[Pet Pics] Ari Went to Work as an Independent Contracting

Multiple Choice

[Pet Pics] Ari went to work as an independent contracting photographer for Wild Pet Pics, a company specializing in photographing exotic pets, such as monkeys and snakes, with their owners. The company's home office was in California, but Ari worked in Florida. Before he started work, Ari signed an agreement to arbitrate any dispute he had with the company. The arbitration agreement provided that in the event of a dispute, Ari would completely cover the cost of the arbitration; that he could only receive up to $150 in damages regardless of his claims, punitive or otherwise; and that any arbitration would be conducted at the company's home office. The agreement also provided that the arbitrator was not bound to strictly follow the official court rules of evidence. Ari signed the agreement because he really needed a job and liked animals. His only previous animal photography experience, however, had been with cats and dogs. Ari's contract provided that he would be paid $100 per shoot and that the company would take steps to ensure his safety. One day he was called in to photograph a skunk and its owner. He was told by the receptionist at Wild Pet Pics that the skunk had been altered so that it could not spray. Ari felt safe. Unfortunately, the skunk had not been altered. Just as he was starting to shoot, the skunk became upset. It ran towards Ari, sprayed Ari, and in the resulting commotion, Ari's expensive camera was knocked over and broken. Plus, Ari's clothes were ruined and he stank for days. Ari wants to sue Wild Pet Pics for $5,000 to cover the cost of his camera, his clothing, and his general smelliness for several days. Ari says that he cannot afford to pay for the arbitration.
-Is the arbitration agreement that Ari signed void on the grounds that the federal rules of evidence would not have to be followed by the arbitrator in the case?

A) No, generally the rules of evidence that are required to be followed by trial courts are relaxed during an arbitration.
B) It depends on whether the arbitrator is trained in accepting evidence in the case.
C) It will depend on whether or not the arbitrator is a former judge.
D) It will depend on whether the parties understood the content of the arbitration agreement.
E) Yes, arbitrators are bound by the rules of evidence in all cases.