A New Jersey resident has filed a lawsuit against two Pennsylvania residents, alleging negligence and seeking damages for injuries sustained on their property. The complaint was filed by Linda Spinale in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on July 11, 2024, against Keith Klaus and Lisa Klaus.
According to the court documents, Spinale was lawfully present at the premises located at 517 South High Street in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on November 13, 2022. The defendants, who are identified as the owners and operators of the property, had a duty to maintain it in a safe condition. However, Spinale claims that they failed to do so. The complaint alleges that due to the defendants' negligence in maintaining and managing the property, she tripped and fell, resulting in severe and permanent injuries.
The lawsuit details multiple counts of negligence. In the first count, Spinale accuses Keith Klaus and Lisa Klaus of failing to properly own, operate, maintain, manage, hire staff for maintenance tasks, train employees adequately, inspect for hazards, provide necessary warnings about potential dangers on the premises and ensure overall safety. As a result of these alleged failures, Spinale suffered significant personal injuries that have caused her great pain and incurred medical expenses.
In addition to physical injuries and medical costs, Spinale asserts that she has been unable to pursue her usual activities since the incident. She is seeking judgment against the defendants for damages including interest and costs associated with bringing the suit.
The second count extends these allegations by claiming that the defendants were negligent in hiring and supervising their employees or subcontractors responsible for various aspects of property management such as cleaning and providing adequate security. This negligence allegedly contributed to creating or maintaining dangerous conditions on the premises which led to Spinale's fall.
Spinale also invokes the legal doctrine of respondeat superior in her third count. She argues that any negligent acts committed by unidentified employees or contractors (referred to as John Does) should be attributed to Keith Klaus and Lisa Klaus as their employers or principals.
Spinale is represented by attorney Charles R. Mathis IV from Maggs McDermott & DiCicco LLC based in Wall Township New Jersey while both named defendants reside at Meadowview Lane West Chester Pennsylvania . The case ID is 2:24-cv-03016 assigned within jurisdictional purview provided under Title 28 U.S.C Section1331 & Section1332