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I'm concerned about potential water contamination in Brookhaven, Mississippi, which may have caused my mother's cancer. She recently passed away, and doctors mentioned it might be due to the drinking water, not genetic factors. Other relatives have also suffered unusual tumors. Is there a... View More 
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
If your mother's cancer and your relatives' health issues are potentially linked to water contamination, you may have grounds to pursue legal action. The first step would be to gather evidence of the water contamination, including any historical data, reports, or studies showing that the... View More
I am seeking advice on my options against being forced to use smart meters in my home in Naperville, Illinois. I have contacted our city utility, which is charging me to switch to a non-wireless smart meter but will not allow analog meters or the option to use another electric company. I have... View More
I have been renting a house for about a year, and a couple of days ago, I started suspecting that there is asbestos in the ceiling, especially since it looks really old and is peeling off in the bathrooms. I communicated my concerns to my landlord today, but she claimed that the ceilings were... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
It's great that you’re taking this issue seriously, especially when it comes to your health and safety. In Georgia, landlords have an obligation to provide a safe and habitable living environment. If there is a concern about asbestos, it’s important to have the ceiling tested by a... View More
I am interested in transitioning from psychiatric hospitals to community spaces and need guidance on how to engage with policymakers effectively. What legal approaches or strategies should I consider to support this initiative, and are there specific legal obstacles I should be aware of?
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answered on Apr 8, 2025
To transition from psychiatric hospitals to community spaces in California, you’ll need to focus on advocating for the deinstitutionalization movement. This involves engaging with policymakers to create a shift toward community-based care models. One approach is to highlight the benefits of... View More
I am dealing with a case of inverse condemnation due to pollution originating from a government building affecting my land. The pollution began five years ago, and I initiated a lawsuit in 2023. I have found it challenging to find eminent domain attorneys willing to handle inverse condemnation... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
It can be challenging to find the right attorney for an inverse condemnation case, especially when pollution from a government building is involved. Since the issue is government-related, it's important to find an attorney with experience in both eminent domain and environmental law. If you... View More
I own property adjacent to a parking lot, and cars have crossed the property line, damaging my retaining wall by pushing heavy wheel stops against it. Additionally, storm water is now flooding beneath my sidewalk and building due to the sloped parking lot lacking a storm drain. My engineer... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
You may be able to ask a magistrate court to order the installation of a drainage system to address the flooding, especially if you can demonstrate that the parking lot’s design is directly contributing to the damage. Since you’ve documented the flooding and the damage to your property,... View More
I am a 68-year-old resident living in a mobile home in Campobello, South Carolina. My roommate is in a wheelchair, and we've been facing several unaddressed repair issues like lack of underpinning, a sinking kitchen floor, black mold on the ceiling, and a power box with uncovered live wires.... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
In South Carolina, landlords are required to maintain rental properties in habitable condition, meaning they must address serious repair issues like mold, live wires, and a sinking floor. If these issues have been reported and remain unaddressed, you may have grounds to challenge the rent increase... View More
I am a 68-year-old resident in a mobile home in Campobello, South Carolina, living with a roommate who uses a wheelchair. Recently, a new realty company took over our property and notified us of a rent increase from $400 to $600 starting in May. There might be a lease agreement that was sent, but... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
In South Carolina, landlords generally have the right to increase rent, but the amount and frequency of the increase must be reasonable and in accordance with the lease agreement. If you don’t have a clear written lease, the situation can be more complicated, but the landlord is still required to... View More
I am seeking legal assistance due to an ongoing sewage contamination issue from my neighbors, who have had previous problems with my landlord. The neighbors are disposing of sewage improperly, contaminating my yard and drinking well. This has caused my health to deteriorate, with symptoms like... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
What you're going through is serious, and your health and safety should never be ignored like this. In Washington, landlords have a legal duty to provide safe and livable housing under what's called the "implied warranty of habitability." Sewage contamination, unsafe drinking... View More
I live in a rural neighborhood, and a developer plans to convert nearby land into an apartment complex. The community is against this development due to concerns about increased traffic, obstruction of views, and potential environmental impacts, such as runoff carrying car oils from the complex... View More
