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Frivolous lawsuits still a never-ending problem

Sometimes people make jokes about the lawsuits they are going to file. For example, “Oh, I burnt myself with hot coffee. I’m going to sue someone for not labeling it correctly.”

These jokes are made because everyone knows common sense and accountability should enter into the decisions we make.

Don’t they?

The answer is a resounding “no.”

Lawsuits, such as the true example above, have shown that people no longer want to be held accountable for their actions, even when those actions are freely chosen and completely asinine.

The most recent lawsuit to drag responsibility through the mud involves a 23-year-old man paralyzed in 2001 by a falling goal post after rushing the field at Ball State.

Although not present at the Ball State victory over the University of Toledo, we can make a guess as to the events leading up to the plaintiff being injured.

Ball State wins.

Frenzied students run onto the field and many jump onto a goal post.

Plaintiff decides to hang out near a goal post with hundreds, if not thousands of pounds worth of students hanging off of it.

The rest of the story ends with the plaintiff and parents filing lawsuits against both Ball State and now, Marty Gilman Inc., the makers of the goal post.

As tragic as this is for the paralyzed young man and his family, it is even more tragic considering the example it sets for the nation, and the legal precedent it may set in the courtroom.

No one forced the student onto the field. No one forced him near the goal post. In an exercise of free will, the student initiated all the actions that lead to his injury.

This all boils down to a case of a person making a bad decision, and in hindsight, deciding that someone else should pay for the negative consequences.

Thankfully, Marty Gilman Inc. claims it will defend itself and not settle or compromise.

Hopefully, those sitting in judgment of the case will realize that reckless behavior has its consequences.
It’s a lesson many in our society need to learn.

This is a staff editorial from the Daily Evergreen at Washington State University.
This column was distributed by U-Wire.