Reasons to Sue | Common Types of Civil Litigation Cases in Pennsylvania, and What They’re Worth
It is no secret that America is a litigious country. People want to sue someone over everything and anything thinking that going to court for a stubbed toe could be their “golden ticket”. This is caused or made worse by social media and the news, repeatedly showing multi-million-dollar settlements for what appear to be minor injuries or inconveniences. Often there is much more going on in such cases which leads to confusion for the average would-be litigant. This article is to help potential litigants understand the most common reasons people sue, and what outcome you should be prepared for.
1. Personal Injury Claims
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence—such as in a car accident, slip and fall, or medical malpractice—you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
These claims can be big-dollar, but usually only if there is severe and prolonged pain and suffering, and/or if the injured person will require care and/or cannot work for the rest of their lives. Thus, it is rare to get massive, multimillion dollar settlements from a slip and fall, car crash, or medical malpractice injuries when the injured person makes a full recovery over a few weeks. Settlements can still be large, but potential clients should be cognizant of the realities of how damages work in injury cases.
2. Contract Disputes
Business and personal contracts outline obligations between parties. Breaches occur when one party fails to fulfill agreed-upon terms, leading to financial losses or other damages. Common disputes involve real estate transactions, service agreements, and business partnerships.
Because the goal of contract disputes is to put the non-breaching party in the position he/she was in before the contract was breached, settlements are usually not lucrative, but corrective. Sometimes there can be large settlements due to interest, or for example “consequential damages” that accrue after the breach.
Here’s a little law lesson to explain consequential damages: Say a car factory contracts with a car dealership to sell cars at wholesale. The dealership expects to profit of the cars, but the factory fails to deliver the cars. The dealership loses out on $1,000,000 in profit. That million bucks of lost profit are consequential damages.
There are other ways to recover from a breached contract that won’t be explained here. You’ll have to contact an attorney at The Skeen Firm to figure out what your contact case may be worth.
3. Property Disputes
Conflicts over property ownership, boundaries, zoning issues, or landlord-tenant disagreements often require legal resolution. These cases can involve title disputes, easements, or wrongful evictions.
For some, property is just a way of making money. For others, families can be tied to a piece of land. Thus, litigating against property disputes can be a money dump, but it can be well worth the price from someone trying to take what you own.
4. Employment Litigation
Employees and employers may face disputes over wrongful termination, discrimination, wage and hour violations, or workplace harassment. Pennsylvania employment laws protect workers’ rights while ensuring businesses operate within legal guidelines.
Employment cases can be lucrative if there are some egregious occurrences within a workplace. If the facts are bad enough for the employer, they may settle. Sometimes the claims brought have damage caps, and employers know it; this can limit recovery. Usually, clients come into the office wanting to sue for the right reasons, to hold the company accountable for legitimate wrongs. However, there are some that flock to all the law offices in the area because they had a minor inconvenience at work, thinking they will be able to retire if they sue. This is often not the case.
5. Business Litigation
Businesses may encounter lawsuits related to partnership disagreements, intellectual property disputes, fraud claims, or contract breaches. Proper legal representation helps protect business interests and resolve conflicts efficiently.
It is hard to say what to expect from business litigation. Sometimes big settlements can come if an individual engages in fraud, steals assets or engages in other forms of “breaches of fiduciary duties”. Contact one of our attorneys to find out more.
6. Defamation (Libel & Slander)
If false statements harm your reputation, you may have grounds for a defamation lawsuit. Pennsylvania law requires proving that the statement was false, damaging, and made with negligence or malice depending on if you are a private citizen or public figure.
Because someone’s life can be ruined by false statements, defamation claims can be massive. Surely anyone reading this currently has a news headline in mind.
Seeking Legal Help
If you think you have a civil litigation case, it’s important to seek legal counsel. An experienced attorney can assess your case, guide you through the legal process, and advocate for a favorable outcome. Evidenced by this article, attorneys at The Skeen Firm, PLLC will be honest, upfront, and thorough with your case’s evaluation and expected outcomes.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified Pennsylvania family law attorney.