An Omaha couple is relieved the lawsuit filed against them on behalf of Steve's Yard Care has been dismissed.
The business has taken dozens of customers to court trying to get paid for work that many of those customers tell us was work they never ordered or wasn't good.
In Douglas County Court, one of the more than 75 lawsuits filed on behalf of Steve's Yard Care by the Collections Analyst Inc. this year has been dismissed.
Steve's attorney asked for a dismissal because the former customer's attorney argued the lawsuit wasn't filed on behalf of the company's legally registered name which is "Steve's Yard Care, Inc."
RELATED: Attorney says Steve's Yard Care work requested, approved
The former customers Nancy and Ed Sedlak are grateful for the decision. They hired Steve's for a couple years, but after a bad experience say they were charged for a service they never asked for or received.
The Sedlaks were being sued for $221.
"Much relief," Nancy said. "But once I found out there was this many cases, I wasn't too worried either because I figured he was a crook, and that's putting it mildly."
Tim Lenaghan with Legal Aid of Nebraska's Elder Justice represented the Sedlaks, and also got another former customer's case dismissed recently because they felt it was senior exploitation.
"We recommend people keep proof of receipts, keep any payment made to a business, to log any contact they've had with a business because this could be important evidence in a legal battle," Lenaghan described.
Some of the other cases in Douglas and Sarpy counties have settled for an undisclosed amount of money. Others are reaching the point of garnishing wages from the former customers.
Are you being sued?
Attorneys say that anyone being sued should respond to the lawsuit so a judge doesn't grant a default judgment forcing you to pay for not responding or showing up to court.
Tips from Legal Aid of Nebraska
- Before anyone hires a business; get referrals from friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors.
- Be wary of anyone who knocks on your door and sells services.
- Search Google reviews or Yelp reviews.
- Get written documentation of price and scope of work before it starts.
Legal Aid of Nebraska represents people ages 60 and older who are victims of financial exploitation or abuse. Call their Elder Access Line at 402-827-5656; or 1-800-527-7249. Their hours are posted at legalaidofnebraska.org.
If you feel you've been taken advantage of by a business contact the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
