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You know... I bet Petsmart would admit to liability if the 'damages' didn't always end up so bloated in these things. She "hurt" her ankle in a fall. How bad did she really 'hurt' it? - Was she really functionally disabled by the experience? - or did she feel a bit sore and limp for a few days? Is she seeking thousands for pain and suffering? - Or is she seeking the deductible for her insurance (which she should have anyway) so she could go to the doctor and get the ankle wrapped?

I tripped on a curb last week. My knee still hurts. But it was just a bump in the road of life.

You know... I bet Petsmart would admit to liability if the 'damages' didn't always end up so bloated in these things. She "hurt" her ankle in a fall. How bad did she really 'hurt' it? - Was she really functionally disabled by the experience? - or did she feel a bit sore and limp for a few days? Is she seeking thousands for pain and suffering? - Or is she seeking the deductible for her insurance (which she should have anyway) so she could go to the doctor and get the ankle wrapped?

I tripped on a curb last week. My knee still hurts. But it was just a bump in the road of life

It would depend how old she is. My aunt broke her ankle and took a few months to recover to full functionality. My mother broke her foot in a freak biking accident and took over 6 months to recover. So it would depend on how bad the injury is and her age and physical health.

All that said I agree that these liability suits are more about punishment rather than compensation. Therefore the awards tend to be grossly disproportionate to the actual offense.

I tripped on a curb last week. My knee still hurts. But it was just a bump in the road of life.

A couple of years ago I stepped off the sidewalk curb onto the parking lot at the local Safeway. Hit a patch of black ice and slipped. I was gratified the 'ol football reflexes were still there lo these many years later, and I instinctively lowered my shoulder and rolled into the fall. Groceries flew and I went head over heels, then rolled back to my feet.

Had I had the sense to stay down, I could probably be eating free food for life. Three employees had reached me within seconds, and I think they were astonished I didn't call for a lawyer.