Theater of the absud

[resqgeek]

Have you heard about the lawsuit going on here in DC? The one where the DC Administrative Judge is suing a dry cleaner for $54 million over a pair of pants? I'm sorry, I just don't understand how a dry cleaner misplacing your pants is worth anything even remotely close to that kind of damages. According to an article in the NY Times, the cleaners offered a $12,000 (!!) settlement, which the plaintiff declined. You could buy a lot of very nice pants with $12,000, so it seems to me that this isn't really about the pants, is it?

Of course, the owners of the dry cleaners are apparently not particularly likable people, but if they lose this case, I'm sure it puts them out of business. Which seems like a harsh penalty to pay for losing a single pair of pants. Honestly, I have trouble understanding how this case even made it to trial. Shouldn't the judge be able to throw a case like this out as being a extravagant waste of time and court resources?

And what's up with the crying on the stand? Over a pair of pants? I'm sorry, I'm just not that attached to my clothing...

Comments

[elhamisabel.livejournal.com]

Every time I read about such cases in the USA, I am grateful for the German system where in no way you could claim huge sums for nothing.
It's only the cost of the destroyed item you get and maybe, in case you can show proof, that you were going to sell it for more, that amount of money as well.

CYA

[skyring.livejournal.com]

There's a saying, "The law is an ass!"