Bought a watch at a small shop in a mall. I asked what the material on the watch was before buying and the guy said stainless steel and CZ. Wore it home and an hour later I took it off and my skin had turned green. He had a sign posted that said no returns or refunds which in hindsight should've been a red flag. What can I do? I feel like just going back isn't going to do anything because of the sign. Location: Texas
location: California, USA
Company HQ is in California, USA. My location as a remote employee is Maryland, USA where I reside. My own mileage expenses were incurred in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC, USA. Other employees' mileage expenses would have been across most of the states in the US, though I don't have an exhaustive list and can't assume it's all 50 states.
Using a throwaway account as I'm worried about retaliation.
I recently discovered that my employer has been inaccurately under-reimbursing all employees who created expense reports for personal vehicle mileage in the United States. My questions: how can I maximize my employer's accountability for this error while minimizing my own risk of retaliation? How much of the missing money can I get back -- from anyone?
The situation:
My employer, a publicly traded company, forgot to update the US mileage reimbursement in our software tool we use to create expense reports. The rate was accurate as of December 31, 2024. The IRS raised the reimbursement rate for mileage on January 1st 2025, then again on January 1st 2026, and once more on July 1st 2026. None of those changes to the rate were ever reflected in our expense tool.
I noticed this in September 2026 and reported it to our Accounts Payable (AP) organization. They corrected the reimbursement rate in the software the day I reported this.
When I asked the AP rep on my trouble ticket if the company would be assisting affected employees who wanted to recoup their missing reimbursements or if the company would be making an announcement of the error, I was told no. When I asked if this under-reimbursement was in error I was told no again -- the AP rep said that the company is not legally bound to reimburse for US mileage. By the letter of the law, that seems to be correct in my amateur analysis.
Here's the rub. The company's documented Travel and Expense policy for the US says that the company will reimburse mileage at "the tax authority rate" which in the US would be the IRS rate. This policy language was documented in effect before, during, and after the under-reimbursement.
When I asked the AP rep how we let this go on for ~21 months, she said that the company reviews the reimbursement rates on an annual basis, and the company chose not to increase the reimbursement rate to coincide with the IRS changes. I frankly don't believe this at all, I think it was a mistake and the rep doesn't want to admit fault on the part of the company. Apparently the rep telling me that the company intentionally and silently under-reimbursed all US mileage for that time is preferable to telling me that the company made a mistake. I see it differently, but maybe that's why I'm just a worker bee.
Here's an even bigger rub. Normally a senior manager/director would grant approval to change the reimbursement rate in the expense software. On the day I made my report, that person was out and their delegate had to approve the change. Who was the delegate? The company's Chief Accounting Officer, a person who reports to the CFO. This means that the CAO is aware of the company's under-reimbursement going back to January 1st 2025. This timeline was explicitly discussed in the ticket and the CAO was copied on all of the ticket correspondence. Their silence on the matter is implicit approval of these actions from what I can see.
I've shared this discovery with enough other employees that if and when the company faces consequences for this error the company will suspect it started with me. The money I'm missing is probably around $100 or less, so I'm not motivated by some windfall, I really just want everyone to be made whole because it's the right thing to do. Others who do more driving are unlikely to exceed $200 in missing reimbursements. My company is large enough that paying the money won't be the worst outcome for them, instead it will be the damage to the company's reputation and trustworthiness in the eyes of the employees.
I let my manager know about this, and he escalated to the next manager. That person referred the matter to HR, who then essentially did nothing and has communicated nothing to the effect of "we're going to make this right" or even "we are investigating." The whole thing has become hush-hush.
What are my options for making the company pay the employees what the company's policy says they should have paid, if they are even required? I don't have the appetite to take them to court, but am wondering what other avenues this sub recommends.
I unfortunately bumped into a ladies car while stopped at a red light. The light turned green and carelessly I pressed on the gas before I realized the car in front of me never moved. I braked immediately and swerved and slightly chipped their back bumper.
