Get free answers to your Civil Litigation legal questions from lawyers in your area.
My cousin was driving his car when the engine suddenly malfunctioned and exploded, causing him to hit a man who was drinking nearby. Although the man was severely injured, he is now recovering. My cousin has been sentenced to six months in jail for being 'careless.' There were cameras at... View More

answered on Mar 1, 2025
Regarding the jail sentence: there are very specific timelines associated with appealing criminal convictions. Your cousin should speak to a criminal defense attorney about what options are available in his specific situation.
Regarding the civil demand for money: if your cousin had... View More
I live in Virginia, and this past November, the owner of the property behind my house hired a man to cut some trees. I suspect the man was acting as a handyman rather than a business owner. One of the sections of a tree, about 12 feet long, rolled down the hill and hit my shed, causing $2,500 in... View More

answered on Feb 17, 2025
You can sue both, but you lack privity with the contractor, and while privity should not be required in a tort suit, it might be successfully asserted as a defense. Your clearer claim is against your neighbor for negligence and trespass, but he may seek to defend by joining or confusing the issue... View More
Augusta County, VA- I stopped for the bus unloading kids going the opposite direction as me on a county 2-lane road (double yellow lines). It started moving as did the cars behind it (I was going opposite direction), so we got closer in distance then realized it was stopping AGAIN only a couple... View More

answered on Feb 6, 2025
Under the circumstances, your response to the bus going back into motion was perfectly reasonable. Regardless, you stopped for the school bus as required as soon as you realized it had stopped for a second time. I see no violation.
During an oophorectomy, a piece of the ovary was missed. It causes continued pain monthly, missed time at work and has now grown into a tennis ball sized mass, which creates new health concerns. I advised my provider of the additional pain I was in after the surgery and at first, he told me it was... View More

answered on Jan 29, 2025
Yes. You may well have a claim. You should contact a medical malpractice lawyer for a free consult. I would be happy to have my firm assist you.
I didn't feel comfortable giving my SSN, but noticed a place on the healthcare form that requested the SSN. I was surprised that the supervisor kept my SSN and inserted it into the subsequent forms on later dates. On one occasion, I requested a healthcare form from a supervisor to take to... View More

answered on Jan 5, 2025
I'm sorry you're experiencing this situation. Protecting your personal and medical information is important, and it's understandable to feel concerned.
Under HIPAA, your medical information is protected, but there are specific circumstances where employers can access certain... View More
My insurance company did not do due diligence, withheld repair quotes that meant my car was not a total loss. Told me could only provide rental for 1 week after low ball offer, that they never corrected.
At fault drives ins company used "policy limits" to not pay, increasing my... View More

answered on Oct 27, 2024
A Virginia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. It sounds like you are dealing with an adversary with very low policy limits. If that's the case, you could explore your own policy's underinsured motorist provisions or look into viability of filing... View More
I'm needing to file a warrant in detinue for the return of my cat. Is it true that in small claims the dollar value is limited at $5000? and what if I do not want to give the person the option to pay $5000 and keep my cat. The only thing I want back is the alive living cat, not money to... View More

answered on Sep 28, 2024
You’d want to file an action in Detinue, not a warrant in debt. The detinue action is for return of personal property.
It was a Medical Malpractice case. They did not respond in time.

answered on Aug 9, 2024
Now that you have a judgement entered against the medical entity or person, you are considered a judgment creditor. You may wish to contact an attorney that handles creditor rights/collection. There are several ways that you can try and collect on your judgment depending on who your judgment is... View More
His (kids) are fighting over it and one of their lawyers has threatened to take me to court to be removed. I don't trust that lawyer and don't want to sign something he wrote up.

