Title: Employer installed security cameras with audio

Question:
This is in Southern California at a small independently owned retail shop.

The owner is a late twenty\-something guy. He recently installed new security cameras that also have microphones. He monitors them constantly on his phone with an app. He also gave the manager access to the cameras on her phone as well & she monitors the cameras very frequently.

I discovered this because my manager met with me a while ago & said she watched the cameras one day while I was talking with another coworker about how unhappy I was with the managers decisions on a work issue. My manager then had me sign a form stating I can no longer talk negatively about her or any coworker while at work.

This doesn't feel legal & if it isn't, I have no idea how to even begin addressing this issue. Any help would be wonderful. Thanks.

Answer:
 https://legalbeagle.com/8532951-california-law-workplace-surveillance-cameras.html

> California employers may make video recordings at work, but not in bathrooms, locker rooms or any other type of room where the purpose is to change clothing. Audio recording is not permitted unless both parties consent.

> Some video recording devices have the ability to also make audio recordings. However, California is a two-party consent state to audio recordings, which means that the person doing the taping and the person being recorded both must agree to be recorded for it to be legal. Absent the employee's consent, the employer cannot make audio recordings, even if there is also being a video made at the same time. To avoid future disputes, it's a good idea to put the recorded person's consent on the tape itself.

To record audio he needs to have your consent. I would definitely let him know the cameras he has can't record audio without your consent. Which of course, may lead to him asking for your consent. If you don't provide it, barring a contract, you can be fired.


Title: [TX] Am I liable if someone else dines and dashes without my knowledge

Question:
If Person 1, we'll call him Tim, goes out on a blind date with Person 2, we'll call her/him Rory, and after finishing the meal Rory excuses themself to the bathroom and never returns. Is Tim legally liable for Rory's portion of the bill? Would it change if Tim cooperated with the restaurant and gave them/the police as much information to track down Rory as possible?

&#x200B;

Is it different if they do or do not express an interest in splitting the bill from the start?

Is the liability different from state to state?

&#x200B;

Answer:
 r/legaladviceofftopic

Yes. Tim can sue Rory for the portion. Legality doesn't change if Tim cooperates but the restaurant may take pity.


Title: [NY/NJ] How to legally prevent friends/family from holding a funeral for me, and/or claiming my body.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Nope.

Nope.

Nope.

OP, if you are feeling like harming yourself, please please please check in over at /r/SuicideWatch or call 800-273-8255.

It's a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

And in order to 100% prevent anything, someone would have to be around to challenge it if it did happen.  If you're gone and you're alienating your family and friends, it's unlikely that there will be anyone to do that absent some high cost prepaid legal services.


Title: Ex wife wants to remove son from his school to home school him. We have joint legal and I have physical custody. (Indiana, USA)

Question:
My ex wife got into an altercation with my sons school and has decided she will home school my son starting tomorrow. What is her legal ability to do this? If she doesn't take him to school what repercussions do I have? Explain what I should do as next steps?

Update: my ex did return him to my care tonight but has said that she will remove him from school tomorrow if I take him there.

Update 2: my ex did not remove him from school but she has said she will not take him to school during her time tomorrow. She is saying that she will not agree that he continue at this school going forward and that a decision must be made before he returns from winter break. I spoke with my lawyer who advised I have two options:
1. Agree to a plan with her and decide this out of court.
2. Keep him at this school and she will have to prove this school is not the best option.

Any other advice I should consider?

Answer:
 I'm confused - if you have physical custody, how is she planning to homeschool him?  You just take him to school in the mornings.

As is, there are rules about homeschooling; if she's not put effort into preparation, she's likely not ready to follow them.

If you two can't resolve this, you'll have to go back to court to settle the matter.  You can likely file an emergency motion to temporarily keep him in school while you go over it.Answer #2: Replying to your Edit - If you have physical custody of your son during the day (i.e. during school hours) you're absolutely entitled to tell the school the situation, take along all documents showing that you have full physical custody, and tell them to *refuse to hand over your son to the mother*.Answer #3: Generally in custody agreements there is something called the "status quo," which establishes the basics, like school, religion, doctor, etc. She could be violating your parenting plan for your child, which is a court document.

Call your lawyer, you can likely file something to stop her and maybe even take away some of her custody. Answer #4: Unless one of you holds education rights, you will have to file a court order to force her to put him in school.


Title: I want to have a store front where I can have raves in the basement at night. What legalities do I need to be aware of?

Question:
The business I plan running is going to be a simple art gallery where we sell local art and crafts. At night once every month I would love to have private boiler room (Underground Raves).

I just need to know the legal rights I have in order to protect myself. i.e llc licensing liquor licensing or how to get away with byob, etc. Basically how not to get sued.

Illinois, lasalle county

Answer:
 You're going to need a lawyer, honestly.

You would need off the top of my head, assuming you want to sell alcohol:

* LLC
* Liquor Licenses and appropriate protections
* Property insurance (In case of fire, theft, etc.)
* Liability insurance (In case someone gets hurt at your event)
* Ticket processor/seller
* Whatever Lasalle County obligates for gatherings (probably a rating from the Fire Marshall about max. occupancy
* $$ To pay bartenders, DJs, bouncers, etc.

Really not too great of an idea if you don't already have an established presence.


Title: Talcum powder

Question:
Location: St. Louis

Sorry for being behind the times, but I had no idea about the talcum powder link to ovarian cancer and subsequent lawsuits until today.

Here’s my situation. My aunt died of ovarian cancer in 2017. My brothers and I are her heirs, and my older brother is in charge of her modest estate. I know for a fact that she used the powder as a feminine product because she used to watch us as children and would aggressively powder me post showers in that area. Also after my mother passed in my teen years she always made sure I had powder in my room “so I would be clean.” I’m the only other female in the family for the record. I know that isn’t proof of use, and I don’t know her biopsy situation.

She died really young compared to most of the women from my dads side of the family. She was 72, but almost all of my grandparents siblings and my grandma herself made their late 80s or 90s.

I guess I’m looking for opinions on if this is even valid since she’s my aunt and not my mom, and if so what should I do? I’m a teacher so I have some time to devote to this during the summer but not a clue where to begin. From googling it seems like the court cases are already over? Honestly I’m spinning.

Answer:
 I mean, at 72?  You are going to have a hell of a time proving causation with no medical records to back you up.

Feel free to talk to some attorneys.


Title: Police Escort?

Question:
I am an 18 year old male who's had family problems (frequent arguments about freedoms/rights) ever since high school.  Recently, during the last week of school, a large argument erupted once again and I left the house for the night to study for finals in peace and serenity.  My friend (who I was studying with for the night) took me to my house the next day so I could get dressed for school and look presentable.  My mom approaches the door and tells me from the other side to "F off" and get out.  So, after the school day finished, my girlfriend offered to let me stay at her place for as long as I needed.  Well, now it's two weeks later, and nothing has come close to improving.

Recently, she and her older sister (who lives in Arizona) have offered to allow me to stay there with them for the next ~5 weeks with a guaranteed job to allow me to pay her back.  The only items I need are some clothes, hygiene supplies, and my social security card and ID.  My mother has forbidden me from retrieving these items (very peculiar since she doesn't want me in the house anyway) but nonetheless, we leave Sunday.

What are my legal rights?  Am I allowed to request a police escort/civil standby to retrieve my belongings?

Also, FWIW, my direct deposit money from my job is going into a sub account of my mother's that was created when I was a minor.  Now, she refuses to let me access my money.  Am I really unable to access any of it without her signature?

Answer: Oh, and about the money: I think the bank should let you access the money now that you're 18, but if they don't, there might not be much you can do about it. What you need to do, ASAP, is start a new account and put your money there. If you can get access to your old account, pull all of your money out at the first opportunity.Answer #2: You're absolutely allowed to request it. I don't know if they'll say yes but it's worth the ask.


Title: [USPS] I think a legal item I ordered on Amazon may have been seized at customs.

Question:
I'm an electronics hobbyist. In February I ordered some Soviet surplus amplifier chips to use in an audio circuit. The items arrived in the US (from Russia) on 3/18 and the tracking has stopped with the customs office.

Amazon refunded my money, so that's no issue, but am I going to receive a knock on the door at some point? Should I call customs or USPS and find out the status? Or should I lay low with them and be happy with my refund?

Answer: The delay isn't all that unusual, in my experience. I'd have you PM me the tracking number and I'd go poking about on our system myself, but I'm on vacation.Answer #2: Pm me tomorrow to remind me to get you a number so you can call customs.


Title: [CANADA] Question about confirming paternity, 30 Male - crazy story attached.

Question:
Hello, first of all thank you, and my apologies for the long read. I'm in B.C. Canada specifically. I've had a bit of a crazy year, and am planning on speaking with a lawyer but was looking to get some insight and the "Dos and dont's" with respect to my current situation.

So some back story, an ex-girlfriend of mine got pregnant end of May/early June and guaranteed me that I'm 100% the father. We've had a very tumultuous relationship, a lot of pushing and pulling emotionally...I think she may have a Borderline Personality Disorder. The situation is I can't trust what she says whatsoever, and I'll include some history below..I work with this woman as well.

We originally hooked up Jan/Feb of this year. It was getting more serious than I liked (She was talking about having a family with me and I was never on that level) so I walked away...she was pregnant with somebody else's kid at the time. The night I left her home she was acting like she was feeling contractions...and was having this terrifying 'Please don't leave me! Don't leave!' sort of 'episode' or freak out for lack of a better word. I ended up leaving her home at 4 in the morning, she refused to let me take her to the hospital. That morning I woke up to texts with suicidal undertones....I went to her house as I figured she might've done something but nobody answered the door. This is when I started receiving texts and emails from her 'friends' that had found her in a pool of blood. She's texted me from tons of numbers in the past like this but nobody would ever meet me; I think she just spoofs Phone #'s. 48 hours after this claimed she was engaged to some guy, and didn’t remember anything or ‘who’ I was only that she’d felt a connection to me. We remained friends at work…she’d be flirty but claimed she never remembered who I was.

