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Questions Answered by Keith Petrochko
1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: Is there any legal action I can take?

Is there any legal action I can take? Job told us in meeting that we have to take half our check, and other half goes into company stock. Or we are off til January? Not to mention last check bounced at check cashing store so I can't cash work checks from company there anymore. Checks are given... View More

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 19, 2015

You absolutely need to speak with an employment attorney. There are too many variables here to give a proper answer.

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for Florida on
Q: can you take the immigration too court or seu them
Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 19, 2015

What immigrate? What have they done to harm you?

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for Florida on
Q: Can you take a police officer to court if he didn't ask you if you needed medical attention after the accident
Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

It doesnt sound like there is a cause of action here. Also, you would be fighting qualified immunity.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Florida on
Q: What kind of law is my landlord breaking by telling my personal business to other tenants in Florida

She also adds her own embellishments, which are untrue, and could be harmful

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

Possible slander.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Florida on
Q: Can you sue someone for buying a business that didn't live up to its expectations?

If you buy a business off someone who claims it makes $XX,XXX per month, and then you pay a lot of money and it turns out to be fraud, and make basically $0, do you have a legal case? Can you sue?

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

You can sue anyone for anything, winning is a different matter. If you were endured by fraudulent statement you may have a case, but if it was an issue where you didnt do your due diligence it would be a difficult case.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: Employer and facial piercings

Can a employer who does not allow facial piercings require me to take off bandages on my face covering up the two piercings? Essentially making me take out my piercings or would they have to let me cover them using band-aids?

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

Unless you have an employment contract to the contrary your employer can fire you for any nondiscriminatory reason. As such, they can require you to coverup or take out your piercings while on the clock.

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents for Florida on
Q: The car that I bumped into insurance company called me. Should I speak with them?

I was recently in a car accident (rear end collision) where we were stopped at a light and this car rear ended me which caused me to bump into another car that was in front of me. At the end of it all, the police stated that the car that hit me was at fault of the accident and they gave him a... View More

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

No, you should not speak directly to the insurance company, your lawyer should do all the speaking for you. At this point both applicable policies are looking for a reason to not pay you. You should seek medical attention immediately and content a lawyer after. These types of cases are handled... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for Florida on
Q: Is it possible for a car dealership to repo a vehicle if the car no longer belongs to them?

My father gave a check as part of my down payment. The check bounced, went to court, settled an agreement for a payment arrangement to the car dealership. The payment is 2 weeks late due to financial situations and now the car dealership is threatening to repose the vehicle. Can they legally do... View More

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

Yes, they would be able t reposes the vehicle until you make your last payment. You need to come to an agreement with the finance company.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: If I quit a job, no employment contract, am I entitled to pay for my accrued vacation? I live in the state of

I gave notice but quit the same day

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

It would depend on if the vacation time was earned or banked. If you earned the time your former company would be required to cash out the time. If they haven't payed you, you need to speak to an employment attorney as soon as possible. These types of cases settle very quickly once a lawyer... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury and Car Accidents for Florida on
Q: I was parked at a gas pump when a can driver with a passenger reversed into my truck, damaging truck and injuring me...

Accident has significantly further aggravated a previous neck and back injury, and I had to leave my job less than two months after it because I did not qualify for MLA. They have $150,000.00 on liability, and what is a reasonable amount to ask them to settle the case for with me?

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

Any attorney would need to investigate the case and your medical history in order to put a dollar amount on your claim.

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: Can I applied for bank Teller if my record is sealed Grand theft charge first offense Adjudication Withheld
Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

Considering the position, they can legally ask you about your past theft convictions. If they find that you lied you will be fired.

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: Leaving work at 12noon will it be considered an absense?
Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

Possibly....probably. What does the employee handbook say?

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: Why do employee ask for doctors note when you ask for a day off even if the day off was already preapproved?
Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

Because it is part of your employment agreement. Lying about a doctor visit when it hasn't happened is a valid cause for termination.

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2 Answers | Asked in Workers' Compensation for Florida on
Q: Can an employer in florida pay you only 80% of you salary while recovering from an injury non-work related

My fiance is not on workmans comp but his job is giving him a helper to lift beer and put it away, he is still driving the druck, taking the beer off the truck with a pallet jack, and checking it in. So since he has a helper they are docking his pay

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

It depends. Does your fiancé have an employment contract or is s/he an at-will employee. If at-will, s/he can be fired for any nondiscriminatory reason at any time. Using that logic, their pay can also be changed at anytime (so long as it is at least minimum wage).

These consultations...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law for Florida on
Q: is there a way to be covered legally by keeping a car loan in my name and having someone else make monthly payments?

a ministry replied to my craigslist ad and wants to take over my car payments by keeping the vehicle in my name because of his bad credit. I have told 20 people no to this request but his credentials give me peace. is there a way to be covered by a binding legal contract to assure my credit... View More

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

No. You also open yourself to a lawsuit if he is in an accident with the vehicle.

As for indemnification, you may contract for it, but you can't get blood from a stone if you were sued.

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law for Florida on
Q: say a person broke into your house and you ended up killing them can you not allow police into some parts of the house?

like say they broke in and i shot them while they were still near the front door can they search around the house regardless of him not having gotten any further than that or can the home owner ask that they stick to an area that the criminal was at

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

They will likely be able to search the home under a search warrant exception. Also, depending on why/how you shot the individual that may be the least of your worries.

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for Florida on
Q: Can I take on clients of my former employer without violating noncompete laws if those clients seek me out on their own?

I recently left a website company where I worked as a blogger / content manager and formed my own writing / content management company. I made my former employer my client and continued the same work, providing blogging and content services for his clients. I am considering dropping this primary... View More

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

We would need to see the noncompete, but I HIGHLY doubt it. Just ask for a copy of the agreement, your company won't hide it.

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law for Florida on
Q: Can the breeder that sold me my extremely sick puppy pay the vet bills?

I live in Florida and found a listing online about purebred Australian Shepherd puppies for sale in Alabama. I contacted the lady and set up a time/date to buy a puppy. She told me that the puppy had her shots, and was extremely healthy. When I met her to buy the puppy she then informed me that the... View More

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

Possibly. There are puppy lemon laws in FL and Alabama that may be applicable.

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law for Florida on
Q: Legality of towing company.

I was recently parked in a closed business across the street from a restaurant I was visiting. In this time, my vehicle was towed from the business. The towing company was cash only, no receipt, and unlocked my door to tow my vehicle. I had to pay $135 to get my truck back. Now I understand that I... View More

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

Sounds like it. A company is not required to take credit.

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Employment Law, Family Law and Public Benefits for Florida on
Q: Can you go to jail for having too much money in your account?

The person in question says she is receiving $2000 per month on a bank card from the government, due to her son's health issues. She was told by social security that if her account exceeds $2000, she can be arrested and put in jail for over a month, which would also result in her son losing... View More

Keith Petrochko
Keith Petrochko
answered on Nov 16, 2015

I dont know of any criminal laws related to the amount of money in your account. There may be an issue with losing medicaid benefits for making too much money per year.

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