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New York Small Claims Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Small Claims for New York on
Q: If a person pass away and he had a law suit from a car accident do the money go to the mother or the father.
Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Feb 12, 2025

If the decedent had a Will, the settlement proceeds would be distributed in accordance with the terms of the Will. Absent a Will, the proceeds would get distributed in accordance with New York EPTL § 4-1.1. Thus, if he was not survived by a spouse or children, the proceeds would get distributed... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury and Small Claims for New York on
Q: Do I have a case after I was hospitalized due to consuming a baked good product and continue to suffer in pain while eat

I consumed a cake for a special occasion from a bakery. This is the only item that I consumed which was different from my usual diet in months since I don't eat outside food. I experienced severe abdominal pain which kept increasing in intensity for the next 2 weeks. At that point, the pain... View More

Stephen Bilkis
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answered on Jan 17, 2025

I'm sorry to hear about the significant pain and challenges you’ve been experiencing. Situations involving health issues from consuming a food product can be overwhelming, and understanding your legal rights in this matter is an important step.

In New York, pursuing a case against a...
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2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law, Personal Injury and Small Claims for New York on
Q: Do I have a case after I was hospitalized due to consuming a baked good product and continue to suffer in pain while eat

I consumed a cake for a special occasion from a bakery. This is the only item that I consumed which was different from my usual diet in months since I don't eat outside food. I experienced severe abdominal pain which kept increasing in intensity for the next 2 weeks. At that point, the pain... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Jan 13, 2025

Sorry to hear what you're going through. Absent any evidence that the cake you ate was not fit for human consumption or that the bakery failed to disclose ingredients in the cake to which customers are often allergic (such as nuts), there'd be no basis to sue the bakery. Moreover, you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Small Claims for New York on
Q: Can we get security deposit back?

My brother recently passed away 2 months into a lease at a new apartment. He was paid until the end of the month and we will have him cleared out by then. He didn’t have life insurance so getting his security deposit back would be a huge help. Is that a possibility?

Aubrey Claudius Galloway
Aubrey Claudius Galloway
answered on Jun 28, 2024

Absolutely. I would file a claim in small claims court. Unless you say “by the court” when your case is called it will be decided by an arbitrator where the rules of evidence are relaxed and the standard is, unofficial, “in the interests of justice”…. so equitable arguments are often... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Small Claims, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: I spent $13,000 on tooth implants from Dr. Glick less than a year later my crowns are falling out do I have a case ?
Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Jun 24, 2024

Sorry to hear what happened to you. If your dentist is a member, you could file a complaint with the New York State Dental Association, https://www.nysdental.org/for-the-public/patient-complaint-form Otherwise and without minimizing what you've gone through, the loss of crowns (which can... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Small Claims, Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury for New York on
Q: I spent $13,000 on tooth implants from Dr. Glick less than a year later my crowns are falling out do I have a case ?
Damien Matthew Bosco
Damien Matthew Bosco
answered on Jun 17, 2024

It is advisable to seek a second opinion from another dental professional to evaluate the implants and crowns' quality and condition. This will assist in determining if the work was performed inadequately or incorrectly. If you gather evidence that suggests negligence or substandard care, you... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Rights, Gov & Administrative Law and Small Claims for New York on
Q: My brother’s car was impounded I got a notarized letter to release the car but the towing company refuse to release it

The didn’t accept the notarized letter.

Everytime they ask for some sort of form I get it for them then they refuse to accept it and they ask for something else.

Now they’re asking for a form to be sent from wherever the owner is in Fedex but Fedex is not available there and no... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 15, 2024

It sounds like you're facing a frustrating situation with the towing company. Despite providing all the necessary documentation, they continue to reject it and create additional hurdles. The requirement for your brother to personally release the car, especially when international shipping... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts and Small Claims for New York on
Q: I let someone borrow $2,500 and the person does not want to pay me back, can I sue that person to get my money back?
Carl Nelson
Carl Nelson
answered on Feb 17, 2024

If there was an agreement to pay the funds back, you can sue to recover…the questions are (1) can you prove the debt (especially if the agreement was oral rather than written); (2) how much time and cost will you incur to being an action; and (3) is there a means to collect on a judgment.

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2 Answers | Asked in Products Liability and Small Claims for New York on
Q: What can I say in court if he wants to take it to small claims court.

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Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 29, 2023

If someone wants to bring a claim against you in small claims court, one option could be to discuss the person's dispute or dissatisfaction to find out if court could be avoided through negotiation. If the matter has already gone to court, the other option could be to determine if you have any... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Products Liability and Small Claims for New York on
Q: What can I say in court if he wants to take it to small claims court.

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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 30, 2023

If you're facing a small claims court case, it's important to prepare your defense thoroughly. Begin by gathering all relevant evidence that supports your side of the story. This can include documents, receipts, contracts, emails, photographs, or any other material that is pertinent to... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Small Claims and Landlord - Tenant for New York on
Q: Neighbor told landlord that they were going to sue me because my dogs are barking… Landlord texted us and told us…

It’s been a few weeks since the neighbor complained and I have been working to address it… I noticed my dogs bark when they see people walk by so when I am home I make sure they are under control and when I am gone I put them in a small quiet room with no windows and with toys… to try to keep... View More

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Nov 19, 2023

Dear Manlius Tenant:

The statutory warranty of habitability is confined to the tenant and landlord relationship. A neighbor does not possess the right to claim a breach by another tenant. Lawsuits based on the notion of private nuisance are expensive and difficult to establish. A court is...
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1 Answer | Asked in Construction Law, Civil Litigation, Real Estate Law and Small Claims for New York on
Q: Contractor subcontracted asbestos abatement without proper procedures; testing confirmed asbestos. Subcontractor removed asbestos mentions, discounted invoice. Should I pay or pursue other actions?