Fast Forward to March and she is getting married in Spain she said. She had the child this same week. So within a month and a half/2 months she’s engaged and marries, and then her husband, the newborn, and her 3 old son (of whom I’d never seen any time we were at her home) all died in a car crash in Spain. She returned to work immediately when she got back, no real bruising or scrapes or anything aside from a walking boot and an eye injury she claimed (I don’t recall her wearing an eye patch).

So foolish me, I end up hooking up with her again in May. We hit it off again, sort of ‘friends with benefits’. She gets pregnant and guarantees 100% I’m the father, and that it’s twins. Every time she had an OBGYN appointment or ultrasound they always seemed to come up when I was out of town, or busy or working, so I`ve never spoken to a doctor with her, or been advised by any medical professional.

Recently she was bleeding heavily from ‘down south’. Now she was actually pregnant, and every article I’d read online re: this said ‘Seek medical help immediately.’ She’d never let me take her to the hospital...If I tried phoning the ambulance she would lose it. She guaranteed the babies were fine and it was just her own medical issues…I begged her multiple times to let me take her to the hospital, and all throughout the summer whenever she’d be in major emotional distress (Screaming, fainting, smacking herself in the head uncontrollably) scary stuff. Never would she agree…she’d always mention ‘Okay, we can go’ but whenever it would come up or I’d say ‘Lets go’ she’d say “No, I just want to sleep.” Maybe I should’ve pressed harder here, I’m not sure.

Fast forward to today, and she told me she had the daughter December 25th, but the boy is inside her still (Could have been the 24th, I'm not 100%). She said she vaginally gave birth to the daughter, and she’s sent me pics of herself and the baby, claiming she’s still in hospital. Now she worked the 26th and 27th of December, and I don't believe any hospital would allow you to give birth to one child, stop contractions with an injection and then release you. I believe you'd be in hosp. until the 2nd child is born. So based on all of this I have no idea what’s what, and if I'm over reacting or in the wrong. She isn't on maternity leave…and claims she doesn't have enough hours to do which I believe to be BS. My honest thoughts are starting to think she’s a surrogate for couples and that explains why she’d never let me in to see the child and keep me on the outside, and explains the whole ‘Spanish baby` situation from March better than the car crash thing.

I've been an emotional wreck…I feel like I'm letting my own child down but it may not and probably isn't even mine. I've been stressed out and was sticking it out through the 9 months (7 or so, the baby came early) to get a paternity test, but now that I'm here I'm not sure what to do. I don't know if me going in to visit implicates me as the father, or how I would get a paternity test. I asked her via text this morning about a paternity test and she replied to me claiming she can't see my text messages because I'm blocked but is still notified she received one from me. (I feel this is BS, she does this all the time. If I send her a message saying I don`t want to be with her she responds with something like 'Oh, did you text ? I can't see it.') selective reading basically. Today she's been texting asking me to bring the baby stuff (Clothes for example), and I've told her I can't do any of that until I can confirm paternity.

She's impossible to communicate with, and I just want to know what I should or shouldn't be doing with respect to all this craziness. Thanks for reading.. I work later today, but if I left anything out or if you have any questions or need more info let me know and I'll happily answer. I would love some insight. Thank you.

*Edited for grammar/wording.

Edit #2: THANK YOU ALL. I GREATLY APPRECIATE THE ADVICE AND WORDS OF WISDOM THROUGHOUT THIS SHITSTORM THAT HAS ENCOMPASSED MY LIFE. I didn't expect this much, so thank you. Happy 2016 everyone :)
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 Medical aspects: they wont leave 1 baby in with the other birthed, this would cause bleeding/infection/deathAnswer #2: Don't sign the birth certificate. Don't agree to anything without a test. If you get the test, consider going for full custody. This kid may be yours, and you should be in her life if she is, but you want the mom as far away as possible. Answer #3: Are you even confident that she's ever been pregnant? You would not be back at work the next day.

OP, this woman is insane.

Alternate theory: OP needs to install carbon monoxide detectors.Answer #4: Also, they're not going to birth one twin, relase her back to work while she's still cooking the other. BS. She might still look pregnant b/c, well, many many many of us do look that way for a couple of weeks after having a baby.Answer #5: Sorry, not legal advice, but how about you stop texting her, and when she texts you, tell her you don't remember anything or her.

Stop chasing the crazy. She's nuts and will only make you crazy too. If the baby(s) is really yours, a real lawyer will be contacting you and you ask them for a paternity test.


Title: Bank failed to pay homeowners premium from escrow

Question:
Yesterday, my homeowners insurance emailed me to tell me my policy had been terminated.  This surprised me since I had received an email from them back in May stating the new premium and the date it would be auto-renewed (2017-07-17) and that escrow was still the method of payment.  I have paid every single mortgage payment early and greater than the billed amount.

When I called the insurance company to find out why, the reason was that they had not received payment from my bank. And they said, by the way, this happened last year too - they paid late and my coverage lapsed several days.

This is unsettling because I was on the phone with them literally during tornado warnings around my home in Illinois (not Chicagoland).

My questions:

What would have happened if a tornado had destroyed my house while I was not covered due to my bank's negligence? I assume the insurance company would deny coverage, and rightfully so, due to non-payment. Would I need to sue the bank to get paid?

My mortgage is serviced by my local/regional bank (they have ~600M in assets for a size estimate) but the loan itself was sold I believe to Fannie Mae. Is there any way to force them to let me take responsibility for my own insurance & property tax instead of paying through escrow?

Answer:
 Nolo actually has a good article on this one. Whoever services your mortgage is responsible for making timely payments. If there has been an error, you have the ability to send them notice of the error, and if it is accurate, they are required to rectify the error and pay any fees/penalties as a result of this.

Nolo article can be found [here](http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-mortgage-servicer-doesnt-pay-the-insurance-property-taxes-time.html)


Title: My friend picks up and delivers for a dry cleaning company. Question about when he went to a local police station to drop off their uniforms.

Question:
My friend just got a new job as route driver for a local dry cleaning company. One of his customers on the route is the city police. About half an hour from the dry cleaning company.

He got to the police station and introduced himself. Saying he's new to the company. Anyways they told him he had to be fingerprinted and they ran a background check on him in order for him to pick up and deliver their police uniforms. So he went along with it. By the way the dry cleaning company already ran a full background check on him a few weeks before he got hired.

Just wondering if this is legal? It doesn't seem right to me. Sounds like the police officers are telling lies.

Help my friend by the way. He's not a Redditor.

Answer:
 There is probably a rule in place that anyone who works in a police station must be fingerprinted, etc.  This rule would have been intended for civilian employees of the police force.  This is common.

It's open to interpretation (and the specific local wording of your local rule) whether delivering uniforms falls under that rule.

Anyway, yes, it is legal for the police force to be choosy about who they allow in the building.


Title: [Usa:Missouri] landlord served us with papers. NEED HELP!

Question:
November I moved in with a friend who got me a job at his country club. His sister was moving out in January so I would take her place. So in January I took her room and her part of the rent. It was $200 a month. I payed him that each month and so did the other roommate that came in January as well. We all payed our bills on time or late with the appropriate late fee.

Fast forward. Two days ago we got served with papers stating the apartment hasn't been payed for and we owe $1920. My roommate (we will call him D) was in charge of getting the bills payed we gave him out share of the money in cash and he would take care of paying. He would pay by mailing a money order/half off his debit card (I didn't know you could pay half money order/half debit card...) he never received a receipt from the landlord. He claims the people working in the front office are just workers and don't take care of processing the rent payments. (Idk if I believe that).

Since he dosent have receipts from the landlord what can we do? He says his bank statements show him buying money orders and depositing half of the rent from his card. All he basicly shows is buying a money order in the amount of rent but no verification that the landlord received it.

I doubt he was keeping the money. I don't see him doing that because that would just fuck himself out of the apartment and I know he dosent want to lose this.

As far as me and roommate 3 (We will call him c) we have payed our rent/utilities and everything.

Answer:
 My friends and I had a room mate who took care of the rent payments. He swore on our friendship that he payed the rent that day by going into the real estate office. The office checked the security camera for the entire day. We aren't friends any more.Answer #2: Not a lawyer but all money orders come with a receipt you can use to find out if its been cashed or not and who cashed it . Might be worth looking into that if your roommate kept the receipts.Answer #3: Things I've learned from /r/legaladvice:

1. try not to room with people you're not married to
2. If you want to / need to, for god's sake get in writing among you that everyone pays their own share of the rent and the utilities.
3. DON'T trust one person to do it. Write a check for your share and send it to the landlord / management company directly
4. Don't for fuck's sake pay in cash. Pay by check and keep the records of doing it.


Title: Employer verbally approved vacation, I booked a trip, but now says I can't take it and he never approved it.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 1.) You always have the option to simply not be paid for the time not covered by vacation time. Make that offer. Of course, they can say no, and can fire you.

2.) If there's the ability to work remotely, you can offer to do that for the missing time.

3.) In theory, you could raise the concept of promissory estoppel, but your negotiating position is shit, because, again, they can just fire you.

How much time are you short?


