(412) 212-6465

Pittsburgh Breach of Contract Attorney

When your employer makes a promise, in writing or orally, that promise carries weight. If they broke it, you may have legal options. Employees in Western Pennsylvania who have been misled, underpaid, or forced out in violation of a contract deserve skilled legal representation. Attorney Nicholas Kennedy handles breach of contract cases on behalf of workers throughout the region. Kennedy Law takes a select caseload so that every client receives personalized attention and zealous advocacy, not just a file number.

If your employer violated the terms of your employment contract, severance agreement, or offer letter, you do not have to accept it.

Contact us or call Kennedy Law at (412) 212-6465.

Call today: (412) 212-6465

What Is a Breach of Contract?

A breach of contract happens when one party fails to follow through on the terms of a legally binding agreement, without a valid legal excuse. In the employment context, this most often means your employer did not honor what they promised you.

That could look like a lot of different things. Maybe you were offered a specific salary or bonus that was never paid. Maybe you were promised a promotion or job security and then let go without cause.
Maybe your severance package was reduced after you signed it, or your employer is now trying to enforce a non-compete clause after terminating you without cause.

Whatever the situation, this can feel like a betrayal. You held up your end of the agreement. When your employer did not, they may have crossed a legal line.

Not every broken promise rises to the level of a legal breach. For a breach of contract claim to exist, several elements generally must be present:

  • A valid contract existed between you and your employer.
  • You fulfilled your obligations under that contract.
  • Your employer failed to meet theirs.
  • You suffered real harm as a result.

Many employees do not realize that a contract does not always need to be a formal, signed document. Offer letters, employee handbooks, written policies, and in some cases even verbal promises may be enforceable under Pennsylvania law. Understanding what counts as a contract, and whether yours was breached, is exactly where Kennedy Law can help.

How Pennsylvania Breach of Contract Law Applies to Employees

Pennsylvania law provides important protections for employees whose contracts have been violated. Here is what you need to know before moving forward.

There are strict filing deadlines for filing breach of contract claims, and missing the deadline can permanently bar your right to recover. This means that it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a breach occurs.

Pennsylvania’s At-Will Employment Rule and Its Exceptions

Pennsylvania is an at-will employment state, meaning that in most situations, an employer can terminate an employee for any reason or no reason at all; however, there are important exceptions. When a contract, written or implied, establishes specific terms of employment, those terms may override the at-will default. An implied contract can arise from statements in an employee handbook, a formal offer letter, or representations made by a manager during hiring.

Relevant Pennsylvania Statutes

Breach of contract claims in Pennsylvania are generally governed by common law contract principles. Wage-related breaches may also implicate the Pennsylvania Wage Payment and Collection Law (WPCL), 43 P.S. §§ 260.1 et seq., which provides additional remedies for employees whose earned wages have been withheld.

Pittsburgh Breach of Contract Attorney

Types of Breach of Contract Cases We Handle

Kennedy Law represents employees in a wide range of contract disputes, including:

Employment Contract Violations

If you were hired under a written employment agreement that guaranteed a specific role, salary, term(s) of employment, or conditions for termination, and your employer violated those terms, you may have a breach of contract claim.

Severance Agreement Disputes

Employers sometimes reduce, delay, or refuse to pay severance that was promised in writing. If you signed a severance agreement and your employer failed to honor it, Kennedy Law can help you pursue what you are owed.

Bonus and Commission Disputes

Promised bonuses and commissions that were never paid, or were reduced without cause, are among the most common breach of contract claims employees bring. If your compensation plan was changed after you earned it, you may be entitled to recover.

Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreement Disputes

If your employer is trying to enforce a non-compete agreement against you after terminating you without cause, or if the terms of the non-compete agreement are unreasonably broad, there may be grounds to challenge its enforceability.

What Compensation May Be Available?

If your employer breached a valid contract, you may be entitled to recover damages. The types and amounts will depend on the specific facts of your case.

Kennedy Law will always give you an honest picture of what your claim may be worth, and what factors, including the strength of the evidence and the terms of your agreement, may affect the outcome. Results vary depending on the circumstances of each case.

Pennsylvania’s deadlines for filing a breach of contract claim are strict, and missing them can cost you your case. Don’t wait to find out where you stand. Contact Kennedy Law Today – (412) 212-6465.

Why Choose Kennedy Law?

When a breach of contract dispute arises, having an attorney who is exclusively in your corner matters. Mr. Kennedy personally manages every case the firm takes on, and because the caseload is intentionally limited, clients receive the attention their situation deserves.

At Kennedy Law, you work with an attorney who is prepared and invested in your case.

Read Mr Kennedy’s full bio.

What Our Clients Say

“Nicholas Kennedy is an outstanding employment law attorney and someone I respect greatly. I am an attorney in the Pittsburgh legal community and have known Nick Kennedy professionally for years.” - B.G.
“Mr. Kennedy exceeded all my expectations when representing me for an employment case. He was meticulous in his ability to detail the facts of my case and left me feeling fully supported. You couldn’t ask for a better attorney who knows how to advocate in a professional manner, leading to positive results.” - C.C
“I highly recommend Attorney Nick Kennedy at Kennedy Law for any workplace legal matter. From the moment I contacted his firm, I felt that my situation was handled with the utmost professionalism and care.” - Ms.J

Frequently Asked Questions About Breach of Contract Claims

Not always. While written contracts are the clearest basis for a claim, Pennsylvania courts have recognized that offer letters, employee handbooks, and even verbal representations can create enforceable obligations in certain circumstances. Whether your situation qualifies depends on the specific facts, and an attorney can help you evaluate what you have.

Deadlines can vary, depending on applicable laws. Waiting too long can eliminate your right to recover, so it is important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

This is a fact-specific question, but Pennsylvania courts scrutinize non-compete agreements carefully, and enforceability depends on specific factors, including whether the agreement was supported by adequate consideration and whether its terms are reasonable in scope. If you were terminated without cause, you may have grounds to challenge enforcement.

A signed severance agreement is a binding contract. If your employer reduced, delayed, or refused to pay severance that was spelled out in a written agreement, they may be in breach, and you could be entitled to recover the full amount promised, plus additional remedies depending on the circumstances.

Ready to Take the Next Step Forward?


Your employer made a commitment. If they broke it, you have the right to hold them accountable.

Mr. Kennedy represents employees across Pittsburgh and all of Western Pennsylvania who are navigating contract disputes, severance violations, and broken employment agreements. With personalized attention and federal and state court experience, Kennedy Law is prepared to protect your rights and pursue the outcome you deserve.

Call Kennedy Law at (412) 212-6465 or contact us today.