Patitucci v. Laverty

MONTEMURO, Judge:

This is an appeal filed by the Nationwide Insurance Company. Nationwide challenges the trial court’s imposition of sanctions under Philadelphia Local Rule 170 for unreasonable refusal to settle. Nationwide argues that the trial court abused its discretion in finding that Rule 170 applies under the circumstances of the present case. Further, Nationwide contends that Rule 170 is unconstitutional. We reverse.

In July of 1979, James Patitucci, a minor at the time, 1 , filed a complaint against Thomas W. Laverty and Peter M. Pino. Patitucci claimed that Laverty negligently operated…