Title: [FL] Workers compensation not covering a self inflicted injury and mental hospital stay?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 A self inflicted injury is going to be outside of the scope of a workers compensation claim. Workers compensation exists to compensate workers when they're injured in the course of their employment.

Though interacting with customers is part of your job, how you reacted is far outside the bounds of your employment. Your employment does not involve punching cement.


Title: Are nudes of my younger self legal?

Question: So as the title says. If i have nude photos of myself from when i was a kid playing with water outside et cetera, are those pictures legal? My mom has a bunch of childhood photos and in some i am naked. Is that legal for me or my mom to own? Can i distribute and or sell those pictures since the pwrson in those pictures is now above the age of 18 and is consenting? How does this work? Can i post my 5 year old willy online without getting in trouble?

Answer:
 First: not all nude photographs of children are illegal.  In order to qualify as child pornography(in most places), the image must be sexual in nature.  The child must be participating in or present for a sexual act, or they must be nude with a "genital focus".

We can't say whether your specific photos qualify as child pornography or not.  They likely don't if they were taken by your parents in the normal course of raising a child.

Having said that, if they were illegal child pornography when they were taken, they are illegal child pornography forever.  Your current consent or age is of no matter.


Title: Ohio Winery Permit contested by township Trustees

Question: Just looking for some help, The Madison Township board of trustees for the township I live in contested my state permits on the grounds that a Winery is consider agricultural land with at minimum 1 acre of grapes growing. 2 things I have an issue with is this is not a State requirement for Winery permit. Second they are assuming all wineries use grapes exclusively. I have spoke with the State Liquor board on this as well and they feel the same as I.  ORC519.21 and madison township land use and zoning minutes from July 23rd 2015.

Answer:
 You own a business creating and presumably selling alcohol?

You need a lawyer. Period.  Alcohol sales is not something you can DIY.


Title: Auto dealership just sold my father (with early stage dementia) a car even while his wife stood by protesting about his mental abilities.

Question:
Okay.  So my father who lives in Oregon, Ohio has whats called Mild Cognitive Impairment.  He can't remember certain words, and is losing his mental capabilities. He has a hard time remembering things and gets confused easily.

He also has had considerable debt. He has had some debts forgiven and has gone through a lengthy process, but is not out of the woods yet.  He should have everything paid off early next year.

So my concern is how is it that he can get funding through a dealership for a new car.  In fact, my dad was merely in for an oil change when he was approached by a sales rep who then convinced him he could save money if he got a new car.  Because of his cognitive issues, he was confused and then got stuck on this and has been unstoppable about getting a new car.  His wife (who he still owes $6000 to) went with him to try and stop the process, but the sales rep just ignored her protests and sold him the car.

Is there any legal recourse we can take for this predatory or at least unethical act?

[Edit]He lives in Oregon, Ohio.

Answer: If you want to stop this sort of thing from happening again, the Wife (or someone else) needs to go to court and get guardianship of him. The court will determine if he's mentally incapacitated and should not be making decisions. Unless this is done, he will be legally allowed to make his own decisions - even if they are bad decisions.


Title: Customer filmed me at work taking a taster of a new beer - posted it to social media and now I’m suspended [PA]

Question: Bartender here- someone filmed me at work tasting one ounce of a new beer, just wondering if in PA it is legal to film people in a public space without their knowledge.

Answer: Yes it’s legal.


Title: Just been fired on my last week of work

Question:
So here's the story. I been working at dominos for 6 years, worked 80 to 90 hours a week. People called off, I come in, leave my friends that I was hanging out with situation. Been through 3 franchisee, several more general managers and super visors. Ask for a raise for multiple months, been denied every time. I put three week notice in to be nice, knowing my worth. My last week at work, they schedule me only one day, a rush shift with 4 other drivers. That morning I call off, first time in 4 or 5 years, especially with this GM and franchisee. They respond back several hours later saying if I don't show up today, I won't be on the schedule (wanted to stay on till end of May). I call their bluff and go in checking the schedule to see if they were bluffing. Obviously I'm not on there anymore. Do I have a strong enough case for I
Unemployment or will I have a fight unemployment office before my company fights me?

Answer:
 >That morning I call off, first time in 4 or 5 years, especially with this GM and franchisee. They respond back several hours later saying if I don't show up today, I won't be on the schedule (wanted to stay on till end of May). I call their bluff

So you no-showed?

That may make your unemployment claim harder to argue for, but you need to file, and if denied, appeal.


Title: Where Do I Begin With severance Pay? and How do I know If I am Eligible?

Question: So I recently got fired from my minimum wage job about a week or 2 ago and it was over a dumb reason. ( I shared our work schedule with an employer who got fired hours prior, yes I did know this at the time but I didn't think too much of it at the time.) The way my "write up" was written it's all bad and incorrect grammar, anyways I'm still in high school and my teacher said I could be eligible for severance pay but I don't know where to begin. Any Advice/Help would be appreciated

Answer:
 As a minor, and working a minimum wage job, you're almost certainly not entitled to severance pay.Answer #2: Severance is not owed unless you have an employment contract that requires it. The only possibility of that for you is if you are a member of a union.

Otherwise, your employer doesn't owe you anything. Nor are they required to talk to you about it.


Title: Mother moving boyfriends in. I don't even know where to start.

Question: (South Carolina) My ex wife, and mother to my 5 year old daughter called last night and informed me that her boyfriend had moved into her house with her and has been living there in secret for about a month. We have joint custody and about 60/40 time with her being primary. This is the 2nd man that she has moved in with her and he 3rd or 4th that she has had staying the night with her in the last year. The situation is toxic without the men even being involved. My daughter doesn't get bathed, brush her teeth, homework doesn't get done while at her mother's, and her mother was (and I suspect still is) an alcoholic. I've called a PI and emailed my lawyer, but in the meantime, what do you all think of this? Is there anything else I should be doing? My daughter's mother has known this man who just moved in for one month, as she told me last night.

Answer: I'm a pi and we handle this kind of stuff regularly. I would have the pi document the guy coming and going but also run a background check on him. We've had situations similar to yours and the guys cohabitating with the client's ex wife have often had extensive criminal backgrounds including being on sex offender lists. Documenting that she has a felon living with her would do a lot to get you full custody if that was the case.


Title: [PA] 52 in a 25mph zone. I live in PA with a MD license.

Question:
I was recently given a citation stating that I was going 32mph over the speed limit. But I have a weird feeling about this citation along with the fact that I have a MD license and registration. So let me explain the situation (I'm on mobile so excuse the possible shitty format)

I lived in PA for about a year now and was out with my girlfriend going to take her to a bar to celebrate a project she did well on. I'm not sure if this matters at all, but I'm black and she's white. While driving and dancing with her, I saw the lights flashed and immediately pulled over in a parking lot. Sat there for a good 5 mins until the cop comes out flashing his flashlight at my car (even though I parked under a spotlight) just for him to point it to my side and then my passenger side where my girlfriend was sitting. The officer then walks up to the passenger side, which I've never seen before, and asked for my license and registration. As I'm pulling those out he tells me that he saw i was going 52 in a 25mph zone, but never told me how he clocked my speed. He then asked if the car I was driving was mines, so I said yes and even offered to show my insurance card to him but he stated he would view it when he is done checking out my L&R. Wait for another few mins, and then he comes back on my side and hands me my L&R back and hands me my citation and to have a good night and goes back to his hiding spot while never looking at my insurance card.

I check the citation and for the section where it says the deviced use to capture my speed, he selected "other". No explanation what so ever, just..."other".

So now I'm wondering if I should fight it or just pay the fine ($225)? I have a weird feeling about it especially the way it went down and due to having a MD license and registration. Any help/insight would be appreciated!

TL;DR: Cop pulled me over for going 52mph in a 25mph, didn't explain how he tracked my speed and gave me weird vibes. Wondering if I should fight it or pay it due to having a MD license.

Answer: Well... were you actually going 52 in a 25?


Title: Non-fiction law story question

Question:
Idk where to post this really, but I was in a forensics course in high school in Canada. My teacher passed this fake case around the class and now I'm wondering what the real legal ramifications would be. Here's the story to the best of my memory (lost the paper):

A husband and wife are fighting, when the wife pushes the husband. He falls against a window, it breaks, he falls out of their let's say 8 story high apartment. Meanwhile, a few floors below, a man has decided to commit suicide. He rigs up one of those "pull the string, shotgun goes off" type traps, pulls the string, but misses himself and the bullet goes through his window and into the man that was pushed, killing him instantly. Who would be charged for the man's death, and with what?

Answer:
 The person who installed such a shoddy window in a high rise.

Also every person can be charged with their actions in the scenario. It doesn't have to be just one person. If three people all shoot a fourth, the prosecution isn't going to argue who's bullet was the one that killed them.


Title: [WA] My father is forcing himself into my life using divorce court, how do I stop this as a minor?

Question:
Throwaway account because I know people who use Reddit.

I am 16, living and attending public high school with  in Washington State.

Both parents live in Washington State.

&#x200B;

Back in May 2018 my mother divorced my dad due to his constant narcissism and non-physical abuse.. Everything was a-okay until the last court session earlier this month, where my father was trying to fight for custody for me. When I heard about this, I immediately wrote a letter detailing my wishes why I do not want to be forced to live with him and why. To summarize the letter: I don't want to have court-ordered parenting time because hes neglectful, narcissistic, and constantly treats me as inept and incapable and I've had to keep a mask for years on in front of him because of his tendency to blow EVERYTHING that goes wrong out of proportion. I attempted to get my letter into the court for the day, but they rejected it as I am a minor.

