More Features
-
Stay Informed
Receive regular updates delivered to your inbox.
-
Poll
Vote for this month's most ridiculous lawsuit.
-
Lawsuits in the News
Read the latest stories about lawsuits in the news.
-
Short Films
Now showing in movie theaters.
More Stories & Videos
Your Stories
-
Overtime settlement
Submitted by Ed R. in New York -
All My Assets for a Slip and Fall
Submitted by Mark C. in New York -
Tort Reform and the Economy
Submitted by James H. in Florida -
Sued for Saving Two Lives?
Submitted by Larry M. in Florida




175 Comments
Ken said on March 18, 2011 at 9:23 am #
Would it be possible to counter sue a parent for not watching their own child at a public park or playground for negligence if that child were injured? I agree with an earlier comment about prayer, God and now playgrounds. Things do happen, tha’ts why we need prayer and God. I am amazed at how our rights are being taken away due to litigation. I need to perhaps sue car seat makers for every time my kid gets a sore neck from being bent over in a car seat when they fall asleep. This is just crazy, perhaps its time for some sort of judicial review or litmus test of all civil lawsuits or some sort of payment by the plaintiff in cases where they lose. I understand that that could cause an unfair advantage to the wealthy, that’s why we need oversight of civil cases.
vladimir said on March 18, 2011 at 12:39 pm #
most ridiculous law suit i ever heard of.
what about those judges in courtroom who favor these kind of incidents?
they never been in playground themselves? probably they never allow their children or grandchildre use playground.
Rev. James Bowman said on March 18, 2011 at 12:49 pm #
Frivilous lawsuits like these don’t pass the test for intelligence on the part of the courts and those bringing them forward. There are some in our society today who are always looking to make a buck on someone else. In this case it’s the taxpayers. We live in a society where some believe they are entitled to everything they need, even money from other taxpayers to pay for their nuttiness.
Rev. James Bowman said on March 18, 2011 at 12:52 pm #
It’s a sad day for children. They’re the losers. Adults should be ashamed for what they do to kids.
cj said on March 18, 2011 at 1:24 pm #
Should they cancel all sports and perhaps gym class
Careful of steps, too!
Ohdont walk in rain .they mayslip
School board must act for gratwrgood.
Insurance?
bridget said on March 18, 2011 at 9:09 pm #
my daughter broke her arm twice in 1 year 2nd time needing rods from school monkey bars at age 7
Cheryl ufholz said on March 21, 2011 at 4:51 am #
Stupid lawsuits which force the school to remove the swing sets is totally ridiculous. Majority of children follow the rules and do well enjoying the swinging. Some children are irresponsible and accidents happen for that reason while simple accidents can happen being responsible. A child can easily fall and injuure themself while just walking, running, skipping, jumping, playing any sport. These parents should be ashamed for this action having to be taken spoiling children’s everyday simple fun and part of growing up. As children we all received an injury for one reason or another and that helped us to become more responsible, take the necessary precautions and follow the rules to prevent injuries. Pretty soon no one will be able to enjoy anything because of greedy people, ridiculous courts and judges. Is there no common sense any more? Shame on all of you for taking away children’s simple fun.
Lavern said on March 29, 2011 at 3:21 pm #
Gee, when I was a kid my parents always had the option of buying school insurance for while I was at school to cover the expenses of potential accidental injury while at school. Is that offered anymore?
Allison said on April 19, 2011 at 5:02 pm #
Can’t the school require that parents/guardians sign a exculpatory clause (releasing them from liability) at the beginning of the school year in order for their child to be permitted to use the playground equipment? I’m sure most parents would sign, and — if drated correctly– it seems to me that it would fend off any possible law suits from sue-happy parents of accident prone kids. Have alternative recess options (indoor crafts or something) for the few kids whose parents don’t sign.
Lorlyn said on May 20, 2011 at 11:17 am #
Let me get this straight, because of ONE Parent who’s a bit over-protective of their kids, ruins it for the rest of all the hundreds of kids in that community/state, and the courts are letting it happen!! I think whomever this family is, needs to have their heads examined for being psychologically unstable, and our courts & powers that be, need to crack down on those that are abusing the system with these stupid lawsuits!! Better yet, let these parents have their kids home schooled instead! Speaking of home…….would be interesting to see if they have a swing set in their own back yard too!!
Fred said on May 20, 2011 at 2:12 pm #
Put the parents names on the national news and let the peer pressure from other parents resolve the problem.
