FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THIS POST
THIS CAREGIVER'S EXCUSES DID NOT FLY WITH JUDGE JUDY!
A Temporary Caretaker Dispute Lands in Court
Imagine needing someone to care for an elderly loved one.
Then imagine that caretaker brings in a stranger.
And that stranger's last name is unknown.
This is the chaotic scene Judge Judy faces.
The Plaintiff Seeks Payment for Caregiving
Miss Clark is the plaintiff.
She says she filled in as a temporary caregiver.
She was caring for an elderly lady named Donna Sheffler.
Miss Clark is suing for unpaid wages.
The Defendant Explains Her Absence
Miss Porels is the defendant.
She usually cares for Donna Sheffler through an agency.
Miss Porels wanted to go away for 10 days.
She planned to visit her daughter from May 13th through May 23rd.
She tried to find someone from her agency to cover.
When she couldn't, she asked her friend, Miss Clark, to step in.
Judge Judy Questions the Plaintiff's Qualifications
Judge Judy asks Miss Clark about her training.
Does she have any medical training?
Miss Clark says no.
She did not go to nursing school.
She has no formal training.
Miss Porels confirms Miss Clark was trying to become a caregiver.
But she had not yet fulfilled the requirements.
Judge Judy notes that Miss Porels asked her to fill in anyway.
The Payment Arrangement Comes Under Scrutiny
Miss Clark wants to be paid for the time she worked.
Judge Judy asks Miss Porels about the payment arrangement.
Miss Porels states she would pay Miss Clark "if I got paid."
Judge Judy calls this arrangement "ridiculous."
She points out that Miss Clark worked for 10 days.
Miss Porels quickly interjects that Miss Clark "did not" work for 10 days.
The Defendant Claims the Plaintiff Was Absent
Miss Porels states she is not exactly sure how many days Miss Clark worked.
She claims Miss Clark was not there most of the time.
Miss Porels mentions her witness went to see Donna.
He visited twice and Miss Clark was not there.
She claims there was "some other guy there."
Miss Porels also alleges money, food stamps, and medicine were missing.
Judge Judy reminds Miss Porels she hired Miss Clark with an arrangement to pay her.
Miss Porels says she paid Miss Clark $100 before she left.
Judge Judy calculates that $100 for 10 days is $10 a day.
Miss Porels claims she was going to pay more.
She says she would give Miss Clark her wages if she got paid.
She insists Miss Clark "knew as well."
Judge Judy Sees Through the Payment Excuse
Judge Judy cuts Miss Porels off.
"Don't tell me what she knew," Judge Judy states.
She tells Miss Porels, "I may look dumb, but it's just an illusion."
Judge Judy explains that Miss Porels would only get paid if she submitted a time card.
That time card would show she was there for those hours.
She would have to tell her agency the job was covered.
Then the agency would pay her.
Miss Porels admits she did not submit a time card.
Judge Judy observes that Miss Porels does not look like a philanthropist.
She doesn't believe Miss Porels would pay 10 days of wages out of her own pocket.
Miss Porels clarifies there was no such arrangement.
She explains her program offers five days of paid vacation every three months.
She was denied because it wasn't in advance.
So she did not get paid.
She also did not try to collect those hours from her agency.
She states she did not work those hours.
She cannot work those hours and then give Miss Clark the money.