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Questions Answered by Stephen Arnold Black
Q: Can Advent Health be accountable for my wife's trip and fall due to uneven concrete, resulting in fractures and prolonged recovery?
Can Advent Health be held accountable for my wife's trip and fall accident that resulted in two separate fractures in her arm? She tripped on uneven concrete directly in front of the doctor's office door. Several bystanders assisted her, but no effort was made by the doctor. She was taken... View More 
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
Yes, your wife may have a case against the property owner for negligence. You should contact an attorney here in Florida after reviewing their background and retain one on a contingency fee basis. This means your wife pays nothing unless she wins the case.
When retaining an attorney, make... View More
3 Answers
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in
Civil Rights, Personal Injury, Civil Litigation and Gov & Administrative Law
for
Florida
on
Q: Can legal action be taken against Walmart/Sams for allowing non-service animals in stores, leading to my assault and injury?
I have been living in Florida for about four years and observed frequent violations of ADA and food safety protocols at Walmart/Sams locations in Ocala, Tampa, and Broward County, Florida. Multiple times I’ve seen animals like dogs, a cat, and even parrots inside these stores, around food areas.... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
First, you should file a police report against the individual who assaulted you. The police may then refer the case for prosecution to the State Attorney’s Office.
Second, you have the option to personally sue the individual; however, it is unlikely he has assets from which you could... View More
Q: Does the engagement ring belong to me or her father after breaking up?
I proposed to my ex-fiancé with an engagement ring that her father initially purchased for a great deal at $5,000. He offered to sell me the ring for $5,000, and I agreed. My parents witnessed the exchange of money. We might have text messages confirming this transaction, but I received no formal... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Nov 4, 2025
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answered on Nov 4, 2025
Under Florida law, engagement rings are considered conditional gifts given in contemplation of marriage. If the engagement is broken by the recipient, the donor can usually recover the ring or its value. In this case, you paid $5,000 to your future father-in-law for the ring, and the daughter broke... View More
Q: How can I recover an engagement ring from my ex-fiancée who refuses to return it?
I purchased an engagement ring from my ex-fiancée's father for $5,000, which I paid with the understanding that this would make the ring mine. There weren't any written agreements, but it was clear verbally that the payment meant the ring would belong to me. My ex-fiancée has broken off... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Nov 4, 2025
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answered on Nov 4, 2025
Under Florida law, engagement rings are considered conditional gifts given in contemplation of marriage. If the engagement is broken by the recipient, the donor can usually recover the ring or its value. In this case, the fiancé paid $5,000 to the future father-in-law for the ring, and the... View More
Q: How can I immigrate to the USA to join the UFC as an MMA fighter?
I am a 23-year-old professional MMA fighter from Belgium, married, with a young daughter. I am interested in immigrating legally to the USA to pursue my career in mixed martial arts, specifically aiming to sign with the UFC. Currently, I have not applied for a visa, but I am a professional fighter... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Nov 4, 2025
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answered on Nov 4, 2025
If you’re an MMA fighter with international recognition and aiming to join the UFC, the O-1A visa is your best path. It’s designed for athletes with extraordinary ability and allows self-sponsorship through a U.S.-based agent, meaning you don’t need to be directly employed by the UFC.... View More
Q: How will my fiancé's move to Canada for studies affect our engagement and marriage plans?
I am in a relationship with my fiancé, whom I met through my cousin, and we plan to get engaged and married. He is currently in Liberia, but he has received admission to study in Canada. We haven't met in person yet. How might his move to Canada for studies affect our plans to get engaged and... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Nov 3, 2025
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answered on Nov 3, 2025
He can gain entry to the U.S. if you sponsor him for a fiancé visa or get married and sponsor him for a spousal visa. If he is studying in Canada then he can select the U.S. Consulate in Canada to process at but only if allowed to do that by the U.S. State Department. If they don’t allow him to... View More
Q: How can I bring my Liberian fiancé to the U.S. and address his Canadian schooling?
