Lessie Blankenship, v. Century Health Services, Inc.

Lessie Blankenship ("plaintiff") filed suit in the Circuit Court of Bedford County against Century Health Services, Inc. ("Century" or "defendant"), seeking damages for breach of a commercial lease. Following a bench trial, the court awarded plaintiff damages in the amount of $44,943.80 for rent due under the lease, costs incurred by plaintiff in seeking to relet the premises, and attorney fees in the amount of 15% of the amount of the judgment. On appeal, Century presents five issues for review: Whether the trial court erred (1) in finding that Century had assumed the lease between plaintiff and South Central Home Health, Inc. (?South Central”), the original lessee; (2) in concluding that Century had not properly terminated the lease; (3) in finding that plaintiff had properly mitigated her damages; (4) in awarding plaintiff damages for future rent under the lease; and (5) in awarding plaintiff attorney fees in the amount of 15% of plaintiff's judgment. For the reasons hereinafter stated, we affirm in part, reverse in part and remand.