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He won over the courts last session by faking emotion, saying that "oh we had such a great relationship" (no we didnt), saying that my mother has "brainwashed" me into hating him, and that he buys me stuff (like a suit, where as my mother had to buy school clothes in mass since May for me). The current agreement gives my mother primary custody, but he gets every other weekend, some holidays, and two weeks of my summer vacation "considering my wishes" . I do not want to be forced with a parent by a court, If i really wanted to visit him, I would, I do not need to be forced to do that.

&#x200B;

Just today, I've heard that he has the power to demand I go with him on the said times, as "considering my wishes" is very, very vague. Also, he is trying to demand that he has 50% say in my academic choices. This means if I chose a class for high school, he has veto power. I do not want him to have this control, I am set academically and have got all the classes that I want to do, already planned out.

So, I cannot represent my self without a lawyer that represents youth. And apparently those lawyers are extremely expensive. My father has more money in all, as in the agreement he retains any bonuses he gets, and my mother only gets half of his base salary *before taxes*. My mother cannot afford health insurance, and she cannot afford a lawyer to represent me.

&#x200B;

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**TL;DR My dad is an ass, hes trying to force himself into my life. I don't want this. I've notified him about my wishes multiple times. I've tried notifying the courts via letter but they threw it out because I am a minor. My mother cannot afford an attorney to represent me at this time. How do I go about getting representation as a minor in the courts despite the lack of funds?**

&#x200B;

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Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 You're 16, and you have very little say in what a divorce court will do in regards to your life, unfortunately.

In court, you can voice your opinion and state what you want, such as academic stability and to follow your academic plan, but ultimately a court will decide what happens.

Your mother could also request from the courts that your father pays for her lawyer.  Your mother should seek some consultations to bring up the financial inequality between her and her spouse, and they can advise her best.Answer #2: IANAL - you should request a guardian ad litem. This is an attorney who is appointed by the court to represent your best interests. Many are employed by the state or county or are volunteers (no cost to you).

Also, try talking to your school counselor. They should be able to help keep your dad from messing with your schedule.

Good luck.


Title: Friend is getting doxxed over Discord

Question: Hello, my name is Nick and this morning I woke up to a message on discord with a link to a pastebin with all my friend’s person info (face, full name, address) because he banned him off a discord server he was in. Dumb reason, I know. The doxxed wants me to communicate with my friend telling him to delete his accounts. I understand that this is a simple issue but I’d just like advice on what to do, should I give in? (I’ll send photos of the conversation if needed)

Answer: Doxxing isn’t illegal.  Delete your accounts or ill do X action, even if X action is legal MIGHT be blackmail.  But ultimately unless there are threats of violence there isn’t much anyone can do.


Title: I'm applying to be a citizen but I don't know how many times I've left the U.S. in the last 5 years.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Check your passport.  Check your history with the airlines you generally use.


Title: [NYC] I got mugged and filed a police report. I have some questions about how my subsequent stupid behavior will affect what happens next.

Question:
3 weeks ago I got mugged, called 911, and spent 3 hours being questioned/filing a report. They made me feel like a criminal, not a victim, and they made it sound as if filing the report was mandatory- I wouldn't have done it otherwise. There were no witnesses and I don't remember anything useful. I have borderline personality disorder and partially dissociated during the mugging. The questioning pushed me into full-fledged mania. Ever since I've been hypomanic and anxious and suffering the symptoms of mild ptsd. They said they'd call me the next day but didn't make contact until last night. The detective called my mother (a backup i gave in case I still didn't have a phone when they called.) and spoke with her about the mugging. I have not yet spoken to him.

**I'm an idiot**: after hearing nothing for 2 weeks I assumed (hoped?) the case was dropped and I wanted to be done with the whole thing. In true borderline personality disorder fashion I lied to my mom saying I got a call that someone had been arrested with my ID in their pocket. Since telling her this I've been improving and can kind of go outside now without having a panic attack. By acting as if my lie was true, I've managed to put some of this shitshow to rest for myself. Of course she mentioned that a guy had been arrested to the detective during their conversation.

**What I Want to Do**: I'm supposed to call him tonight to give another statement. I really want to just flat-out tell him I lied to my mother about the call, but I feel like telling a cop that I'm a liar will have hugely negative consequences. I'm 99.9999% sure lying to your mother isn't illegal but it raises all sorts of questions about me.

**The Questions**: Could they decide that I filed a false police report on the basis of I'm a liar and there were no witnesses? Did I technically indirectly lie to the cops since I told the lie and the lie was eventually communicated to them? Do I mention my disorder and explain why I did it or do I just tell him the cliffsnotes version and leave it at that? I want to be prepared for what could happen after I come clean to the detective in charge.

I was finally coming back to earth and now I'm scared calling the detective is going to trigger a new episode.

thanks in advance for any insight on this.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 "I lied to my mom so she would stop worrying so much."Answer #2: >I'm 99.9999% sure lying to your mother isn't illegal but it raises all sorts of questions about me.

That's all true.

>Could they decide that I filed a false police report on the basis of I'm a liar and there were no witnesses?

Not likely.

>Do I mention my disorder and explain why I did it or do I just tell him the cliffsnotes version and leave it at that?

Well first I hope you're getting help with your diagnosed disorders (are they diagnosed? if not, please check in at a clinic). Secondly, just give him the cliffnotes version, don't need to go into every detail. Just outline what your disorders are, why you lied to your mother, and what the true story is.


Title: I paid for a Gaming PC through Paypal to someone and have not received it.

Question:
I paid $834 in 3 months 4 transactions:
$200- June 30, 2014
$183.57- June 30, 2014
$266.43-  July 1,2014
$184- August 4, 2014

from the beginning, I wanted to buy a gaming PC and a friend of mine bought one for much more $$ from this guy and he delivered and everything went fine, so I had no reason not to believe he would do this. I was wrong. We agreed that i would pay him over a 4-6 month period. He needed half($650) upfront to buy the actual parts, i gave him that. oh and the total price was to be $1300. So $834 dollars later he ships, but he shipped it under someone else (my friends) name but to my address. I wasn't home when it arrived, my parents were, my parents didn't recognize the name and didn't sign for it and UPS took it back. Later on that day UPS claims to him (the seller) that he item has been damaged in transit. So I'm left with no PC, and $834 less. He lives is Chicago and I live in Florida. He claims UPS is not cooperating at all. I don't know what to do.

If you need to know anything else that I possibly left out please message me.

Answer: Dispute the charges with Paypal. They will investigate.


Title: [WA] What can I do if I see ICE? Can I physically block them from going places?

Question: I’m a US citizen, what can I do if I, say, see an ICE officer asking for  someone’s identification ect. Can I physically get in between them?  What would my penalty be? What would an action that would lead to an arrest look like?

Answer: ICE is considered a law enforcement agency and part of the Department of Homeland Security, so I’d be careful interfering like that. Physically blocking them might land you in a world of trouble.


Title: Disenchanted mother that moved out might tip police saying that I posses drugs in domicile (not enough for distribution), enough for a warrant?

Question:
If my mother who lived at my house until two weeks ago were to tell police that they should search my house for drugs and that the quantity was less than an amount for distribution charges, would the police be able to get a search warrant? Would they care enough to?
Location is Quebec, Canada

Answer:
 I've given this exact advice several times to people in comparable situations.

Now would be an excellent time to not possess anything illegal.


Title: [Los Angeles, CA] landlord cut my internet cable and refuses to allow it to be rewired

Question:
hello,

I have my own internet service, separate from lease agreement. Landlord decided to cut all internet/tv wires to entire apartment complex for maintenance and refuses to allow it to be fixed because she didn't like how the wiring looked. What can I do in this situation?

Any advice would be appreciated.we have been living with no internet in our home for almost a week now...

Answer: While I definitely sympathize, lack of internet most likely does not render your apartment legally uninhabitable, which limits your options. Have you thoroughly read your lease agreement to see if it contains a provision re repairs?


Title: [CA] is epidural injection a serious treatment?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 I've had epidural injections.  They're a common outpatient treatment for neck or back pain.  Because they're often guided by x-ray, they're done at outpatient surgery centers, usually, but can also be done in a properly equipped doctor's office.

I don't know how they're medically classified; I doubt they're considered surgery, though.

>So is an accident case automatically treated as serious if the client gets epidural injections?

No.

> Do cases with epidural injections result in higher settlements?

Not necessarily, no.

If you *doctor* recommends injections then you should consider it.  Medical treatment should be based only on a doctor's opinion, not a lawyer's.


Title: Vender received check for services, lost it and now later is threatening legal action

Question:
Located in California

Me and wife got married almost 3 months ago, and 2 months prior to that we had sent a check to the bakery for our cupcakes. My wife keeps wonderful records of our accounts and noticed that after 3 months of the check being "out" it had not been cashed. The vendor states they lost the check. We had to pay a fee to cancel the check they lost and when we asked for them to reimburse us that charge they declined.

They are currently not wanting to reimburse our cancelled check charge for the check that they lost and are now threatening legal issue if we don't give them a check for the full amount soon.

They wouldn't have even known about the check had my wife not reached out to them about the funds not being withdrawn from our account. We just want a reimbursement for the cancelled check charge.

What are our options?

Edit: Thanks all for everyone's input on the situation. With a little  more pushing they agreed to take the check and minus the amount for our cancellation fee. Even though we're never going there again we got what we wanted. Thanks again

Answer:
 Write them a check for the amount you owe them less the canceled check fee and send it to them.

Let them sue you if they want to, trusting that it would be silly to sue someone over $20.


Title: (D.C.) Next door neighbor wont stop chain smoking cigarettes and marjoram and it's coming into my apartment.

