ON AUGUST 26, A VERDICT WAS ENTERED BY A JURY OF 12 IN BRADFORD COUNTY FOR A HALF MILLION DOLLARS. THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST VERDICTS IN BRADFORD COUNTY. THE PISANCHYN LAW FIRM BELIEVES THIS CASE IS A REMINDER TO ALL PERSONS WHO DRINK AND DRIVE THAT THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

Michael Pisanchyn was lead trial counsel with Douglas Yazinski and Bradley Moyer sitting second chair. The Defendant Monroeton Rod and Gun Club was represented by 1) Donald Carmelite, 2) Scott Gemberling and 3) Mathew Kerris sitting second chair all from Marshall Dennehey and also 4) Patrick Heffron of Chartwell Law. The Defendant Driver was represented by Attorney Robert Muolo from Wiest Muolo Noon Swinehart and Bathgate. The trial took place for 5 days with the jury deliberating about 90 minutes.

In this case Rosemary Manuel was an innocent victim and while driving down the road, Mr. Leighton who had drank 8 to 10 beers at The New Bucket and after drinking at least two beers at The Monroeton Rod and Gun club smashed into her vehicle causing her to be entrapped. She died two hours later at the hospital. As such, the pain and suffering award was for the limiting two hour period. Since Ms. Manuel was 66 at the time of the collision and was retired there was no economic damages. Further all her children were grown. Thus, it was a difficult case in a very conservative Bradford County.

Ms. Manuel’s seven children live in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Bradford, Sullivan and Dauphin Counties. Further, the case was initially brought in Delaware County and was later transferred to Bradford County. Although Ms. Manuel’s children have had to endure life without their Mother due to the intentional actions of a drunk driver, they take solace in the fact that the amount of this award, especially in Bradford County, sends a message to other persons who drive drunk and pray it can hopefully prevent other’s loved ones from being injured and killed.

Further, it is believed that this is only the second jury trial in the whole State of Pennsylvania since the Covid-19 Pandemic (the other also occurring in Bradford County which was a 5 day jury trial and the jury returned a defense verdict in 20 minutes). Although the jury selection was held at the local high-school, the jurors were seated in the court room gallery with social distance between them and mask required to be worn, Judge Evan Williams did a tremendous job moving the case toward a safe jury verdict and award. This case demonstrates that even though we are in a pandemic the wheels of justice do not have to stop if handled by an extremely smart, competent and conscientious Court and Judge.

The Pisanchyn Law Firm is proud to be able to bring this case and to have a part in being the first Plaintiff’s jury verdict post-covid. Further, with all the Pisanchyn Law Firm’s hard work this award with the limited economic damages, the age of the decedent and also there being no minor children clearly demonstrates post-covid juries can enter a substantial damage award in a very conservative County.