PHILADELPHIA – The plaintiff in a motor vehicle negligence action has allegedly stopped cooperating with his counsel, leading said counsel to petition the court to be released from representing him.
A withdrawal of appearance motion brought by Stephen A. Seidel was the subject of a hearing in Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas chambers at Philadelphia City Hall on Wednesday.
Seidel claimed his client, Jemill Lewis, has ignored numerous phone calls regarding his negligence case upon which he stands as a plaintiff, ignored a visit from a relative and refused to cooperate with discovery requests.
Seidel’s May 15 motion stated he “anticipates a continued lack of cooperation” from Lewis.
The motion is connected to a motor vehicle accident that took place in Philadelphia on Feb. 24, 2013.
On that day, Lewis’ lawsuit alleges he was stopped in the intersection of 6th Street and Erie Avenue to make a left-hand turn, when his vehicle sustained a rear-end collision from a vehicle driven by the defendant, Lateefa Slocum. Slocum allegedly struck the back and left-rear side of Lewis’s vehicle.
According to the lawsuit filed in November, Slocum was negligent in operating her vehicle safely in attempting to go around Lewis when he was stopped to make the left-hand turn.
In the accident, Lewis claims to have suffered severe back injuries, nervous system shock, aggravation to pre-existing conditions and other injuries. Lewis also averred to have suffered sustained wage loss and earnings capacity, in addition to incurring large costs for medical treatment.
The plaintiff is seeking a sum not in excess of $50,000.
The defendant is represented by Timothy Michael O’Neill of Ruthrauff & Associates, also in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 141100487
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com