Compared to other countries, do Americans really sue so much (and if so why)? (home, law school)

[chicagojlo]

Originally Posted by Drover

"Most people?" I'd hate to see the type of people you hang out with to have formed such an opinion.

Perhaps I should have used the word windfall rather than settlement, but are you telling me that most of the people you know wouldn't like to have a few mil drop in their lap? Really? I'm not saying most people would go the effort of wrongfully suing someone to get it, just that most people dream of having that much money.

[grmasterb]

Originally Posted by chicagojlo

but are you telling me that most of the people you know wouldn't like to have a few mil drop in their lap?

Of course they would, but most people are moral and wouldn't frivilously sue someone for it.

[chirack]

Another aggravating factor is our health care and disability system. In terms of health care that slip and fall on the toy could generate tens of thousands worth of dollars worth of medical bills and disability does not pay well at all(You have to be disabled five months to earn it).

If you are injured to anything more than Tylenol and some X-rays, you are going to have to sue to recoup your costs. Like lost wages. Sick days in the US are established by contract not law so you may have no sick days or a variable amount depending on contract and your sick days might not even be paid! If you are lucky you are salaried so that your pay does not drop with the injury or you have a generous contract such that you get paid at a reduced rate. There is short and long term disability insurance but most people don’t purchase that.

Most employed people won’t sue over $200 worth of bills due to hassle and lost time from work. However if you had $10,000 worth of bills due to that fall and you could not work sueing would be an attractive option.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by grmasterb

Of course they would, but most people are moral and wouldn't frivilously sue someone for it.

In your circle of friends yes.

I can state unequivocably that there are parts of this country that a HIGH proportion of the residents would gladly inflate (or fabricate) thier injuries etc. to get as much money as possible.

I wish more people were like you.

[MacDexter]

Medical malpractice lawsuits are used as weapons these days. I think there should be new guidelines and limitations should be set before suing anyone.

[BigDGeek]

I know this cultural perception exists and that it is based somewhat on truth, but I personally have never done this and I don't even know anyone who has been on either end of civil litigation.

[Ryuji]

The majority of Chinese and Japanese people know every American owns a gun; they also know every American will sue McDonald's because its coffee is too hot

BTW, Subways outnumber McDonald's worldwide (http://www.seattlepi.com/business/1310ap_us_subway_mcdonalds.html - broken link)

[texdav]

Bsacially all you have to do is look at the numbers graduating law school really. Mnay i th media for example actaulyl have law degrees now days.

[jrh0341]

In Japan its a different perspective. Over there there's rarely a my fault and your fault finding. Example, youare stopped at a traffic light and a drunk driver rear ends you. Its not unheard of for you to be found 25% at fault, because you supposedly should have noticed the other car, and blown the traffic light to get out of the way. (Yes this is speaking from real world examples)

[Drover]

Originally Posted by jrh0341

In Japan its a different perspective. Over there there's rarely a my fault and your fault finding. Example, youare stopped at a traffic light and a drunk driver rear ends you. Its not unheard of for you to be found 25% at fault, because you supposedly should have noticed the other car, and blown the traffic light to get out of the way. (Yes this is speaking from real world examples)

One thing my brother learned when he was stationed in Korea is that if you're in a cab and the cab gets in an accident, you get the hell out of the cab flee the scene (usually in another cab), because you'll be held at least partially liable for having hired the cab thus prompting the cab to be where it was when the accident occurred. They seem to have a bizarre view of proximate cause over there.