Rae said on May 20, 2011 at 2:41 pm #
Where is the parents liability to watch their children closely???????????????
alan setlin said on May 20, 2011 at 7:54 pm #
not to be believed this is not the same country i grew up in
Kathryn said on May 20, 2011 at 8:10 pm #
Some lawyers must be so hard up that they even are willing to take these cases. What has happened to their integrity? I broke my ankle in High School (private) playing Powder Puff football. I, nor my parents, even considered a lawsuit. It was just part of life experiences and being a kid. Shame on the father. He is not setting a good example for his kids.
Emerald Robertson said on June 23, 2011 at 10:39 pm #
Unfortunately this is a sign of the times in our country. However, good attorneys can cleverly work around such problems. There is the School Insurance that is available at Parental cost and also a Release of Liability Form that can be drafted and signed by parents at the begining of each year, If they do not sign, then their child simply participates in an optional activity such as library time, art or music class, etc. The signing of the release form is pretty hard to get around but is required for other school activities such as football, band, etc. As long as you have parents, you will always have a spoiled sport in the bunch. Simply ignore them and be on the offensive when possible today. It is simply the world we live in. Having said all of that like the perfect mother and grandmother that I am :) I would grab me a few judges and tat and feather them, then ride them out of town on a rail..car that is. I am fed up with supposedly educated people who act like they don’t know what a hole in the ground is. And in the old days, when we lived in a small town, there were ways, quite legal mind you, to get those despoiling parents to line up. After all, we all need attention and model ourselves after the attention we recieve.
Teresa said on August 30, 2011 at 4:49 pm #
Most of us survived childhood. If it wasn’t broken or required stitches, we got bandaids, hugs (perhaps a treat) and a shove back out the door for the next playground mishap. Really, what kind of a schmuck does this because of a scrape, cut or bruise….so sad.
ray4ausa said on January 1, 2012 at 7:08 pm #
As stated before, publish the name and address of the person filing the lawsuit and let their”friends” know exactly what kind of person the really are. Release of liability forms are signed every year, how can this idiot forget that?
JJ said on March 29, 2012 at 3:56 pm #
Don’t know about today’s school insurance, but we found out that if you have ANY other insurance the school insurance pays last. Usually less than what the insurance premium was.
**** because of ONE Parent who’s a bit over-protective of their kids****
Also, the above comment is false. The parent isn’t overly protective. The parent is looking for easy street. If they were overly protective, they would teach their child better.
Sarah Jones said on July 18, 2012 at 12:39 pm #
When I was 9, I fell and broke my arm while attempting to backflip off of a swing. I did it many times before. I ran home crying and my mother told me “I bet you will never do that again.” I never did AND she made me apologize for misusing the school’s equipment.
Ginger Pace said on August 13, 2012 at 3:57 pm #
There had to be another way to get a message through to school if they were negligent–Thank you to school whimps, money hungry lawyers, and small minded parents for destroying fun, memories, problem solving, and learning for children across the nation!!! Sounds like our nation wants “couch potato puppets”. SAD. Some schools use swing excuse, yet are not maintaining health and safety at playground or other areas.
adrienne said on September 5, 2012 at 6:46 pm #
Both of My daughter played on the Monkey Bars at Elementary School.a few kids got hurt…..Am I lucky? Yes..maybe..Or did I teach them skills early on..Did I take them to play on the playground equipment at a very young age to “have fun” YES I did…Did I watch thgem and spot..Yup did that too! Did I yell at them and scold them when they got to reckless for not knowing they could get hurt? Yes..did that too! Because I knew someday….I would not be able to be there every second to scrutinize and watch every move…Plan was Not Fool-Proof….But I did my best and thought ahead..Same goes with Swimming…..I had my babies in the water at 3 months old…..I depend on “Them” to use their judgement I also hope the Playground watchers Notice when the fun doesn’t go as planned…
pb said on September 14, 2012 at 10:40 am #
I’m tired of so many commercials by legal firms advertising for class action suits; everything from asbestos to implants! I find it pathetic for law firms to do this because it
encourages immoral people to join the abuse of justice. I remember when such commercials were not allowed!
Heather said on November 19, 2012 at 1:32 pm #
How about tell your daughter not to play on the monkey bars without you being there to supervise if she can’t seem to stay on them safely? No need to sue the school–most kids play on them and come out just fine.
Ralph said on November 30, 2012 at 3:45 am #
The parent that is bringing these suits is, in my mind, a terrorist. He or she is creating fear in order to manipulate others. It’s evil, it’s petty, and it is wrong beyond question.
jmz said on December 24, 2012 at 2:19 pm #
sad to say but these cases cant be stopped through more lawsuits. there needs to be a culture change and massive public shaming of individuals and families that engage in frivilous lawsuits and or lawfare. they do this because they get money and nobody has the courage to stand up to them. sorry to say but its of to the culture and public to make lawfare abusers life hell. thats the only thing that can stop it is being more ruthless than them