I am a U.S. citizen and have been dating my fiancé, who is currently in Liberia, for a couple of months. We are planning to get engaged and then married in the United States. What is the fastest way to bring him to the U.S. after our engagement? He has also been accepted to a school in Canada.... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Nov 3, 2025
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answered on Nov 3, 2025
The fastest way to bring him into the United States would likely be through a fiancé visa. If he is currently attending school in Canada, he may be eligible to process his application at the U.S. consulate there, provided the government determines he has sufficient ties to Canada to justify... View More
Q: How to address concerns and reapply for a refused U.S. visitor visa?
I have been communicating with a woman in Kharkiv, Ukraine, for almost four years and invited her to visit me in the U.S. Recently, she applied for a visitor visa and had her interview in Prague. Unfortunately, her application was refused. The immigration officer expressed concerns that, since she... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Nov 3, 2025
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answered on Nov 3, 2025
A prior denial of a visitor visa will almost certainly result in another denial if re-applied for without a significant change in circumstances. A more viable approach would be to meet her in person and then apply for a fiancé visa (K-1). You may qualify for a fiancé visa if you have physically... View More
Q: How do I legally withdraw an approved I-130 petition based on marriage, and what are the risks involved in Michigan?
I am a U.S. citizen who filed a Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, based on my marriage to a foreign national spouse, with the corresponding Form I-485 filed concurrently. The I-130 has already been approved, and the I-485 appears to still be pending or under review after the interview, as we... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 27, 2025
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answered on Oct 27, 2025
Send a short letter to both the USCIS field office and service center saying you want to withdraw your I-485 and I-864, terminate the case, and get written confirmation. Mail it with certified tracking. Then log into your USCIS account and upload the same letter to make sure both offices get it.
Q: Can I file a lawsuit for my son's neglect if I'm not his guardian?
Can a lawyer assist me in filing a lawsuit for my son's neglect, even though I am not his legal guardian? The caregiver was arrested for neglect, and my son was hospitalized. The situation gained media attention, and the guardian did not inform me about these developments, stating she... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 22, 2025
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answered on Oct 22, 2025
Under Florida law, the appointment of a guardian ad litem depends on whether the current guardian has taken proactive steps to protect your son’s rights. If not, any interested party may petition the court to be appointed in a limited capacity for that case. Since you qualify as an interested... View More
Q: Why settlement funds from son's accident are delayed?
My son passed away, and I'm trying to collect his settlement from a car accident. Although I've provided his will to the lawyer, it's been two months since they received the check, and the funds have not been released to me. The lawyer mentioned they are verifying any past due... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 19, 2025
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answered on Oct 19, 2025
This is a very common situation. The lawyer obtains a settlement and the money is deposited in the lawyer trust account. The lawyer has a legal duty to cover all medical liens that arise from the treatment that your deceased son incurred. In the event that the lawyer does not satisfy the medical... View More
Q: Daughter's foot run over at parade; no immediate help. Actions to take?
My daughter was with her cheerleading group at a parade when her foot was run over by a trailer. Adults in charge did not call for help or get her medical attention. I reported it to the Chipley Police Department last night and have a text apology from her coach. A cheer mom assisted her after the... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 18, 2025
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answered on Oct 18, 2025
Your daughter may have two viable legal claims.
First, against the driver who ran over her foot, assuming you obtained their contact and insurance information. Second, against the sponsor or supervisor of the cheer group ( likely her school) for negligent supervision of the children along... View More
Q: What legal options do I have for misrepresentations by my ex-fiancé in Florida?
I was misled by my former fiancé in Panama City, Florida, who made false statements regarding handling and paying for the U.S. visa process, which caused me financial expenses and emotional hardship. He also misrepresented the value of a ring and made unfulfilled financial commitments. I have... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 18, 2025
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answered on Oct 18, 2025
If you believe you’ve been the victim of a romance scam, you may have grounds to sue in civil court to recover damages caused by misrepresentation or fraud. These scams can also involve criminal conduct, so it’s wise to consult a criminal attorney in Florida to discuss filing a law enforcement... View More
Q: US citizen in NYC married Polish national; CR1 Visa question re holiday visit to Florida.
