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Questions Answered by Mr. Michael O. Stevens
1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Oregon on
Q: I need to find a pro-Bono lawyer. I was discriminated at work by my employer. He told me how great i was at work prior

to finding out i had aspergers (high functioning autism). He then started treating me differently then everyone else. He had this chart with two columns a good side and bad side. He had everyone in the office participate in partisipate daily in the chart. After the 1st week ppl got tired of... View More

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

You don't need a pro bono attorney, you just need an employment law attorney to take you case on a contingency basis. That means they only collect if the win or settle the case for you. You can use the find a lawyer link above to do that.

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: my dad just passed his body is still at hospital,i am the only child,my aunt sats she has a will and power of attn.

i am the beneficary ,there is a home , he is a veteran i need help

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

Then find an attorney to start the process. Your aunt would not longer have power of attorney, but she might mean she is the adminstrex of the estate.

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Personal Injury for Massachusetts on
Q: Can I sue a company who let someone work whit out paper past 5 years and let him drive whit out mass license

Person still operating whit out mass license and still working for the same company

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

No. You can report them to immigration and the DMV though.

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury for California on
Q: CA Superior civ Plaintiff in Pro Per PI case transferred/reassigned w/ order to give notice. What is the process/form?
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

I don't think there is a form for it, just Google search for an example. A notice like this would be pretty minimal, like a paragraph of text.

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury for New York on
Q: I was served with a Summons and Complaint.

The claim is that a shopping cart under my control caused damage to a motor vehicle. The operator of the motor vehicle hit my shopping cart while I was crossing the roadway with the shopping cart within a clearly marked crosswalk. It says that I have to file a Notice of Appearance and Answer with... View More

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

If you have renter's or homeowner's insurance, that is liability insurance and you should send the complaint to them ASAP.

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1 Answer | Asked in Internet Law, Personal Injury and Libel & Slander for Alabama on
Q: For my job I sent someone a letter via mail. He posted it on Facebook but changed his name on it to "Corn Man."

He also removed the street number of his address and removed my last name of my signature. Then in the actual post he addressed me by my last name. Is this legal?

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

Could be copyright infringement, but since it was your letter, hard to claim defamation since the truth is an absolute defense.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: I'm going to estimate tree removals and trimmings for a tree service. I'll be paid 10% of jobs I get (cold calls).

I'm a Certified Arborist. The Tree Service does not have Workmans Compensation for the guys performing the work, but does have liability insurance (property damage). I will not be working on the job sight. My name and phone number will be on the estimate as the Certified Arborist (signature).... View More

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

There is no way to guarantee you will not be sued. Not to mention, if you were negligent, you should be sued. Just make sure to have your own insurance as well.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Alabama on
Q: Harassment and retaliation in the work place

Hello. My situation has been ongoing and not resolved for nearly a year and a half. I have been assaulted which I did report to my HR Director. After the conversation with the HR director I was advised he would talk to him. The following day I was approached aggressively by my supervisor pointing... View More

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

Rather than posting in an open forum like this, best to find a local employment law attorney to discuss in private. And hurry, as you have already waited 1.5 years.

2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law for Maryland on
Q: Emplyer cutting my hours for no reason

My employer schedulled me to work for next 3 months as partime employee and this made me fail to pick hours at the other job so now he tells me not work from next week he got someone to cover the shift.

I will have no hours and so cant pay my rent from next week. Is this fair...he urgues... View More

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

Your employer can changes or cut your hours if they want. Cutting you to zero though would likely constituent constructive discharge and you may be able to claim unemployment.

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1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Tax Law for Texas on
Q: Can You sue your current employer for putting your SS# in the hands of identity thiefs ?

On 3/30/2016 my current employer, mailed out letters informing all it's employees that their SS# were breached. I attempted to file my taxes on 4/10/2016 and was notified by the IRS that someone has already filed taxes using my SS#. Can I Sue ? And if so how much ? I rather not do a... View More

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

You sue for your damages, which can be difficult in cases like these. If you cannot get your refund, that would be the amount your employer would be liable for.

