Purchasing a home is exciting, especially when you obtain in advance of the sale a report from a home inspector, to better understand the property you’re buying. Nobody likes surprises that waste your time and money, right? But what happens when the inspector fails to note an important defect: something…
We Have You Covered: Western PA Attorneys
Admission Pro Hac Vice (& How To Lose it) in PA
We regularly help attorneys outside the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gain admission to handle a case in PA, via motion for admission pro hac vice, which is latin for handling “one thing” or “one case.” Click here to learn about the simple process. We’re always happy to serve as local counsel;…
Punitive Damages in PA: Limits Expanding?
In Pennsylvania, there’s no cap on punitive damages that can be awarded for either reckless or intentional conduct, except in the area of medical malpractice, where punitive damages cannot exceed 200% of actual damages. In State Farm v. Campbell, 538 U.S. 408 (2003), our United States Supreme Court ruled…
FAQ – Exception in PA: Drunk Driver (Or Ability Impaired)
Limited Tort Exception: Driving Under the Influence (“Drunk driver”) Motorists bound by “limited tort” in PA may lose the right to sue for pain and suffering from a motor vehicle accident, unless an exception applies. These include: A passenger in a commercial vehicle, such as a bus or ride share,…
Homeowners Get $3.2 Million Verdict | Developer’s Defects
What happens when you buy a new home — expecting it to be, well, new, and therefore problem-free — but you experience nothing but problems after moving in? This is exactly what happened when four families in Philadelphia purchased their residential homes in 2015. Noticing water infiltration problems upon moving…
Uber/Lyft Passenger Injury | Arbitration Clause in PA Update
Injured in a Ride share | Arbitration Clause UPDATE: In CHILUTTI v. UBER TECHNOLOGIES, INC., 2023 P.A. Super 126 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2023), PA’s Superior Court found that Uber’s arbitration clause (depriving the customer of the right to a jury trial) — buried in the fine print of its popular…
Lowest Level Civil Court Hearing | What to Expect
What to Expect At the MDJ Hearing If you’re reading this article, you’re probably wondering what to expect at your hearing before a Magisterial District Judge (“MDJ”) a/k/a small claims court. The common questions of this Pittsburgh lawyer are: Do I need to attend the hearing in person? Do I…
Promissory Estoppel in PA | Pittsburgh Lawyer
A Claim for Promissory Estoppel in Pennsylvania If you found this article online, you’re likely wondering whether a particular promise is enforceable, in the absence of a clear “contract.” A claim for promissory estoppel (or quasi-contract) exists in Pennsylvania where (1) one party makes a reasonably specific promise to another, who (2)…
PA: What Scar is Needed?
An Often Overlooked Limited Tort Exceptions: Disfigurement. A motorist or passenger in Pennsylvania bound by the “limited tort” election can only sue for economic loss, not pain and suffering, unless certain exceptions (such as drunk driving) apply. The most common exception is when the injury causes a serious impairment of…
Pittsburgh Lawyer | Pro Hac Vice
Limited Admission to Handle One Case in Western PA Lawyers admitted in jurisdictions outside of Western Pennsylvania can gain admission to practice law in Western PA “pro hac vice.” The latin meaning is, “for this occasion” or “for this event” (literally, “for this turn”). This makes sense. The type of…