I am a US citizen living in NYC, and I recently married my wife, a Polish national residing in Germany, on August 5, 2025, in Las Vegas. She returned to Germany afterward. We plan to apply for a CR1 Visa in early November. My wife has visited the US three times before under ESTA, each time staying... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 17, 2025
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answered on Oct 17, 2025
These admissions on ESTA are within the discretion of the Customs Officer who is inspecting the immigrant upon her arrival. If the officer is convinced that she will return to her country after the Holidays and she can prove that with supporting documentation then the answer is they will probably... View More
Q: How can my wife adjust her immigration status without a sponsor if I'm on disability?
My wife came to the U.S. on a K-1 visa, and we've been married for five years with a child together. I am currently on disability and don't have anyone to sponsor her for a change of status. We haven't filed any additional paperwork due to this sponsorship issue. How can she adjust... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 17, 2025
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answered on Oct 17, 2025
If income is below the required level for sponsorship, you can use the asset test to qualify. Both your assets and wife’s assets can be added together. This includes home equity, stocks, bonds, crypto, precious metals etc. if you can’t meet the asset test which would be roughly 100k for a... View More
Q: Is my Australian fiancée at risk of deportation if we marry in the US on an ESTA Visa?
I am a U.S. citizen, and my fiancée, an Australian citizen, plans to come to the United States on an ESTA Visa for us to get married. We are concerned about the current deportation policies and would like to know if my fiancée would be at risk of deportation if we marry in the United States while... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 16, 2025
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answered on Oct 16, 2025
An Australian national can enter the United States on ESTA, marry a U.S. citizen, and return to Australia before the 90-day period expires. From there, they can apply for lawful permanent residency through consular processing. This spousal visa process typically takes around 18... View More
2 Answers
| Asked
in
Car Accidents, Civil Litigation, Consumer Law, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury
for
Virginia
on
Q: Daughter's car totaled by school bus, seeking guidance on suing for damages in Virginia.
I need advice regarding an accident involving my daughter and a school bus. The bus driver entered an intersection with no lights and went into oncoming traffic, leaving no room for my daughter's car. The bus then drove off, and my daughter had to chase it down, honking to get the driver to... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 18, 2025
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answered on Oct 18, 2025
Yes, your daughter has a case for both property damages and personal injury damages. Any occupant of the vehicle in your daughter’s car would also have a claim for personal injury damages against the school district. You should retain an attorney on contingency fee, which means your daughter pays... View More
Q: Guidance on paperwork for Canadian on OPT marrying an American, maintaining job and EAD.
I am a Canadian currently on OPT and engaged to an American citizen. We have known each other for five years and have been together for three. We are planning to get married in May, but we might do it sooner. I want guidance on the paperwork required for applying for a green card through marriage... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 15, 2025
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answered on Oct 15, 2025
A person that lawfully enters the United States and marries a United States citizen can apply for a green card, even if that person falls out of status. It looks like you had a legal entry obviously and you’re currently in status, so you can pursue a marriage based green card, irrespective of... View More
Q: How to pursue a wrongful death case involving a truck driver using a cell phone?
I am looking for advice on pursuing a wrongful death case against a commercial trucking company. In this case, the driver was allegedly looking at his cell phone when he struck and killed someone. What are the potential legal steps involved, and what type of civil rights attorney would be suitable... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 18, 2025
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answered on Oct 18, 2025
In the state of Arizona, the estate of a decedent killed by a negligent driver, and the surviving beneficiaries, may bring a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If you are one of the beneficiaries, you may be entitled to share in any settlement recovery, provided there is a source of insurance... View More
Q: Can a FL lawyer help with a GA estate issue?
I am dealing with the estate of my deceased daughter, who had assets in Georgia and potentially in Florida. Her father and I are both 50/50 heirs to the estate, but he is the executor and is not managing things fairly. Probate is already in progress in Georgia, where we've encountered some... View More
Stephen Arnold Black
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answered on Oct 13, 2025
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answered on Oct 13, 2025
If the daughter died in the state of Florida, then Probate would have to be opened in this state, and if she owned property in Georgia, she would have to open up an ancillary probate process in Georgia. However, if she passed away in Georgia, then the probate case must be opened in that state, and... View More
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