Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Virginia

Liability for car engine blowup

My stepson too his car, a 1997 Toyota Corolla, to Jiffy Lube for oil change. Within half an hour on his way from picking up his car, the engine blew up and had to be towed to a garage. The garage staff told him someone forgot to tighten the oil plug. My stepson went back to Jiffy and told them what happened and what the garage said went wrong. Jiffy Lube denied they were accountable.

My step son wants to take Jiffy Lube to the small claims court and is looking for an attorney to represent him. Damages plus car towing are estimated at $4000. He lives in Centerville, VA.


Asked on 1/06/04, 1:58 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

John Sawyer Sawyer & Azarcon, P.C.

Re: Liability for car engine blowup

You may call me at (703) 893-0760 if you want legal help.

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Answered on 1/06/04, 2:24 pm
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Liability for car engine blowup

The potential case which you've described would most likely not merit the retained services of an attorney to represent your stepson in this particular matter, given the fact that his actual recovery(if he were to win) would probably be quite a bit less than the damages which you've estimated.

A better approach for your stepson might be for him to hire an attorney for a few hours of his or her time in order to assist him in properly preparing his case for filing and effectively presenting in small claims court(SCC) and thereby, if he's successful he would be able to retain virtually all of any judgment awarded and avoid substantial attorney's fees.(This advice, of course, assumes that your stepson has the ability of at least the average person to think(follow instructions),speak, and do the other things necessary to present his case effectively in the SCC. If the Jiffy Lube Co. attorneys decided to move the case into the general district court(as they would have the right to do), your stepson could then decide at that time whether to bring on a lawyer to represent him or to go forward on his own (pro se)in prosecuting his case.

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Answered on 1/06/04, 3:33 pm


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