8 Tips For Winning Your Small Claims Lawsuit

[@leewilliam236]

Thank you for your videos. My father was able to get back his security deposit that the landlord illegally withheld!

[@PeopleClerk]

Thank you for watching and very happy to hear that! - Camila

[@peterhuang1431]

This is gonna be hard for someone with social anxiety needing to do this.

[@PeopleClerk]

Being prepared for the hearing helps build confidence when presenting your case to the judge :)

[@sgalaska]

Thank you! I did not know where to start. This is very helpful!

[@PeopleClerk]

You're so welcome!

[@carolnguyen3496]

Informative and excellent video for watching. Thank you !

[@PeopleClerk]

Thank you, Carol!

[@josevicencio6081]

Thanks for the educative information.I’ll need as soon in the next months , thank you very much

[@PeopleClerk]

Thank you for the kind words, Jose!

[@jenniferscalo2745]

Great tips! Thank you.

[@PeopleClerk]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barbbethesunshine8632]

Thank you for the great information!

[@PeopleClerk]

Thank you for the kind words ❤️

[@adriansteele7023]

So about serving papers.... some counties allow you to hire a "process server" like Seth Rogan from "pineapple express" or pay the local sheriff's office to deliver the papers. Check with your county office, they are required to explain the process and your options, so it's on their website somewhere. You just have to do some research.

[@PeopleClerk]

Hi Adrian, this is correct- it varies by county but generally, process server and sheriff serving are available. You may also be able to have a friend or family member serve your lawsuit for free.

[@p3nguinish]

This was super helpful, thank you!

[@PeopleClerk]

You're so welcome!

[@bva5362]

Is there somewhere online to look to determine how much to sue for pain and suffering for personal injury? Claiming for medical bills is the easiest part, but not sure about pain and suffering. I guess sue for max, and judge will make final decision.

[@maieaksen1128]

How about STI infection? Like the ex- did not disclose his status to me? and cause me a lifelong disease which I have to be on medication, suffering from side affects for the rest of my life?

[@icarus0823]

should I go through the clerk of the courts for forms and filing?

[@JosephMbidi]

Yes. Go in the person to filled out the forms

[@nidunow2]

When it comes to evidence,how can you submit a video or can you show it to the judge during court

[@camiloguti6042]

So I had a mechanic shop issue and luckily I've been documenting everything which they did damages and I repaired elsewhere now I asked for reimbursement wich they initially denied reimbursement but after I mentioned that I'm taking them to small claims court they called me back within 5 minutes and offered to pay what second mechanic at Toyota dealership did and charged me. They also want me to sign something when I pick up monies the second mechanic (Toyota dealership) charged me. Should I sign that document or continue and proceed with the small claims filing?

[@PeopleClerk]

Hi Camilo, make sure to read anything you are signing in detail (and make sure to review the fine print) to understand what you are signing. Once you are ready to file in small claims, we can help www.peopleclerk.com/

[@moetmike]

How do you seek payment from a company after you win?

[@PeopleClerk]

Hi Mike, there are several options like sending a letter, ordering a bank levy (taking money out of their bank account), placing a lien in the county.

[@blowc1612]

I was wondering how do you calculate the money for emotional distress, and pain someone has caused? For example due to not having water and not being able to flush my toilet. Since I have Crohn's, basically Irritable Bowel Syndrome, that at felt so much discomfort at night without having an access to a toilet and feeling pain for it. Also felt depression, irritation and possibly has caused me to not had done my job properly for Doordash that it has caused me to be deactivated while not having water.

[@PeopleClerk]

Hi there, I am sorry to hear you are going through this. Learn more here: www.peopleclerk.com/post/how-much-can-you-sue-for-in-california-small-claims

[@user-tm1my6pj2u]

What're the benefits and drawbacks of suing where the person lives, vs where the property is etc.?

[@PeopleClerk]

Hi there! If you sue in the wrong court the judge will close your lawsuit.

[@user-tm1my6pj2u]

@@PeopleClerk If someone sues you'd over damaged property in small claims court would the correct court be the one where that person lives? For example pets are seen as property where I live, if you've injured their pet should they sue in the court where they live or the court where you live? Or if you damaged their car? Does the same rules still apply? What determines which court is the correct court to sue at?

[@PeopleClerk]

@@user-tm1my6pj2u Hi there! It depends on the state where you are filing your small claims lawsuit (or where the lawsuit was already filed). On our intake, you will get to a step that will help you make this decision based on your filing state: portal.peopleclerk.com/pricing

[@dollysiharath4205]

Very helpful thank you so much for all the steps you’re giving…

[@PeopleClerk]

You are very welcome, Dolly! If you are planning on suing in small claims, we would love to help: www.peopleclerk.com/

[@yohon6360]

I do not have the to be defendant physical address just email and have his name phone number. How can i serve them without address its all im missing

[@tommason5689]

Very informative!! Is it allowed to ask for more money for pain and suffering during the proceeding if this was not included in the damage amount in the declaration?

[@PeopleClerk]

Hi Tom! You are allowed to sue for a maximum of $10,000 (individuals) in California small claims. It is up to you to decide what to sue for and up to the judge to decide if you should win.

[@tommason5689]

@@PeopleClerk Thanks for the quick reply. I assume your answer is: yes. If so, should I ask for more money at the beginning or after judge decides in my favor? When would be good time to ask for more money?

[@PeopleClerk]

@@tommason5689 In California, you would need to decide how much you are suing for at the time of filing your lawsuit (amendments are difficult). Learn more here about Californa small claims: www.peopleclerk.com/post/how-to-file-a-small-claims-lawsuit

[@tommason5689]

@@PeopleClerk So then your answer was actually: No, I cannot ask for more money than what I filed in the declaration. In the declaration, I did not ask for pain and suffering and court fees. I only included actual damage amount. So I was wondering if I could ask for more during the court proceeding. And your answer sounds like No. Also I guess I cannot even recover the court fees. I did not even include court fees because the filing form said not to include court fees in the damage amount sought.

[@PeopleClerk]

@@tommason5689 Hi Tom, it will be up to the judge to decide what you should win and whether you can win more than what you sued for. We cannot provide you legal advice, we can only provide you legal information :(

[@Moomtaz]

If you have put the wrong Company AGENT in the SC-100 file? I put the presidents name instead of the CEO's who is the Registered Agent. So I have to do my SC-100 over again?

[@PeopleClerk]

Hi Muhammad, multiple people can be served on behalf of a corporation. Learn more here: www.courts.ca.gov/documents/sc104c.pdf

[@FeonaLeeJones]

So if the injury happened in my city I should see you in my county correct? Because he lives kind of far away from me… An hour but the incident happened multiple times where I live

[@PeopleClerk]

Hi Feona! You can learn more on this topic here: www.peopleclerk.com/post/which-small-claims-court-can-i-sue

[@FeonaLeeJones]

@@PeopleClerk Each question is technically a different city, but I think I will go with location I was injured so I don't have to drive an hour.

[@PeopleClerk]

Hi Feona, there can be more than 1 court that would be appropriate depending on your case!

[@augustwhite930]

What happens if you haven’t notified the person about the lawsuit-

[@sharongreen1593]

How to contact you,

[@PeopleClerk]

Hi Sharon! www.peopleclerk.com

[@seekingexcellence3236]

Do we have to mention all the people in the lease when suing a landlord? Is it a must?