answered on May 28, 2024
A Virginia attorney could advise best, but you await a response for two weeks. Some questions go unanswered here, but you could repost and add "Probate" and "Estate Planning" as headings - you might have better chances of a response there. Good luck
Seller bought the car and I’m trying to give them the title without meeting them in person

answered on May 4, 2024
A Virginia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. You could look into sending it certified mail. Also check with the local office of your DMV. Their website might offer more complete info about vehicle forms. Good luck
I worked as an expert witness for an attorney. His client disagreed with my expert report and refused to pay the lawyer who retained me. He says he can't pay me unless he sues the client for payment, which he doesn't what to do.
Can I complain to the Virginia Bar? Or is a civil... View More

answered on Apr 10, 2024
Typically, when an attorney hires an expert witness, he is hiring the expert for a particular litigation matter for a specific client. Unless the expert and the attorney expressly agree otherwise, the attorney is acting as an agent for the client whose identity is usually disclosed to the expert... View More
Would it be best to hire an Attorney to fight a tort issue with a Fortune 500 Company?

answered on Apr 9, 2024
Attorney of all levels of skill and experience volunteer time to work at legal clinics and other agencies--both public and private--on a pro bono basis. If you meet the agency's criteria for indigency and are provided access to an attorney for pro bono legal representation, it's fairly... View More
I received papers on March 18 saying I have to be in court in another state on the March 28. Am I expected to get there with 10 days notice ?

answered on Mar 22, 2024
The amount of notice required when being summoned to court from another state can vary based on the type of case and the specific laws of the state where the court is located. Generally, courts are supposed to provide reasonable notice for individuals to prepare and travel for the appearance. Ten... View More
Fee is unreasonable for such service. Are fees regulated anywhere?Also includes brush pickup 1 t week. City many times fails to do? Can I subtract from my bill?

answered on Mar 4, 2024
The fees for garbage and brush pickup services, as well as the policies regarding who can opt out, are typically determined by local government regulations. The ability for businesses to opt out of such services while individuals cannot may be based on different service needs or contracts between... View More

answered on Feb 23, 2024
Abingdon Regional Jail may have policies and procedures in place regarding the administration of medications, including controlled substances like Suboxone. However, abruptly discontinuing Suboxone without proper medical supervision and a gradual tapering schedule can pose significant health risks... View More
I received a warrant in detinue from a past tenant for belongings that wasn't left on the property

answered on Feb 7, 2024
A Warrant in Detinue is a pleading used in a Virginia General District Court or small claims court to recover specific personal property, or the value thereof. The Plaintiff has the burden of proving title and that such specific property in the possession or control of the Defendant, or was... View More
The land lord threaten to sue because our product branding can be seen through our windows, and that violates their advertizing rules.

answered on Jan 30, 2024
You need to start with a lease review. That should include all correspondence about the property, sales materials, and anything else that is relevant. There is no reliable answer without that.
I have one to two people that keeps letting my poultry out and feeding them dog food knowing it will kill my goats and other animals I've told them numerous times to stop and they continue to do so what do I need to do

answered on Jan 24, 2024
If someone is repeatedly entering your property, letting out your poultry, and potentially endangering your animals by feeding them harmful substances, you have several legal options to consider. Firstly, it's important to document these incidents meticulously. Keep a record of each... View More
I borrowed a friend 9k with a promise that they would repay the full 9k and 20% interest. It’s now over a year and they keep giving me the run around. At this point I do not care about the 20% interest, I just want my money back. I have multiple texts messages about the money and their promises... View More

answered on Dec 15, 2023
Yes, you should be able to make a viable claim based on the text message exchange for the $9k and interest, but no attorney's fees unless that was also included in your messages. If the agreemenet was made while everyone was in Virginia, you should be able to sue in Virginia. If you decide to... View More
Please provide the lawyer's name, phone, year's in practice, consultation fee, pricing structure, etc.

answered on Dec 6, 2023
A Virginia attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. However, it would be difficult for attorneys here to respond to your request for legal representation or attorney information. The format here is basically Q & A - no solicitation. In addition to your independent... View More
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