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Finding Legal Representation Away From Home

How to Find Local Representation People from across the United States and Canada find our law firm online on a daily basis. They often ask us: “how do I find a lawyer locally if I live out of state from the lawsuit?” Perhaps the caller had been driving through a…

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The Bottom Line in Litigation: the Verdict Slip

Clients — who hire our Pittsburgh litigation lawyers to sue for money — often ask: how much money can I get at trial?  Or, when we represent a defendant: how much money could a jury order me to pay? It all comes down to one question:  The wording of the…

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Non-Competition Clauses: Bind Doctors, But Not Lawyers?

All work restriction agreements — or “non-competes” — unduly hurt workers, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is about to ban noncompete enforcement nationally, any day.  But there is one type of worker against whom the courts have never enforced a work-restriction agreement.   It’s not your primary care…

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Fraudulent Inducement in PA

A civil claim for “fraud” in Pennsylvania is serious business: the victim can recover a money judgment for actual damages plus punitive damages and attorney fees. Plus, a judgment for fraud or deceit cannot be discharged in bankruptcy.  As such, the burden to prove deceit is relatively high. In PA,…

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The PA Attorney General: Weak on Contractors?

Pennsylvania’s Home Improvement and Consumer Protection Law (“HICPA”) effective July 1, 2009, talks a good game.  For example, it allows a homeowner to sue a home improvement contractor for various forms of deceptive conduct plus treble (or triple) damages and attorney fees. HICPA also gives the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Attorney…

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Appealing an Award by the Lowest Court (PA)

Cases filed on the magisterial district judge (MDJ) a/k/a small claims court docket (“lowest court”) suffer from one big problem: any party has the right to appeal the award for any reason or no reason.  In fact, the defendant need not even show up for court, then still appeal! But…

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Injured Plaintiff in PA: Get Prompt Treatment or Lose in Court

Actions Speak Louder Than Words  A party injured in an accident may have reasons for hesitating to get medical treatment. Maybe the injuries “didn’t seem so bad” at first. Or, as in one of our cases, an injured grandmother was primarily focused on getting treatment for her two grandchildren, after…

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Settlement. Done Deal in PA? Maybe Not.

The Desire to Resolve Disputes in PA  The average person has very little appetite for litigating any dispute over money. Perhaps the Plaintiff is asserting a breach of contract claim, for non-payment debt, building construction dispute, or non-compete violation. Or maybe the plaintiff is seeking compensation for a physical injury…

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PA Civil Cases: Filing in Person or Online?

Filings in Civil (Non-Criminal) Cases in Pennsylvania Federal courts in Pennsylvania have required electronic filing for decades, going so far as to fine litigants $150 for trying to file a civil claim — or written defense — in person.  This applies to all civil claims  for negligence — car accident,…

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