooeed around the curve on the State-
de.iClnated hiqhway or to qo straiqht on Brandt Avenue beyond the
ourve, her movement would have resulted in her paa.inq or
ovartakinq Plaintift Beth Ann Tomlinson ridinq her bicycle. Aa
.uoh, Plaintiff Beth Ann Toml.inson maintains that thia pallinq
mOVement was required to be undertaken in a sate manner and in .uch
a way that the Detendant was required to proceed around her at a
lite dietance and to remain away trom her until ahe had safely
pa..ed her bicycle. Plaintitt Beth Ann Tomlinson maintain. that
Oetendant Renee Spohn violated thi. proviaion of the Motor Vehicle
Code.
7a Pa.C.B.A. 53303,
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23. Under Pennlylvania law, the Plaintiff may recover non-
economio 10.. dama9" (pain and sutterinCJ) in th1l c..e if the
Plaintiff can Ihow by the qreftter weiqht of the evidenoel
(1) Defendant was neCJliqent in one or more ways .. I
desoribed to you in my instruotions,
(2) Oetendllnt'B ne."l1."ence was a substantial faotor in
bringinq about injury to the Plaintiff,
(3) Plaintiff's injury resulted in non-eoonomic damage., and
(4) Plaintitt suttered serious injury or impairmel\t of a body
funotion.
To deoide this last and additional element of proof, you mu.t
deci4e, ba.ed upon the evidence I
(1) Whether the injurios Bustained by Plaintiff in the
accident injured or impaired one or more body funotions,
and
(2) Whether that injury or impairment of a body function was
serious.
In determinin9 whether the injury or impdrment of a body
function wa. .erious, you should conBider .uch factore a. the
extent of the impairment, the particular body function impaired,
the lenqth of time the impairment lasted, the treatment required to
correct the impairment, and any other relevant factor..
An impairment need not be permanent to be .erioul.
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:115. Ttle word "oompenlltion" i. a keynote a. it relate. to
damage. becau.e "compen.ation" h the true purpo.e of th. law of
dama9a. and the general principle in whioh the law award. damage.
h oompen.aticm for the 10.. .uffered. An injured penon .hould be
tully compen.ated for all injuries .uetained.
Incolllnqo v. Ewing, 444 Pa, :199/ :18:1 A.:ld :106 (1971).
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a7. You .hould inolud. in any award for Pl.intiff lath Ann
Tomlin.on ree.onable oomp.n.ation for pain and .uff.rin9 which you
Und that .he ha. under90ne and in the future may underllo a. a
r..ult of the injurie. .u.tained in thi. aocident. In .valuatin9
the amount to be awarded for pain and .utterin9, you .hould
oona1d'r that the infliction of pain mean. t.akin9 from a per.on
that whioh i. her own to po..... and retain -- namely health and
well-b.ing -- and that the law allow. for compen.ation of thi. 10..
to the ext.nt that the lo.e may be calculat.d in monetary damag...
In arriving at any award tcr pain and .uttering which Plaintiff
I.th Ann Tomlinlon hae undergone, you ehould coneid.r not only the
phYlical pain and ,uff.ring which the Plaintiff hae und.rgone, but
al.o the extent to which her injuries have reuulted 1n a 10.. or
l....ning ot the ability to enjoy life and life'. pleasure. and the
ability to engag. in variou. other aotivitiel which .he enjoyed
prior to the accident.
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Diehiacohio v. Rqokoraft Stone Product I co., 424 Pa. 77, 85, aaD
A.ad U3 (11167) I ~~~ if. =a1, 400 fa. 14, 26, 161 A,2d 367
(1960) I Carlllinati . ~1 Tranlportation co., 405 Pa. 1500,
176 A.2d 440 (1962).
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21, f..r tor one'. tutun, emotional and phy.i9al weU-bein9,
finanoial well-beinw, and that ot one'. family and loved one. i.
another element ot pain and .utterinljJ, Thil 11 true ot the
emotional reaction in the p..t, .. well a. worry, apprehenaion or
ooncern tor the future.
~.l.h v. Brody, 220 P.. Super, 293, 286 A,2d 666 (1971),
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:Ill, The broad term "pain and .uffldn..,," include. a wid. ranv,
ot not only phy.ical, but allo mental and emotional reaotion. to
the injurie. and their conlequence.. In calculatin.." damav.. tor
pain and .utterin..", you mu.t plaoe a value on tha tollowingl
(a) mental pain and di.tre../ (b) tear/ (0) Ihock/ (d) emotional
auttering/ (e) anxiety/ (t) tru.tration, (g) degradation/
(h) 10.. ot the teeling ot well-be1n9/ (i) limit.tion of
acUviU../ and (j) impairment or deltruction ot the previous
.atl.taotory mlntal Itate.
Niederman v. Brod.ky, 436 Pa. 401, :161 A~ad 84 (11170).
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