I started diving off of starting blocks when I was eight years old. I am now 51, and train at the Y, almost always alone, as there is no Masters program in the county where I live, or in any of the immediately adjacent counties. (There are several age group programs.) I want to work on my starts, but none of the Y's where I swim will let me use the blocks - saying that a national Y policy prohibits anyone from using the blocks unless a team/club coach is on the deck.
I have never heard of anyone suing a YMCA because of an accident on a starting block.
Yes, perhaps a coach would be valuable to me in this regard, but I'm not looking for a coach - I need and want a cooperative facility. The age groups' program schedules are not conducive to my schedule, and besides, the age group coaches already have enough on their hands during those times with lanes full of kids working their programs. I also am not excited about having to dodge those kids to do the work I need to do.
Anyone find a way to conquer this litigation-fear-induced insanity yet? Thank you.
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by botterud
To Leonard and Tom: Please re-read the facts of the case. McDonald's sold coffee at temperature that was not fit for human consumption. McDonald's had notice of multiple injuries from their practice. McDonald's could have paid her medical bills and been done with it, but decided to press the matter to trial. So a jury of citizens, with full knowledge of all of the facts, made the call. What is so outlandish about that?
Carl - I do feel bad that the woman was hurt. However, when I drink tea (I dislike coffee), I like it very hot. I often boil the water, put in the tea bag and then sip it very slowly. It is at least as hot as McD's coffee. But I do NOT put it in my lap. For that matter, I also don't put soda cups, or any other liquid, regardless of temperature, in my lap - and certainly not when driving. Seems to me she made a bad choice and certainly must share some of the responsibility.
True story: I was run over by a car when I was 13. I was on my bike, crossing a small side road behind my friend on his bike, and a car turned, hit me, knocked me off my bike and ran over both my legs. The legs didn't break (Jansen's are built with industrial spec parts), but they were pretty banged up. The guy who hit me was 88 years old, senile, and blind as a bat. To add insult to injury, the guy got out of his car and started screaming at me and kicking me (I couldn't move because of my legs). My friend tackled him and they had a fist fight. (A 13 year old vs an 88 year old in a fight - quite a sight.) When all was said and done, lawyers said it was an easy $500,000 settlement (this is 1968, BTW). Here is what my father and mother decided was the correct settlement:
1) My dad smacked me for riding like an idiot.
2) I got a top of the line bike to replace my old beater.
3) I got all my medical bills paid from the incident and all bills paid up until I was 21.
4) They took the guy's licence away permanently.
5) They dropped the charges against my grandmother. She lived near the accident and when my friend ran to her house to tell her what happened, she (76 years old and all 100 lbs of her) came down like the avenging angel of God and beat up the guy. (She was raised in the tough Irish gettos of NYC in the late 1800's)
6) My mom smacked me for riding like an idiot.
Admittedly, the guy who hit me got off a bit easy, but I still think that they weren't wrong.
-LBJ
Originally posted by botterud
To Leonard and Tom: Please re-read the facts of the case. McDonald's sold coffee at temperature that was not fit for human consumption. McDonald's had notice of multiple injuries from their practice. McDonald's could have paid her medical bills and been done with it, but decided to press the matter to trial. So a jury of citizens, with full knowledge of all of the facts, made the call. What is so outlandish about that?
Carl - I do feel bad that the woman was hurt. However, when I drink tea (I dislike coffee), I like it very hot. I often boil the water, put in the tea bag and then sip it very slowly. It is at least as hot as McD's coffee. But I do NOT put it in my lap. For that matter, I also don't put soda cups, or any other liquid, regardless of temperature, in my lap - and certainly not when driving. Seems to me she made a bad choice and certainly must share some of the responsibility.
True story: I was run over by a car when I was 13. I was on my bike, crossing a small side road behind my friend on his bike, and a car turned, hit me, knocked me off my bike and ran over both my legs. The legs didn't break (Jansen's are built with industrial spec parts), but they were pretty banged up. The guy who hit me was 88 years old, senile, and blind as a bat. To add insult to injury, the guy got out of his car and started screaming at me and kicking me (I couldn't move because of my legs). My friend tackled him and they had a fist fight. (A 13 year old vs an 88 year old in a fight - quite a sight.) When all was said and done, lawyers said it was an easy $500,000 settlement (this is 1968, BTW). Here is what my father and mother decided was the correct settlement:
1) My dad smacked me for riding like an idiot.
2) I got a top of the line bike to replace my old beater.
3) I got all my medical bills paid from the incident and all bills paid up until I was 21.
4) They took the guy's licence away permanently.
5) They dropped the charges against my grandmother. She lived near the accident and when my friend ran to her house to tell her what happened, she (76 years old and all 100 lbs of her) came down like the avenging angel of God and beat up the guy. (She was raised in the tough Irish gettos of NYC in the late 1800's)
6) My mom smacked me for riding like an idiot.
Admittedly, the guy who hit me got off a bit easy, but I still think that they weren't wrong.
-LBJ
