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,…
Windfall Recovery in PA? The Collateral Source Rule
When you make a claim for negligence — whether it be from a fall on slippery property or your painting contractor tipping over a paint can in your living room (destroying your hardwood floors) — you can sue for compensation. That much is clear. But what happens your own insurance…
Serving a Security Guard, Enough?
A builder or contractor improving property can take a mechanic’s lien for non-payment for his work, as our Pittsburgh lawyers have written. Only, numerous technical defenses exist. For example, the property owner can strike off the encumbrance to title, if not property served with the action. Enter the parties in…
A Season to Hire a Western PA Attorney: Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter
Those who live outside of Western PA — where our Pittsburgh lawyers practice — may need to hire an attorney located in this geographic area in every season. Perhaps you suffered a physical injury in Western PA and need representation. Or, you entered into a contract with someone in the…
Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) | PA Claims
Making a “Federal Case” Out of It Pennsylvania courts have long recognized a claim for theft (or “misappropriation”) of a trade secret pursuant to both PA common law (judge-made law) and the PA legislature’s adoption of the Uniform Trade Secret Act. But those are state law claims. The Plaintiff might…
Work Restriction Agreement Litigation | Discovery Allowed in PA
Parties to non-competition litigation often wonder: how much information will the parties exchange (called “discovery”) prior to trial of the claims or defenses? UPDATE: on April 23, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) banned all noncompete agreement enforcement in the US, subject to review through the courts, however. Click here…
Bring All PA Civil Claims At Once, or Else.
Litigation is time consuming and expensive, both in terms of the filing fees and lawyer costs, making “small claims court” a desirable path for many litigants. There, you get a hearing right away (in weeks versus months) and you don’t need a lawyer. In fact, you can fill-out the Complaint…
Judge Orders Builder to Pay $318K (Attorney Fees)
It’s often a long-shot in PA to get the opposing party to pay your attorney fees for civil litigation. Ordinarily, each party pays their own attorney fees in Pennsylvania. Only two exceptions exist. The first: the parties have agreed — via a contract — that one party must pay the…
Correcting Your Credit Report (FCRA)
Correcting Your Credit Report Before, During, and After Litigation Our Pittsburgh litigation lawyers defend consumers sued for allegedly failing to pay credit card debt (and other loan obligations). We excel at getting debt collection cases dismissed or negotiated down significantly. However, two questions often linger before, during, and after litigation:…
