Do we have a case if we were turned out of a gas station when my wife was having medical problems?
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Do we have a case if we were turned out of a gas station when my wife was having medical problems?
My wife was in cardiac duress having chest pains, shortness of breath, and many other systems. We walked over to the nearest gas station for the police or ambulance to find us. After going staying in the gas station for less than 10 minutes they told us that we had to leave because we were not purchasing anything. The cashier was a bit of smart ass. I explained that we were in an emergency situation but they did not care. They made us wait outside in the cold and my wife had to lie on the ground while waiting for the ambulance. The 911 operator asked her to lie down or sit down which ever was better. The stress and embarrassment added to her condition. Do we have a case?
Asked on January 25, 2016 under Personal Injury, West Virginia
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 8 years ago | Contributor
No, you do not have a case. What the cashier did was reprehensible, but legal: a private citizen, property owner, or business has no legal obligation to help other people in distress or allow them on their property, and they could ask you to leave, even though you wife was in cardiac arrest. What this person did was inhumane, but she had the right to do it.
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