PHILADELPHIA – As one attorney looks to leave a negligence action against a local restaurant, another member of defense counsel is seeking to extend deadlines associated with the case.
Bart E. Levy filed a motion to withdraw his appearance on Oct. 13, after a defendant advised him that it no longer wished to utilize his services as defense counsel. Levy subsequently notified that defendant of his motion and asked the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas for a 30-day stay of proceedings while new counsel is secured.
Further, defense attorney Julie A. Buonocore filed a motion for extraordinary relief on Dec. 8. Buonocore pointed out at that time that the scheduled deadline to complete discovery in the case was listed as Jan. 4, along with a projected trial date of May 2.
Buonocore mentioned plaintiff Leroy Robinson did not appear for a scheduled deposition on Nov. 30, and did not provide a convenient time with which to reschedule that same deposition. Buonocore stated because any subsequent deposition of Robinson would be conducted so close to the discovery deadline, she asked for a 60-day extension of all discovery-related deadlines, thereby extending the conclusion of discovery until March 4.
A hearing in this matter was set for Wednesday in Court chambers, at Philadelphia City Hall.
On April 14, 2013, Robinson was a customer of the New Super King Buffet restaurant in Philadelphia. Without warning, the chair Robinson was sitting in broke and he fell to the ground, causing him a number of injuries, he says.
Robinson alleges he suffered unconsciousness, a concussion, post-concussion syndrome, head, neck, shoulder and back injuries, permanent loss of bodily function and permanent disfigurement.
The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of arbitration limits, plus interest, costs and other relief in this case.
The plaintiff is represented by Timothy R. Hough of Jaffe & Hough, in Philadelphia.
The defendants are represented by Buonocore and George T. McCool Jr., of Wright & O’Donnell in Conshohocken.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 150102472
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com