I am very sorry for you that you had to go through an experience like that and still suffer from it.

I think you should do everything that makes you feel better and gain more confidence.

But is a lawsuit something that would help here? I think not. It would force you way down in the past again and most likely you would find one or another things where you cannot prove it was them who made the mistake. Of course it would be a nice revenge if BI and your boss got convicted but what would be the result for you? Just money I suppose. You could not really want to work with them again. And I don't think it would get you your self-confidence back.

It is very uncertain whether you had a chance to win - I have seen many situations like that and usually it is very difficult to get valid evidence against people like that. Even checking that chance with the help of a lawyer would cost you some money- and would force you to think of all the nasty details again.

Something that could give you more confidence: Write down all the things you really do well and please at least 20 things. I can start the list for you:

You came here to Pet Talk and in no time you have been an appreciated member of the group- this shows that you are good with humans.

You started the fostering business: This shows you have courage.

You have amazing skills in combining colours and graphics design.

Your neighbor gave you all her framing materials- she must have had a reason why she did that

If you start collecting all your good memories and the things you are able to do, it will be MUCH better for you than that lawsuit. Forgetting them is the only thing I can recommend

{{{Hugs}}}