I hired a contractor to replace siding and gutters in New York. They subcontracted a company to handle asbestos abatement. The subcontractor removed shingles without using proper containment or PPE and insisted—without proof—that it wasn’t asbestos. Testing later confirmed the material... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 16, 2025

What you’re describing is a serious situation, both legally and environmentally. Asbestos abatement is strictly regulated in New York, and contractors are required to follow containment and safety protocols under state and federal law. If the subcontractor performed the work without proper... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims and Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: Can I sue eBay in Brooklyn in small claims court over non-received item dispute?

I plan to take eBay to small claims court after not receiving an item, despite providing USPS evidence that the item wasn't shipped to my address. I lost both the original dispute and the appeal. eBay then sent a retaliatory email accusing me of violating their Abusive Buyer Policy. Can I sue... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 26, 2025

Yes, you can sue eBay in Brooklyn small claims court, as long as your claim is within the court’s monetary limits and you can show that the harm occurred in Brooklyn. Since you live there, and the transaction took place through your account and your address, you may argue that Brooklyn has a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Litigation and Small Claims for New York on
Q: Can I claim damages and what steps to take if car mileage was misrepresented by NY dealer?

In 2019, I purchased a 2013 Volvo S60 from a NY dealership for $13,349.60, with the odometer showing ~85,125 miles. In June 2025, VIN reports revealed the vehicle had over 137,000 miles before the sale, and its title was branded “Not Actual Mileage.” The engine failed in Dec 2023, leading to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 4, 2025

You can recover the out­-of­-pocket difference between what you paid and the vehicle’s true market value at time of sale, plus any incidental costs you incurred—like higher interest on the title loan and the Uber/Lyft expenses you had to pay when the car failed.

Under New York’s...
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1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims and Civil Litigation for New York on
Q: How can I enforce a judgment lien with missing block and lot numbers in New York?

I went to small claims court, and the judge refused to amend the judgment to include block and lot numbers, stating that this should have been done at the county clerk's office. He mentioned it was the first time he'd heard that these numbers needed to be on the transcript of judgment. I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 11, 2025

First, pull the exact block and lot numbers and a full property description from the county tax assessor’s records so you have the correct legal identifiers in hand.

Next, go back to the clerk’s office and ask for the form to correct a transcript of judgment; many counties allow you to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Small Claims and Internet Law for New York on
Q: Is accessing my U-Haul rental info illegal in NY?

Back in February, a storage company accessed my personal information from a U-Haul truck I rented to move out of a unit. However, I rented the U-Haul from a different location and returned it there, so the storage company had no reason to access my information. I only emptied a unit owned by my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 16, 2025

If a storage company accessed your personal information from U-Haul without your permission or a legitimate reason, this could raise serious privacy concerns. Since you rented and returned the truck at a different location and had no direct relationship with the storage company, their access to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for New York on
Q: Can I sue for dangerous highway trees refused by superintendent?

Can I take the superintendent of highways to small claims court for refusing to remove dangerous trees on their right of way? I have been discussing this issue with the superintendent since 2022, and they are now refusing to communicate, claiming that the trees belong to my neighbor. However, a... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 14, 2025

What you’re dealing with sounds incredibly stressful, especially after a close call with a falling tree. If the survey shows that the trees are not on your neighbor’s land and they fall within the highway right of way, then the local highway department could be responsible for maintaining them.... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Consumer Law and Small Claims for New York on
Q: Can a person win a case without evidence? I had evidence and loss?

The contractor had no evidence, was not the person that did the work. I had all the evidence and a witness. The case was dismissed in his favor why?

Damien Matthew Bosco
Damien Matthew Bosco
answered on Jan 10, 2025

There can be many reasons why a case could be dismissed. If the dismissal was a pre-answer motion, it could be due to jurisdictional reasons, improper service, lack of standing, or the facts outlined in the complaint do not support a viable cause of action. If you are claiming that the contractor... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Small Claims for New York on
Q: Can a business just say "I'm not paying" the day before shipment after previously agreeing to share shipping costs?

I was working with an art gallery in NYC for years. Long story short we were supposed to have a solo show but they ghosted me and I canceled the whole thing.

Half the works they had of mine they had were still in consignment (IMO they breached the contract when they changed the prices... View More

Marco Caviglia
Marco Caviglia
answered on Jan 9, 2025

Sounds like a small claims court matter. Evidence will revolve around written communications and any express agreement you and your adversary signed. Custom and usage in your industry may also be enlightening to the court. The amount is probably too small to warrant hiring an attorney.

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims for New York on
Q: My lawyer passed away I was trying to get a loan but lawyer I have saying he can’t sign my loan who do I need to speak t

For three weeks been giving me the run around I couldn’t buy my kids anything for Christmas mind u my kids are honor students I feel so horrible

Jack Mevorach
Jack Mevorach
answered on Dec 27, 2024

Another lawyer. Jack

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