PHILADELPHIA – Plaintiff counsel in a car-SEPTA bus collision case has petitioned the Court for the opportunity to be removed as attorney of record from the case.
Todd B. Jacobs, of the Law Office Of Todd B. Jacobs in Philadelphia, motioned to the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on June 12 to withdraw his appearance from representing Camden, N.J., resident Desean Thomas, citing “professional considerations” as requiring the termination of the attorney-client relationship.
Jacobs explained the only way further detail and insight could be given into his decision to withdraw his appearance would be for the Court to request an off-the-record, ex parte conference, due to the aforementioned attorney-client privilege.
A hearing on this case was scheduled for Thursday in Court chambers at Philadelphia City Hall.
Thomas’ lawsuit, filed in February, charges SEPTA as negligent in causing a motor vehicle accident involving a vehicle he was a passenger aboard and a SEPTA bus nearly two years ago.
On Nov. 6, 2013, Thomas was riding in a 1998 Ford Windstar northbound on Broad Street, approaching Lindley Avenue. The Windstar had activated its turn signal to make a right turn onto Lindley Avenue, when SEPTA bus driver Sheldon Ricks allegedly collided with the Windstar.
Ricks, who had stopped the SEPTA bus at the Broad Street & Lindley Avenue intersection, moved the bus forward as the plaintiff’s vehicle was passing it, striking the side rear of the Windstar.
Thomas believes Ricks’ inattentive and out-of-control driving caused the accident, with an additional charge of negligent entrustment to SEPTA for employing an unqualified driver.
Thomas suffered permanent neck and back injuries in the accident, along with post-accident anxiety.
The plaintiff is seeking judgment individually, jointly and severally in an amount not in excess of arbitration limits.
The defendants are represented by William G. Brown, of SEPTA’s Legal Department, also in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 150202575
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com