The immediate aftermath required the OP to seek emergency medical treatment to safely remove the hardened glue, resulting in a substantial medical bill. When the BIL refused to cover the $2,253 cost, the OP escalated the matter by taking him to small claims court, which he won. This legal action has caused significant anger within the wife’s family, leaving the OP questioning whether his decision to pursue legal recourse was an overreaction.
A few months ago, we were at a family BBQ. I had a few too many beers and fell asleep in a hammock with my shirt off. My BIL, who was completely sober, thought it would be hilarious to fill my belly button with super glue.
At some point, I must have touched it, because when I woke up, I had glue partially dried in my belly button and on my finger.
We tried to remove it, but it was stuck. The glue had adhered to my skin, and when we attempted to peel it off, it caused some tearing around the edges. Unfortunately, my job’s insurance has a $1,000 ER copay, but I had no choice—I had to go to the ER.
They used a solvent and an ointment to remove the glue, and after everything, I was left with a medical bill of $2,253.
I asked my BIL to cover the cost since he caused the situation. He refused. After trying to resolve it privately, I took him to small claims court—and I won. However, he still hasn’t paid.
This has caused a major rift in my family. My wife is upset, and her family thinks I overreacted.
So, AITAH for taking him to court over this?
Conclusion
The OP finds himself in a difficult position, caught between upholding his right to compensation for a non-consensual and damaging prank, and maintaining peace within his wife’s family structure. His action, while legally justified in recovering damages, violated the unwritten social contract often expected in family settings regarding minor disputes.
The central debate revolves around where the line should be drawn between personal accountability for harmful actions and the expectation of familial forgiveness or informal resolution. Readers must weigh whether seeking formal legal judgment against a family member for a prank causing medical expense is an appropriate response, or if it constitutes an irreparable breach of family harmony.
Here’s how people reacted:
option left to get paid and you took it. Tell the family they can pay if they care about each others financial wellbeing so much, they should care about yours too.
Did none of you have Google? Because it’s almost like this might’ve happened to other people before and there might’ve been a significantly cheaper alternative than the emergency room.
Simply for the stunning overreaction to something that has been happening since superglue was first invented you are indeed the ass.
But that’s 2k in damages. That’s alot of money for something that he caused. Even if it was meant as a lite prank, it ended up going horribly wrong and he should have accepted the consequences.
Or, literally take a shower or 2 and it would have come off/out on its own.
And you tried resolving it outside of court first
You know your wife doesn’t have your back that’s most valuable
His prank got you into the hospital, either he pays up and gives you an apology or take him back to the courthouse.
You paid $2000 for some acetone?
How is that his fault?
YTA