PHILADELPHIA – A motion for extraordinary relief has been granted in a case in which a woman claims she suffered severe burns on her legs while dancing aboard the Philadelphia-based historic ship, the Moshulu.
According to a revised case management order issued by Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas Judge Denis Cohen on Sept. 9 as a result of granting the motion, a settlement conference in the case will take place on Jan. 6, followed by a tentative pre-trial conference date on Feb. 3 and finally, a projected trial date of March 2, 2020.
Olivia Firth of Mount Laurel, N.J. first filed suit in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on May 1, 2018, versus The Moshulu, HMS Ventures, Big Red Management Corp. and SCC Restaurant, LLC, all of Philadelphia.
On April 1, 2017, Olivia was attending a dinner dance with friends on board the defendants’ premises, the Moshulu ship in Philadelphia, when the suit explained that a very hot space heater was placed in the common area directly adjacent to where guests were socializing. In fact, the suit stated the heater singed the dress of the plaintiff’s friend earlier in the evening.
Later in the evening, there was a dispute between guests on the Moshulu and the ship’s staff and security, during which the plaintiff was pushed into the scalding space heater, suffering severe burns and scarring to both of her legs, the suit said.
The plaintiffs claimed the defendant failed to give her proper and adequate protection from the dangerous space heater, failed to repair the heater and failed to warn customers on the premises of this dangerous condition, plus other allegations.
The defendants have denied all allegations.
For negligence, the plaintiff is seeking damages, jointly and severally, in excess of $50,000, plus interest, costs and such other and further relief as the Court deems proper.
The plaintiff is represented by Joseph L. Messa Jr. and Brett Furber of Messa & Associates, in Philadelphia.
The defendants are represented by Brigid A. Judge of Campbell Lipski & Dochney, plus Joseph M. Oberlies and Eric J. Assini of Connor Weber & Oberlies, all also in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 180404821
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nick.malfitano@therecordinc.com