Can you sue someone that gave you an std?

You can sue someone who knowingly gave you an STD. The question becomes: What is the measure of damages.

Attorney Tom Olsen: Stephanie, you're on WFLA. Go ahead.

Stephanie: Hi there. Hey there. Mine's more of an embarrassing and personal question but I haven't had much progress so I'll just get right to the point with you and maybe you can help me out here. I was with somebody recently who had claimed to be tested negative for a thing and the next day they said, "Hey, I don't feel good. You should get tested." So I did, because I had nothing to hide. They were like, "Okay. Well, you obviously gave me something." Now they won't show me their results but said that I gave them something. Is there anything I can do, like any kind of philanderer or negligence?

[laughter]

Attorney Tom Olsen: Stephanie, I've got to ask, okay? Are we talking about STDs or we're talking about COVID?

Stephanie: Yes sir. No, no, no. STDs sir.

Attorney Tom Olsen: Okay. Chrissy--

Stephanie: Is there anything that we can do about someone saying, "Oh yeah, no I've been tested and it's fine," and either, one, they didn't at all or two, they did and something did come up and they're hiding it. Is there anything you can do about that?

Attorney Tom Olsen: Stephanie, from a legal perspective I do believe the answer is yes. If you knowingly--

Stephanie: [crosstalk] I like that answer.

Attorney Tom Olsen: If you knowingly infect somebody with an STD or AIDS, I guarantee there's a remedy at law for that and--

Stephanie: [crosstalk] Well-- Go ahead.

Attorney Tom Olsen: Go ahead.

Stephanie: I was going to say my issue was that they said that they didn't have anything prior and that they only have to disclose if it was prior to the relationship, they don't have to disclose if it was after the relationship. If I have text messages saying, "Hey--" from the next day. Let's get real, that's sketchy. We all know that's not how any of those work. Even somebody with the flu, the next day, they're not going to feel sick the next day. It's not how any of these things work.

Attorney Tom Olsen: Well Stephanie, if you were to pursue this case in a court, Stephanie, then no doubt the depositions and records are going to be subpoenaed and if this other man, I assume, if he had a record of him having an STD that was untreated, you would win your case. Would the value of that case be? Would the damages of that case would be? I don't know, Stephanie? I don't--

Stephanie: That's what I've been told. I've had somebody, not an attorney but one of the consultation people say, "You know you're not going to get money out of this." I don't want any money. I just want them to stand up and say they were wrong.

Attorney Tom Olsen: I hear you Stephanie. I almost feel like you--

Stephanie: I would rather spend more money.

Attorney Tom Olsen: We don't normally use names on this radio show, Stephanie, and I'm not going to tell you to, but I almost feel like you telling me this guy's name. Don't do it though.

Stephanie: Right. I won't. Trust me, I won't. That wouldn't help, the situation. No, I just think that it's silly and I have asked him nicely. I said, "Hey, if you did. If you said that you went and got tested the same single day that I did, where is your test?" He's like, "Don't ever talk to me again. I'm going to call the cops." I'm like, "I don't know man. It seems sketch to me."

Attorney Tom Olsen: Well, Stephanie, I wish you first of all the best of health, Stephanie and Stephanie I wish you the best as far as finding a partner out there for you that is going to be the right choice.

Stephanie: [unintelligible 00:03:13]. Right? That's all we can hope for. We're looking for 2021, a new year, a new better Steph. I just know it's negligence if they' can't even tell me.

Attorney Tom Olsen: Well, Stephanie, I can tell you from personal experience, okay? There's a perfect soulmate out there for you. I found mine, Chrissy, so I know it's possible. You've got to ask for what you want, Stephanie, as far as a relationship is concerned. Put it out there to the universe. Don't settle for anything less. If you need some other relationship advice in the future, you call me back.

Stephanie: I sure will. Thank you so much.

Attorney Tom Olsen: All right, Stephanie. Best of luck to you.