Three Reasons Why People Sue
Three Reasons Why People Sue
Lawsuits can come from out of the blue. One day life is good, and the next, someone is taking you to court. This statement accurately depicts the subjective experience of many people who were blindsided by litigation. Lawsuits often happen because of an accident or a mistake. To the defendant, its unexpectedness does make it seem as though it came from out of the blue. So why do lawsuits happen? Why do people sue? Here are three common reasons:
1 – A Person Sues for a Legitimate Reason
If the mail delivery person slips on black ice that was created by water runoff from your basement sump pump (of which you were aware but did nothing about), then your negligence set the conditions for the accident. If the delivery person is facing huge medical bills, can’t work anymore, and must take painkillers because of a broken back, she has good reason to seek compensation for the bad turn her life has taken.
2 – A Person Sues for an Opportunistic Reason
If someone suffers an injury on your property but has the situation under control, that is, his health insurance is taking care of the medical expenses, he is able to work via crutches, and expects a full recovery, the person may choose to sue anyway. He makes this choice because his prospects of winning sizable damages are good.
The Internet is filled with law firm websites that advertise their areas of practice. Many have blogs that educate the public on why they should pursue a lawsuit and how to go about it. These lawyers provide free initial consultations and take their fee from the damages should they win the case. For some individuals, the opportunity is irresistible.
3 – A Person Sues for Emotional Reasons
This often happens because the defendant mishandled the incident that led to the lawsuit. For example, suppose your dog bites a pedestrian on the street. The pedestrian becomes furious and freely vents his anger toward you. You react in kind and get into a heated argument with the victim. Your handling of the incident gives him a powerful emotional motivation to go through with a lawsuit: anger.
Strong emotions make people do things they otherwise wouldn’t even contemplate. The right way to handle the situation is politeness and genuine concern for the person’s well-being. Offering to drive him to the hospital and paying for his medical bills would go a long way toward defusing the situation.
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Litigation can spring from your own mistakes or the opportunism of a sue-happy society. Falls on black ice happen, and sometimes you don’t have the control to contain yourself when someone yells at you, even if it’s for a good reason. Life happens and you must be prepared. Have you examined your liability insurance for coverage gaps? Does it provide realistic payout amounts? If you can’t answer yes to these questions, specialized personal liability coverage is available from XINSURANCE. Contact us today for more information.
Authored by Rick J. Lindsey, President, Chairman, and CEO of XINSURANCE
Rick J. Lindsey hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. He began working in the mailroom of his father’s Salt Lake City insurance firm, getting his introduction to the business that became his lifelong career. Rick J. Lindsey quickly rose through the ranks while working in nearly every imaginable insurance industry job. As an entrepreneur, specialty lines underwriter, claims specialist, risk manager, and a licensed surplus lines broker, Rick J. Lindsey is highly skilled in all levels of leadership and execution. As he progressed on his career path, Rick J. Lindsey discovered an urgent need for insurers willing to write policies for high-risk individuals and businesses. He was frequently frustrated that he could not provide the liability protection these entities desperately needed to safeguard their assets. He also formed the belief that insurance companies acted too quickly to settle frivolous claims. Rick J. Lindsey decided to try a different approach. He started an insurance company and became the newly formed entity’s CEO. This opportunity has enabled Rick J. Lindsey to fill a void in the market and provide a valuable service to businesses, individuals, and insurance agents who write high-risk business. XINSURANCE also specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, don’t give up quite yet. Chances are XINSURANCE can help.
