Schrom & Shaffer, P.C., lawyers in Media, PA, Pennsylvania

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At Schrom & Shaffer, our cases get noticed by the Philadelphia regional news outlets. These include NBC10, CBS3 to the Daily Times and even being featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Listed below are several cases that we have (or are currently) handling.

Association to Save MCP v. Tenet Health Care Corp. (2004): Philadelphia Business Journal (January 2004); The Rox Review (January 2004); The Fallser (February 2004); Zwire.com (Jan 2004)

Tenet Health Care Systems, Inc. purchased The Hospital Medical College of Pennsylvania ("MCP") from Allegheny Health System in September 1998. The MCP was first established in 1850 as the first women's medical college in the United States. The "MCP" was recognized within Philadelphia as being an important health care center. People who otherwise could not afford medical care often found the MCP as a place of salvation in a health care system increasing driven purely by profits and not people.

On December 18, 2003, Tenet's Vice-President of Pennsylvania operations announced they would be closing the hospital on March 31, 2004. Tenet Health Care Systems claimed to be closing the facility due to financial losses, contrary to evidence presented by Mr. Schrom which showed increasing revenues. Mr. Schrom represented thousands of doctors, nurses, staff and the community at large to prevent Tenet from shutting down the MCP. As the case progressed Schrom & Shaffer worked in consultation with Governor Rendell's Office and Senator Arlen Specter . Furthermore, the City of Philadelphia saw the MCP as a critical facility and worked with both Tenet Health Care and Mr. Schrom to see that the MCP would stay open and continue to serve the local community.

As a result of Schrom & Shaffer's advocacy in this case, an order was issued keeping the hospital open. In addition, Tenet Health Care Systems agreed to settle the case by selling the hospital to the Association to Save the MCP for one dollar ($1). This case was a landmark legal precedent. For the first time in history a hospital was prevented from closing its doors on the basis of corporate profits.

With the strong advocacy of Mr. Schrom and thousands of other concerned hospital employees and citizens, a hospital was saved and a health care conglomerate was taken to task for putting profits ahead of people.

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Clein v Graf (2005)

Totally Delco (Sept 2003)

Shelter and Rescue (2005)

On October 12, 2002, a neighbor's rottweiler got loose and attacked Warren and Carolyn Clein's mixed-breed terrier, nearly killing it. The Clein's spent more than $5000 for emergency veterinary services to save her. The couple later found out that under Pennsylvania law it was difficult, if not impossible, to recover those damages from the rottweiler's owner. That is because dogs in Pennsylvania and in most states are considered to be personal property - the same as a table, a lamp or a TV set - worth no more than their replacement value. Originally Daisy was adopted for a $50 fee. The Cleins' lawyer, Gerard K. Schrom, said the law should recognize that a dog can have a value to its owner far greater than its purchase price. The case ended up being settled out of court.

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Carol Snyder v SCI Graterford

Carol Snyder Speaks About MRSA: NBC10 (October 2007)

Ms. Carol Snyder is a corrections officer at SCI-Graterford Prison in Montgomery County. During her time at the prison Ms. Snyder had close contact with the inmates at Graterford Prison. She reported a history of MRSA folliculitis among the inmates of the prison. She had onset of MRSA on February 15th, 2004. She believes that the infection is a result of her proximity and contact with the inmates. In addition, she has no history of contacts with people with folliculitis outside of her workplace.

As a result of the infection she contracted at the prison, Ms. Snyder suffered from facial scarring and other skin related damage. She suffered negative social, emotional and financial results due to injury. Ms. Snyder was out of work for extended periods of time, losing wages. Furthermore, due to her injuries, Ms. Snyder may require plastic surgery to repair damage to her face and body. At this moment her claim is still being processed.

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Smanyk/Washington Frye
Smanyk v. Chester County Hospital (2003)

American Medical News (Sept 2003)

Deaf Today Blog (May 2003)

Washington B. Frye was an 89 year old deaf mute admitted to Chester County Hospital on August 17, 2000 with severe chest and stomach pains. In addition he had poor vision, which further limited his ability to communicate for assistance. His repeated attempts to obtain a sign language interpreter was repeatedly denied. As a result of that Mr. Fry's condition deteriorated and he suffered greatly from further pain and weakness. Chester County Hospital failed to follow their guidelines providing assistance to disabled patients. With the help of Schrom & Shaffer Washington Frye and his family where able to receive relief under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Now Chester County and other local hospitals provide 24-hour sign-language interpreters on call for deaf patients and their families and other hospitals have followed suit as well.

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Alameri v. Simco Sales Service of Pennsylvania "Jack and Jill Ice Cream" (2006)

Law.com (May 9th, 2005) - Benefits Awarded to Children of Murdered Ice Cream Truck Driver

Law.com (May 15th, 2006) - Judge OK'ing Benefits for Kin of Slain Ice Cream Man Upheld

This case stems from a 2001 dispute. In July 2001, Abdullah Alameri was murdered by two men while working as a 'Jack and Jill' ice cream truck driver. When he died, Mr. Alameri left behind five children, who claimed that they should receive workers' compensation death benefits. Simco disputed these claims on the basis that he operated as an independent contractor, while the children claimed that their father was in effect an employee. After years of litigation and appeals, this case was privately settled.

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