Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

[Bob's Garage]

Crownline is being sued by survivors of the tragic accident that happened on the St. Johns river on Easter Sunday.

If you don't remember: 14 people on a 22' Crownline B/R, rated for 12, with everyone under the influence of alchol, and an inexperienced driver at the wheel, who had never driven that boat, and they hit a tug boat tied up at a dock, in broad daylight, clear visibility!!

The claim is that Crownline knew that B/R's are dangerous but made them anyway!!

This is such a load of bildge water. There were plenty of errors made that day, enough for everyone concerned, including the parents of the kids for letting the kids use the boat in their condition.

But in no way do I think that the Manufacturer is responsible for what those kids did, nor for what happened.

Why is it that people today don't want anyone to tell them what to do to stay safe, but as soon as something like this happens they want to sue everyone, or someone, so they themselves, don't have to accept the responsibility for having killed 5 kids

And did you hear about the drunk passanger that fell overboard, was hit by the prop, and is suing Mercury because there was no prop guard? Pilot of the boat, her husband, was also drunk and neither of them knew how to operate a boat.

Goto stop, getting POed.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

Nobody is man (or woman), better yet, adult enough to accept responsibility for their own actions. You're in Lakeland, ever read the Tampa Tribune? They have a story this week about that 17 year old who had a baby, father was in jail, so she had a known felon living with her as a boyfriend. She was in foster care, but not following the rules. The new boyfriend beat her and the baby, she stayed with him, and then one day he threw the baby out the window on the interstate. Very tragic, heartbreaking, but now she wants to sue the state because they didn't take her baby from her? Am I missing something?

 

[Y-Guy]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

Another reason why we need tort reform in this country. I've nothing against attorneys, but if they want to file this type of suit and they need to be prepared to pay for the other sides legal costs if they lose.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

No kidding, go to loser pays and see how fast it stops.

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

so sad--i drank alot of beer but it's your fault for making the vessel that i had to unload in the water and you forced me to start it and put it in gear and jeopardize everybody's lives--get real

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

Same thing happened with Infinity. I guy backed over his child and unfortunately killer her, and sued because it did not have a backup camera.

 

[werthert]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

Arg, the downside of freedom. Gotta take the bad with the good I suppose.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

The world is getting crazier every day!! I wouldn't give them a dime, The lawyers aught to know better too. Sorry for their loss but I don't feel sorry for their own bad decisions and then try to blame the manufacturer, I agree!! It P.O. me too

 

[highN'dry]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

And people wonder why boats cost so much. They also wonder why jobs are flooding out of the country and many excellent products are not available in the USA of Lieyers. It is ridiculous.

I have a cc boat. You stand to operate it as most people know. I actually got stopped by a water cop and told I need to sit down. I asked him where. He had this stupid look on his face. I told him maybe he should call into HQ for instructions and meantime I needed to get on with the day.

 

[ssb33r]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

didnt all this stupid crap start with that woman that sued mcD (edit: language. TD) for having hot coffee???

 

[PolishPrince]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

It started long before the old lady. A construction company bought an old truck at an auction and dropped a 5000 gallon tank on it. The truck was overloaded before it was half full. Truck wrecked on a highway with fuel and burned up a family of 5.
Lawsuit against the idiots at the construction company? Nope
Lawsuit against the tank manufacturer? Nope
Lawsuit against GM for not having a warning label on a 25 year old, truck through multiple owners that said not to install too big a tank? Yep...........and they were awarded $7 Million.
It's called "Go for the Deep Pockets"

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

didnt all this stupid crap start with that woman that sued mcD!cks for having hot coffee???

PARTLY IT STARTED WHEN WE DIDNT TAKE SHAKESPEARS ADVICE,KILL ALL THE LAWYERS!Seriously a lot of companies settle because they think its cheaper,juries love to stick it to the companies,not realising they will ultimatley pay.In this particular case id arrest the people on the boat, the parents for bringing a stupid lawsuit, and shoot the lawyer if i had my way.Yup win a lawsuit for hot coffee,wow ,amazingly stupid people out there (juries).

 

[rjlipscomb]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

We need Tort Reform. We need a law that says when the plaintiff loses, the defendant should not only be awarded legal fees but punitive damages for the anguish and grief of having to go through the lawsuit, we need jurors who have graduated from at least high school. What we have now are people and lawyers willing to sue because they have nothing to lose, and jurors who are idiots at best. Why, because the smart people are hard at work.

Someone thought McDonalds was at fault for selling hot coffee? God get me off this poor and pathetic planet.

Everyday we see/hear lawsuits that are so stupid, it's beyond all belief. Yet these people win. How? Why? What is wrong with this country?

We have a government that has never read the Constitution. A Supreme Court that no longer believes the Constitution was written to prevent absolute government power. A populace that believes they are owed the things necessary to live rather than the opportunity to earn a living. What, Universal Health Care provided by others... Why not universal boat ownership, or universal home ownership, wow, is that next... is the government going to give us all free houses? Isn't housing a universal right and necessity greater than health care? Just think, no more housing crisis. What about free utilities?

