I was shopping at a store when a employee started yelling at me, accusing me of stealing something. Then the manager and other employees surrounded me and yelled accusations and demanded that I return the item.... even though I hadn't taken anything. This went on for over half an hour in full view of other shoppers. They finally let me go after I emptied my pockets. Didn't apologize or nothing. No cops were called.
I complained to the corporate office but they are claiming that the incident never happened and pretty much hung up on me. There were no security cameras.
So would suing them be pointless?
2006-07-23 15:35:47 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Corporations
Yes, they did surround me and blocked me from walking towards the exit. No, no one was with me at the time. And the other witnesses I have no clue how to find them.
I want to sue for emotional distress and false imprisonment because I still have problems sleeping because I keep reliving it over and over again. I also cry alot because it was too devastating to me. Maybe I'm just too sensitive to embarrassing stuff but I can't help it. I will be seeing a psychologist because of this incident.
2006-07-23 16:02:51 · update #1
Pretty much. I had something similar happen to me when I was a teenager, but at least I got a half-hearted apology. Believe me, suing someone is generally not worth the hassle. In order to sue, you need to prove that you were somehow "damaged", which I don't believe you were. Chalk it up to unbelievable rudeness and stupidity on their part, and tell everyone you know what store it was and how they treated you.
2006-07-23 15:40:46 · answer #1 · answered by SuzeY 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, Please sue and do sue. These people should not be allowed to take liberty with other people's liberties. You can sue for false arrest and defamation. Accusing someone of being a criminal is one of the 4 categories of slander that are actionable per se. Arrest need not be in the form of a police "arrest" as most people think. Arrest takes place when a person is taken into custody and the key test is, if that person tries to leave will he be prevented from doing so. If you were prevented from so leaving by the shop, then they have arrested you and a wrong accusation like the one you suffered open them up for a suit of wrongful arrest. You may have difficulty in proving your case as you said that there are no witness but this does not mean that it is impossible to do so. You will be surprise how people are willing to talk and tell the truth in court especially under vigorous examination and cross examination.
2006-07-23 17:19:42 · answer #2 · answered by ancalagon2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they surrounded you and prevented you from leaving until you emptied your pockets, they can and should be sued. Was anyone with you or do you know of any witnesses to the event?
Contact a lawyer, most likely you can find one who will take the case for a percentage of the settlement!!
If that ever happens to you again, and you have not taken anything, insist on the police being called to take a report!
2006-07-23 15:53:10 · answer #3 · answered by fire4511 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What would you sue them for? You cannot sue for false arrest, because you were not placed under arrest...the only reason for you to sue (that I can think of) would be for defamation of character. You'd have to retain an attorney (a few hundred dollars to start with) and be prepared to pay court costs if you lost the case (several more hundred dollars). Is it worth that to you? If it is, then by all means seek out a good attorney. The path I would take is to compose a well-written letter to the store's corporate office detailing the events. Save a copy for yourself, and then I would definitely stop patronizing that store. Good luck to you. Sounds like a crummy store........
2006-07-23 15:46:02 · answer #4 · answered by artistagent116 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, not if you can find witnesses. Without witnesses, it would be pretty much your word against theirs. You could advertise for witnesses.
It is very unusual that a retail store in ths day and age does not have security cameras. Don't take their word for that. An attorney can subpoena their video tapes; and, they would have to produce them; or be in contempt of court. You could also look in the court records and see if they ever produced video tapes at a criminal shoplifting trial. I'll bet they would quickly produce tapes if you were suing them for sexual misconduct, assault or false imprisonment.
2006-07-23 16:02:28 · answer #5 · answered by RON C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Suing them would be pointless, but legal revenge isn't.
Write to your local newspaper and tell them about your experience. If your letter get's published in the letters to the editor section, the store may lose customers, which is only appropriate for that sort of behavior.
2006-07-23 15:45:37 · answer #6 · answered by cmriley1 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What could you possibly sue them for? I would try contacting the general manager of the store. Also try the better business bureau
2006-07-23 15:46:39 · answer #7 · answered by Alissa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you probably did shoplift. you do not favor to get out of the shop to be effectively accussed, prosecuted and convicted of shoplifting. you purely ought to illustrate that you want to shoplift. in case you hid the article even as interior the shop, you shoplifted. in the adventure that they have got you ever on video concealing the article and they arrive when you, you more effective desire they have a video of you putting the article on the shelf too. convinced, they can contact all and sundry they please.
2016-11-25 20:39:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yep! unless you can get one of their employees or shoppers at that time to testify for you.
2006-07-23 15:41:32 · answer #9 · answered by Mt. Kilimanjaro 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah go sue them.....
2006-07-23 15:41:03 · answer #10 · answered by ♥Cutie Emily♥ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