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Can an employee use sick time to leave early to rest from a previous injury? My manager told an employee that they cannot use their sick time to leave early because it was not a work-related injury and they aren't technically sick. The employee in question broke their ankle a year ago, which... View More 
answered on Mar 20, 2025
You are entitled to use sick leave for any illness, it does not have to be a work related illness.
According the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, employers are required to allow you to use accrued sick leave for
employees or their family members for any of the... View More
I was informed by my HOA via voice message that the crew needed interior access to my unit for building repair work. I was in Japan at the time, and I emailed them with my return date but received no reply. Upon my return, I discovered signs of entry in my unit, including the removal of the window.... View More
answered on Mar 19, 2025
The first step would be going through the HOA agreement to verify there are no other entry rights beyond the emergencies clause. They might have a general right with a certain notice period. If that is not the case, you could potentially have an argument for trespassing and damages, though the... View More
Can the class teacher be held responsible for negligence? During another teacher's class, a student pushed another, resulting in minor injuries. The class teacher learned of the incident only after it occurred and didn't respond in the class WhatsApp group as it was a police matter. The... View More
answered on Mar 19, 2025
Highly unlikely. The teacher would have to have more or less intentionally allowed the conduct to occur. In most public or semi-public settings, a person is not responsible for the unlawful acts of another. For example, a bus driver is not going to be held responsible if one passenger punches... View More
My 17-year-old son was issued a criminal citation for reckless driving as he was caught driving 120 mph in a 70 mph zone. He has no prior citations or offenses, there are no additional charges, and he has a court date scheduled. Will he face jail time?
answered on Mar 17, 2025
Reckless driving is a gross misdemeanor. Maxim penalties are up to 364 days in jail, and a $5000 fine. If found committed, he will also have a 30-day license suspension and a mandatory 3-years of SR-2 (high-risk) insurance to have a license.
The reality is, as my colleague says, jail time... View More
My girlfriend accidentally shot me in the hand while we were intoxicated. She was interrogated at our house while I was taken to the hospital, and due to her intoxication, her statements were inconsistent. Law enforcement pressed different narratives, leading to a charge of assault 2. Despite... View More
answered on Mar 11, 2025
The real answer here is no, by accepting the deal and pleading guilty you gave up your rights to confront your accusers and question them. All your appeal rights so that is just the way it is. You should have fought the case and gone to trial and then if you lost your appeal rights would still be... View More
My mother's estate in Washington is being handled through probate without a will. She had seven children, two of whom, including my brother, passed away before her. My brother has a child, who is my mother's grandson. Does he qualify as an heir and receive my deceased brother's share... View More
answered on Mar 11, 2025
Yes, if your mother's estate is being probated without a will and any of her children passed away before her but leaving their own children (i.e. if your brother died before your mother but had kids), then any grandchild by a pre-deceased child inherits under RCW 11.04.015(2)(a).
A... View More
I have been living on a property for about 20 years with the owner's knowledge and have never signed any paperwork or paid rent. Recently, the owner called the police on me for trespassing, cut off utilities, and now wants to pursue criminal trespassing charges against me. Additionally, I used... View More
answered on Mar 9, 2025
This issue is rooted in Landlord/tenant law so you need to consult with an attorney that handle that type of cases because you may have an argument there. Obviously you don't have a deed or ownership because of purchase, but through being there with the knowledge of the owner you may have... View More
I was parked in a designated spot when a man exited his vehicle and aggressively hit my car, demanding that I move. Although no one was harmed, a heated argument ensued. Do I have the right to defend myself in such a situation?
answered on Mar 8, 2025
Hello, while you can use reasonable and necessary force to protect yourself and your property, you would want to exercise as much restraint as possible. If you were to strike this man, law enforcement could determine that (in their opinion) you were the aggressor and charges could result.
I need legal help regarding a trainer who is writing a book falsely claiming personal experiences involving my son, James Edwards, using his full name and personal information without permission. The narrative is misleading, inaccurate, and hearsay, as the trainer was not involved in my son's... View More
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answered on Mar 5, 2025
You may have legal grounds to prevent the unauthorized use of your son's name and personal information in the book. Potential legal actions include:
Cease and Desist Letter – Have an Attorney send a formal demand to stop using your son's name and personal details.... View More
I was supposed to receive a parcel from Aramex containing my R3000 Nike shoes by March 4th, but it still hasn't arrived as of March 6th. I've contacted Aramex, but I haven't received any response from them. The parcel wasn't insured. What legal steps can I take to address this issue?
answered on Mar 5, 2025
Hello - you stated you were supposed to receive a package by March 4th and haven't received the pacage by March 6th, but today is March 5th, not 6th.