We both stopped and I got out the car to ask if she was okay, she asked me to call 911. I did and explained to the police what happened. The police questioned her and couldn’t even see where I impacted her, she also denied an ambulance. I was declared at fault and she drove away.
It was then I learned my parents hadn’t renewed me on the insurance, however the car was insured but wouldn’t cover the accident. We payed damages to a collector that came for me directly.
Now, almost 2 years later, I received a summons as I’m being personally sued for medical and personal injury for up to 50K.
I thought this nightmare was over, can this minor accident lead to this amount? I just graduated college and am trying to pay my loans. I don’t own any assets. Am I screwed, I was uninsured at the time and haven’t ever been in any other accidents. I feel like even if a lawyer would want to take my case I’m gonna be financially ruined forever.
Location: Florida
Edited
Location: Virginia, USA
So, I feel I have a pretty straight forward small claims case, but I thought I'd ask before filing
Through a series of unfortunate events I briefly moved in with an ex. He was having a manic ptsd episode (9/11 survivor) and I packed a lot of my stuff and went to stay for a couple weeks. After 4/5 days, he gave me a hand written letter saying I had to leave in a matter of days, but that he would keep things (I don't have the physical letter but pictures of it on my phone)
I left a couple days later and did not contact him for 4 days, when I then reached out to ask to get everything back. He never answered and 2 days later, he left my belongings in trash bags on the side of the road at (to him) my last known address without telling me he was going to or that it had been done. I found out when someone in the house saw everything on the curb and no one knows how long they'd been there.
I immediately reached out to him and his father who never answered. When I finally got what he'd left back things were missing and rain damaged
Through several emails back and forth he has admitted to doing that, to still having some of my stuff and to donating others without asking. He's also accused me of being on drugs and I can easily prove that wrong. Although I should say that I am currently in a treatment program for substance abuse, but I've only ever drank alcohol.
So with all of his emails, proof of purchase of most things and pictures and eyewitnesses of everything on the curb in the rain, do you think I have a case??
Thanks in advance, and sorry for the lengthy post!!
[deleted]
Location: Georgia
I left a small company about eight months ago. Last week a sheriff showed up at my house trying to serve paperwork for a lawsuit against the company.
I told him I don't work there anymore. He showed me the information he had and somehow I'm listed as the registered agent for the business with my home address.
I looked up the company through the Georgia business search and my name really is there. The filing was made about two months after I quit. I never agreed to this, never signed anything approving it and my old boss has never even been to my house.
I texted him asking why my information was being used. He replied that it was just so the company could have a reliable Georgia address and said he'd change it when he gets a chance.
I'm mainly worried about what else may have been filed using my name.
Is listing someone as a registered agent without their permission something I should report somewhere? Also, should I be doing anything besides telling the sheriff that I have nothing to do with this company anymore?
Context. I went to a bar with some friends and had a few more than I should have. So I tried to get an Uber home but my phone was dead. I went to my car to charge my phone. The phone charger won't turn on unless I have the car on (not running just on) so I do that and order my Uber. 5 min go by and I get lit up. When they walk up and ask what I was doing I tell then waiting on an Uber and I even show them my receipt. They ask for my license and go back to the cop car for a sec. Next thing I know im being to to get up and getting cuffed for a dui. My Uber even pulled up just down the road and when I told them they told him to go on and I was "going with them tonight". What can I do. I feel like I was trying to do everything right but they say I was "in control" of the car so I was driving it. How i could be driving it with both feet on the pavement is news to me. What do I do from here? I'm assuming im going to need to spend money i don't have on a lawyer but maybeee this is something I can just walk in with receipts and have cleared up.
Location: Missouri
Location: Texas
I own a small business and hired a consultant in March to submit 5 applications on my behalf (insurance network applications for my practice). We signed a written agreement.
Key facts:
The invoice was $1,000 total, $200 per application.
The signed agreement says 50% is due before work starts and the remaining 50% is due "when all documentation and contracts have been submitted."
