Contractor Paid Through Arbitration – Recovers Attorney Fees under Lien Statute

An unpaid contractor filed a timely mechanic’s lien claim on the project and sued the owner for breach of contract and foreclosure of the lien. The payment claim was submitted to arbitration, as stipulated in the contract. The contractor obtained a favorable result and was entitled to recover attorney fees from the owner, as the “prevailing party” under the lien statute, even though the lien foreclosure action was never adjudicated.