I have a neighbor who is spraying something I believe is harmful, causing me to feel nauseous. This has been happening since October 2024. Although I can hear the spraying and sometimes her sneezing and coughing, I don't know exactly where she is spraying it. I previously complained about... View More
I live in a quiet community of homes adjacent to a farm in Maryland where dirt bikes and ATVs are ridden several times a week, causing significant noise disturbances. Additionally, firearms are being discharged at all hours of the night and day. All the neighbors are concerned, and we've... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
Legal Options for Addressing Noise Disturbances in Maryland
In Maryland, residential noise limits are set at 65 dBA during daytime hours (7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.) and 55 dBA during nighttime hours (10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.) for residential properties. Aacounty The persistent noise from dirt... View More
I have been experiencing severe reactions to the tap water in my house in Blackwood, NJ, since 2023. The water burns my skin, causes bleeding, swelling, and severe pain in my hands, forcing me to use only spring water. The water company has visited four times and informed me that the high chlorine... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
Given that the water company has acknowledged the high chlorine levels and their impact on your health, you may have a potential claim for compensation or a legal remedy. Start by documenting all communications with the water company, including the visits, their statements about the chlorine... View More
I'm considering ordering roe deer antlers from either a local or international vendor. I need to know about the legalities concerning import/export regulations for this purchase, particularly permits or documentation required for importing them. How should I proceed to ensure compliance with... View More
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answered on Mar 15, 2025
When ordering roe deer antlers, you'll first need to verify whether the species is protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Roe deer generally aren't protected by CITES, but it's crucial to confirm the specific subspecies with your vendor.... View More
I am the seller in a purchase agreement that was signed over a year ago, but it lacks an execution date. According to the agreement, the Inspection Period ends 210 days from the Effective Date or upon the buyer's receipt of a wetlands disturbance permit from the Florida Department of... View More
answered on Feb 27, 2025
The law generally provides that if a contract does not have a time frame, it is considered an "at will contract." Thus, you may be able to terminate the contract, however, we would have to review the terms of the contract to verify that is an option. Ultimately, the parties should likely... View More
A property owned by a family trust was occupied by a family member who is scheduled to move out in one week. The property is currently a hazardous materials site due to the presence of 20 cats and a dog, with no current plans in place for the animals. Code enforcement has issued a notice requiring... View More
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answered on Feb 24, 2025
You're facing two urgent issues that need immediate attention: the welfare of the animals and compliance with the code enforcement notice.
First, contact your local animal control and no-kill shelters to arrange for the animals' care before the occupant leaves. Taking photos of... View More
I need guidance on compliance with laws related to "artificial habitats" for spiny lobsters in Florida waters. Specifically, I am seeking clarification on what constitutes an "artificial habitat" — does it include any artificial structure in the water from accidental events... View More
answered on Feb 18, 2025
That's an unusual (and interesting) legal inquiry, and I think most lawyers would need to thoroughly research the applicable statutes and regulations in order to give reliable advice on the matter (as I would need to do). You may want to start by talking to the Florida Fish and Wildlife... View More
Ice plant scales are a species of insect from South Africa. Can a citizen freely go around with a big thing of them in their truck and release them around California? There HAVE been some instances of them found back in the 80's, but they were mostly eradicated by Caltrans at that time. So... View More
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answered on Dec 15, 2024
No, deliberately releasing or introducing non-native species in California is illegal under both state and federal laws. This includes ice plant scales, regardless of whether they previously existed in the state.
The California Fish and Game Code (Section 2118) and the federal Lacey Act... View More
answered on Dec 12, 2024
It can. If an individual is not mentally competent, the person's legal guardian, or a guardian ad litem, can bring suit on the injured person's behalf.
Mold was making my family ill so we moved ourselves to a hotel in hopes the landlord would remedy it properly. That didn't happen and was made worse by exposing asbestos in dry walls. We found a new place but don't feel it necessary to give a 30 day or even 2 day heads up since they fully... View More
answered on Nov 18, 2024
You did what was right to move your family out of a hazardous situation. But you could have better protected yourselves legally. A 5-day notice to the landlord is required by ARS 33-1361 to terminate a lease where there is a health or safety danger. Since the lease was not terminated, you may... View More
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