There are times I really don't want to be associated with the human species

[Platapus]

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...ug-broke-wrist

New York woman sues 12-year-old nephew over hug that broke her wrist

A Manhattan human resources manager is suing her 12-year-old nephew for leaping into her arms when he welcomed her to his eighth birthday party.


[He was 8 years old at the time of the "crime"]


The aunt, Jennifer Connell, claims her nephew acted unreasonably when his exuberant greeting caused her to fall and break her wrist in 2011, the Westport News reported from the courthouse on Monday.


She is seeking $127,000 in damages from the boy, whose mother died last year. Westport News also reported that the 12-year-old appeared confused as he sat in the courtroom with his father. Connell reportedly testified that she loves her nephew, whom she described as always being “very loving, sensitive” toward her.


He had been riding his first two-wheeled bicycle – which was bright red, according to testimony – around his home. When Connell arrived, he dropped it. “I remember him shouting, ‘Auntie Jen, I love you!’ and there he was flying at me,” Connell reportedly testified.


Of the damage done, Connell testified that she did not complain at the time, but she said her life had been “very difficult” since the injury because of “how crowded it is in Manhattan”. “I was at a party recently, and it was difficult to hold my hors d’oeuvre plate,” she reportedly said.

What was that last part again?

“I was at a party recently, and it was difficult to hold my hors d’oeuvre plate,”

Yeah, I thought that was what you said.

The good news is that the jury awarded her zero dollars
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...uit-no-damages

But this does raise two questions

1. Why did the judge not throw this out before it even got to a trial?

2. Why did it take the Jury 25 minutes to reach a verdict. What were they doing for the other 24 minutes 30 seconds? (OK that was three questions)

Is this what our society has devolved to. Aunts suing 12 year old nephews?

The media reports that she was an Aunt. I wonder if they got the first letter wrong.

Does anyone know where I can get some facepalms in bulk... I think I will need them.

[Schroeder]

Why can an at the time 8 year old even be sued in the US? Over here the minimum age is 14 to be considered of age of criminal responsibility.

[razark]

“We do not take great pleasure in bringing a minor to court,” the aunt’s lawyer, William Beckert, said, according to the Daily News. “She is not here enjoying a moment of this.”

How is this (for lack of a better term) person a lawyer?

[VipertheSniper]

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2...ners-insurance

Follow up story...

[Oberon]

So it's likely that this automatically had to take place in order for her to file a medical claim for her injury.

And people say the NHS is broken...

[Johnag4004]

With it saying that the little lads Mom died recently, I wonder if she was insured for a large sum of money...

[August]

It was all about insurance claims. Connecticut state law says that an individual must be named for the claim to go forward. No malice involved and the Aunt and Nephew and their family are not at odds with each other in spite of what has been published.

Amazing though how quickly a slanted media report can whip up a witch hunt to destroy somebodies life. The way I see it the ones who started it are the ones who should be sued here.

[swamprat69er]

Originally Posted by Johnag4004

With it saying that the little lads Mom died recently, I wonder if she was insured for a large sum of money...

That is what I was wondering, if maybe she wanted a piece of the action regarding the mothers' insurance policy if any.

[HW3]

I read the homeowners insurance company offered to settle out of court before the trial. Instead of the $127,000, they would pay her $1.00.

[swamprat69er]

Originally Posted by HW3

I read the homeowners insurance company offered to settle out of court before the trial. Instead of the $127,000, they would pay her $1.00.

That is more than the claim is worth.

[Stealhead]

Go figure its an HR manager non of them are human.

Edit: upon further reading its bogus just doing what the system required.

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Why can an at the time 8 year old even be sued in the US? Over here the minimum age is 14 to be considered of age of criminal responsibility.

Also it's important to note that this is not a criminal case, but a civic one. There are no age limitations on those.

[August]

$127 grand is not an outrageous price for a broken wrist depending on what damage was done. Her choice seems to have been either sue or pay the whole amount.

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Why can an at the time 8 year old even be sued in the US? Over here the minimum age is 14 to be considered of age of criminal responsibility.

Must have to do with this "freedom" thing we don't know about.
Anyways, I would like to express my thoughts on this "aunt", but it would break certain rules here so I rather not.

[Dmitry Markov]

"Capitalism...." A. Schwarzenegger "Red Heat"

In USSR such articles in newspapers were usually placed in "Their Morals" columns ;-)