<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JazzBarGirl:
Hi, gang. After about 10 years of trying, I finally got up the nerve to move to Vegas. About 3 weeks after, my entire apartment bldg. burned down (4-plex), and I lost my cat and every valuable I owned to the fire. I was on KLAS-News 3 days straight, and many people donated clothing and goods to me. Of course, since I'd just arrived, I didn't have renter's insurance. However, the fire report states that the fire started 'due to the handyman's negligence'. I've basically been snubbed by the bldg. owners, so I don't know what my legal rights are. Can anyone help? (whew!! This was long winded!) =)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
My response:
If, in fact, the handyman caused the fire, then "principle / agent" law kicks in. The Principle (Bldg. Owner) is responsible for the negligence of his Agent (the Handyman). In effect, it's as if the Owner started the fire.
You are entitled to be compensated if negligence can be "proved," and not by merely using the "hearsay" words in a fireman's report. However (and there's always one of those), hearsay evidence, while being one of, if not the worst forms of evidence there is, can be accepted by a Small Claims judge. So, I will assume three things:
1. You want to get paid as quickly as possible; and,
2. Your personal property did not have a total value over the jurisdictional limit of Small Claims court in Nevada; and,
3. You want to get paid as quickly as possible.
Go to the Clark County Courthouse, and see the Small Claims Court Advisor (Free of charge). Now, the advisor isn't there to give you legal advice; what he / she will do for you is walk you through the paper process, review with you all of your evidence, and give you the best tips on how to present your evidence and your claim in general, in front of the judge.
Evidence: The fire report, pictures of the damages, a list of items you lost including their "fair market value" and any Estimates of prices and repairs.
Witnesses: Bring them with you or have them subpoenaed to trial; e.g., the fireman who wrote the report.
Defendants: The owner / landlord, and the Handyman.
Good luck to you.
IAAL
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[This message has been edited by I AM ALWAYS LIABLE (edited April 25, 2000).]
