N. Phila. man sues adjacent property owner for injuries sustained from falling roof debris

A North Philadelphia man claims in a recently filed personal injury complaint that he

sustained injuries after being struck in the head by falling roof debris that came loose from a home adjacent to his.

John Scarborough, who resides on the 3600 block of North 11^th Street, is suing Resources for Human Development Inc., which is based in the city’s Tioga-Nicetown section, for injuries he allegedly suffered when the roofing material, which included shingles and scrap metal, fell from the top of an adjacent home, one that appears to be owned by the defendant.

An online map shows the two properties to be attached as a part of a larger strip of rowhomes.

Resources for Human Development, according to its website, is a “comprehensive, nonprofit, social service organization [that] … currently oversees and supports more than 160 locally managed human services programs in 14 states …”

The complaint says that the alleged incident occurred on April 30 of this year after Scarborough was exiting his property, and attempting to traverse the porch, steps and sidewalk in front of the defendant’s property, and that he was struck, without warning, by the falling debris.

The suit claims that the defendant had either actual or constructive notice of the defective condition at its property.

Scarborough accuses the defendant of negligence for failing to ascertain that its property was free of hazardous conditions, allowing the property to remain in an unsafe condition, and failing to warn the plaintiff and other passersby of the dangerous condition.

As a result of the incident, the suit states, Scarborough sustained various injuries to his shoulder, knee and nervous system.

He has also allegedly experienced great pain, suffering, discomfort and mental anguish.

The complaint says that the plaintiff has had to undergo medical attention and care due to his injuries, for which he was caused to incur various expenses.

Scarborough was advised by doctors that his left knee, shoulder and spinal injuries are likely permanent in nature.

The plaintiff claims that his injuries have prevented him from being able to perform his normal daily duties and activities, and that he has suffered a loss of earnings because of his inability to work.

Scarborough seeks $50,000 in compensatory damages, plus pre-judgment interest, costs and legal fees.

The plaintiff is being represented by Philadelphia attorney Jeffrey N. Kale, who filed the suit on his client’s behalf on May 29 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

Arbitration is slated to take place on Feb. 14, 2014, the record shows.

The case ID number is 130503061.