AITA For refusing to listen to my parents and wanting to sue my cousin for a “prank”?

A Reddit user (31M) is seeking advice after their cousin (21M) pulled a prank that resulted in significant damage to the user’s prosthetic leg, a personal and essential item. The cousin hid it as part of a joke, causing cracks and damage, and when confronted, only apologized, dismissing the situation as a harmless prank.

The Redditor is now considering suing the cousin for damages, but their parents and aunt believe they should let it go, especially during the holidays. The Redditor feels unsupported by their family and is questioning whether they’re overreacting. Read the full story below to learn more about the situation and the family dynamics at play.

‘ AITA For refusing to listen to my parents and wanting to sue my cousin for a “prank”?’

I 31M) recently had my cousin M21) move in with me after he got kicked out of his college dorm and had no job to pay for rent. My parents told me I needed to step up and help because I own a house, live alone with my two golden retrievers and two birds that I had since last year.

My cousin would make fun of me whenever I call my pets “family” and thinks I’m crazy. He has a bad sense of humor and thinks he’s funny. He calls me funny nicknames like robot/terminator/optimus prime and others because I wear a prosthetic leg that I’ve gotten after I had an infection *2 years ago.

I been patiant with him causing a mess and not even doing his own laundry it’s been 3 months and it’s too much already. So Recently he started doing pranks and using personal things in his pranks. Like clothes/my phone/stuff from the kitchen etc. I usually take off my prosthesis before going to bed and since I work all day I got to bed early unlike him he stays up til 3-4am. He decided to do a prank and hid my prosthesis somewhere.

I saw that it was gone in the morning (*he did it twice before and hid it in his room and the garage) I had enough of his b**lshit I asked him where he took it and he joked and said that it was inside the fridge I was livid. I started screaming at him to stop it and to tell me where my prosthesis was before I kick him out.

He realized I was being serious and told me that it was in the attic I let him go get it and when he brought it to me he looked worried and started apologizing when I saw the socket had cracks, the adjustment pyramid and pylon were damaged. He told me he hid it under the old tv and didn’t think it was this fragile.

It was there overnight so the damage has already been done. I lost my s**t I yelled at him while all he did was apologize saying it was just a prank “bro” which made it worse I told him to leave and called my aunt to tell her about what her son did and that she needed to pay for the damages.

her reaction was shocking. she said that it was my fault because I knew how her son is and decided to take him in anyway and that she won’t take responsibility for his actions. I told her I’d seriously sue because I’m broke and have no money to pay for a prosthesis and crutches are unbearable. I was so angry.

I kept lashing out at everyone. Especially my mom and dad who argued with me and said that I can’t sue “family” and this is my cousin and he meant no harm. I told them that he created this situation and needed to fix it.

They called me awful for refusing to wait til Christmas is over and family gathering is over then they’ll figure something out. I told them to stay out of it but until now they’re telling me to not cause an issue we’re in the holidays and suing my cousin will make them look bad to everyone.

I’m stuck here with crutches feeling awful after they all tried to shut me up and told me to wait til holidays are over then they’ll “raise” money for me and my cousin gets away with it.

EDIT: My dad offered to fix it himself but this is ridiculous he thinks that this is some object like a CD player or a tv he can fix. I called him ridiculous to his face And I didn’t let him touch it. He clearly thinks it’s no big deal. I stopped taking his calls after that because he doesn’t realize how big of an issue this is.

Check out how the community responded:

DeadGirlTalking_13 −  NTA. Dude you’ve got to have your leg, ffs. He/your family need to replace it immediately. Expecting you to use crutches till after the holidays to save Christmas or whatever is abusive nonsense. There wouldn’t be trouble to start with had your grown cousin not ruined your prosthesis with a terribly stupid and immature “prank”.

Queenmom2319 −  NTA your family is enabling your cousin to be an AH. He’s 21 past time to get a job and start being responsible for himself! His parents can take him back in if they want but you are certainly not obligated to!

drunkonmartinis −  NTA. Obviously, he’s terrible. But if you sue him, would you even get any money? You said he’s broke. You’ll only get paid if there is money to be had, and you can’t sue his parents because he’s an adult and they had nothing to do with it.

Definitely kick him the hell out and ask your family to help you buy a new one as they mentioned. To maximize your chances of getting the money from them I would recommend being low key about it. Catching more flies with honey, etc.

Edit to add: if it were me, that guy would be dead to me. I’d pretend he doesn’t even exist. Don’t get dragged into a big argument or anything. Also I’m so sorry you have to use crutches, that sucks really bad. That kid deserves to be beat over the head with one.

nemesina77 −  NTA. S**ew what they’re saying. He’s 21 not 12. He’s never going to learn if he isn’t forced to take responsibility. Go to the cops and have him charged with destruction of property. Then file civil charges for the replacement cost. Never let anyone tell you family means letting them get away with crap like this.

Dangerfyeld −  NTA. He is utterly reprehensible. He’s the one in need and proceeds to not only take advantage but mock you and make your life more difficult. He’s shown that family doesn’t mean anything to him so show that the word has no meaning when you’ve been treated like this, because it really doesn’t.

Evict him (check your options and do it legally) and sue him for damages. Might even be able to get in something like emotional distress. He’s 21, an adult in every sense of the word. Time he faced actually consequences for his actions as clearly his parents are utterly useless.

AmaraSov −  NTA. Get your expensive medical equipment covered by the responsible party & regain your peace of mind in having your home to yourself. You do not deserve to go through this kind of trauma after trying to help someone.

SciFiEmma −  NTA. Pranks should be funny. This was mean.

setalltheboundaries −  NTA – He didn’t just break something you own, he broke something that is critical to your life. This is just as bad (or worse) as someone breaking a person’s glasses, wheelchair, throwing out needed medication, or something similar. Your cousin, effectively, broke your leg for his own entertainment.

It is in no way your fault nor should you have to apologize for wanting there to be some consequence to his behavior. Anyone who is upset with you for expecting your cousin or his parents to help provide a replacement is missing the point. Your cousin didn’t consider the holidays when he broke your prosthesis, why should you be silenced because of the holidays?

jquickri −  NTA. Clearly the aunt know he’s the a**hole because her justification is basically, you know he’s an a**hole. I’d say give him a chance to raise the money somehow but kick him out regardless.

loudshits −  NTA. he can’t do anything he wants and gets to get away with it just because he is family

Do you think the Redditor is justified in considering legal action, or is the prank truly harmless despite the damage caused? How would you handle this situation, especially with family members urging you to wait and “not make a scene”? Share your thoughts below!