Alabama Business Legal Questions

My understanding is that, at least in Alabama, it will be virtually impossible for you to foreclosure your possesses lien on the RV without filing a lawsuit. There are two reasons for this: first, Alabama requires a valid motor vehicle title in order to transfer clean ownership of a vehicle, and you can't do that; second, and perhaps more importantly, Alabama law does not recognize a possessory vehicle lien for services rendered in relation to a horse. Indeed, this might be a difficult claim to assert in any state. So, cut your losses, sell the horse for whatever you can get for it after the expiration of the notice period, and keep the RV until you get paid. Or start a lawsuit, but chances are that won't get you paid any faster or net you any more.... Read More

Of course you have a "case." The problem is how you are going to enforce your position in a cost-effective manner. You will want to seek to resolve this with Verizon's management initially. They may be willing to give you a concession in order to avoid a dispute. If that fails, you will need to follow the dispute resolution mechanism in the Verizon customer agreement you agreed to.... Read More

Many long and complicated employment-law stories boil down to a very simple principle: in the United States, in the absence of an employment contract or similar arrangement, employment is on an "at will" basis. That means that either party may terminate the arrangement, or, in the case of the employer, unilaterally change the terms of employment, at any time for any reason or no reason at all. While there are some exceptions to this principle (for example, the demotion or termination cannot be based on prohibited grounds, such as race, religion, disability, etc.), your inquiry does not suggest that you were denied this opportunity on a prohibited basis.... Read More

This is always a difficult situation. Some states prohibit retaliatory discharge by an employer against an employee who has availed himself of workers comp. These are extremely difficult cases to prove, because the "default setting" is that employment is on an at-will basis; that means that the employee may generally be terminated at any time for any reason or no reason at all. ... Read More

Unfortunately, the legal system does not provide a remedy for every perceived injustice or source of discomfort. It is not considered wrongful in our legal system to be the accuser in an unsuccessful sexual-harassment claim. Quite to the contrary, we encourage workplace reports of harassment and do not seek to punish those who assert unsuccessful claims. It seems as if the claims against you have not been substantiated and, moreover, that you have not suffered any legally recognized form of money damages, since you have not been discharged or demoted. Not every form of workplace unpleasantness is proscribed by law. Your supervisors have the right idea. Be professional.... Read More

The advice you received is correct. As a general matter, the civil litigation system exists to remedy actual injuries, not minor problems. If you have suffered no long-term medical consequences and not lost any meaningful wages, it will be very difficult to find an attorney to take your case because the damages that are recoverable, if any, will be too small to be worthwhile. The fact that you found the situation upsetting will likewise not give rise to a recovery unless you experienced distress so severe that you required medical treatment for it or were hospitalized, or unable, to work or function, as a result.... Read More

As a tenant, you have a duty to pay rent to the landlord with whom you contracted unless and until you are appropriately notified otherwise. Notice to your landlord of the commencement of foreclosure proceedings does not absolve you of the duties under your lease. At some point, the lender will obtain a court order requiring you to pay rent to the lender. Unless you are served with such an order, or are otherwise directed to pay rent to someone other than the landlord with whom you have dealt, you pay rent to your landlord.... Read More

It is not illegal for a private citizen to comment on the ethnic appearance of another person. You cannot be discriminated against unless you are treated differently on the basis of your race. You were not denied service, charged more, or provided with inferior goods because of your membership in a protected minority group. The store employee was a boor and a moron -- but no law was broken.... Read More