threatened by my client

Did you hear banjos playing in the background?

Consider informing the local gendarmerie of the conversation.

I agree that you should at least report it. Then it becomes official record if something does occur... let's hope he's just blowing smoke. I've dealt with one like that concerning this website and eventually realized he was just a blowhard.

Having worked the Ohio, West Virginia area I would take that conversation very seriously. I would inform both the local police and his attorney. Also document the full conversation in a written summary in your records of the job. The attorney may have had a similar experience but is bound by attorney client privilege. That puts the attorney in an even worse situation than you have described.

Ask the police if they have any record of this person making threats against others. This may be a pattern of behavior that is important for the police to document. If the police have had prior complaints consider getting hidden security cameras for home and office. Vehicle and equipment vandalism is difficult to prove without video evidence.

[sarcasm]That's a lot of work... maybe it'd be easier to change the boundary.[/sarcasm]

Did he pay you ?

> [sarcasm]That's a lot of work... maybe it'd be easier to change the boundary.[/sarcasm]

Remember this is not far from where the Hatfields and McCoys lived. People in this area do not make threats. When they speak to you in private they are stating the facts!

If 1 in 100 threats came from someone serious about it we would all be hurt or dead. That being said, it might be a good time to take stock of how secure you are. I see little value in over the top reactions. If you aren't familiar with guns don't go out and buy one, etc. I do encourage folks who may anger those around them to be aware of your surroundings.
In this case I would inform the Attorney and local law enforcement. It may also be a requirement to inform the Board. I would say threats fall under the Rule to report someone trying to over-ride your Professional judgment... Beyond that you should probably make your office aware of the potential issues. As ridiculous as it sounds a security plan may be in order.
The final question is, how do I get paid? One certain truth is that your invoice and check (regardless of what you print them on) will not stop bullets, bats or shovels. Being right is only awesome if you're not dead. You have to decide if it's time to cut your losses or time to lien the property. Hopefully your time Surveying has taught you enough about people to choose wisely...
Best of luck, watch you back, Tom

> If 1 in 100 threats came from someone serious about it we would all be hurt or dead. That being said, it might be a good time to take stock of how secure you are. I see little value in over the top reactions. If you aren't familiar with guns don't go out and buy one, etc. I do encourage folks who may anger those around them to be aware of your surroundings.
> In this case I would inform the Attorney and local law enforcement. It may also be a requirement to inform the Board.

I would say threats fall under the Rule to report someone trying to over-ride your Professional judgment...

Beyond that you should probably make your office aware of the potential issues. As ridiculous as it sounds a security plan may be in order.
> The final question is, how do I get paid? One certain truth is that your invoice and check (regardless of what you print them on) will not stop bullets, bats or shovels. Being right is only awesome if you're not dead. You have to decide if it's time to cut your losses or time to lien the property. Hopefully your time Surveying has taught you enough about people to choose wisely...
> Best of luck, watch you back, Tom

[sarcasm]YA THINK! 😉 [/sarcasm]

Plan in place long ago. Cameras, cameras, and yes, I've been around firearms my entire life and we are armed to the teeth. I've been paid already. People around me have been notified. Hopefully he was just blowing smoke.

The last one that said that to me got a very different response. I asked or what, and dropped my file on the ground and took a half step toward him. He didn't back down but didn't bow up anymore.

I don't like being threatened.

Wow David. I've had some PO'ed clients before that did not like the results. Kinda spooky sometimes, but that is why they hired YOU. Remember that you are just the messenger and you did not make THEIR mess kit. Wake up call 101.

Talk, have chat, a coffee, even a beer, but the key is to educate them somehow, someway. Whatever.

Me, I never liked pesky neighbors, their dogs, 6' fences, even school busses. Guns are a different agenda though. Had a shotgun in my face once, and just talked the guy down by reminding him that I am also survey HIS property line. Then I called the sheriff. They were there in 5 minutes, but I didn't get shot.

Turned out the fence was cool, I got paid, and never looked back.

Hope you had a good retainer....

I haven't had quite the same thing happen to me yet. Hopefully I never will. What few threats I have had elicit a reaction much like Kris Morgan's. I become quite Irritated.

B-)

This is why we now require credit card up front on all boundary stakings. most of the time the client doesnt like the result and is in a despute with a neighbour. they are certain that they are correct. i usually end up putting in one corner....maybe twoo....then they just get upset pull them out and tell me to leave..

usually when i show up and ask " are you building a fence?" and they reply no then i know its going to be interesting.

SMaxwell

Smaxwell,

Can you send me an email about the Tesla and/or Mesa that you have for sale?

https://surveyorconnect.com/index.php?mode=contact&id=270441

Thanks, Al

Well hopefully he is just one of those "guys" who is talking out of his a@#, but cover your bases as I am sure you already have and be safe.

Came too close to that type of thing only one time. Idiot client had dozed a path for a half mile through a bunch of trees. Turned out he didn't doze in a straight line and needed to move over about 100 feet for a significant fraction of that half mile. He thought he could bully me into putting a bend in the straight line and then draw it up as if it were actually straight. To top it off, the adjoiner who would have lost some ground in the deal was his aunt who had made the mistake of assuming her nephew would be looking out for her best interest while establishing the divide line.

He was a big ol' feller, as they say, who was accustomed to getting his way, by one means or another. I happen to be a big ol' feller, too, so his usual foolishness didn't impress me at all.

"...He didn't like the results on one line and also didn't like the fact that a certain person happens to own an adjoining property..."

Look on the bright side. You might tell him that your survey kept the neighbors on the other sides from getting "his land":-D

I was a "resident" of West Virginia for about 20 days last summer when y'all were overrun by Scouts at the Summit, in Glen Jean, just outside of Beckley.

Luckily, I didn't encounter anyone of quite THAT attitude! 🙂

Good Luck