PHILADELPHIA – Per an order from a state judge, counsel for a plaintiff involved in a trip-and-fall action has had his petition to withdraw his appearance granted.
Judge Linda A. Carpenter of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas, ruled Wednesday that attorney Kenneth S. Saffren, of Saffren & Weinberg in Jenkintown, would be relieved of his responsibility to represent plaintiff Shaunae Felder of Philadelphia in her negligence action against the City of Philadelphia and fellow Philadelphia resident Emily Morris.
Carpenter also ruled Felder would be notified of an upcoming arbitration hearing in her case, currently slated for Aug. 11. Though Felder’s absence from the hearing would result in a Judgment of Non Pros in the case, Carpenter added Felder was permitted to ask for a continuance of the hearing, in order to obtain new counsel.
Saffren first made his desire known to withdraw as Felder’s attorney through a petition filed on June 8, where he cited “irreconcilable differences over the course and scope of the litigation” between himself and his client.
Felder filed her suit in September, in connection with a fall she allegedly suffered on Sept. 7, 2012. Felder says she fell on a broken and defective sidewalk at 1400 South 24th Street in Philadelphia, an accident allegedly caused by the collective negligence of the defendants in not inspecting, properly maintaining or repairing that dangerous condition.
Felder sustained a fractured fibula, sprain and strain of her lumbar spine and ankle, aches, pains, mental anguish and other injuries. Felder also incurred medical bills in excess of $1,500.00, according to court records.
The plaintiff is seeking judgment individually, jointly and severally, in excess of $50,000, plus interest, court costs and other relief the Court feels is just and proper.
The defendant is represented by Sharon E. Ulak in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 140901592
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com