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Where Do I Sue A Business? Where Can My Business Be Sued? Is “Venue” Proper?

Businesses and their principals are often sued in courts far from their place of business/residence on the basis of their “contacts” with the county in which the suit was initiated. There are numerous reasons for such “forum shopping.” Among them are a claimant’s desire to fight on its home court, the convenience (or inconvenience) of the chosen court and how likely a jury is to award large damages. Our Harrisburg lawyers can help you understand and combat this practice.

The ‘Quantity And Quality’ Test

One basis for luring a corporate defendant to a court far from home is that it “regularly conducts business” in such a county. Pennsylvania courts apply a “quantity and quality” test to determine whether a business has made sufficient contacts in a forum county to be sued there. Quality means actions directly furthering or essential to corporate business, and quantity means actions that are habitual or continuous.

A Recent Case Study

In a recent case, the Superior Court reaffirmed the notion that the “mere solicitation of business in a particular county does not amount to conducting business.” In that case, Wimble v. Parx Casino and Greenwood Gaming & Entertainment Inc., Wimble sued in Philadelphia County the owner of the Parx Casino for injuries he allegedly suffered at the defendants’ Bucks County casino property. The defendant was a Bucks County business, the casino was in Bucks County and the alleged injury occurred in Bucks County.

Wimble argued that a “sister” corporation of the defendant spends a substantial sum advertising the casino in Philadelphia County and that amounted to it transacting business in Philadelphia County. The court disagreed, concluding that the defendant’s (or its parent or sister company’s) advertising activities in Philadelphia did not amount to conducting business there and the court ordered that the case be transferred to Bucks County.

If Your Business Is Facing A Lawsuit, Contact Our Firm

For more information about this case, the importance of venue in litigation or your specific litigation needs, email the experienced business and commercial litigation attorneys at Cunningham, Chernicoff & Warshawsky, P.C.. You can also reach us by phone at 717-260-3527.