The consultant confirmed by email that all applications would be submitted that night or the next day. I paid the first half that day, received an invoice reminder for the second half a week later, and paid it. I have receipts for both payments.
Months later, a second professional checked for me, and 3 of the 5 applications have no record of ever being submitted.
Communication has been very limited since spring. When I recently asked about a partial refund, the response was that it's "not how that works."
The agreement has no refund clause. It allows either party to terminate immediately for material breach.
Payment was by Zelle, so I don't think a bank dispute is realistic.
I plan to send a written request for $600 (the 3 unsubmitted applications) with a deadline, and to terminate the agreement.
My questions:
The agreement says that before any lawsuit, disputes go to "mandatory mediation or binding arbitration at the Consultant's option," with mediation completed before filing any legal action. If I invoke this in writing and the consultant never elects either option, can I file in Justice Court?
If the consultant does choose arbitration, the contract doesn't say who pays fees or which provider is used. For a $600 claim, how does that usually play out?
Is requesting $600 reasonable here, or would I be entitled to more or less?
I'm also planning a low-cost consult through a lawyer referral service, but wanted to understand my options first. Thanks for any insight.
A close person of mine just got fired from using the saying “not our circus, not our monkeys”.
They were under inside investigation for 3 weeks before they said anything.
The initial reason was for “racism”, and it got pushed to the ceo of a partner their company was working with, then back to their higher ups.
Is this sueable under discrimination, or racial profiling? It’s a ridiculous situation to get fired from a job because of a use of a saying to mean “not my work, not my problem”
Edit: The person is my mom, who had been working at the company for almost a decade total. She’s passionate about her work and the company she was working at, and they made her wait 3 weeks for the investigation to “conclude” to fire her.
Edit2: she’s only held this position for 5 months, and moved states for it to happen. Her previous position she held for 3 years in Michigan and hasn’t had anything like this happened. This is the first time something so small, got attention from the ceo of all people.
Hopefully final edit: thank you guys for the advice, and for educating me on Ohio law a bit. Final thing is that the rest of her former team is pissed about how poorly this was handled. Her phones been exploding with condolences. It’s not all bad.
Location: Ohio
Location: TN
I’m in Tennessee and I’m dealing with a situation involving my Ford Mustang that has gotten completely out of hand.
My Mustang originally had mechanical problems and was towed for repairs. I dealt with one person who coordinated the towing and repairs, and over the course of everything I paid approximately $1,380 toward towing, parts, labor, and repairs.
The repairs kept getting delayed. I was told it needed things like a starter, battery, tune-up, and eventually work involving the key/anti-theft system. Later I was told the key had been programmed and the theft light was fixed, but the car still wouldn’t start because of an electrical problem that the shop said they didn’t handle.
Eventually I figured out where the Mustang was physically being kept.
On October 1, I went to the repair location myself with a friend. I personally saw my Mustang there and took pictures of it.
There was then a dispute over additional money. The mechanic at the location wanted additional payment for a battery, starter, and programmed key. My problem was that I had already paid around $1,380 through the person who originally arranged the repairs, so I was trying to figure out why I was apparently being charged again.
The shop told me the Mustang needed to be removed and said it could be sent to a junkyard if payment wasn’t made.
I want to make this part very clear because I don’t want to misrepresent anything: they DID mention a junkyard.
What they NEVER told me was that my Mustang was going to be crushed, destroyed, or sold as scrap metal. Nobody gave me the name of a scrapyard or told me there was a specific deadline after which the car would be destroyed.
And I wasn’t abandoning the car.
On October 2, I paid $138 for my own towing service to pick up the Mustang from the repair shop and take it to a Firestone.
I even texted the mechanic that I was working on getting payment figured out and arranging to have the Mustang towed out that day.
He responded:
“Ok payment has to be paid before Mustang leave the lot.”
My roadside assistance assigned a towing company. I received notifications that the tow truck was approaching/at the location, and later I received a notification saying the service was complete.
Naturally, I thought my Mustang had been delivered to Firestone.
