MOODK Philadelphia attorneys, Kevin J. O’Brien and Casey G. McCurdy, obtained early dismissals for their clients involving a tragic accident on Broad Street which resulted in the amputation of both of Plaintiff’s legs. Plaintiff was unloading furniture on Broad Street outside of a condominium complex when he was struck full-speed by another vehicle. Plaintiff sued the condominium association and property management company asserting negligence and arguing that both defendants failed to provide a usable area to load/unload furniture that was not on Broad Street, and failed to implement safety measures on Broad Street to protect residents unloading/loading vehicles. Plaintiff sought millions of dollars in damages. Attorneys O’Brien and McCurdy filed preliminary objections arguing that neither the association nor the property management company owed a duty to Plaintiff, even if their employees directed Plaintiff to park on Broad Street (as was alleged in the Complaint). The attorneys argued that the accident occurred entirely on Broad Street, which is considered a State highway that is maintained by the Commonwealth. They further argued that under Pennsylvania law, an adjacent landowner to a public highway is not liable for physical harm caused to travelers upon the highway or persons lawfully using the highway. The attorneys argued that there was nothing on their clients’ property which contributed to and/or caused the injuries and damages to Plaintiff. They further argued that prior knowledge of others parking in an active lane of traffic on Broad Street in the past was irrelevant, since the area is not controlled or maintained by their clients. The Court agreed with the attorneys’ reasoning and issued an Order dismissing all claims against their clients, with prejudice.