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for Georgia on
Q: At my past job, I worked 8 hours daily.The managers refused to give any type of lunch or 10-minute break.Is that legal?
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

Not sure what GA law says, but federal law says that would most likely be illegal. Find a local employment law attorney and use a free consultation to go over more details in private.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts for Colorado on
Q: A biz in NC used my services in Denver and refuses to pay me, what are my options.!
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

Sue them for breach of contract in Colorado.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Business Law for Florida on
Q: Vendor used client's internet and office space to work on side project. Does client have any claim to this side project?

I am a Florida consultant with several clients. Through verbal agreement in place for 3 years, my main client (sole proprietor) provides internet, office space, etc. in exchange for servicing some of his clients as needed (this is handled through a verbal subcontracting arrangement, there is no... View More

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

Since it does not appear you were an employee and you have no contract, he would have a difficult time with his claim as to ownership. And given no written contracts, it might be hard for him to assert other claims.

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Education Law and Contracts for Virginia on
Q: contract?

I signed a contract with a college saying that If I live in Z area, I must purchase a dining of X size or greater. I previously did not buy a dining plan due to me living in area Y. I moved into Z area late in the semester. The college then charged my account for a dining plan that is smaller than... View More

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

Under your thinking then, they should just charge you X size plan, full price, as that is what you agreed to. Does that work better or worse for you?

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Contracts on
Q: Read Below

This scenario is based on New Zealand Law.

Company A sells machinery to Company B.

Company A is then acquired by another corporation.

This corporation is then also acquired by another corporation (Company C).

30 years later, Company B approaches Company C and... View More

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

Statute of limitations and laches would be the main defenses given this was 30 years ago, but this is based on US law, and though NZ law has a basis in English law like the US, their law may be different.

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright on
Q: What is the line between inspiration and derivative art work? Can I put a creative common licence in derivative work?

I am about to make a piece of art (wallpaper for computer) that everyone can download without payment on a site called DeviantArt. The original art is circle with Cyan, Magenta, Yellow dividing the circle into there equal (120 degree) parts with Key (black) circle as a pupil in the middle. This... View More

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 21, 2016

There would be no way to tell from a description of the two works as to whether or not your derivative work is transformative into say a fair use defense, or even what elements are derivative. You could sit down with a copyright attorney, but even then, it ends up being more their opinion than... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Medical Malpractice for Oregon on
Q: What laws apply in Oregon if someone is giving medical advice/diagnosing without a medical license?
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 5, 2016

ORS 677.080: http://www.oregonlaws.org/ors/677.080

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Oregon on
Q: do i need a lawyer for a quit claim deed?

my daughter wants to transfer her interest in the land that we own to me. she is an only child .. no money is involved

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 5, 2016

You do not need a lawyer for most anything, but whether or not it is wise to have one is another matter. If both of you understand exactly what is going on and the risks involved, you can file one yourself.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Oregon on
Q: Landlord proposed rent increase 30 days before end of year lease but I must provide 30 days notice to leave.

To avoid paying pro-rated rent I must give 30 days notice to leave. How can I do that if I know exactly 30 days before if my rent will increase? Do I have to find a place to live in 1 day?

I live in Tigard, Oregon. I see Portland now has a 90 day rule for rental increase.

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 5, 2016

You basically have one day to decide if you want to pay the increase, but obviously about a month to find a new place.

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Just moved into place with defects. Landlord unwilling to repair. Are they liable if an accident occurs?

There is a crack in the window, several of the window opening mechanisms are faulty and the smoke detectors do not work at move in status. Are tenants protected by any laws to ensure that landlords conduct the repairs? And if an accident eg if the window with a crack falls on someone will the... View More

Mr. Michael O. Stevens
Mr. Michael O. Stevens
answered on Apr 5, 2016

You would have a good argument to pin liability on the landlord. There are almost always laws making landlords responsible for repairing items, but those items usually have to be related to habitability.

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