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After refusing a $287 repair bill, Portland renter beats his landlord in court, wins $32K verdict (www.yahoo.com)
submitted 3 months ago by to c/antilandlords@lemmy.ca
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The clash began after Spring refused to pay a $287 electrician's bill that his landlord forwarded him for the repair of a burnt-out socket in his unit. Shortly after, the landlord notified Spring that his rent would increase by $100 per month.

The jury awarded Spring $16,000 — an amount that Oregon law doubles to $32,000 because of the nature of the violation. On top of that, Spring's attorneys also are entitled to ask a judge to order the landlord to pay all of Spring's legal fees, an amount that currently stands at $225,000.

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[–] 2 points 3 months ago* (last edited 3 months ago) (1 child)

Many (all?) states award attorneys fees as a matter of law for specific claims. In my state, most of our tenent protection laws award tenents attorneys fees automatically if they win (along with triple damages).

Private contracts also frequently include a loser pays provision.

Additionally courts can, under their own authority, award attorneys fees if one sides does something to drag out and increase the cost of litigation; which is almost certainly how this dispute got so expensive.

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