PHILADELPHIA – Per court records, a Volvo owner has settled litigation filed against her dealership, an auto body shop which allegedly didn’t make needed repairs to her vehicle and an insurance company which she said was derelict in its professional duties.
According to a praecipe filed by plaintiff counsel Matthew J. Noble on Nov. 8, it directed the court to mark the litigation filed by Rachel Tamalonis versus Stillman Volvo and Young Auto Body of West Chester, The Hartford of Philadelphia and Trumbull Insurance Company (doing business as “The Hartford”) of Hartford, Conn, as “settled, discontinued and ended.”
Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
Tamalonis, of Coatesville, initially filed suit against the defendants in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on May 16, 2017, in connection with the subject incident which had occurred nearly one year before.
On April 10, 2016, Tamalonis was involved in a serious automobile accident which resulted in substantial damage to her 2015 Volvo T5 all-wheel drive vehicle, including malfunctioning brake lights, headlights and sensors, electrical issues and tire destruction and damage.
As a result of the damage, Tamalonis was requested by defendant Hartford and others to present her vehicle for repairs to defendants Stillman Volvo and Young Auto Body.
The plaintiff said Stillman Volvo was responsible for repairing the vehicle's electrical issues, outside sensors, headlight malfunctions, brake light malfunctions and other electrical circuitry issues, while Young Auto Body was tasked with repairing the tires, front end alignment and other body issues. At all times, Hartford agreed to pay the costs associated with the repairs and ensure they were completed according to the company’s proper protocols.
Tamalonis asserted Stillman Volvo and Young Auto Body endeavored unsuccessfully on a number of occasions to make the aforementioned repairs and informed the defendants of this. She claims this resulted in further damage to the vehicle’s electrical circuitry, fire deterioration and malfunction, based on improper alignment and other body work.
As a result, Tamalonis said she has been deprived of the use of her vehicle and suffered its diminished value, in addition to incurring further expense for renting and leasing other vehicles for alternate transportation.
Tamalonis believed all of the defendants failed to make proper repairs in a timely manner and are liable for the damages which occurred as a result.
Prior to settlement, the plaintiff was seeking damages not in excess of $50,000 from the defendants in this matter.
The plaintiff was represented by David B. Sherman of Solomon Sherman & Gabay, in Philadelphia.
The defendants were represented by Matthew J. Noble of Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin and Joseph H. Riches of the Law Offices of Jeffrey H. Eiseman in Philadelphia, plus Christina L. Pitchford of Cassidy Connor & Pitchford in Wayne.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 170502493
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com