Lawsuit - immigrants families sue trailer co

PhilNH5 · Aug 3, 2005

Just read this on Yahoo news A while back 17 illegal immigrants being smuggled into the US died in a packed cargo trailer.

Surviving families are suing Great Dane trailer company and the truck leasing firm as well as the driver. Other than the driver why should the truck or trailer company be held liable.
Something is seriously wrong with the system.

Phil

bczoom · Aug 3, 2005

Out of control...

First the guns, now the trailers. Next will be a lawsuit against mfgrs. of pencils since they cause spelling mistakes.

Junkman · Aug 3, 2005

Just like everything else that happens, people from other lands use our laws against us. Try going to Mexico and demand they pay for your health care as a illegal immigrant. Try demanding that they supply you with an interpreter or that they speak English. Try demanding your Civil Rights as defined by the U.S. ........ see what happens.... /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

BB_TX · Aug 3, 2005

This ain't an immigrant problem. This a problem with our litigation system. Remember the lady that won millions from McDonalds because she spilled coffee in her lap? The lawyers will sue everyone remotely connected to an event hoping to get a settlement from them because they know it will be very expensive for the defendent to fight it, and the defendents may lose in court even if they are in no way responsible but the jury is sympathetic to the injured party.

Indydirtfarmer · Aug 3, 2005

As a fair settlement, give the families an all expenses paid, around the world trip..... IN A SHIPPING CONTAINER.... /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

twinstackram · Aug 3, 2005

Hey, I work for Great Dane trailers,maybe I can sue them for working me to hard for 18 years!

This kind of stuff happening here in the U.S. is getting way out of control,I get tired of us having to kiss every body elses butt to keep them happy.

hobbyfarm · Aug 3, 2005

( Just like everything else that happens, people from other lands use our laws against us. Try going to Mexico and demand they pay for your health care as a illegal immigrant. Try demanding that they supply you with an interpreter or that they speak English. Try demanding your Civil Rights as defined by the U.S. ........ see what happens.... )

Junkman,
First, "Mexican health care" is an oxymoron.

Next, they'll tell you to "get lost gringo!"

Then, they'll tell you "civil rights? we doneed no stinkin civil rights"

Then they'll put you in one of those jails with no roof in the middle of no where! /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

hobbyfarm · Aug 3, 2005

In all fairness-

These are human lives that were lost. For that reason, lawsuits can, and will be filed. And they should be filed.
Great Dane Trailers is not at fault.
The only one I see at fault is:
A) the coward truck driver who abandonded them.
B) the coyote who took these people's money to get them into the US.
C) The US Border Patrol/US Customs, how did this vehicle get through the checkpoints, and the X-Ray machines they have setup to view every tractor-trailer.
D)The judge (or the interpretation of the law) who decided this suit has merit against the trailer co. These refers are not to have human cargo. PERIOD! There need to be no interior latch for escape. (meats and vegetables do not try to escape)

Just my $0.02
(and, of course I'm right)

hobbyfarm · Aug 3, 2005

One more point...

This suit filed by the plaintiff during the commission of a crime should not be heard.

If a burglar, while breaking into my house through the bathroom window, slips on the bar of soap (that I didn't pickup after my morning shower) and cracks his head open. Should his family be able to file a lawsuit against me?

This is ridiculous.

You guys are right. The suit has no merit as filed.

SnowRidge · Aug 3, 2005

( This a problem with our litigation system. Remember the lady that won millions from McDonalds because she spilled coffee in her lap? ) 

Really bad example. She had a legitimate complaint. Essentially, she was handed a paper cup of boiling water and was severely injured, and she wasn't the first that it happened to. Mickey D settled the others, but for some inexplicable reason balked when she merely asked for her medical bills to be paid, which resulted in her filing suit.

The jury foreman is on record as going in thinking it would be a quick finding for Mickey Ds, but becoming outraged when testimony showed what was really had happened and was still happening.

There are a number of web sites that provide a sound legal analysis of the case:

http://library.findlaw.com/1999/Nov/1/129862.html
http://www.mtla.net/news5.html

Unfortunately, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands of others that merely spout outrage, because on the surface the jury award seems excessive.

Guess which ones the politicians quote.