Can You Sue Someone For Hiring A Private Investigator?

Can you sue someone for hiring an investigator? The answer depends on whether the person hired the investigator illegally, and what the private investigator did.

In the United States, investigators are allowed to gather information without a warrant. This means that anyone who hires an investigator has no legal recourse against him or her.

Can You Sue Someone For Hiring A Private Investigator

However, if the investigator was hired illegally (for example, if he or she broke into your house), then you can file a lawsuit against them.

What Does A Private Investigator Do? 

A private investigator is a professional who gathers evidence and information about people. They do this by gathering information from public records, conducting interviews with witnesses, and looking at surveillance tapes.

Private investigators may be used in many ways. For example, they might investigate if a spouse is cheating on his or her partner. Or they could look into why a company fired an employee.

Private investigators often work for law firms, insurance companies, or other businesses. They also work for individuals who want to find out more about their ex-spouse.

How Much Money Can I Get From An Investigation?

Depending on how long it takes to complete the investigation, the cost of a private investigation can range anywhere from $100 to thousands of dollars.

The amount of money you get will depend on what type of investigation you need done. For example, if you’re trying to figure out if your husband is having an affair, you probably won’t pay much. But if you suspect that your boss is stealing from you, you might have to shell out some cash.

If you hire a private investigator through a lawyer, you should ask him or her how much the investigation costs. You don’t want to spend too much money unless you absolutely need to.

Can I Sue Someone Who Hires A Private Investigator?

Yes, you can sue someone who hires a private investigator. However, you must prove that the investigator acted unlawfully.

For example, if you hired a private investigator to break into your neighbor’s home, you would likely not win a case. In fact, most states consider breaking into another person’s property illegal.

But if you hired a private detective to follow your husband around, so you could catch him cheating, then you might have a chance.

You can also sue someone who hires a PI to dig up dirt on you. For example, if your ex-husband hired a PI to find out where you live, you could possibly win a court order barring him from coming near you.

You can also sue someone who uses a PI to spy on you. For example:

If your boyfriend hired a PI to secretly take pictures of you while you were sleeping, you could potentially sue him.

If your employer hired a PI to steal trade secrets from your business, you could sue him.

How Do I Sue Someone For Using A Private Investigator?  

To sue someone for using a private investigator, you first have to prove that the investigator did something unlawful.

This usually involves proving that the investigator broke into your home, snooped around your office, or stole documents from your place of employment.

Next, you must prove that you suffered damages as a result of the investigator’s actions. For example, if he broke into your house, you could sue him for causing damage to your property. If he took photos of you while you slept at night, you could sue him because you had to stay awake all night worrying about being photographed.

Finally, you must show that the investigator was acting under the direction of the defendant. This means that the defendant knew that the investigator was going to do something wrong and didn’t try to stop him.

Do I Have To Pay The Private Investigator Any Fees?

No, you don’t have to pay the investigator any fees. However, if you hire a private investigator to investigate someone else, you may be required to pay them.

In addition, you may be charged with a crime if you use a PI without getting permission from the person whose privacy you are invading.

How Do You Become A Private Investigator?

The process of becoming a private investigator varies depending on whether you work independently or for a company.

Independent investigators often start by working for larger companies like security firms. They learn their craft there before branching off on their own.

Some PI’s even go through college or law school to get their license.

PI’s who work for companies typically get their licenses after they’ve been employed there for several years.

What Are The Requirements To Be A Private Investigator?

There is no set list of requirements to become a private investigator in every state. But generally speaking, candidates need to pass an exam given by the State Board of Private Investigators. 

Other states require applicants to have some kind of criminal background check. In other words, they want to make sure that you aren’t a convicted felon or a drug addict. Some states require applicants to undergo fingerprinting and/or mug shots. 

Are Private Investigators Legal?

In the United States, private detectives aren’t regulated like police officers. That means that they don’t have to go through training or pass any tests before working as investigators.

There are also no laws requiring them to carry identification cards. This makes it easy to use a PI without anyone knowing that you’re using one.

However, there are rules governing when private investigators can conduct investigations. Most states require investigators to obtain a search warrant before entering a person’s house or office.

Also, most states prohibit investigators from spying on people without their consent. If you hire a PI to watch you at night, he or she needs your permission first.

What Are The Different Types Of Investigations Available To Me As A Client?

Private investigators offer different types of services depending on your situation and budget. Here are just a few examples:

Background Checks

These are usually performed by companies that specialize in this kind of work. They’ll check your criminal record, credit history, employment history, etc.

Surveillance

Some PI’s will set up hidden cameras inside your house or office to see who comes and goes. Others will simply watch over your shoulder.

Is It Legal To Use A Private Investigator To Investigate Myself?

No, it is not legal to use a private investigator to investigate yourself.

However, there are times when you might need to hire one. For example, if a friend asks you to check something out for him, you might need to talk to a PI.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Private Investigator?

The price of a private investigation varies based on many factors.

For example, how long do you expect the investigation to take? How much time does it cost to travel to the location where the investigation takes place? What type of service do you need?

The answers to these questions will help determine what you pay. However, we recommend starting off with a free consultation, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering suing someone for using a private investigator against you, think about some of the things we’ve told you. There may be better ways to deal with the problem than going to court.

You could try talking to the person involved. Maybe you can come to an agreement that doesn’t involve money. Or maybe you can get a restraining order against the person.

Thank you for reading!

Andrea Symth