PITTSBURGH -- A disabled woman and her brother, who represents her, are suing over an allegation that the woman was raped and sexually assaulted by a driver for a service that transports people with disabilities.
Jane Doe, by and through her brother and legal representative John Doe, and John Doe, individually and in his own right, filed a complaint on Nov. 15 in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Port Authority of Allegheny County; Transdev Inc., formerly known as Veolia Transportation Services Inc., individually and doing business as Access Transportation Systems Inc.; Access Transportation Systems Inc.; Northern Area Multi Service Center of Allegheny County, individually and doing business as Access Transportation Systems; and Daniel Robert Burrelli, alleging responsibility for Burrelli's alleged assault of Jane Doe.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that, between 2013 and 2015, Jane Doe, who has Down syndrome and is legally blind, suffered emotional and physical injuries due to being repeatedly sexually assaulted. The plaintiffs hold the defendants responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to take precautions to prevent their employee from sexually abusing a developmentally disabled person.
The plaintiffs seek judgment against the defendants in an amount that exceeds $35,000 plus interest, punitive damages and any further relief this court grants. They are represented by Ryan James and Shane D. Valenzi of Farneth Tomosovich LLC in Pittsburgh.
Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County Case number GD-16-022081