Legal Question in Business Law in California

I was cited for parking in a permit stall in a parking structure. I went to the vending machine to pay for parking. The first thing I did was input my stall #. The machine did not ask for a permit #, did not offer to sell me a monthly pass and did not tell me I was parked in a permit stall. It did ask for the daily parking fee, which I paid and the machine accepted. (I have the receipt) My question is: Is there a legal theory that says that if a vender accepts payment with full knowledge of the conditions, he is barred from claiming damages?


Asked on 2/08/14, 9:54 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Bryan Whipple Bryan R. R. Whipple, Attorney at Law

"Full knowledge of the conditions?" Did the machine "know" your name, or your license plate number?

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Answered on 2/08/14, 11:16 am
Edward Hoffman Law Offices of Edward A. Hoffman

The machine is there to accept payments. It isn't there to enforce the law. I suppose it could be programmed to verify that anyone who uses a handicapped spot is eligible, but the law does not require such programming. Besides, a program that imposed added burdens on handicapped drivers would be unfair -- and might very well be illegal.

That you parked where you weren't allowed to is your fault, not management's. The fact that their computer did not realize what you were doing doesn't excuse your violation, or limit management's rights.

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Answered on 2/08/14, 12:38 pm


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