Judge Williamson of Monroe County Rejects Request for Attorney's Fees in Trip and Fall Matter

In the case of Ezro v. Buck, LP, No. 5279-CV-2019 (C.P. Monroe Co. Oct. 25, 2019 Williamson, J.), the court denied a demurrer asserted by the Defendants in this negligence slip and fall case. However, the court did sustain Preliminary Objections regarding the existence of an agency relationship as well as with respect to the Plaintiff’s claim for attorney fees.

The court granted the Plaintiff leave to file an Amended Complaint to more specifically list Defendants under an agency relationship.

Judge David J. Williamson
Monroe County

Relative to the claim for attorney’s fees in this trip and fall matter, Judge David J. Williamson confirmed that the American Rule applied in Pennsylvania and generally holds that attorney’s fees are recoverable unless specifically provided by statute or by clear agreement of the parties. No such authorization for an attorney’s fee award was found in this case.

The court did otherwise note that the Plaintiff was entitled to pursue delay damages under Pa. R.C.P. 238(a)(1) and that a decision on the appropriateness of such damages would be reserved until after a verdict has been entered.

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Source: “Digest of Recent Opinions” Pennsylvania Law Weekly (Dec. 3, 2019).