Can this be a legit lawsuit??? Ok, before I explain anything, I will not mention the actual store.?

Question

My friend and his brother went to a clothing store to buy some things. As they and other customers walked into the store a beeping sound went off as every customer walked in. They bought what they needed and as they were both walking out again the alarm went off as they walked out. So, they are in the parking lot as they hear some people yelling,they turn around and it's 2 employees asking them to come back to the front of the store. So, they walk back and are asked to take out their receipts and as they, other customers are leaving the store as the beeping sound keeps going off as each person walks by. My friend stated that he doesn't appreciate this bcause the employees are causing a scene as if they stole something. As, the employees are checking out the items in the bag, a third employee barges out of the store yelling and asking if there is a problem. My friend explains what had happened and the employee grabs his necklace and says the necklace is the reason the alram went off.

My friend said don't touch my necklace, and the employee started to curse him out. He starting calling him all these racial slurs as in cracker , white boy, ****** and took of his employee id and started threateing them saying i will f*ck u guys up. So, my friedns started walking towards their car that was parked in the parking lot, as the employee started approaching them saying they are pus*y's for not fighting! My friend then said i want to speak to your manager as the employee said f*ck this job, i really dont care if you speak to him. As this is going on, a group of employees ran outside and grabbed the irate employee saying to him to relax and for him to come back inside the store. As all of this is going on, the manager of the store is watching this happen from inside of the store! They finally went into the store right after the employee went back inside, and asked if they can speak to the manager. The manager said he would like to talk with them outside.

They explain everything that had happened as if the manager didn't know! They said how disrespected they felt and threatened by what was said and done to them. The manager kept apologizing to them and staing that the employee has worked their for nly three days so far. My friends said that was no reason for the employee to act the way he did! The manager kept apologizing and my friends said they were going to call the police. The manager at that time kept apologizing more and said this will never happen again. He said to them that they can get whatever they want.. he asked them if some gift cards would be enough, and my friends said no. They told him that money and giving them gift cards would not be acceptable, so the manager told them that he would contact his gmanager, and that they would get back to my friedns asap. So the manager took down their phone numbers, its been couple days and they never even got a phone call.

Answer 1

In civil court there is no such thing as an illegal and/or frivilous lawsuit (which is very unfortunate..way too many bogus cases tying down our sytem). You can sue anyone at anytime for anything...you only need the better case.

If you sue the store you would most likely get a buyout and nothing if it went to court unless the store has outside camaras that could greatly help your case if what you say is 100% true. No camaras=no win in court.

Answer 2

Sure, it has some merit. You could probably settle and get a few thousand dollars. Your friends will not get rich off this if that's what you're thinking. But remember, your attorney will take 1/3 of whatever you get, it will take up a ton of your time, and you might get some money a year or so from now. If I were you I would just tell your friends to settle for some gift certificates and seeing that jerk fired. After all the manager did apologize and tried to make good.

Answer 3

Stores are protected from being sued in most states from suits being brought because of being stopped. However they must have a reasonable reason for stopping you. When the alarm went off they did. Now how they treated was rude and un-called for. I do agree that the company should do something for you and also do something about the employees, but you'll have a hard time going to court and getting anything. Unless you can show emotional distress and a compensable relief the courts going to say there's no case to hear.

Answer 4

Do you have some more witnesses? If you do, then perhaps you have something here for lawyers to talk about. I'm pretty sure that if you do nothing, no one is going to make an offer. Why not go see one of those scumbag lawyers who take such cases originally for free? In the end they will probably take at least 30% of whatever award your friend gets, in or out of court. Or you could call a civil rights organization of some kind and see if their legal staff will talk to you and your friend.

Answer 5

You might have a lawsuit, but it probably isnt' worth the effort. You should complain to the president of the company in a written letter.

You should have called the police.

Answer 6

civil court that's about it. other than that, the store shouldn't have caused a scene and your friends shouldn't have over-reacted

Answer 7

yea thats law suit