Neighbor threatening to sue over wheelchair ramp : legaladvice

Authored by reddit.com and submitted by rainbowdracula

My boyfriend has mobility issues and uses either a wheelchair or crutches depending on his pain levels. I’ve done a lot of home improvement projects to ensure he can get around my house easily, including a wheelchair ramp up to my front door. My front door is really recessed from the street due to my lawn and hidden by my porch, so the ramp isn’t very visible from the street. I painted it to match the house as well.

Few months ago, a new family moved across the street and the wife’s never been very friendly with me like my other neighbors are, which I chalked up to her being shy or whatever. However, recently I got a note taped up to my door that said she’s going to sue if I don’t take the ramp down, as it’s an eyesore and “reduces curbside value.” I have no idea what she means since you can’t see the thing unless you know what to look for and really get up in my property, as confirmed by neighbors and friends.

She refused to answer the door when I went over to talk to her about it. I’m trying not to lose my temper over this but it’s hard. There’s been many times my boyfriend has been screwed over by so-called “handicap accessible” places, I don’t want my home to be one of them. Does she have any sort of case? I’m in Washington.

SwarleymonLives on October 22nd, 2018 at 02:09 UTC »

Not that I want it to go that far, but I would love to be in the courtroom when the judge is told she is suing because there is a wheelchair ramp is on someone else's property. Judges, in my experience, really hate having their time wasted. And suing because of something that is considered good public policy (installing a properly built wheelchair ramp anywhere it is needed would fall into this category) also is a really bad idea. I imagine the judge would get creative with whatever sanctions were handed down.

Plus, I'm sure she'd have to represent herself, because no lawyer is touching that case with a 10 foot pole.

I mean, I've seen judges use their gavel to smash cell phones that went off in their court. This is much worse.

ViralKira on October 22nd, 2018 at 01:31 UTC »

Your face reduces curbside value.

Kufat on October 22nd, 2018 at 00:02 UTC »

I was worried LAOP didn't have the proper permits. They did. Keep the ramp. Paint a rainbow on that motherfucker.