March 1, 2008
Lucky
My amazing husband is a personal injury lawyer. I know what you’re thinking and you can stop rolling your eyes right now. Personal injury lawyers have a terrible rap, but I swear that it’s completely unfounded, at least in M’s case. He truly chose this field of law because he wanted to help the underdog, and frankly it’s a risky business; they only get paid if they win the case, and for each win there are an awful lot of losses.
On any given day M and his boss hear any number of terrible stories; people who have lost everything except for their lives, people who have survived accidents only to be forever changed, people who have lost limbs, memory, and any hope of ever regaining past abilities. They struggle to have their expenses covered by the insurance companies who are desperate to give them as little as possible. Money can’t fix a brain, but it can offer peace of mind.
But not everyone has a valid case. For instance take the man who called this morning. While on a ski vacation, his car skidded on a patch of ice and barrel rolled. M pulled out a pad of paper and started to ask questions.
“Who was in the car with you?”
“My wife and kids,” the caller answered.
“Was anyone hurt?”
“Well, no, but the car was totaled.”
“No one was injured at all?”
“No, no, we’re all fine. But the car was completely totaled.”
“Oh, and is the insurance giving you grief about the car?”
“Well, no, they’re going to cover the cost of the car.”
“OK. Then I’m not sure I follow. Why exactly do you think you need a personal injury lawyer?”
“I want to sue the makers of the car.”
“I’m sorry. Why?”
“The anti-lock brakes didn’t work. It’s their fault we skidded and rolled.”
“But no one was hurt.”
“Right, but still, it was their fault.”
M was incredibly polite and told the man he didn’t have a case.
That man is doubly lucky. One; that his family was in that car, a car that was sturdy enough to keep his family safe while they barrel rolled over ice. And two; that I’m not the one who took his call. I wouldn’t have been polite. I would have had a few choice words for that guy. He should be writing that company to thank them for building such a sturdy vehicle rather than trying to sue them for a minor glitch. And then he should go home and hug his wife and kids and thank his lucky stars that he’s not visiting them in a hospital, a home, or even the morgue. But, then again, some people just don’t get it.
This was a guest post written by Rose at It’s My Life… in honor of this month’s blog exchange.
When I’m not busy working, cooking, running after my toddler, C, or nursing Little L, I’m usually hiding in the bathroom thinking up my next blog post or trying to read a chapter or two of the book I’m currently wading through. When I do come up with something witty to write about, you can read it here where your usual blogger extraordinaire is blogging today.
Go on over and read her post and don’t forget to check out all the other blog exchange posts this month!
Posted by Dana @ 12:49 AM • Blog Exchange
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March 1st, 2008 at 10:13 AM, Heather Says:
Sheesh. Some people just have to turn everything into a negative don’t they?
I’m fairly certain that anti-lock brakes can’t do anything about ice on the road anyway.
March 1st, 2008 at 8:41 PM, Dana Says:
I can’t believe that guy. I imagine your hubby deals with a lot of instances like these. You’re right, that guy is very lucky.