PHILADELPHIA – A motion to accept settlement proceeds on behalf of an apparently absent plaintiff will be the subject of a hearing Thursday in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas.
The motion, filed by Michael Christopher Lambert on behalf of his client, Billy Dee Dewitt Williams, would seek to accept a proposed settlement of $13,000 to end a lawsuit filed in July in connection with a July 2012 motor vehicle accident.
However, Lambert explained in court records that Williams’ whereabouts cannot be determined, either through his law office or an independent inquiry spanning last October to April conducted by private investigator Karim Shabazz.
On July 26, 2012, Williams was driving and reached the intersection of 10th & Poplar Streets in Philadelphia, when he was allegedly hit a vehicle driven by Elizabeth Sherlock of Mount Laurel, N.J. Sherlock’s vehicle allegedly ran a red light.
Williams alleges Sherlock’s negligence in not operating her vehicle safely and avoiding the collision was the sole and proximate cause of the accident. In the accident, Williams claimed to have suffered cervical radiculopathy and moderate left carpal tunnel syndrome.
Williams also avers to have incurred large medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses and loss of earnings power in the crash.
An arbitration hearing in the matter was also scheduled to take place at the Arbitration Center on JFK Blvd. on June 29.
The plaintiff had been seeking damages not in excess of $40,000, plus interest and court costs.
The plaintiff is represented by Lambert, in Philadelphia.
The defendants are represented by Maria I. Francesco, also in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 140703117
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com