Question:
I live in Washington DC in a "smoke fee" apartment building. For the past few months my new neighbor has been smoking cigarettes and marjoram inside their apartment and it has come into my unit. I have spoken to my new neighbors and just asked if they would smoke on their deck outside. They basically told me to fuck off.

I have spoken to the leasing office multiple times who have said "without proof, there is nothing they can do." They said that if I had photographic evidence of them smoking then they could of something. I have sent complaint after complaint to the building manager, but they say their hands are tired because I have no evidences that them are smoking. I feel that I am just getting the run around because they have been into everyone's unit many times over the last month to fix problems within all the units.

Any advice on how to move forward would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: What’s their marjoram you speak of?Answer #2: Does your lease guarantee you a smoke-free apartment? You have no way to force the landlord to enforce terms of someone else's lease.


Title: [Virginia] Dad died without a will; after death we discover an error on the deed listing his sister as the wife...

Question:
[Virginia] Dad died without a will; after death we discover an error on the deed to his house listing his sister (same last name) as the wife.

He was taking care of his sister and letting her stay with him for very little or no pay and they moved into the house in question under a similar arrangement but apparently the scrivener preparing the deed thought they were married and listed them as "(his name) and (her name), husband and wife."    And as "Tenants by the entirety with full common law rights of survivorship." (a tenancy categorization only available to married couples)

The problem is that my mom, his real wife who he met 2 years or so after he bought the house and has been married to for decades and was still married to at the time of his unexpected death, was expecting to split the proceeds of the sale of the house 50/50 with the deceased's sister but now because of some kinda error on the document and weird virginia laws, she is anticipating that the sister will try to contest having to share any part of the other 50% because despite the error, it has that survivorship language that comes along with that tenancy that is Only reserved or permissible for husband and wife.

I guess it just doesn't seem right.  I know this is kind of a weird or uncommon instance here but I was thinking that there is likely some kind of protection for the widow, or that the fact that the sister was fully on board with splitting the proceeds from the sale of the house 50/50 and behaving, acting and participating in ways that supported this until she apparently became aware of this possibility to keep it all.

I dont really have specific questions but any sort of guidance would be appreciated.  Things we don't know are what type of lawyer exactly we would need and if they would have to specialize or practice in just that state or in the county specifically.  Or what we should do to prepare or if there is a strategy for settling this stupid issue without litigation or really anything.  Thanks for your time.

Answer:
 If title was recorded incorrectly, the title policy should cover the costs of an attorney to correct this. They will likely assign an attorney for this matter but consulting a probate attorney separately is important as well.
Answer #2: You guys need an attorney who specializes in wills&probate, in the state in which your dad's estate will be probated. Preferably the county but definitely the state. This is a very strange situation, as you describe it.


Title: Landlord promised my apartment to new tenants and collected security deposit from them during active lease with me. [NJ]

Question: [deleted]

Answer: I didn't read all that but it sounds like you basically dicked around your landlord stating your intention to move but never formalizing it then changed your mind fairly late after he had already secured new tenants. Is this an accurate TL:DR?


Title: ADA/Dog/Rental

Question:
Forgive me if this has been posted. It’s easier to start from scratch and bank on my situation being unique.

I rent a 3BR apartment with three others. The lease ran June 2018 to June 2019, and we haven’t been asked to re-up. So now we’re paying month to month.

One of the roommates moved out in June and was replaced with someone who has an emotional support dog. We didn’t mention this to the landlord because she usually lives in Florida. Except she recently sold that spot and is moving into the unit across the hall.

She saw the dog yesterday and said that there are no pets allowed...so. Tough shit, guys. No pets allowed. Get the dog out of here.

Since were looking for the path of least resistance, I’d rather not kick the owner and the dog out, since I’ll have to scramble to find someone new and unfamiliar. I’m hoping I could hide behind the ADA. My only issue is that we technically don’t have a lease. So I guess were month to month and she could kick us out anytime ?  At best I’d like to buy a few months and figure this out. But the landlord sounds very unforgiving about all this.

Answer:
 The ADA does not apply to housing. The legislation you are looking for is the FHA.

Until your landlord approves the tenant and the dog it is not an ESA it is an unauthorized pet. Does this tenant have a letter from their doctor informing that they are disabled and require the dog?


Title: In fear for my daughter's well being while she is with her mother due to a VERY recent cps call on the mother

Question:
I'll start with, the mother (never married) and I split up about 8 years ago. The child is 11 in feb. Mother has custody due to lying to officers about a dv call. case was immediately thrown out but the washington state mandates for any dv case were already set.

The call

daughter and mother get in arguments frequently (mother is unstable, has meds for mental health but often doesnt take them) and this particular argument ended with the mother putting the child outside the front door no shoes no jacket or sweater for at least 15 minutes. she claims she was trying to calm the child down even though the child has her own room. the neighbor had to come outside with a sweater and give it to my child. which she then called cps for.

the rest

mother has behaved very erratically the entirety of the time ive known her \~12 years. She often uses the child as a bargaining piece or holds her hostage to manipulate and control my life even though we are many years separated.  the mother's mother(kids gma) is a known drug abuser and has been in and out of jail for years. mother often places child in the grandmothers care while knowing shes high. mother will defend that "she didnt know" or "no she wasnt" when her mannerisms and pupils tell a different story. i think she is willfully ignorant and buries the truth to avoid it. My kid has come to visit me often every other weekend unless the mother has a fit and keeps her from me. more than a handful of times the kid has had injuries which were explained by falling while running like skinned knees. This didnt bother me too much since i was a kid once and have skinned my knees dozens upon dozens of times. but, a few of these times she has come with bruises on her arms and once with a 2-3 mm diameter scabbed hole on the tip of her nose from her mom "flicking her nose." I do not believe that one. The mother is a very large (250+) woman and has all the laziness that comes with it. mother doesnt help her with homework. spends very little time with her and is 80%(at least) of the time screaming and yelling at her for small or no reason. the neighbor hears this daily all day long to the point where she has threatened the mother with physical harm trying to defend the child. a few times she tried slapping the mother while the mother was berating the child for no reason. The environment my child has to be in because her fat lazy slob of a mother cant keep it clean is disgusting. often with dog urine and feces on the floor until the mother forces her to clean it up. aside from cooking and bills my daughter runs the house while her mom lays on the couch all day. (this is seen first hand and not just told from my daughter). Before today when i found out about the cps call I had been thinking she was okay and just getting into yelling matches with her mom. I mean every kid has arguments with their parents and some more than others. but, now I am genuinely worried about the well being of my daughter and would like to ultimately either take custody or help get her into a much better environment. I really prefer that be with me but as things are starting to snowball out of control with the mom's mental reliability (this bitch is crazy, maybe not 5150 but suicide attempts general depression 10 year old post partum depression -.-) I understand the immediate answer may not be with me.

as for me, I am permanently partially disabled and still in the L&I claim. i have no trouble providing for myself and my daughter when shes here. I have enough that if she were here full time it would be fine. I live in a pretty nice neighborhood (houses 650k+ for at least 5 blocks in every direction and next to a school) Other family members live with me, all blood related. my kid often tells me the happiest she is is when shes with me. We do homework and school projects together. We play games (card, board, video etc) watch movies and tv. we go for walks even though the disability causes me pain. I'm not giving up the memories for some discomfort and pain (i'd hop on one foot if i had to)

I would really appreciate some help. I dont know where to start aside from calling cps and giving them the logs and notes ive written about these occurrences throughout the years. but as I've read on their website that could possibly mean never seeing my child again and that scares the hell out of me.

Answer: Lawyer up and file for full custody of your daughter.


Title: (Update)Fired after asking for a raise during a promotion. What options do I have? (OR)

Question:
Original here:http://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/2wmgey/fired_after_asking_for_a_raise_during_a_promotion/

So someone mentioned that they wanted an update so here it is.

I reached out to my old supervisor and she suggested I talk to a specific person in HR because she had to talk to them regularly about my boss.  She said they were very helpful.  I composed and e-mail and attached all relevant e-mails and sent it off last night.

Another coworker had been copied on some of the other e-mails between my boss and myself reached out to me to express his sympathies with how my boss was acting.  He said that he really appreciated the work I did and the project would not be able to run without me and my boss was scared I would leave because I "felt so under paid".

This morning HR called me and we had a good discussion.  He said that my boss had done nothing illegal, but this is who he is.  He brings in a lot of money to the company (because he is very talented at his job), and no matter how many times they try to tell him he can't do this, things like this happen frequently.  The HR guy gave me some recommendations for how I should talk with him if I still wanted the promotion, but said that my boss probably would never change.

Not long after that my boss called.  He was extremely apologetic and explained some funding situations that I was previously kept in the dark about, and said "And I wanted to let you know that I am impressed that you stood up for yourself.  Not many people do that.  I apologize this wasn't handled better."

He offered me a raise.  Much smaller, but still generous.  He wanted me to promise I would stay until the project is up and I stated that "Currently I do not have plans to leave this position".  My coworker is also not being fired.  So that is the update.

Answer:
 Thank you for the update!

...And with a boss that twitchy, you might want to ensure your resume is always up to date.Answer #2: Congrats. Glad everything worked out for you


Title: A guy stole my stuff, how can I get it back?

Question:
Since I didn't have so much savings, I used the help of an American guy, that I will call John Doe, to receive my stuff and then after one year he used to sent me all together so I could save on shipping.
Everything was fine then he disappeared from facebook, after I tried everything for two months, I called the police and they were willing to escort me to his house so an american friend went to his house.
John Doe lied about everything and the police didn't help me and my friend, instead they said to my friend it will be considered a criminal offence if he will ever shows up again.
When I bought the stuff the value was 400$, now it's 1300$, but if I have to get a lawyer and come to USA, is more trouble than it's worth.
But I need that stuff to save me from financial problems so what can I do?

