Eaton v. Gurry

BLUE, Judge.

Sandra Eaton appeals the denial of her claim for the reasonable value of her work as cook, bartender, waitress, janitor, and sometimes manager of the Porthole, a restaurant and bar owned by Peter Gurry. Eaton and Gurry lived together but were not married during the time she worked at the Porthole. After a non-jury trial, the court determined that the relationship between Eaton and Gurry was “meretricious” and denied recovery. We hold that the court erred by denying compensation solely because the parties were living together at the time the services were rendered.

In reaching its…