North Union ordered to pay $125K in suit over property damage
The North Union Township supervisors unanimously voted to pay over $125,000 for a lawsuit that was filed 13 years ago.
“We don’t agree with the judge’s decision at all, but we’re going to pay it,” Supervisor Curtis Matthews said during the board’s Tuesday meeting.
Originally filed by Stephen Laskey in 2011, the suit alleged the township built a park that caused water to run onto and damage his property in Mount Braddock. The suit indicated the township tried to mitigate the issue, but was unable to do so.
The case went to trial in 2019, and a Fayette County jury awarded Laskey $75,000. After appeals from both sides, the state Commonwealth Court reinstated the verdict, plus interest, this May. The appeals court sent the case back to Fayette County Court for a judge to determine the amount owed.
Last month, President Judge Steve P. Leskinen ordered the township to pay $125,518.65, which included interest. The money will be paid to Laskey’s estate, as he passed away before the suit was resolved.
Matthews and Supervisor Robert Tupta were both on the township’s board of supervisors when the lawsuit was filed 13 years ago.
“We felt we were right the whole way through, so we said we’ll take her to the end,” Tupta said. “And we did.”
Attorney Thomas Earhart, who represented Laskey’s estate in the suit, said he is glad the matter is finally over.
“I’m happy that (the jury verdict) is getting paid,” Earhart said. “I’m happy the township finally came around and acknowledged the jury’s ruling.”