Personal Injury Law

As citizens even 8 year olds have responsibilities to society.

By Steve Lombardi

May it please the Court?

An eight year old boy was skiing; ran into another skier and the collision caused the old geezer injury. So the old geezer in turn sued for damages. One might be lead to ask if this is legal, fair or morally right. And my answer is, "Absolutely, positively, unequivocally - it is!" Why not? Children today want all of the privileges but none of the responsibilities. Irresponsible parents love this argument. It gives them the free pass on being a responsible parent. They can't have it both ways. If society is going to give children the rights and protections the same as adults, then why shouldn't they be held accountable for their actions? It makes sense to send children a clear message because many parents don't get it. Some parents want to be a child's best friend. There is a huge difference between being a parent and being a best friend. And a free pass is not a clear message that reinforces the idea that with rights come responsibilities. Most parents have insurance that covers a child's actions. Their home owner's insurance policy will cover such acts. Of course the parents should also be defendants since it is the parents who have a legal duty to control their children.

David Pfahler, 60 of Allentown, Pa., claims Scott Swimm, then 7, was skiing recklessly and too fast, causing a collision that left Pfahler's shoulder tendon to tear, UPI (which asserts that Pfahler is from Colorado) and the Associated Press report.

Full post as published by Des Moines Personal Injury Lawyer on March 01, 2008 (boomark / email).