MEDIA – A prominent clinical laboratory firm and two other companies stridently oppose the claims of a lawsuit filed by a Delaware couple, who claims the defendants all failed to prevent snow and ice from falling off the lab building’s roof and injuring one of the plaintiffs.
On Feb. 2, attorneys Gary N. Stewart and Sonia Di Valerio of Rawle & Henderson in Philadelphia filed a response to the suit filed by Valerie and George Spatoulas of Wilmington, Del. in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas, versus Laboratory Corporation of America (doing business as “LabCorp”) of Burlington, N.C., plus AMC Delancey Stoney Creek Partners L.P. and Metro Commercial Management Services, Inc., both of Philadelphia.
Stewart and Di Valerio represent LabCorp in the instant litigation, and the defense counsel’s response categorically denied each of the plaintiffs’ claims – stating they contained conclusions of law to which no responsive pleadings are required.
The case docket reveals subsequent new matter filings made through February and March, which show the remaining parties in the case disputing the respective claims of the plaintiffs.
“On March 7, 2015, at or about 8 a.m., plaintiff Valerie Spatoulas was a business invitee, lawfully on the premises of defendant LabCorp, located at 433 Baltimore Pike in Springfield, Pennsylvania,” the suit says. “Spatoulas was attempting to enter the premises when she was struck by a falling mass of snow and ice that defendants had negligently and carelessly permitted to accumulate and remain on the roof, a result of which the plaintiff sustained the injuries and damages hereinafter set forth.”
The plaintiffs believe the defendants should have realized the danger the accumulation of ice and snow on the roof could have presented. Valerie alleged to have suffered the following injuries in the accident: neck injuries, cervical spondylosis, cervical stenosis, shoulder pain, significant laceration to the scalp necessitating staples, head injuries, spine injuries, radiculopathy, numbness, tingling, weakness, loss of strength, loss of range of motion and a concussion, as well as post-concussion symptoms including dizziness, nausea, confusion, blurry vision, exhaustion and light-headedness, and aggravation of a pre-existing condition.
Valerie is seeking damages, jointly and severally, in excess of $50,000 plus costs and delay compensation, with George seeking equal damages for loss of consortium.
The plaintiffs are represented by George G. Rassias of Schmidt Kirifides & Rassias, in Media.
Delaware County Court of Common Pleas case 2017-000288
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com