Help for people representing themselves in Small Claims Court. Including tips for plaintiffs representing themselves, and tips for defendants representing themselves. Discussing the controversial theory of “bystander emotional distress.” Then breaking down the Trials and Tribulations of Owning Real Estate -- Part 1: A property owner actually wins for once. And Trials and Tribulations of Owning Real Estate – Part 2: can a landlord be liable to a person bitten by the tenant’s dog?

Help for people representing themselves in Small Claims Court;. tips for plaintiffs representing themselves;. tips for defendants representing themselves; the controversial theory of “bystander emotional distress;” Trials and Tribulations of Owning Real Estate -- Part 1 (property owner actually wins for once); and Trials and Tribulations of Owning Real Estate – Part 2 (can landlord be liable to a person bitten by the tenant’s dog?

We talked about the critical importance – and risks – of adding another name to your bank accounts, including challenges to the event in court when the account holder’s money is all gone. We also gave builders and home remodelers some encouragement that the homeowner doesn’t always win on a technicality when there’s a fight over unpaid fees. The new case we discussed was a 100% win for the contractor, and the Judge also awarded him interest at 18% and attorney’s fees from the non-paying homeowner. Finally, we talked about a poorly-understood element of lawsuits called “causation—” and a recent appellate court decision which took away a $935,000 jury verdict from a widow because of a lack of sufficient “causation evidence.” A harsh result, but not unheard of. People need to know that courts sometimes do this stuff -- and why

The critical importance – and risks – of adding another name to your bank accounts, including challenges to the event in court when the account holder’s money is all gone. Giving builders and home remodelers some encouragement that the homeowner doesn’t always win on a technicality when there’s a fight over unpaid fees. A new case discussed is a 100% win for the contractor, and the Judge also awarded him interest at 18% and attorney’s fees from the non-paying homeowner. Finally, a poorly-understood element of lawsuits called “causation—” and a recent appellate court decision which took away a $935,000 jury verdict from a widow because of a lack of sufficient “causation evidence.” A harsh result, but not unheard of. People need to know that courts sometimes do this stuff -- and why.

We talked about the critical importance – and risks – of adding another name to your bank accounts, including challenges to the event in court when the account holder’s money is all gone.

We also gave builders and home remodelers some encouragement that the homeowner doesn’t always win on a technicality when there’s a fight over unpaid fees. The new case we discussed was a 100% win for the contractor, and the Judge also awarded him interest at 18% and attorney’s fees from the non-paying homeowner.

Finally, we talked about a poorly-understood element of lawsuits called “causation—” and a recent appellate court decision which took away a $935,000 jury verdict from a widow because of a lack of sufficient “causation evidence.” A harsh result, but not unheard of. People need to know that courts sometimes do this stuff -- and why.

Dealing with the myths and realities of Worker’s Compensation law. Offering practical advice for both workers and their employers. Guest for the show Ernie Walker, retired Worker’s Compensation Commissioner, currently a founding member of the law firm of Walker, Feigenbaum and Cantarella. Listener calls included questions about providing Notice of Injury, determining and correcting benefits calculations, and answering the age old question of "Why did I not receive my full pay while I was out on worker's compensation?"

Guests the Hon. Joseph Marino, Judge of the Middletown Probate District and an expert on Involuntary Commitments, and Atty. Kathleen Flaherty, the executive director of the Connecticut Legal Rights Project, Inc, discuss the rights of those with psychiatric disabilities. The Connecticut Legal Rights Project is a nonprofit which advocates for the rights of people having – or suspected of having – psychiatric disabilities.  This controversial area of the law, and the fashion in which Probate Courts deal with it, was a first for LawTalk.  Listener calls included questions about conservatorships and related topics.

Saturday’s Law Talk featured a discussion about the new Power of Attorney laws, their proper use, and serious potential misuses. We also started to discuss the circumstances where a Judge can substitute his/her judgment for that of the jury. Listener phone calls included questions about the new Power of Attorney law, questions about storing of estate planning documents, and some other stuff I cannot remember right now.

A listener email about needing a Trust (or not); Damage from falling trees due to storms – who’s liable and how to get the damage paid. A listener email about Disqualifying the opponent’s lawyer from representing him. How a tenant’s pot-bellied pig (a pet or a wild animal?) can get the owner’s landlord into a lot of trouble.

LawTalk touched upon the following: a follow-up to the previous Driving Under the Influence discussion; a warning about criminal liability for parents who allow their minor children access to alcoholic beverages; and a new legal trend protecting parents of “free range kids” from criminal liability for allowing the kids to engage in age-appropriate and kid-appropriate behavior without adult supervision. Listener calls included inquiries about “generic” Powers of Attorney, statutes of limitation, and a probable legal malpractice case against an attorney who handled a legal matter with which he was unfamiliar..