Tillie Tooter Sues Police, Rescue Agencies

WPLG-TV ^

[Recovering_Democrat]

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Tillie Tooter made headlines two years ago when she was rescued after being trapped upside down in her car for several days. Now she's suing the people who saved her.

Her attorney, Terry Rosenblum (pictured), believes the Florida Highway Patrol, Fort Lauderdale police and Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue had information that should have led them to rescue Tooter sooner.

The initial 911 call led troopers to a spot a mile from where Tooter's car went over a concrete barrier, but Rosenblum says a second call should have zeroed them in.

"'I saw a car flip over the guardrail and spark.' That call was taken by Fort Lauderdale. They then in turn hung up, (the caller) tried to get FHP but couldn't," said Rosenblum.

The FHP insists it did what it could with the information it had at the time.

According to state law, Tooter can only recover $100,000 total from all three agencies. Her attorney said the suit is not about money, but about making sure troopers and rescuers do a better job.

[Recovering_Democrat]

A perfect illustration of the danger trial lawyers pose in this society. They prey upon the weak and foolish, and the sad part is there will probably be a big time out of court settlement, so the authorities can avoid a punitive jury ruling.

[dansangel]

That's gratitude for you.

Her attorney said the suit is not about money, but about making sure troopers and rescuers do a better job.

Yeah right. And I'm the Queen of England.

[Thinkin' Gal]

Tillie Tooter

Attn: name collectors and limerick aficionados.

[WellsFargo94]

At the time of her rescue, I was shocked that rescue efforts took so long and seemed so low on their priority. I was amazed that she even survived. Poor woman.

[Recovering_Democrat]

Not me. Missing people, as you surely know, are commonplace in Florida. Florida is like the giant vacuum Ross Perot talked about in the 1996 election. :)

Only so much can be done.

[ofMagog]

Reminds me of the telephone solicitors who approach police and fire departments to call everyone in a given locale and give the departments a small part of the take for allowing them to use their name. The departments rationalize it is harmless and at least they get enough for a good beer bust, any amount they get being better than nothing.

Lawyers have workers who prowl the accident reports and send out mailings telling prospective client/victims it isn't going to cost them anything and they might wind up with some money. Check the covers of any big city telephone directory for their ads. Then, look at their ads under "attorneys" in the Yellow Pages.

[elbucko]

Her attorney said.....

There should be a season and bounty on attorneys. This is nothing more than extortion.

[FreedomPoster]

One of that kind of personal injury lawyer has his office in the same building as my wife's accounting firm. His ad was the back cover of the Yellow Pages at one time (may be now), if that tells you anything. My wife and her co-workers can pretty much visually profile the lawyer's clients - if they look low rent, they're probably looking for this lawyer's office.

[general_re]

Folks, here's the story 'bout Tillie the Tooter,
She was a red hot hoochie coocher,
She was the roughest, toughest frail,
But Tillie had a lawyer who could not fail...

Hidey-hidey-hidey-ho!

[Mike4Freedom]

Because of the concept of sovereign immunity, Florida can and does have a state statute that limits total damages (actual and punitive) to $100,000 against any government. Even if the jury says $10 million, she can only collect $100K. Only the legislature can lift that limit if it wants.

That may seem OK in this case, but it is a bad idea overall since it even includes a wrongful death where a policeman kills an innocent person in the infamous no-knock search scenario. It implies that the sovereign can do no wrong and is left over from the days of our English heritage with a monarchy.

[Fiddlstix]

Trial lawyers
Bump

[clintonh8r]

Her attorney said the suit is not about money.....

Translation from legalspeak to plain English: It's about money.

[WellsFargo94]

I did not know that missing people are commonplace in Florida. Why is this exactly? Weren't they close to her at some point in looking for her, but then they left. Of course I am not saying that they purposly didn't try to find her, it just seems that the driver of the car that called the police might have had a good idea where they saw her car overturn.

[wcbtinman]

So the suit is not about the money?

Good, let them now declare that any proceeds from the suit will be donated to charity...including the slimeball lawyer's cut.

...crickets chirping...

[Thinkin' Gal]

She was a red hot hoochie coocher

[TopQuark]

Which makes one wonder whether we should adopt elements of the British system, where the looser pays the court costs. ALl this behavior occurs only because it is costless.

[holyscroller]

Ungrateful woman. If she wins, dump her back over.

[TrappedInLiberalHell]

OK, I'll rise to the bait...

There was an old gal Tille Tooter
Who was a most hapless commuter
She flipped the guard rail
For three days she did wail
And once saved, sleazy lawyers then wooed her

[Khurkris]

Excellent !!!

[Colorado Doug]

Her lawyer is a slacker. He neglected to sue the concrete barrier manufacturer/installer and her vehicle manufacurer. (Not for the money of course)

Maybe she will learn to drive after this. Always keep the wheels pointed down!!