Pennsylvania law sections 8353 and 8354 outline the damages available to plaintiffs in wrongful civil proceedings, including harm, reputation damage, expenses, and punitive damages. Section 8354 specifies the burden of proof on the plaintiff to establish wrongful conduct by the defendant. Section 1990 notes the suspension of a related court rule.
You can recover damages for harm from arrest or interference, reputation damage, legal expenses, specific financial losses, emotional distress, and punitive damages if applicable.
You must prove the defendant initiated or continued the proceedings without probable cause, that the proceedings were resolved in your favor, and that they were not for proper legal purposes.
The plaintiff bears the burden to prove the defendant's wrongful actions, lack of probable cause, and damages suffered, as outlined in Section 8354.
Yes, Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure No. 1023(d), which suspended Section 8355, was adopted on March 11, 1991.