Strategic Settlements In complex tort litigation—particularly construction litigation and other multi-defendant cases—plaintiffs often face a difficult strategic question: Should they settle with some defendants and proceed to trial against others? In Pennsylvania, a plaintiff may settle with fewer than all defendants pursuant to Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 229….
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What Does “Service” Mean in PA State Court?
Servicing Papers in PA State Court Civil Cases You might wonder: why is service of legal papers so important in Pennsylvania? And, what constitutes “good service” in PA state court cases? The answers depends on whether we’re talking about serving the lawsuit, itself, or subsequent papers in the case. …
Appeal to Superior Court: Worth Doing in a Civil Case?
When a party is unhappy with a decision by a judge or jury in the Court of Common Pleas of Pennsylvania, the appellate process offers an important safeguard. In most civil cases, that safeguard is an automatic right of appeal to the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. However, it is critical…
When a Civil Action in PA is Too Late
The statute of limitations creates a hard deadline to file a formal action in Pennsylvania to recover money; the same goes for a statute of repose, as we’ll describe in this article. The application of these concepts can have harsh and arbitrary consequences. For example, if you were a pedestrian…
When Settlement Goes Wrong: Common Errors in PA Civil Cases
Work with Your Lawyer To Avoid Common Settlement Pitfalls Settlement is often viewed as the finish line of a civil case. In Pennsylvania, however, it is also one of the points at which mistakes are most likely to occur. Because a settlement is binding and meant to be final, errors…
Understanding a Default Judgment in PA
Have you received notice of an actual (or impending) default judgment against you in a civil case in the Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania? If so, contact a lawyer immediately, because every minute counts. In this article, we explore default judgments and how to open or strike one —…
Understanding Delay Damages in Pennsylvania
What are Delay Damages? Delay damages are an interest-based award to a plaintiff for the time lost in recovering damages in civil actions for money in Pennsylvania. They are designed to compensate the plaintiff for losses incurred due to the delay in receiving their money, from the defendant’s failure to…
The Correct (and Indispensable) Parties
In Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, the family of Juliet frowned upon her dating Romeo simply because his last name was “Montague.” So Juliet famously asked: “What’s in a name?” But when it comes to naming Defendants in a civil suit, the names are extremely important. Failing to identify the Defendants by…
Pittsburgh Lawyer | Trade Secret Claims and Defenses
A Trade Secret in Pennsylvania If you are facing a “trade secret” claim or threat that may require a legal defense, please contact a Pittsburgh lawyer at our firm. Losing a trade secret case can result in you paying compensatory and punitive damages, plus paying the plaintiff’s attorney fees. What…
Home Improvement and Commercial Contractor Disputes
Legal Representation For Contractor & Builder Disputes It can be exciting to construct or renovate a home or business, but unfortunately, these undertakings are complicated. Lawsuits frequently arise in disputes between a property owner and a contractor or builder for commercial or home improvement work. Holding a Contractor Responsible A contractor…