Answer: So were you buying merchandise online using credit card information that was stolen from someone in the USA, and then having the merchandise shipped to your "John Doe" who was acting as your reshipping mule?


Title: Legality of erroneous credit card credit

Question:
We live in Wisconsin.
Our credit card was erroneously credited nearly $20,000 by a company we have never done business with. The money was from a company other than the credit card company.

This credit was obviously to the wrong account. The company that credited our account is large and may not notice their error. The error was made 2+ months ago.

We are prepared to pay the credit card bill if the company discovers their mistake. Do we have a legal obligation to report the mistake? Is it illegal to use the card and make no payments, as our balance is now a large credit?

Answer: You know it is an error. Contact the credit card company and let them know.


Title: Urine in water bottle in office

Question:
I'll keep this as simple as possible, not really sure what to do at the moment.

I work a desk job for a large company in Washington State. This morning I came into work and there was urine in my water bottle. I did not drink it, left in in there, and immediately reported it to my supervisor. HR is currently getting involved, it's still only been a few hours and I get to work early in the morning (3am) and it's 6:30am so most people are just getting in.

My question is, how much should I do personally and what demands are reasonable for me to make of the company?

I'd like them to DNA test it to at least have a record and if someone is identified they get fired unconditionally. Is this a reasonable demand?

Should I contact the police or a lawyer on my own? I'm not sure how far the company will go/what they will do yet but I want to be prepared in case they don't do everything I feel they should. Is this civil? Criminal?

I have other things going on in my life (surgery next week) so obviously this isn't something I want to deal with at the moment and want a quick resolution.

I know you'll wonder; no I don't have any major conflicts/feuds with anyone and don't know who would have it out for me bad enough to do something like this.

Thanks for any advice.

Answer:
 In order for a DNA test to mean anything, they have to have a bank of people to test against.  Do you want them to force everyone who had access to the building in the timeframe to submit a DNA sample?

That seems... unlikely at best.

They aren't required to take any action at all here, you have no cause of action if you don't know who the suspect is, and you don't have any damages anyway.

See where the HR report goes before you start calling the supreme court here.Answer #2: > I'm not sure how far the company will go/what they will do yet but I want to be prepared in case they don't do everything I feel they should.

LPT: The company doesn't have to do anything you "want" them to do. HR will do what it's there for, they'll investigate and take appropriate actions to ensure the company is protected. You're also not legally privy to what they do or even if they do anything.

You didn't drink the bottle, and (it appears) nothing has happened to you. You have no damages to sue for civilly and it's highly unlikely anything criminal will come of this. You reported it to HR, which was the right move. At this point, you don't have to do anything else. If you push HR for what their actions were or demand they do stuff or show you what they've done, it can adversely affect your own employment (and it would be perfectly legal).


Title: A pair of expensive boots were sent to me ~5 months ago. We had to leave the country the delivery address was in and the new owner kept the boots for himself.

Question:
In Late December, I joined Reddit Secret Santa. My Santa sent me boots. I was going to send out my gift but my account got terminated because I was under 18 (I didn’t know about the rule). Anyways, this was when I lived in Sweden. However at the time we were on a tourist visa and we rented an apartment from this one dude. Before I knew we were leaving the boots shipped. They arrived a week after we left. If they had my name on them, are they legally mine? My mother and I know he’s done some other bad things and we have reason to believe he kept/gave them away. Is it too late? I didn’t do anything at the time because my mom was too stressed out (he made her pay an extra 2000 dollars for leaving early which was against the rules!). Thanks in advance. I live in the U.S now.
Topic:
Non-US

Answer: The boots should be sent back to the secret Santa that shipped them because you were not of age to even participate. The boots do not belong to you. They do not belong to the new owner either. You can sue for the boots back and then send them to their rightful owner, or you can just let it go.


Title: Boss made me pay over $700 for my employees theft

Question:
I managed a convenience store for 6 years. I quit in September because of the stress I was put under in the final 6 months. I went on vacation and when I came back my boss had moved my assistant to another store without my knowledge and made no effort to help me get a replacement. From April up until the day I quit I worked every single day. Some days consecutive 18 hour shifts. It was so unbearable my hair was falling out, I became severely underweight, developed extreme anxiety and depression and even fell asleep driving down the interstate one night after another 18 hour day. More importantly my kids were being neglected and my house was always a mess because I was never home.
Here comes the fun part.
My last day was on a Thursday. My boss called me the following Tuesday saying there was some money missing. Obviously I was the suspect, and honestly I understand why she would feel that way given I quit with no notice. I told her the last 2 days I did paperwork I had some cash shortages but because I didn't have time to blink, let alone research what could have happened I didn't know what the cause was but didn't mind coming to help her figure it out. She said she knew without a doubt I didn't steal anything, then  immediately claimed the company would be charging me with larceny if I didn't come up there with the cash. I was absolutely terrified so of course I went up there and dished out somewhere along the lines of $750, which as a single mom of 2 I really didn't have to just throw away.
About a week later one of my employees texted me saying another employee had just been arrested in the store. I looked it up and low and behold he was charged with felony larceny by employee. I spoke with my boss a few days later and she admitted she had him on video taking the money and he even confessed to the whole thing. She stated they would "try to get him to pay restitution so hopefully you can get your money back". He's been to court, the first was continued and I believe he has another court date this month. I'd like to know what recourse I have to get what I am owed, especially because they have video evidence and his confession. They know I was a stellar employee(minus the whole quitting part!) I wholeheartedly believe I'm at the point where I need to take legal action against the company. Why should I have to wait (years possibly) for this kid to pay them the money back just to get mine returned. Any advice is appreciated at this point. She is a very reasonable person so I would rather discuss it with her but I don't even know how to broach the subject without getting angry about it.

Answer:
 Sue your previous employer, you may contact the police and make a report your boss is guioty of extortion.  Answer #2: Contact the parent company, if there is one. If that doesn't work, file a wage complaint. Quitting is your right and has nothing to do with whether it not you are paid the money you are owed.

Don't bother contacting the kid. You had nothing to do with the missing money. A kid who steals $700 from their employer is not going to voluntarily give it to you.

Answer #3: Can you take out the extraneous information and add some formatting please?


Title: Camp job paying less than minimum wage and nothing for training

Question:
Hi all, my girlfriend is working as a camp counselor/someone who runs a high ropes courses, obstacle courses, and various other activities at a park near Columbus Ohio. They make her go through around 2 weeks of training (so she can run more advanced things and get paid "more") but they "don't believe in paying for training" so will make nothing during that time. She also will be getting paid under minimum wage working ~50 hour weeks and getting paid $400 for each week. Is this legal? And if not, what actions can be taken? She feels like she is getting cheated by this company and I would feel the exact same way. After looking online, at least from what I've found, companies have to pay you at least minimum wage for training and obviously at least minimum wage for the job.

Reddit, please let us know any laws we might be overlooking or if there is an action we can take. I can give any additional information needed.

Thank you, guys!

Answer:
 Summer camps are exempt from minimum wage laws.Answer #2: High ropes/climbing  certification (training) is required to operate a high ropes course/climbing wall certification/ zip line, which would be a requirement for the job she applied for. The training is required for her to be able to work the job. I’d guess she is also required to be CPR/first aid trained. If she applied for a job that requires certification then they are going beyond what is required by provided it (it’s not cheap).

Also most camps are except from minimum wage under the Federal Labor Standards Act Section 13(a)(3).

I also would suggest that she perhaps look for a different job if this is already an issue. Some camps do have it in their contracts that if they paid for training and you leave early you are required to pay them for the training.Answer #3: Speaking as a longtime scout camp stagger - camp staff are routinely paid under minimum wage but are given room and board; being sent for training like hers is done on her time and the employer's dime. Mandatory training for all staff - orientation, safety procedures, etc., should be done on the clock


Title: [FL] I shot my neighbor's dog while it was in my yard, now he's threatening to sue me for vet bills

Question:
My neighbor's dog constantly gets in my yard and fucks with my cats. The first couple of times, I told him, "look, keep your goddamn dog out of my yard, or I'm going to light it up." Well, it kept happening. I got fed up the other day and popped it full of bird shot. I could have killed it, I believe I would have been well within my rights to do so, but I wanted to be nice.

So anyway, now my neighbor is threatening to sue me for the vet bill and that he was going to get my guns taken away. This is all bullshit posturing, right?

Answer:
 He likely can't "get your guns taken away" but he can absolutely sue you for the vet bill.  You would need to show that the dog was causing harm to your cats (since you don't specify what "fucks with" means) and that you were defending them or yourself.

From the language that you use in this post, you'll want to prepare yourself to wind up in court over this.Answer #2: I think you're about to be paying some vet bills.Answer #3: pretty sure you were not within your rights.


Title: Married me, Ran away to US Help to deport and divorce

Question:
I married this Indian guy from Florida in an arranged marriage in India. He went back after 10 days of marriage in 2007 with all the dowry (including 1200 grams of Gold jewelry) My mom passed away with grief. I live in India and can not afford any legal fee. My life is a hell to live everyday with this emotional scar.
Now I located him and found he was married to US citizen to get a  green card and later became a US citizen .He jumped from a cruise ship as a waiter in Miami.
How to nail this bastard?
If he visits India he will be arrested, how can I approach the US government to repatriate him to India. How can I file a divorce in Miami Court? How can make a complaint to ICE? How can I lodge a police Complaint in Dade County Miami?
Reddit folks please help. Please consider me like your sibling.
All lawyers / law school students/pro bono / legal aids  in USA and Miami please help me.
you can do some thing for me ? Please help me.

