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
This has been an amazing discussion. I had never read the actual facts of the infamous McDonald's coffee case, I appreciate seeing them here. As you can see, I live in NJ, home of some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country. A long time ago when I started paying my own insurance I asked my agent why it cost so much. His answer was-"Everytime someone gets in a fender-bender in this state they think they won the lottery, and the lawyers get them the winning tickets"
About 10 years ago I was in an accident-a guy ran the light and hit my car so hard it went airborne and landed on the drivers side. Because I was belted in, I walked away with a bruised elbow. The insurance company paid my medical bills and I got enough $$ for a downpayment on a new car. I did NOT sue, although I was approached by 2 lawyers offering to file for me. I refused to add to the madness. My arm healed, I had a car and was basically in the same shape as before the accident within a month. If more people would choose not to file lawsuits in cases like mine, there would be more $$ available for people who truly need it and the bottom-feeding lawyers would be out of jobs.
This has been an amazing discussion. I had never read the actual facts of the infamous McDonald's coffee case, I appreciate seeing them here. As you can see, I live in NJ, home of some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country. A long time ago when I started paying my own insurance I asked my agent why it cost so much. His answer was-"Everytime someone gets in a fender-bender in this state they think they won the lottery, and the lawyers get them the winning tickets"
About 10 years ago I was in an accident-a guy ran the light and hit my car so hard it went airborne and landed on the drivers side. Because I was belted in, I walked away with a bruised elbow. The insurance company paid my medical bills and I got enough $$ for a downpayment on a new car. I did NOT sue, although I was approached by 2 lawyers offering to file for me. I refused to add to the madness. My arm healed, I had a car and was basically in the same shape as before the accident within a month. If more people would choose not to file lawsuits in cases like mine, there would be more $$ available for people who truly need it and the bottom-feeding lawyers would be out of jobs.
