If I recently got into a fight with someone and have damage to my teeth in the amount of $4000, how can I make this person pay?
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If I recently got into a fight with someone and have damage to my teeth in the amount of $4000, how can I make this person pay?
We were both minors at a party. He came up to me and punched me in the face. How can I make him (his family) pay without filling a small claims lawsuit?
Asked on April 6, 2012 under Personal Injury, California
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
You can ask for payment, but there is no way to make him (or his family) pay, if they choose not to, without suing him. Furthermore, to recover, you would have to show that 1) he was at fault in injuring you and 2) that you were not also at fault, since your ability to recover compensation would be reduced by your own fault. Therefore, if he attacked you--initiated the fight--you could likely recover compensation. But if you attacked him, you almost certainly could not--the attacker in a fight almost never can receive compensation for his injuries.
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