Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Legal News Blogs -> Legal Pad | LA

Legal News

: Legal Pad | LA

"Vexatious litigant" will never break 500, say Supremes

By Richard Binder

Jarek Molski, who has used a wheelchair since a motorcycle accident two decades ago, has filed more than 400 suits against various businesses for failures to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, demanding that owners be fined $4,000 for every day their facilities failed to meet federal standards.  Out-of-court settlements earned Molski thousands of dollars in under two years, until U.S. District Judge Edward Rafeedie branded Molski a "hit-and-run plaintiff" and barred him from further litigation.  Judge Rafeedie also accused Molski's attorney, Thomas E. Frankovich, of misusing the courts and also barred him from further filings unless granted permission by the courts.  The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case, upholding Rafeedie's decision.  Judge Rafeedie died in March of 2008.  Read the LA Times story.

The Supreme Court ruling may spell the end of similar business for a Sacramento attorney.  See the story here. 

Full post as published by Legal Pad | LA on November 18, 2008 (boomark / email).