Philadelphia Partner Secures Jury Defense Verdict after Privacy Tort Claim Trial

Philadelphia Partner Robert L. Sanzo obtained a defense verdict in the Philadelphia Courts of Common Pleas on behalf of our client, a high-end apartment community property owner and community property management company, following the eviction of Plaintiff from an apartment complex in King of Prussia, PA.

In his suit, Plaintiff described our client as “the ring leader” for initiating judicial proceedings to remove him from the property after multiple complaints of stalking and harassing toward female staff. At trial, Plaintiff portrayed himself as a shy, nearly destitute victim of the “mean girls” employed at the apartment complex. He testified that the defendants disclosed a confidential message regarding his mental health during a 2022 eviction hearing which, he claimed continues to devastate his life.

Plaintiff alleged the defendants invaded his privacy by disclosing this information, asserting claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and the tort of intentional intrusion upon seclusion. He sought both compensatory and punitive damages.

Rob Sanzo’s defense presented Plaintiff as an aggressive, sophisticated and financially successful real estate investor who regularly advised others on short-sale strategies and acquired properties going into foreclosure. Rob’s defense further argued that Plaintiff’s alleged mental health therapy communication was not a confidential request for treatment, but instead was sent under false pretenses for improper purposes.

As the trial approached, all claims except for the intentional intrusion upon seclusion were dismissed. After hearing the evidence, the jury returned a defense verdict in favor of our client.

Rob focuses his law practice on defending clients in premises liability actions, products liability claims, defamation, false arrest and false imprisonment. Rob has defended hundreds of actions on behalf of national retail establishments and charitable non-profit organizations and obtained numerous defense verdicts in state and federal courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.