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We Have Turned Into The "sue 'em" Country


OnlySunshine

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[quote name='emmaberry101' timestamp='1350969953' post='2496233']
My father is a defense lawyer and defends large companies in cases like this all the time. What's the worst is that lawyers get a bad rap because of sensationalists cases like the one stated in the OP, but what people tend to gloss over is the fact that the lawyer is just doing their job and representing the client. Often, they are not the slimy ones, it's the lady who slips on a puddle outside Walmart who wants to make a quick million dollars off them.

Of course, lawyers [i]can[/i] be slimy. So can chiropractors and accountants and truck drivers. But the profession itself is simply to seek justice on behalf of the client and their situation.

It is surprising how many people are eager to make a quick buck off a fall in a company's parking lot... Even more surprising is the amount of people who have the mindset that, "even if the company does not owe this person any money, they should just give them a couple hundred thousand, because they can spare it."

An example of a typical (ridiculous) case my dad will defend a company for is a fight breaking out in a 24 hour fast food restaurant. The person who took the brunt of it sues the restaurant because they did not physically get in the middle of the fight and break it up, even though it says in the employee rules and contract that they are not to get involved.

As ridiculous as these cases are, though, I'd much prefer to have to wade through these in the courts than have the government sort out 'worthy' and 'unworthy' cases. In the case of the latter, our religious liberties would be under attack so quickly we would not know what happened! It is definitely the safe and free route to keep the courts open to these cases, no matter how ridiculous.
[/quote]
Solid.

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The American dream used to be getting a job, having a family, and doing a bit better than your parents. Now it is to win the lottery, win a big lawsuit or have one of your kids become a movie star, rapper, or pro ball player.

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Basilisa Marie

[quote name='CatherineM' timestamp='1351008821' post='2496319']
The American dream used to be getting a job, having a family, and doing a bit better than your parents. Now it is to win the lottery, win a big lawsuit or have one of your kids become a movie star, rapper, or pro ball player.
[/quote]

After years of watching my parents work hard and my father move up a corporate ladder, I was certain that my generation was going to be the first in my family to not "do better" than the one before it. I'm studying theology to work for the Church, and my brother is enlisting in the Marine reserves, then entering the police academy.

Then I found out my sister's new boyfriend is the heir to a multi-million-dollar fortune.

So long story short, you forgot "marrying a millionaire." :hehe2:

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I actually read an article or op-ed piece that stated that the willingness to settle out of court rather than fight lawsuits is doing more harm than good since it is leading to an increase in bogus lawsuits (which only drives up the cost of goods and services).

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[quote name='MaterMisericordiae' timestamp='1350950158' post='2496100']

It still seems entirely ridiculous to sue for a falling can of tuna. Unless someone was rocking the shelf or someone threw it at her, it was unintentional and, at best, negligent. I sincerely doubt that she gained massive head trauma from the can hitting her on the bridge of the nose. I can definitely see how a nosebleed could occur but not dizziness or head pain unless she had a pre-diagnosed medical condition. I think this is the case of turning a molehill into a mountain.
[/quote]

Keep in mind we are talking about an 82-year old here who will take longer to heal than a young whippersnapper.

Even if unintentional or negligent, it is a general rule that you are responsible for injuries that occur on your property until proven that someone else is responsible.

Now, granted, some of the awards can be excessive, which is why part of tort reform is to limit "punitive" damages and, in some cases, limiting the amount that goes to the lawyers (considering that in some cases the lawyers for the "winning" side get 1/3 of the damages explains why there are lawyers that are willing to take a risk on a bogus lawsuit or try to inflate the damages).

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PhuturePriest

[quote name='Basilisa Marie' timestamp='1351009432' post='2496323']

After years of watching my parents work hard and my father move up a corporate ladder, I was certain that my generation was going to be the first in my family to not "do better" than the one before it. I'm studying theology to work for the Church, and my brother is enlisting in the Marine reserves, then entering the police academy.

Then I found out my sister's new boyfriend is the heir to a multi-million-dollar fortune.

So long story short, you forgot "marrying a millionaire." :hehe2:
[/quote]

You wouldn't mind adopting me as a nephew, would you? I mean, I'm not saying I'm in it for the money, but eight years of seminary at $32,000 a year gets pricey...

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Basilisa Marie

[quote name='FuturePriest387' timestamp='1351050376' post='2496776']

You wouldn't mind adopting me as a nephew, would you? I mean, I'm not saying I'm in it for the money, but eight years of seminary at $32,000 a year gets pricey...
[/quote]

Well, my sister's going into the horse showing industry, so if you're willing to be a farm hand for a few years, I'm sure she'd be able to work something out. :hehe2:

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PhuturePriest

[quote name='Basilisa Marie' timestamp='1351053544' post='2496840']

Well, my sister's going into the horse showing industry, so if you're willing to be a farm hand for a few years, I'm sure she'd be able to work something out. :hehe2:
[/quote]

I'm only 5'4 and from what I hear that may cause problems because horses may trample on me for some odd horse reason, but I'm sure I can work something out.

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My favorite warning label is one I saw once looking out the window of a Delta flight. "Do not walk on wing while plane is in motion". As best as I could figure out, they meant while it was trundling down the runway from one parking spot to another, because otherwise I don't know how it would be physically possible...

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[quote name='BG45' timestamp='1351109890' post='2497076']
My favorite warning label is one I saw once looking out the window of a Delta flight. "Do not walk on wing while plane is in motion". As best as I could figure out, they meant while it was trundling down the runway from one parking spot to another, because otherwise I don't know how it would be physically possible...
[/quote]
Well darn. There goes my only real source of in-flight entertainment.

[img]http://dickenrichards.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/airplane-tennis.jpg[/img]

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[quote name='Nihil Obstat' timestamp='1351110000' post='2497078']
Well darn. There goes my only real source of in-flight entertainment.

[img]http://dickenrichards.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/airplane-tennis.jpg[/img]
[/quote]

I salute your mutant powers sir, it must be hard to stand on a jet wing while in motion compared to those crazy guys on a biplane. :P

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[quote name='BG45' timestamp='1351110594' post='2497081']

I salute your mutant powers sir, it must be hard to stand on a jet wing while in motion compared to those crazy guys on a biplane. :P
[/quote]
It is all in the technique.

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