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Wednesday, February 09, 2000 Page: 3A
WILKES-BARRE – A national television report that questioned the safety of
U-Haul trucks should not be permitted as evidence in the case of a Nanticoke
woman who is suing a local dealer, an defense attorney argues in court papers.
Melanie Motisko of Roberts Street filed suit in 1996 against the U-Haul
store on Mundy Street, Wilkes-Barre, claiming she was injured when a loading
ramp dislodged and struck her shoulder.
Motisko’s attorneys include as evidence a 1997 investigative report by the
news magazine 20/20 that found multiple alleged safety violations in U-Haul
trucks in several states.
In court papers filed Tuesday, Benjamin Nicolisi, attorney for U-Haul of
Central Pennsylvania, said the firm is not affiliated with the international
U-Haul corporation, which was the subject of the 20/20 report. Nicolisi said
the report did not specifically target trucks from U-Haul of Central
Pennsylvania, therefore to admit it into evidence would unfairly prejudice the
firm.
The firm further argues the television report did not address alleged
defects in the ramp system, which is the allegation in Motisko’s case.
In her suit, Motisko says she incurred $5,356 in medical bills for injuries
she suffered when the ramp struck her on Nov. 13, 1994.
Motisko and her husband, Henry, had been loading dress racks on the truck.
When Henry Motisko tried to push the ramp back in it got stuck. While trying
to free it, the ramp dislodged and struck his wife.