Stuff that occurs to me

All of my 'how to' posts are tagged here. The most popular posts are about blocking and private accounts on Twitter, also the science communication jobs list. None of the science or medical information I might post to this blog should be taken as medical advice (I'm not medically trained).

Think of this blog as a sort of nursery for my half-baked ideas hence 'stuff that occurs to me'.

Contact: @JoBrodie Email: jo DOT brodie AT gmail DOT com

Science in London: The 2018/19 scientific society talks in London blog post

Monday 5 December 2011

How do you know if you're in danger of being sued?


Following on from the recent Burzynski stuff, had I actually received* the emails that @lecanardnoir and @rhysmorgan have had recently I'd have initially been a bit anxious.

Probably after a while I'd have noticed the language wasn't quite right and that some things didn't add up but I suspect my first reaction would have been rising panic. I startle easy ;)
  • What to do? How do you know if someone sending you these emails is a credible threat and how should you respond (both in any actions you take and in your reply)?
  • Can anyone make a citizen's 'cease and desist' or must it come from a competent lawyer? Not everyone is allowed to prescribe medicine, for example.
  • Even if it's clear that the email is not from a lawyer what should you do?
  • Is there a defined procedure in place? For example can someone just sue me anyway or must they first tell me what they don't like and give me an opportunity to make amends?
  • Is there some 'guidance for dummies and skeptics'?
*well I might have done had Marc spelled my email address correctly!

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