Fast-forward to October 5.
I called Firestone.
They never received my Mustang.
So I contacted the towing people who were supposed to pick it up.
They told me their driver did arrive at the repair shop, but when they got there, the people at the shop told them my Mustang had already been towed away.
At this point I had no idea where my car was.
I started messaging the mechanic asking which junkyard they had sent it to.
Eventually he responded:
“Said it Got smashed this morning at scrap yard”
This was the first time anybody told me my Mustang was supposedly going to be/was crushed.
I started asking what happened.
He then told me the car was already gone and said:
“It’s gone on 18 wheeler”
He explained that after cars get crushed they’re put on an 18-wheeler and transported out of town to a metal company.
So I directly asked him:
“What is the name and address of the scrapyard that crushed it? I need the exact location and the name of whoever authorized them to take and destroy my Mustang.”
He read the message.
Instead of giving me the scrapyard’s name or telling me who authorized it, he responded:
“It’s nothing that can be done bro car is Gone God bless”
I still don’t know which scrapyard supposedly received my Mustang.
I also have not independently confirmed that the Mustang was actually crushed. Right now I only have his messages saying that it happened.
What I DO have is a pretty extensive paper trail:
Pictures of my Mustang at the repair location on October 1
Screenshots and screen recordings of conversations throughout the repair process
Payment records showing approximately $1,380 paid
The $138 receipt for the tow I arranged
The dispatch information for that tow
The notification saying the towing service was completed
Confirmation from Firestone that the Mustang wasn’t delivered there
The towing provider telling me they arrived but were told the Mustang had already been removed
Messages where I was actively trying to retrieve the Mustang
Messages saying the Mustang was sent to a scrapyard
Messages claiming it was “smashed”
Messages claiming it was loaded onto an 18-wheeler
My message specifically asking for the scrapyard and who authorized the destruction
His response refusing to provide that information and saying the car was gone
I have my VIN, title/registration information, and everything else related to the vehicle.
I understand that there was a dispute about money allegedly owed for repairs, and I’m not claiming that I didn’t have a payment dispute with the shop.
My question is whether that payment dispute legally allowed them to remove my Mustang and allegedly have it crushed without telling me it was going to be destroyed, especially while I was actively attempting to retrieve it and had already sent a tow truck to get it.
I’m planning to make a police report and preserve all of my evidence.
For anyone familiar with Tennessee law, mechanics’ liens, towing, salvage yards, or similar situations:
What should my next move be, and what type of attorney should I contact if the vehicle really was destroyed?
Location: Oregon
My daughter has a new high school friend. He is a senior and turns 18 in December. Apparently, his adoptive family is kicking him out of the home when he turns 18.
He has a job, but is looking for a second one. The adoptive parents make him pay rent and pay for his food currently. He is looking for a second job because he is concerned about being homeless when he turns 18.
I don't have much information on the individual. I believe he was adopted from another state. I don't know if the adoptive parents have received a stipend for his care. Does he have any recourse? How does he even go about finding resources so that he can stay at his current high school and finish his education? What are his rights?
Location: Texas
Today I went in to a dentist appointment to have a wisdom tooth extracted. They prescribed two 0.25mg triazolam pills to take an hour before the extraction in the waiting room. They said it was supposed to relax me to make it easier for them to perform the extraction.
Once the medication kicked in they brought me to the operating room and had me lie down and gave me one of those little nose masks with oxygen and when the dentist came in he said he was adding nitrous to the oxygen to help and then injected a local anesthetic in my gum by the tooth and immediately started shoving stuff in my mouth and scraping at my gum. I said "that hurts" so he gave me a second injection around the gum and left the room. The nurse or PA or whatever she was waited a few minutes and then started shoving crap in my mouth again and asked me if I could feel it. I said I could feel poking and it hurt a little but not too bad and then she left the room for a moment and came back and told me that they can't do the extraction because "the anesthetic isn't working" before having me get up and taking me back to the waiting room to receive a referral for an oral surgeon that was going to charge me $1200 to remove the tooth.
