Trustees of the Plumbers & Pipefitters Union Local 525 Health & Welfare Trust Plan v. Developers Surety & Indemnity Co.

**What Happened** A plumbers and pipefitters union health plan sued Developers Surety & Indemnity Company over a surety bond dispute. The union trustees had a $20,000 judgment against the company for breach of contract, but the lower court initially refused to award attorney fees to the union. **What the Court Decided** The Nevada appellate court overturned the lower court's decision and ruled in favor of the union trustees. The court ordered that the case be sent back to determine how much the union should receive in attorney fees. The insurance company had argued they shouldn't have to pay attorney fees because those costs would push the total amount above the bond's limit, but the court rejected this argument. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling is important because it protects union benefit plans and the workers who depend on them. When unions have to go to court to collect money owed to worker health and welfare funds, they can recover their legal costs even if those fees exceed bond limits. This makes it more likely that unions will pursue legal action when employers or their insurance companies don't pay what they owe, ultimately protecting workers' benefits and healthcare coverage.