“Lianne, you’re below your quota!” the store manager barked. “Go nail a shoplifter.”
“I can’t just invent criminals!” Lianne protested.
“You’d better invent a new attitude!”
Lianne desperately set out on the hunt.
"That’s a good potential!” another store detective pointed to a shopper.
Lianne balked. "You think that pregnant woman with 3 toddlers is here to shoplift?”
“It could be a cover.”
Meanwhile, the harried mother was struggling with her children.
“Bryson! I know you’re hungry but please stop biting your sister!
Now, stay near Mommy while I go exchange this phone grandma gave us.”
The customer service rep barely looked up. “I'll hang on to the phone while you choose another one.”
But Shelia couldn’t find the one she wanted.
“Come on kids! Back to customer service.”
She retrieved her old phone and headed toward the store.
Lianne saw her leave the store with the phone in hand.
"Stop thief!" Lianne shouted at her.
“It’s a mistake!” Sheila tried to explain.
“Yeah! Stealing is always a mistake!” Lianne put on her toughest voice.
The police were called. Shelia was led out of the bustling store in handcuffs in front of her terrified children.
The next day, Shelia was fired from her job.
Months later, she was acquitted of shoplifting.
“That lousy store put me through hell for nothing. I’m suing for three million dollars.”
IN THE COURTROOM
"Three million? Ridiculous!” the store exclaimed. “We tell our detectives to arrest only when certain about a crime."
Shelia was indignant. "They didn’t even investigate. Their quota system encourages wrongful arrests.
I was humiliated and lost my job.”
How much should the damages be? You! Be The Judge.
THE DECISION
"$600,000," held the Judge. "Lianne acted rashly and Shelia still suffers emotionally. But three million was excessive since Lianne wasn't vindictive."
This column is based on a case from Alabama. While the columns are based on actual court cases, the characters and scenarios are fictional. Any resemblance to real people is purely coincidental. The information in this column does not constitute legal advice. If you have a similar problem, consult a lawyer in your state. Elissa Bernstein is a lawyer and syndicated columnist. Copyright 1994-2019 Haika Enterprises
