Can I sue in a civil case? Will he be liable for court cost? Can I sue for the day I missed at work?
Yes, you can sue the person in small claims court.
However, you'll need to discover where he resides or does business so that he can be served by a deputy or law enforcement officer.
If you bought the item from a business, you sue the business.
Whether its a business or person, you also have to bring the small claims case in the county where the person resides, or the business sits.
Yes, if you prevail, the other party allegedly pays court costs.
You won't recover the money you lost (or will lose) pursuing the case.
You potentially can recover the cost of the item and your court costs.
Now, the dirty, little secret.
Let's say you prevail, the judge issues a judgment saying Bear Man owes Rabbit Woman $500.
That doesn't mean you will ever get $1.00.
You first must register the judgment with the right clerk.
That often means you spend more money.
Then you have to find out what assets Bear Man has that the sheriff can seize to saysify yoru judgment.
Bear Man could have 200 bee hives, 40 blueberry patches, and 25 caves, he rents to other bears.
In all likelihood, most of Bear Man's assets are untouchable.
Most small claims litigants never collect a dollar of their judgment, plus they spend mor emoney chasing money.
It is a vicious circle, like a dog chasing her tail.
I wish you well.
