What is an example of Conversion Law?
Depriving someone else of the right to use or possess their personal property is known as conversion. The property in question is personal property, not “real property,” which is typically defined as land and any related improvements to that land. The term “personal property” or “chattels” often refers to all other property. A conversion happens when someone willfully takes another person’s personal property without their consent or permission or denies them the right to keep it. It is a violation that entitles the victim to legal recourse.
In most conversion claims, the defendant restricted the plaintiff’s use of their property. Instead of the loss of a physical object, damages are typically determined based on the loss of usage. As a result, calculating damages might be challenging.
A typical example of conversion is as follows; Your neighbor borrows your car without your consent and damages the tail light. Your neighbor won’t pay for repairs even if yours is not drivable in its current state. Even while you can report your neighbor to the police, that won’t make your car work again. You have the choice of bringing a lawsuit for conversion to recover the value of your damaged personal property.
Conversion may happen if someone uses your property for any of the following without your consent:
● Takes it
● Fails to return it
● Sells it
● Substantially changes it
● Severely misuses or damages it
