Asked in Civil Litigation for Florida

Q: Can you seek compensatory damages from a married neighbor that has sent inappropriate pictures and texts for 10 years?

Asked/begged/guilted/threatened to tell wife for years. The rest of the 10 I’ve disengaged but it never stops him. Unwanted pictures/texts/unzipped commando and groped himself in front of me ON MY PROPERTY, even a cash offer! Any excuse to start the conversation when she is at work and he’s not. I am a broke/broken/low-income senior, living alone, in poor health, with no family and few friends. He knows and does my yard cheap when too sick or mower down. City loves to send notices - no other choice. He seized those opportunities or he’d find another way when I was managing on my own. Hides in shadows of garage. Always watching me. Has camera on it now, too. Illness took everything. My home WAS my sanctuary. He's cost me SO MUCH physically, emotionally, and financially. I'm a traumatized prisoner reduced to reacting emotionally and physically to sights and sounds. Can’t concentrate. He needs to be stopped, and I should be compensated. Do I have a case? Advice?

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2 Lawyer Answers
Terrence H Thorgaard
Terrence H Thorgaard
Answered
  • Freeeport, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: Compensated for what monetary loss? Unless you can prove that you had to spend money, or lost something of monetary value, because of his actions, you don't have a case.

1 user found this answer helpful

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
Answered
  • Hollywood, FL
  • Licensed in Florida

A: March over to your local Court Clerk's office to seek a domestic violence injunction, also known as restraining order, to stop the stalking and cyberstalking. Not necessary to have an attorney, though of course hiring an attorney for any type of court matter is always best.

Regarding monetary compensation, you possibly may have a potential claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress - which you'd have to pay a lawyer a ton of money to represent you on, with no guarantee of collecting anything if you prevail. In fact, because the neighbor is married, the odds would be against you collecting anything because any assets that he has jointly with his wife is protected from collection on a judgment that is solely against him.

1 user found this answer helpful

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