Non-Employees Chateau Est. v. Chateau Est., Unpublished Decision (1-26-2007)

**Court Rules Mobile Home Park Must Pay Legal Fees in Water Quality Case** This case involved a dispute between residents of a mobile home park and the park's operator, Chateau Estates, Ltd., over water quality issues. The residents' association sued the park operator for failing to meet their contractual obligations regarding water quality standards. After winning their case at trial, the residents' association asked the court to order the park operator to pay their attorney fees for additional legal work done after the trial ended. The appellate court sided with the residents and upheld the trial court's decision. The park operator was ordered to pay $45,640.25 in attorney fees to cover the residents' legal costs for post-trial work in the water quality lawsuit. This ruling matters for workers and residents because it shows that when employers or property operators breach their contracts, they may be responsible for paying the other party's legal costs. This can make it more feasible for groups of workers or residents to pursue legal action against more powerful entities, since they know they might recover their attorney fees if they win. It provides important financial protection for people seeking to enforce their rights through the courts.