Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
What happens if multiple people were hurt by the same dangerous condition at a store?
If multiple people were hurt by the same dangerous condition at a store, that usually means there may be more than one potential injury claim arising from the same incident. In general, each injured person’s claim is sti...
What happens if my business forgot to report unclaimed customer refunds by the state deadline?
If your business missed the Delaware deadline for reporting unclaimed customer refunds, the first thing to know is that the issue usually does not disappear on its own. In general, unclaimed property rules are designed t...
What are my rights if my insurance company denies my car accident claim saying I was partially at fault?
If you are in Illinois and your insurance company denies a car accident claim because it says you were partially at fault, the key issue is usually how fault is being used under the policy and under Illinois law. In gene...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge a fee for receiving packages?
In Nevada, a landlord may be able to charge a fee for receiving packages if the fee is allowed by the lease or rental agreement and is not otherwise prohibited by law. In general, the key question is whether the landlord...
What are my rights if I was injured in an elevator that dropped suddenly?
If you were injured in an elevator that dropped suddenly in Maryland, you may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries if someone else’s negligence contributed to the incident. In general, possible responsib...
Can police use what I said during a traffic stop if they never Mirandized me?
In general, yes, police may be able to use what you said during a traffic stop even if you were never read Miranda warnings. Miranda warnings are usually required only when a person is both in custody and being questione...
Is it criminal damage to property if I smashed my ex’s phone during an argument?
In Minnesota, smashing someone else’s phone during an argument may be treated as criminal damage to property if the phone belonged to your ex and you did not have permission to destroy it. In general, intentionally damag...
Can a Neighbor Be Liable for Water Runoff Flooding My Yard?
In Oklahoma, a neighbor may sometimes be liable if water runoff from their property is causing flooding in your yard, but the answer usually depends on the facts. The key issues are often where the water is coming from,...
Is it defamation if someone says “I think” before making a false factual accusation online in Indiana?
In general, adding the words “I think” does not automatically protect a person from a defamation claim in Indiana. If an online statement still communicates a false factual accusation, a court may look at the whole conte...
Do I have to pay rent if my apartment is infested with bed bugs from a neighboring unit?
In Alabama, a bed bug infestation can raise serious habitability and landlord-tenant issues, but it usually does not automatically excuse rent. In general, tenants are still expected to follow the lease unless the law or...
Can a mechanic charge diagnostic fees twice for the same issue?
In general, a mechanic may be able to charge more than once for diagnostic work, but whether charging twice for the same issue is reasonable usually depends on the facts, the repair agreement, and what work was actually...
Is it legal for my spouse to remove me as beneficiary before the divorce is final?
In Kentucky, the answer often depends on the kind of beneficiary designation involved, the wording of the account or policy, and whether a court order already limits what either spouse can do during the divorce. In gener...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge pet rent for an emotional support animal?
In general, a landlord usually may not charge pet rent, a pet deposit, or other pet fees for a properly requested emotional support animal, because an emotional support animal is typically treated differently from an ord...
Do I have to pay HOA fines from my landlord if the lease never mentioned HOA rules?
In Maryland, the answer usually depends on the lease, the HOA governing documents, and what caused the fine. If the lease did not mention HOA rules, that does not automatically mean the tenant can ignore HOA-related obli...
Can I get child support modified because my rent increased by $600 a month?
In New Jersey, a rent increase by itself may not automatically change child support, but it can be one factor in a request to modify support. Courts usually look at whether there has been a substantial change in circumst...