Suing a bereaved family member after a crash

This story is in the paper today. I don't know if board rules preclude me from being specific so I wont be.

So my general question: do you find it morally reprehensible to sue the bereaved family member of someone who has caused you or your loved one harm? In an accident.

I do, was quite sickened by what kind of person would do this, and indeed what shark of a lawyer would most likely have suggested it.

Hasn't the other family suffered as well? What good will it bring you taking your pound of flesh from them? It reminds me of a type of 'eye for an eye tooth for a tooth' mentality. Worse though, as the person who caused the harm is dead and it is his family you are taking revenge on.

Impossible to comment without specifics, plus it's probably their insurance that they're suing, which is what its for.

Fleawuss

What role did they play in enabling the actions of the person who caused s fatal crash?

recylingbin

Don't know the story, but I'd be fairly certain that the individual is suing then insurance company and not the bereaved.

Fratton Fred

[Deleted User] wrote: »

This story is in the paper today. I don't know if board rules preclude me from being specific so I wont be.

So my general question: do you find it morally reprehensible to sue the bereaved family member of someone who has caused you or your loved one harm? In an accident.

I do, was quite sickened by what kind of person would do this, and indeed what shark of a lawyer would most likely have suggested it.

Hasn't the other family suffered as well? What good will it bring you taking your pound of flesh from them? It reminds me of a type of 'eye for an eye tooth for a tooth' mentality. Worse though, as the person who caused the harm is dead and it is his family you are taking revenge on.

You aren't really suing the family, it is the insurance company of the person responsible.

Senna

Is the claim against the family or the insurance company, which would be perfectly normal and happens all the time.

Am I allowed post specifics, mods?
As its in the courts now?

I would be interested in peoples opinions

Spanish Eyes

Maybe it's a similar thing to the case of Mark Pollock. The man was blind, and had a fall at his friends' house that left him paralysed. Very sad story, the man was a great adventurer.

Anyway, he sued his friends through their insurance. They didn't have to pay him anything, the insurance paid up.

It is never an easy thing to do. But at the end of the day that is what insurance is for.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/mark-pollock-i-sued-my-friends-knowing-that-they-wouldnt-lose-one-penny-31415236.html

Arbiter of Good Taste

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Maybe it's a similar thing to the case of Mark Pollock. The man was blind, and had a fall at his friends' house that left him paralysed. Very sad story, the man was a great adventurer.

Anyway, he sued his friends through their insurance. They didn't have to pay him anything, the insurance paid up.

It is never an easy thing to do. But at the end of the day that is what insurance is for.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/mark-pollock-i-sued-my-friends-knowing-that-they-wouldnt-lose-one-penny-31415236.html

I remember that. There was a boards thread of people who were ready to come out with pitchforks to lynch Pollack.

I don't get that in this day and age people don't understand that it's insurance companies suing other insurance companies. Nothing to see here.

Guy:Incognito

Arbiter of Good Taste wrote: »

I remember that. There was a boards thread of people who were ready to come out with pitchforks to lynch Pollack.

I don't get that in this day and age people don't understand that it's insurance companies suing other insurance companies. Nothing to see here.

Spanish Eyes

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Maybe it's a similar thing to the case of Mark Pollock. The man was blind, and had a fall at his friends' house that left him paralysed. Very sad story, the man was a great adventurer.

Anyway, he sued his friends through their insurance. They didn't have to pay him anything, the insurance paid up.

It is never an easy thing to do. But at the end of the day that is what insurance is for.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/courts/mark-pollock-i-sued-my-friends-knowing-that-they-wouldnt-lose-one-penny-31415236.html

Whatever about Pollock, who probably sued because he needed money for treatment and to sustain him for the rest of his life...this case is different. This guys wife and unbom child were killed in a crash. He is now suing the Father of the teenager who crashed into them. Teenager also died.

Maybe the car insurance will cover it. But.....apart from pure revenge, what does this guy need/want the money for? His family are, tragically, dead. Sorry, but just smacks of greed and revenge to me.

Deleted User

Deleted User wrote: »

Whatever about Pollock, who probably sued because he needed money for treatment and to sustain him for the rest of his life...this case is different. This guys wife and unbom child were killed in a crash. He is now suing the Father of the teenager who crashed into them. Teenager also died.

Maybe the car insurance will cover it. But.....apart from pure revenge, what does this guy need/want the money for? His family are, tragically, dead. Sorry, but just smacks of greed and revenge to me.

He is entitled to it. The father of the teenager will not be out of pocket because I assume the kid was on his insurance, like most teenagers.

If he doesn't sue, only the insurance company gains. Let the man have the money to help him rebuild his life, he deserves it, he needs it, and he shouldn't be called greedy or vengeful over it.

The teens dad won't be affected in any way.

endacl

Guy:Incognito wrote: »

I wanted to do that, but was afraid I'd be hung out to dry!

Well done, you. Liathroidí mór!

Spanish Eyes

Well, when I saw last week that someone got €60,000 for a dislocated thumb, I say this man is suing for emotional and mental distress is doing the right thing..

How could anyone not feel sympathy for a person who lost wife and child in a crash caused by someone else? Sadly the driver of the other car also lost his life.

It is not a personal thing. It is called survival. And the insurance companies are not there to get emotional about such events. They are there to pay out when the evidence backs up the case. Nothing more nothing less.

Many people do not succeed in such cases, but many do. It is up to counsel on both sides to slug it out in court.

More often than not the case is settled without a court case at all.

If nothing else, the funeral expenses need paying. He could also need years of expensive psychiatric or counselling treatment.

How anyone could call him greedy is sickening. He has had enough crap to deal with without ignorant judgement like that ffs.

Gatling

That poor man needs to stop listening to legal advice and take some time out to grieve ,
Sueing the father of the other driver sueing the government over a birth cert ,

He obviously needs help ,not legal actions .
he's been having hallucinations where he's having conversations with his unborn child,
Tragic situation for all involved

Candie

Candie wrote: »

If nothing else, the funeral expenses need paying. He could also need years of expensive psychiatric or counselling treatment.

How anyone could call him greedy is sickening. He has had enough crap to deal with without ignorant judgement like that ffs.

I would imagine the family of the other driver also had funeral expenses.
Compare this with the very similar case of the lady from Cork ( Elber I think ) who lost her husband, child and unborn child to the suicidal driver in the UK. And now prays for the other driver as well. And for his family, as she recognized their loss too.

recylingbin

Gatling wrote: »

Sueing the father of the other driver

The father if the other driver most likely won't be involved at all. His insurance company will. In fact if this story wasn't in the media, he'd probably not know anything about it

Ken.

Mod- Locking this for a little bit while I check with the legal folks. I'll get back as soon as I can

Ken.

Mod-The legal guys say anything before an Irish court must be closed till concluded.