Q: Can I sue my web designer?
I hired a web developer to design three websites. He bought my domain names and hosted the sites on his server for a year. Before they were set to expire, he contacted me to inquire about renewing hosting. I decided instead I would like to change hosting. The web developer then cut off my websites prematurely and then said I had to renew hosting to get them back. After negotiating, we decided on him releasing my information (cpanel and transfer domain names to me). The domain names were transferred but he gave me an empty cpanel account. I would like to know if I can sue him for damages.
A: Before giving you a definite answer, I would need to see the contract between you two. But generally speaking, this arrangement is a work-for-hire, and whatever he developed should belong to you. So you will likely have a claim for damages against him.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