When I was in the waiting room with my wife I asked one of the receptionists about a refund because they charged me about $480 for the whole thing after insurance and they said they were going to refund me $80 for the extraction but not the $400 for the anesthetic. They said I was in the room for an hour so there's nothing they can do about the $400. I left with my wife because I was kind of in shock about the whole situation but decided to call them while my wife was driving me home. When I called about the refund they put me on the phone with someone who was supposed to be in charge of the finances or something and they kept saying they couldn't refund me for the anesthetic and when I'd insist and make a point of "I don't know how you can tell me you can't extract because the anesthetic didn't work but still charge me $400 for the anesthetic." they put me on hold for a few minutes and came back with a much more patronizing attitude telling me that I need to give the phone to my wife or call back in 24 hours because I was still anesthetized and they said they wouldn't talk to me while I was anesthetized. I insisted that I was very lucid, just a little relaxed from the triazolam but they insisted that I was still anesthetized and they wouldn't speak to me.
After my wife and I arrived home I asked her to call them since they were refusing to speak to me because I was "anesthetized" and she did and tried to make all the same points I did and they basically just brushed her off and told her they'd get back to her in 48 hours.
I would like to add to all of this that while I was getting frustrated, I was polite through all of these interactions. I never got ornery or aggressive or mean.
Is there anything I can do about this? I know a lot of people might not think $400 is a lot but I'm a day laborer and that's about a third of my bi-weekly pay. It's not a cost I can just eat.
Location: California, USA
Basically my tire fell off my car while my mechanic was driving my car to figure out the weird noise, this was a few month after getting my tire replaced. My mechanic sent me videos and pictures and stated that when a separate tire shop replaced my tire they must have overtightened the lug nuts leading to it stripping. He advised me to speak to the tire shop. The tire shop stated it had been too many miles since the tire replacement, so then my mechanic advised I speak to the California bureau of automotive repair. I contacted them and even tho they did not go and see the car they stated there was not a 100% certainty that the tire shop at fault. But I have only ever gotten my tires replaced at that tire shop, and they were the only ones who touched my tires. When dropping the car off at the mechanic, he hopped in the car to hear the noise, then almost immediately I got a call that the tire came off while driving. (I’ve been going to this mechanic shop for a long time, This mechanic shop does not do auto body repair, and replaced the stud free of charge so I know they are not scamming me). So now I am taking the large tire shop owned by a large corporation to small claims court in a couple weeks for the cost of fixing my car. Any advice, also would their lawyer attempt to contact me for a settlement outside of court, and if they do how and when should I be expecting them to contact me.
TLDR, I am taking a large corporate tire shop to small claims court for my tire coming off while driving, and want advice on what angle I should approach this in court
Location: Austin, TX
Hi All - I'm more emotional than expected about the loss of this tree. It provided privacy from the complex across the way and bloomed beautifully twice a year or so.
HOA indicated they had hired a team to come trim trees back from roof lines. As in the title, the company simply removed the tree, all of it. Do I have any recourse? Now I have an apartment complex about 50 feet away from me that can see directly into my bedroom.
Location: Tennessee
We live on the side of a mountain in TN and our property goes up to a bluff. The neighbors on top of the bluff built a pool over a year ago (Spring 2025). We just discovered the concrete contractor cleaned out their truck over the bluff and dumped the remnants over the cliff onto our property. The concrete left a HUGE white streak down the rock and piles of concrete on our property. I would think this is against city and state laws, but I don’t even know where to start on who to contact—and if we can file a lawsuit to cover damages. Would love any advice you can give. Thank you!
Additional Context based on your great comments:
We did bring it up to the neighbors, and they apologized and said it was likely the contractors, but made it seem like they (as homeowners) were innocent and had zero responsibility in the situation.
We have not reached out to the contractors, because we weren’t sure if we needed to contact authorities first (and if it was EPA, police, etc) or get legal representation.
It is obvious from Google Earth pictures that the massive concrete stripe coincides with their pool installation timeline.