Answer:
 Report him to the police in florida, Bigamy (getting married while already married) is a felony in florida.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/826.01

Also report him to ICE.


Title: Speeding in a school zone - no way of knowing. Best way to handle? Colorado

Question: short story: i get into my car, drive down my (30mph residential speed limit) street and take a left. then get immediately pulled over for doing 32mph  in a school zone (20mph speed limit when signs are lit). issue is there is no sign between my house and where i was pulled over. Admittedly I live within a school zone but how am I meant to know when it is active? there are no times on the signs (that are 3 blocks from my house), just lights flashing. from my perspective how-could i be expected to drive at 20mph with no signage indicating such? from a more enlightened perspective - every person living in a school zone (in between signs) probably shouldn't have a writ to drive 30mph in that school zone every time they leave their residence. how will the court see it? i'm planning on taking pictures and video of my route as well as printing a map marking where the signs are (on top of dressing nicely and acting gentlemanly). do i have a reasonable argument? what should i expect?

Answer: You will almost certainly lose.


Title: MD - What are the legal ramifications of hiding/moving a dog who has bitten someone?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Dog Law specialist here.

All dogs are good dogs. Answer #2: > a dog who has bitten someone

Then:

> the dog has NEVER bitten anyone

Is this Schrödinger's dog?


Title: Chinese girlfriend student visa ended, what can we do?

Question:
Hello,

my girlfriend is Chinese, she was in UK for 1.5 years for studying translation studies at university and recently graduated meaning she had to leave the UK. She currently lives with parents and is looking for a job in the UK, however no success yet. Maybe there is some companies you know that are popular for recruiting Chinese citizens? Her visa expired 30th January and I was hoping for some guidance to what options we have in terms of living together.

I earn 15,000 a year, aged 22, British born and wouldn't mind going to china either. I do have a desire to marry her, however not meeting her parents yet (and them not being too keen on the idea i'm British) seems a bit out of question.  I would really just like for a way for us to be together in our current situation if there is any knowledge you could share on this situation.

Thanks.

Answer: I'll tell you what she should've done, and that is **leave.** Nothing hurts future applications for visas, non-immigrant and immigrant visas, as well as landed immigrant status or citizenship, like previous overstays.


Title: Can anything be done about this flag?

Question:
My parents recently moved to Virginia and I am visiting for Thanksgiving. I noticed at the entrance of their housing development there's a sign with the name of the development, plus a flag pole that has both the American and Confederate flags on it.

No matter what you think about the Confederate flag, it seems odd for it to be there representing the whole neighborhood particularly because it's not an official national flag.

Is it above board for flag to stay in its place?

Answer: Of course they are allowed to fly the Confederate flag.


Title: Room mate is being violent towards me. Am I allowed to break my lease if I fear for my safety? (Canada)

Question:
So I moved into my new place in September of this year with a 44 year old woman. This woman is a former meth addict and alcoholic but is now clean and has been for 5 months. I myself have never been addicted to anything and live a clean lifestyle. At first, we were really good friends but recently she has begun to blame me for things I did not do. This morning she was blaming me for having the orginal copy of her Tenancy Agreement, which I never had. She has misplaced it and I currently only possess my own photocopy of the original.

Shortly after, she began to blame other things on me too, saying I stole some of her cigarettes (I did not) and that now I need to pay her back. She has begun to call me a thief and scammer. I paid my rent and also internet but she's claiming that SHE paid for it, when technically she did get the money order for me - it was still my money that I had given her. I told her repeatedly that I did NOT steal from her but she denies it. I was recording out argument, trying to be rational the whole time but all she does is claim that she's right and that I'm stealing from her.

While I was recording our argument (which was her screaming and shouting while I calmly respond to her accusations), she came up to me tried to hit me. I quickly grabbed her arms so she could not hit me. She then calmed down for a split second, left my room (which we were in when she did this) and came back and threatened to beat me up/have her son come and beat me up. I have all this recorded on my cell phone including our little wrestling match where I am telling her to stop trying to hit me.

I need to know if I can break my tenancy since my room mate is being violent towards me. I no longer wish to live in an environment where my safety is being threatened. What legal options do I have? A google search did not pull up what I was looking for. I live in BC, Canada. I will be speaking with the landlord when she available (she's not here today).

Thanks guys, I appreciate your assistance.

Answer:
 Check the BC domestic violence laws to see if cohabiting individuals qualify.  I expect they do.

If so, file a domestic violence complaint against her and get a protective order.

Next, your province should allow a tenant to terminate a lease without penalty (or a reduced penalty) if there is a domestic violence complaint and/or protective order.

Give the landlord a copy of the complaint and protective order and demand either that you be let out of the lease or that she is evicted.  Whichever is better for you.


Title: I want to hold my roommate accountable for having her boyfriend live with us this summer and not contributing to rent (small claims?). I've moved my stuff out for the last month (joint and several liability lease) so she'll have to pay.

Question:
12mo lease, 2BR apartment.

Late May, my roommate invited her boyfriend to move in with us this summer until our lease is up end of July.

After about a week, I suggested that he should contribute to rent+utilities, and they confirmed he would pay 1/3 of utilities, but we also agreed to find time to sit down together and discuss a small contribution to rent as well. We paid the remainder of that month like normal [50/50 on everything].

Well, the topic was either avoided, dismissed or I was very rudely ignored for two weeks.  Then they said they've made up their minds, that there is no need to talk about him contributing to rent, and they've decided that he simply isn't living here.  This is in despite his stuff being here, him being here all the time, his mail sent here, cooking dinner here, calling it home, doing laundry, etc. for almost a month already.

I explained to them in detail how I felt like I was being taken advantage of, and how I don't feel comfortable living in the apartment if they are going to treat me this way, to no avail. So I have moved my stuff out on the first of this month, and I don't plan on paying this last month's rent since I am no longer staying there. I made sure to keep all my text conversations for record about the situation, and have photos/proof of him being there.

When I talked with the landlord, I found out it is a joint lease, and that she is also liable for the full amount of the last month's rent.

It has been hell at my apartment this summer, how can I ensure I don't have to pay for him to live there?  Since there is only one month left, I figure my best option for justice is to just try and get her to pay for the entirety of the last months rent.  How can I either make that happen, or should I just go to small claims for damages + emotional distress?  Can the landlord somehow come after only me and not her? her only? Can't I just send collections her way?

If I go to small claims court, would a judge sympathise with my case?  I want to make sure all my bases are covered, and I really just want justice as I feel like I have been completely wronged here.

**TL;DR** Roommate's inconsiderate asshole freeloader boyfriend "moved in" to our apartment and delays the conversation about rent until I realize they are just taking advantage of me, so I move out.

Edit: NC

Answer:
 Please stop babbling about "justice" as if this is an important civil rights issue.  You sound ridiculous.

You have handled this wrong from the get-go.  The boyfriend has no legal obligation to pay for anything.  The time to handle this was before he moved in -- in writing.

You, however, are under a legal obligation to pay half the rent (and half the utilities, probably), whether you decide to live there or not.  This is very likely going to end up in small claims court, but the outcome will not be what you think.


Title: 20 year old mechanical lien

Question:
I have a consultation with an attorney tomorrow. I’d like to know what to expect with this situation.  I am in Texas.

My parents purchased 5 acres of land in 1983 with clear title.  In 1999, they gave my sister an acre of land to build a house.  She executed a contract and the homebuilder secured a mechanical lien on the acre.  The land did not appraise high enough for the down payment, my sister could not raise additional funds, and the home was never built.  No improvements were made to the land.

My parents passed away a few months ago. I am executor of the Estate.  I discovered the acre was still in my sister’s name; she signed it to me so I could facilitate the sale of the 5 acre parcel.

The lien showed up in title search. It is obviously not enforceable because the house was never built.  I attempted to contact the homebuilder listed on the lien for a release, but they went bankrupt in 2009.  What are the possible ways to resolve the lien?
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer:
 Hi there,

Disclaimer: not an attorney, however I work for a mortgage company dealing with title issues such as this all day, every day as a title specialist.

Besides active litigation or a quiet title action the remaining option is to find contact information for the registered agent of the bankrupt company and send official correspondence requesting they release the lien placed. They have no right to have placed the lien on the property/land since they never built the home. Unfortunately Texas does not have a penalty statute for parties/lenders that don't release their liens. Texas does have the statute regarding maturity dates though (assuming you have a copy of the recorded document). Check to see if there is a maturity date listed on the document. If so, the TX statute of limitations Sec 16.035 would be considered expired and unenforceable 4 years after the maturity date listed therein. If it is expired just provide the title company with that statute and they should remove it from the title report.


Title: What's rights does my S2BX wife have as far as access to our house?

Question:
My S2BX wife and I have been separated for about 9 weeks. She hasn't lived in the house in just about 8 weeks. I wanted to confirm what rights she has to the house as far as:

1) when does all her stuff need to be out (assuming this is based on what we determine in our divorce paperwork?)

2) can she come and go as she pleases, even when I'm not here? What about her bringing other people with her? (e.g. Her new SO that I don't want in the house)

This is in GA. We co-own the house for now.

Answer: If she is on the deed to the house, she has every right to access it. She's a co-owner, not your tenant.


Title: I'm a male that was groped at my company holiday after party by another male

Question:
I don't have like breasts like a woman or anything but he pulled me in front of him with my back facing him and started groping my chest. I immediately took his hands off me and texted a coworker who saw the whole thing. Now I'm feeling violated and upset. What are my options? What can I do? I was teased as a kid for them and this expierence brought back a lot of emotions.

