Neighbor saying I am "liable" for 96 dollars on his lawn when I didn't deserve it?

Question

Okay so my neighbor just said that I was liable for 96 dollars worth of damage on his lawn. He states that I killed one of his rose bushes when i was playing ball with my friends and when I asked when it was, he said 2 weeks ago. Well, i was in ecuador 2 weeks ago.. so he was like okay. Thought the situation was over? nope. He talks to my dad and he this time says that me and my friends again killed one of his bushes, costing 60 dollars and this time he said it was before 2 weeks, when i was still home before vacation! Now i know i may have stepped on his lawn a few times, my friends may have had a corner cut a little on his lawn. But he's accusing me of killing one of his rosebushes, that I always step on his lawn (i haven't for over 2 years..) and anything that happens to it is apparently my fault. Now the last time he has caught one of us was over 2 years ago, but that was just a bike mark or footprints. Within the last 2 months he has accused me of 96 dollars of liability damage.. when i have done absolutely nothing aside from maybe a few steps on his lawn.. He has no proof that i broke anything aside from his judgment. I mean there are other kids that ride their bikes.. it may not always be me or my friends that leave a tiremark on your lawn or anything..

What is your advice that I do? He has making a huge deal out of it and he doesnt want this to get "dirty".. Would he actually have a case if he planned to sue me? im only 14 kmon, kids will be kids.. especially when we have denied breaking anything of his

Answer 1

He wont spend the money to get a lawyer. Tell him to F off and that if he can prove you did **** then he can start ****. Hes got nothing. Plus how would that look in court? He went to get his baseball(Ball) and caused 96 dollars worth of damage. I didnt see him but I KNOW it was him and his friends

Answer 2

Let your parents handle it.  And, man, those are expensive rosebushes.

Answer 3

No proof = No case.

Your best bet is to just stay away from him and his lawn the best you can from now on.

Answer 4

yeah whats he going to do? sue you? well let it come down to that because I don't think its likely he will sue you over 96$ it would cost more in legal fees and wouldn't be worth it. I say you and your friends go actually sabotage his lawn or something that way he has something to really complain about that is true.

Answer 5

have your dad kick his a.., i would have, years ago!

Answer 6

hes got nothing. Ignore him. He has no proof and he wont be able to sue you at all. Tell your dad your side of the story. Just keep away from his lawn from now on to be safe.

Answer 7

I would politely and respectfully refuse to pay a dime. If you honestly didn't do it, do NOT give in. Even if he was foolish to take you or your parents to small claims court he would have absolutely NO proof. A judge would NEVER find in his favor. Trust me, you're in the clear. Don't sweat it any longer.

Answer 8

This guy is a moron ...he has not case and should not be talking to you about it in the first place,,,,your a minor with no job...He is looking for some free money...If you are telling the truth then don't worry about it.....BTW....I have several rosesbushes and they are almost impossible to kill or greatly damage....plus I have never heard of one rosebush costing $96 dollars ...he is off his rocker!!!!

Answer 9

hmmmmm.....................................

Answer 10

tell him to put or shut up. tell him you intend fully to ignore his demands, and if he has concerns, then he should talk to an attorney and file suit.

he will leave you alone, or leave himself vulnerable to harassment charges.

Answer 11

     First, you are a minor, which in most cases means that any legal action filed against you would have to name your guardian as a corespondent.  The general rule is that parents can be held liable only for the willful misconduct of their minor children that they are aware of and fail to take action to stop.

     Second, even if a suit were filed, there must be proof that you both actually and legally caused the damage complained of.  What that means is that something you did caused the damage, and it would be fair to hold you liable for it.  I dont see a showing of actual cause being possible here.

     Finally, with any damage to property case, the remedy is diminution in value to the land, or fair value of the plant at the time of the loss.  In either event, its a small claim case.

     Finally, the statute of limitation for damage to property is generally one year, which may or may not be of help, just something to be aware of.

Answer 12

If he takes you to court, and doesn't provide evidence, he can't win. If he has witnesses, he may have something. If you have any "emotional distress" brought by his harassment, you can file a counterclaim against him (sue him back with a certain amount of money demanded) so long as you explain to the judge what the amount of money is for. (How you lost money from his harassment).

When in court, be as credible and educated as possible. (ex. don't curse, be very proper, etc.) When there is no evidence, the final decision is based mainly in part to credibility coming from the civilians and the judges' conclusions made from both sides of the story. Don't lie to the judge or you will lose the judges favor!  If he can't bring anything to the table, and you seem believable, you can get the case dismissed...

Bring someone in like a teacher or coach that can testify that you are a good child and would never do something like this. Oh yeah, you also have proof that you were in Ecuador, right? Take any plane tickets or dated pictures with you to court that would prove you were in Ecuador on the alleged date. Have him tell the judge the dates that he suspects that you killed his plants before you present the evidence, though so he doesn't conveniently change the date to make you guilty.

Answer 13

Nah no case. Don't worry about it

He'd get slapped for wasting legal peeps' time