There is nothing "legally" that you can do if a package is one day late but ask for a refund if you paid extra for delivery by... View More
I'm wondering if Grocery Outlet can legally refuse to let me shop unless I leave my backpack at the counter, which to me appears to violate my 4th Amendment rights. They claim it is store policy, but they only enforce this on individuals with backpacks, not women with shoulder bags or purses.... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
This is not a violation of your rights. The 4th Amendment applies to government entities, not to private companies.
There are laws against discrimination (state and federal) that apply in some situations - for example, if the store rule only applied to men with daypacks, but not to women... View More
I am on a joint bank account with my grandmother, who receives survivor benefits as the primary source of funds in this account. She added me to the account to ensure her needs are fulfilled, and she has explicitly told me that I can use the account for myself if needed. Am I legally allowed to use... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
If your grandmother has added you to joint bank account as a co-equal member of the account, you can use funds from the account.
HOWEVER, if it were me, I'd first get something in writing to this effect from my grandmother, witnessed and notarized, to avoid any allegations two years... View More
I have an ADA-protected condition that my employer is aware of. Last year and more recently, for the past two weeks, my request to work remotely during flare-ups was approved without needing a doctor's note. Suddenly, my employer, who is also the HR director, refuses my request to work from... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
It is best to follow proper procedure to obtain a formal agreement for reasonable accommodations. Here is a very short set of guidelines that explains this:... View More
I am a newly hired security guard in Washington State, assigned to a government office. My company has an unpaid hour lunch policy, but I'm required to stay on-site and monitor the radio and phone during this period. The government employees at this site have different lunch policies. I... View More
answered on Feb 27, 2025
Thank you for the question.
Washington State employees have the right to a meal break: https://www.lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/workplace-policies/rest-breaks-meal-periods-and-schedules
You have the right to file a complaint with the state, and you're supposed to be protected... View More
I am a 16-year-old minor living in Washington with a family friend for about six months after being removed from my mother's household due to domestic violence concerns. There were no legal or custody agreements made regarding my current living situation. I want to move to a different state to... View More
answered on Feb 26, 2025
As a minor whose mother has legal rights over you, you are not free to live wherever you choose. Understanding you have been living with a friend for six-months, either your mother agrees or is not objecting to your living situation. It is possible that, if you were to move to live with your father... View More
I am considering recording a phone call with a company based in Washington State, of which I am one of the parties. The purpose of the recording is for documentation/evidence. Is it legal to record the call without obtaining permission from the company?
answered on Feb 25, 2025
Thank you for the interesting question.
Washington State is a "two party consent state," which actually means that every party to a phone conversation, meeting, etc, must consent in advance to being recorded.
People who violate this rule can be subjected to criminal... View More
My father passed away six years ago without a will. I've been living in his house and paying the mortgage ever since. My siblings and my father's wife are other potential heirs. However, his wife left the property before his passing and hasn't contributed financially, and my siblings... View More
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answered on Feb 23, 2025
You will need to consult with a WA attorney. But you do not acquire title by paying someone else's note. You might pay it off, then the other tenants in common file a partition suit against you. It might be better to try to get quit claim deeds from the other heirs now, even if you do not... View More
My father passed away six years ago without a will. I've been living in his house and paying the mortgage ever since. My siblings and my father's wife are other potential heirs. However, his wife left the property before his passing and hasn't contributed financially, and my siblings... View More
answered on Feb 25, 2025
Making payments to the mortgage company does not ensure that you will have any right to inherit the house.
The only way the house can become your legal property is to go through probate and have a judge make a ruling giving the house to you. It will be helpful if your siblings and any... View More
I’ve been contracted through an agency to work at a hospital care program since 2008. On January 23, 2025, I reported a physical therapist making inappropriate comments to two senior patients. Following my report, hospital management placed me under investigation and suspended my contract work... View More
answered on Feb 23, 2025
Assuming you did not complain to the government, Washington's Healthcare Whistleblower Retaliation protections do not apply to you.
Nevertheless, depending on the nature of the inappropriate comments, you may still have a claim for wrongful termination in violation of public policy, if... View More
My son's father and I have a residential schedule that states our son is to reside with me in Grant County, WA, but we do not have a formal parenting plan. I allowed him some parenting time, and now he refuses to return our son to me. The police and CPS have informed me this is a civil issue.... View More
answered on Feb 18, 2025
I am so sorry that you have been going through this, but at the stage I'd strongly urge you to file a legal action for custody in whatever Family Court (through Superior Court) is closest to you in Washington.
If you are low-income, you may be able to get free legal assistance in this... View More
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