My wife and I were at a retail store and she needed to use the restroom. She went in and did her business. When she stood up to pull up her pants, the automatic flusher went off and sprayed all over her covering her in waist. Her shirt, pants, and head was covered in sewage. She even slipped and hit her back on the stall. We went home and showered her off but she still spent the night puking. My wife has a weak immune system and has been feeling really sick since the incident. I really don't know what to do in this situation. I don't know if we should sue or what steps to take in that direction. Any advice would be appreciated.
Location: DFW Texas
Edit: I finally got in touch with a store manager and filled a report.
LOCATION: NY STATE - I have a payment judgement to collect a debt owed (unpaid rent from a past tenant). I have found out this person is now working at convenience store on reserve lands. This person is not native, just a regular civilian.
Google says that businesses on native reserves do not have to abide by wage garnishment. Is this correct?
Location: NJ
My grandmother passed away about six years ago, my father seven. It was made clear with the language of the will that all his part of the share would be passed along to us, along with a share that was already put aside for us. It states the trust breaks when we turn 21 years old. We are both 22 now. I recently have a conversation with the executor (my aunt) and she keeps changing the details of when we will receive the inheritance. At first she said 19, then 21, now 24. Me and my brother hadn’t read the will till today, but it says the trustee fund should be broken at 21.
Is it an overreaction to get a lawyer? I don’t believe the money is there anymore, and I certainly don’t think my dad’s cut is there anymore either. The will very clearly outlined my grandmother wanted the money to A. Be given to us at 21 and B. It would be used for living expenses, purchasing a home, and college expenses. My aunt has flat out refused to allow either of us to use it for any of those reasons. I guess what I am really asking is, is it worth getting a lawyer? Don’t really have a lot of money, but I am not sure what else to do here. Thanks for your time.
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Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States. M family and I are in Tucson, Arizona, and we’re struggling to get help with a situation involving a construction company.
My mother was a member/partner in the LLC. An amendment was filed to remove her, with an electronic signature in her name. She did not sign it or authorize anyone to sign for her. We believe someone falsified her signature to remove her from the company.
There are also serious pay issues. I have evidence of repeated late payments, partial or missing payments, and bounced checks spanning roughly two years, involving both myself and many other workers. My own issues include unpaid overtime and approximately $6,000 in unreimbursed work expenses. Taxes were deducted from my checks, but I also have concerns about whether those deductions were properly reported and paid.
My last day performing field work was July 3, 2026. After that, I attended a couple of meetings, which I recorded, where we were told work would start again in August. I waited until August and followed up. They told me they were “creating new opportunities” and would let me know when work started.
As of October 8, I still haven’t received any notice to return to work. They told us the company was shutting down, but I know they have continued doing jobs. Around that same period, my mother was removed from the LLC through the amendment containing the disputed signature.
I have pay stubs, bank statements, evidence of bounced checks, messages, recorded meetings, and other documentation. We also have the LLC amendment with the electronic signature my mother says she never provided.
We feel like we’ve reached a dead end. We’ve had a very difficult time finding legal help, and the responses we’ve received suggest there isn’t enough money involved for someone to take the case. But these losses have been devastating to us. We don’t have the money to pursue a civil lawsuit because the unpaid wages and expenses have drained our resources.
We feel taken advantage of, and we don’t know what to do or how to begin holding anyone accountable.
Who can we contact in Arizona to get actual help? How can my mother challenge an LLC amendment filed using a signature she never authorized? What options do workers have for unpaid wages and bounced payroll checks when they cannot afford an attorney?
If anyone knows of legal aid, low-cost legal services, attorneys who might consider a contingency arrangement, or agencies that can investigate, we would really appreciate some direction. We understand the LLC and wage issues may need to be handled separately—we just need help finding a starting point.
Is there anyone out there that can help? There are many other interesting details and evidence that we have, the company made over 1.5m last year and expected to make more next year, so if anyone can help and we will gladly compensate if we are compensated.