I am from New York.

Answer:
 You can:

1) File a police report. Given that you have witnesses, this may or may not go places. Note, however, that the long-term outcome may include you testifying in court about how you got groped and/or doing the same in a formal witness statement.

2) File a complaint with your company HR in adherence to their guidelines.

3) You *could* (in theory) sue this person, but this would require retaining a lawyer (small claims in most states only permits direct damages) and, again, publicizing everything.

4) Speak to your supervisor about this individual's misbehavior in order to ensure you're not working on similar things in the future.

That's the menu; you can pick what you want off of it.


Title: My father is a thief, an addict, a career criminal, etc. If he dies, is there any way I would end up responsible for his debts? (Washington State)

Question:
I am 30 years old, and my father's only child. He is currently legally married though they have been mostly separated for most of the last 19 years. I have not spoken to him in 6 years, and cannot foresee talking to him ever again or otherwise having any involvement in his life.
He has a long list of convictions and debts -- medical, credit card, legal -- and I am worried that if/when he dies, the agencies he owes money to will seek out next of kin. If he is still married, his wife would be next, but if she is gone or they are divorced, I would be considered next of kin.
Is there anything I should do to protect myself from being responsible for my dad's life-long career of cheating, lying, and stealing from people?

Answer: No. Not unless you cosigned anything. I'm not saying you might not be contacted asking (or even implying) you are responsible for his debt, but you aren't. His estate would be, but not you.


Title: Indiana Speeding Ticket

Question: Unfortunately I was written a speeding ticket last night by an officer parked doing speed traps.  However the ticket seems a little off.  The officer wrote me for going 45 in a 35 at the location of Lincoln Av/ Delaware N.  This is an intersection along a highway where Lincoln Ave is the highway and I was traveling west along it.  Before the stated and marked intersection of Lincoln and Delaware there is a clearly posted speed limit sign of 50MPH, and my location of being pulled over was very far west of the marked 50MPH sign and I was about to enter a 60MPH zone.  Would this be worth fighting in court considering the officer did not have the correct speed limit.

Answer:
 If everything you say is true, yes.

Either way, it never hurts to go into court and explain your side of things for traffic tickets. 90% of the time you get a reduced fine for just showing up. The worst that happens is the judge says no.


Title: Probably targeted by a Craigslist scam, not sure what to do next.

Question:
To make a long, embarrassing story short, I posted a vehicle for sale on Craigslist.  A buyer from out of state expressed interest and offered to pay by certified check.  I had my suspicions; he was very vague about how he planned to have the car shipped, wouldn't answer my texts, and finally, when his check arrived it was made out for far more money than the sale price.  He said he planned on having me use the extra money to pay his movers when they arrived to collect the car.  I (stupidly) decided to go ahead and deposit the check first and do some online research later.  When I did, of course, I discovered that my story matched up almost exactly with the classic Craigslist scam described [here](https://www.craigslist.org/about/scams) (under "Examples of Scams", number 2).

I had my bank contact the bank on which the check was drawn.  The issuing bank refused to verify whether they had funds to cover the check, but my bank placed a two week hold on the funds while we wait to see if the check comes back as counterfeit.  Meanwhile, the guy has been texting me constantly asking if the check has cleared yet.  I've been putting him off, but I'm not sure what to tell him.  Should I even respond to him at all?  I'm 99% sure he's scamming me, but part of me worries that this is the only time anyone's ever legitimately tried to do business this way, and he's going to take some kind of legal action against me.  Furthermore, should I file a police report now, or wait to see what happens with the check first?  Thanks in advance for your input.

Edit:  I'm located in Missouri, the buyer is in Illinois.

Answer:
 You should tell him the truth, that your bank placed a 2 week hold on the funds, to make sure they are legitimate, and you can't ship until the hold is removed and the check verified.

It's a scam, by the way.


Title: [NYC] I was injured as a child at a karate class when I was 4.

Question:
The injury altered my face in a visible way. My mom threatened to sue and got a settlement for $14,000 for me to be placed into an account and to be collectible when I turned 18. My mom didn't take the settlement and didn't go forward with the lawsuit because she wanted the money for herself and didn't want to waste time and energy on a lawyer for money she would never see. Parent of the year award, I know.

Now I'm 19 and in massive debt for college, working 2 part time jobs, and maintaining a 3.8 gpa for med school. I'm all on my own and I was wondering if it was possible for me to be able to bring this case back to court. The class and company that they hire for insurance in cases like mine are still open.

Answer:
 This situation is one of the huge reasons a statue of limitations exists. Companies and insurance providers need to be able to know what their liability is and how far back that extends. Answer #2: Looks like the SOL is 3 years.

N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214(5); N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214-c(2)


Title: Women Blocking Divorce in the 1950s

Question:
Location- New York state.

I'm currently watching Strangers on a Train by Alfred Hitchcock. One of the protagonists is a wealthy tennis player trying to divorce his wife, who was having an affair and carrying the child of the other man. After giving her money for a lawyer, she proclaims she's not allowing him to divorce her, presumably because of his money. Was this actually the law in those days? A woman could just say "no I'm not divorcing you"? Seems contradictory to my understanding of women's rights at the time. Not knowing anything about the time it seems like a plot hole to me. Does anyone have any knowledge on the subject or know where I can find information? I'll have to write a paper on the film and might wanna use this as the center of my essay.

Answer:
 Modern, "no fault" divorce regimes in the United States^(1) came about largely as a result of womens' liberation movements, starting with a law passed in California in 1969 that allowed spouses to divorce without fault. Prior to that, a spouse who wanted a divorce had to find some grounds for it - infidelity, infertility, or fraud, usually. Even given the practical limits on womens' rights in the 50's, husbands did not have the option to summarily dispose of their wives.

If his spouse wasn't willing to admit the affair or settle the divorce without an admission of fault, then he would have had to have proven the fault in court, which is expensive, slow, and exceptionally public. Dragging their respective dirty laundry out like that might not be something he were willing to do, and she would have been under no obligation to admit the affair. She could hold the divorce up for a very long time, on that point.

-----

^(1) The first modern version of something recognizable as a no-fault divorce, worldwide, is probably in 1757, when Frederick the Great issued an edict allowing divorce on the grounds of serious and contentious hostility, without pointing to either spouse specifically.Answer #2: Dissolution of marriage was seen as bad as could be. So in order for it to be allowed one party had to be innocent and one guilty to sue for divorce. With that said at any point the other spouse could use any defense tactics that would make it seem like they were both at fault. If they were both “guilty” then the marriage continues no divorce granted.


Title: Me ex-girlfriend had filed false domestic abuse claims against me.

Question: My ex-girlfriend had filed false domestic abuse charges against me, what are my best options?

Answer:
 1.  Do not interact with her.  At all.

2.  Think about hiring a lawyer.  You don't need to do that unless you are charged, or investigated.  But now is a good time to figure out who you want to hire.

3.   Wait.


Title: Iphone stolen, person is using my spotify

Question: I lost my Iphone at a bar a few weeks ago in Cincinnati. Within two days I found the location of it to be in Detroit. The thief keeps using my spotify which is infuriating. I already reported it with apple. Has anyone dealt with a similar situation and know how to get it back/catch the person?

Answer:
 Change your Spotify password.

> I already reported it with apple and AT&T.

Yeah, but have you reported it to the police?


Title: [DC] Slipped in Supermarket, DID NOT FAll, fractured foot, need advise.

Question:
Okay, so my husband and I were walking through the supermarket and turned the corner to enter the produce section. I suddenly slipped (did not fall). I ended up slipping forward and sideways about a foot and in the process I fractured my foot. I caught myself on a bin off apples and stayed standing there on my now only good foot. I looked at the walkway and saw that I had slipped on a grape. We weren't even by the grapes!

There were two employees in the section, one who was within both site and ear shot of me. He did not offer aid. He and the other employee started chatting and once I gained my balance and realized how hurt I was (I couldn't put any pressure on my foot) I had to be ask them to come help me and get a manager. When the manager showed he immediately chastised the employee that was within vision of the now squished grape mess. He said (closely paraphrasing) look at what was setting here that you didn't clean up, now we have to file an incident report.

Anyway, I was in a ton of pain and had to be transported to the hospital where they found I had a fracture, possibly in two places. I have to make a follow up appointment with an orthopedic doctor this week.

I am now on crutches, in a splint, and was instructed to keep my foot elevated as much as possible and was told I had to miss college classes this week and work, as well. The Supermarket's agent (insurance?) told my husband that they would be calling us tomorrow or the next day.

I am not sure what to expect from here, should I get a lawyer to represent me and make sure that the Supermarket pays for my bills? I do have insurance. Should I just work with my insurance?

Does the fact that I only slipped but did not fall mean anything? (The manager at the store just kept asking if I actually fell. I was very hurt but did not fall and he seemed to care less at that point.)

What about my lost work hours? What if this fracture causes future problems. (It may be a Jones' fracture know to cause future issues including surgery.)

I'm lost, any advise would be great. Thank you for taking the time to help me out.

Answer:
 The supermarket may not have any liability here.  It's not strict liability -- you have to show negligence.  The fact that a single grape was on the floor in the produce section in an area not even near the grapes does not *necessarily* establish carelessness.  It's possible the grape fell/was dropped two minutes before you slipped.  If it had been there 10 hours, you would have a better argument.

Now, they may offer to pay something as a customer service matter or to avoid the cost of litigation, but they may not.  So if you wish consult a lawyer.

Anything they do pay will likely go to your health insurance company, if they are paying the bills, in what's called subrogation.  They probably get first dibs on any payout.