Matarazzo v. Millers Mutual Group, Inc.
Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania
927 A.2d 689 (2007)
Lucy and Vincent Matarazzo (plaintiffs) instructed the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (defendant) to turn off water to their vacant property, and an Authority employee told them the water would be shut off, with the resulting bill labeled their final statement. The water was never actually turned off, and the pipes froze and burst in subsequent cold weather, damaging the property. The Matarazzos sued for detrimental reliance; the Authority moved to dismiss on governmental-immunity grounds, and the trial court granted the motion.
Whether a promise that a promisor should reasonably expect to induce an action or forbearance on the part of a promisee that does induce that action or forbearance is binding on the promisor even if no actual contract existed.