I propose a new law, only those with more can be held liable for damages by those with less. When your driving your Ford down the road and you see a Mercedes, hit it. Sue on the grounds that the Mercedes owner has more money and that's just not fair. Were we all not created equal? than why should he have more, I want some and we need a law that spreads all wealth out to everyone. Uh, wait a minute, I recall that was tried somewhere once???? Communism? The Great Soviet Empire? What happened, where did it go? It was Great. It was socialism. All wealth was shared equally. Health care, housing, and all that was provided by the government... where did it go?
Oh yeah, IT DOESN'T WORK!

Sorry, I think I got a little off base here. Wait there's a knock at the door, the wife says it the government guys in white jackets are here to take me on a little needed vacation...

 

[QC]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

Guys, we all share some of your passions, but relax or this thread is not long for this world . . .

A little barely on topic side story . . . I was on a Jury a couple of years ago, Federal criminal case, but I think these are the same Jury pools i.e. local Joes and Janes . . . There was a young guy, maybe 22. Looked a little like a troublemaker, but not bad. He sat through everything quietly, I didn't think he was paying attention. I was the foreman, and thought that we had a unanimous vote going and he held out. He wanted clarification on a couple of points that were very valid. He forced us to think it through. He was right, we got it right, and we were truly unanimous after his challenges. He did his job and he didn't have to. That whole Jury was amazing. Where they find these other Jurors, I don't know, but I would be proud to decide a case with these people again. The Judge, who I will never forget, came in after and asked why we found not guilty on one count, but guilty on the others. We told him why and he said "I am always amazed at how those who are not legally trained teach us all a thing or two . . . how'd I miss that?"

Not sure what my point is other than all is not lost. We do tend to focus on the bad news. This is still a great country, and we have a lot to be thankful for and proud of.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

The MCDs case actually had merit, the coffee wasn't just hot it was way too hot, something like 190 degrees and the woman needed plastic surgery to correct the damage.

I guess it was so hot it deformed the cup and caused the lid to pop off so that one actually should have gone.

My fishing buddy had a cup dumped on him at a McDs by the server, he never actually touched it, yes he got a lawyer but he isn't suing, settle out for what I think is a pretty fair amount.

But yes somethng needs to be done, seems you can sue anyone for anything anymore.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

Back to the original subject, 14 people on a boat, rated for 12, and 3 people that were suppose to be on this trip did not show. that is 17 that were suppose to be onboard. it is truely operator negligence. they had run 1/2 mile right at the tips of the docks, and no one said why don't we move away from the shore some. they ran directly into a dock that was a little longer than the others. if was not dark, visibility was good.

there were several witnesses to this, that were on their docks.

 

[Thad]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

Hopefully justice will prevail. This should be thrown out before too long. There is no merit in suing Crownline.
The parents are grieving and looking for somewhere to vent their frustrations and not accept their own role in the tragic event.
Crownline and it's new parent company will have legal fees that most likely run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and maybe even offer some sort of settlement as hush money. But this is all insured for them.
The parents, if they loose, will be out not only children, medical expenses, and time, but several thousands in lawyer fees.

I fear that if Crownline settles, it will open a new door to a lot of people looking for that "payday". All boat mfg's will see an increase in lawsuits and the already high cost of boats would soon skyrocket. Insurance for the owner of these boats will become astronomical, making it unaffordarble for many.
There is much at stake with this lawsuit. An entire way of life for many can be changed forever with the decision of one.

As for the families and the kids, I am sorry for their loss. It is tragic and should not have happened. But it did. Who is to blame is obvious, but as was stated in the title, blame wants to be shifted. So to the families I would say, Drop it, accept it and take this experience and use it to educate the ignorant public as to the dangers of boating and drinking and the importance of awareness and knowledge.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

I would like to clarify my feelings about lawsuits in general. Sometimes they are neccessary, and I too have had to sue on 2 occassions in order to protect my "rights".

I love this country, government (all tho I am a little worried that we have the wrong people up there making decisions), and or way of life.

I read once that we have more lawyers per capita than any other country in the world. As a result laws are being made, by politicians that are lawyers, to encourage lawsuits and control the outcome of the trials in such a way as to maximize the settlements and limit the defendents ability to defend themselves.

Case in point; The lawsuit I mentioned about the passanger suing Mercury for no prop guard - the defense is not permitted to bring out the fact that the passanger was drunk, the driver was drunk, that they had no experience, that the passanger was sitting in a lawn chair at the side of the boat, that she couldn't swim, and was not wearing a PFD. They were only permitted to defend against their lack of a prop guard which is not required nor readily available, not how the accident happened, nor mitigating circumstances.

This is not, in my judgement, equal protection under the law.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

I think that if a lawyer takes a case like the one initially mentioned, they should lose their license immediately and have to pay a heavy fine.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Another law suit so as not to accept responsibility for own actions

The law suit contends that riding in the bow is unsafe because it "exposes persons on the bow to the risk of ejection in case of collision, and it places passengers in front of the driver, thereby obstructing the driver's ability to see objects in or on the water ahead of the vessel."

Riding on the ?bow of the boat? is illegal in many states. I think what you?re going to see here is a clarification of the interruption of "bow riding" from a legal standpoint.