Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - Man sues U.S. Government after falling off cliff while taking a leak.

NoSoup · 08-08-2006, 08:27 AM

I dunno - perhaps I feel for the guy because I nearly did the same thing, but it would really depend on the specific circumstances. I went camping relatively near where I live at a campground that is basically set up on some cliffs overlooking Lake Michigan.

It seemed a fine campsite and we were all having a good time, but late that night I started to wander off to take a leak and nearly fell to my death.

Granted, it was dark - but I had a flashlight. Probably less than 10 feet from the edge of our campsite was a 40-50 foot drop straight down - with only a 3 foot opening on top. I never saw it - well, not until I stuck my leg through it, anyway...

In a situation like that, had I fallen and died, I would be absolutely fine with my family suing the park - and I don't like frivolous lawsuits any more than most other people.

Remember, often times people hear about a situation and automatically assume that it is frivolous lawsuit. For instance: The lady who spilled McDonald's coffee on her lap. At least in my opinion, it wasn't frivolous - the coffee was far hotter than it ever should have been, and caused extensive damage to her - if I remember correctly, multiple surgeries, skin grafts, permanent nerve damage, and of course scarring were just the tip of the iceberg.

Initially, it sounds ridiculous, but I try to withold judgement until I have the full story...

08-08-2006, 08:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
NoSoup Non-Rookie Location: Green Bay, WI	I dunno - perhaps I feel for the guy because I nearly did the same thing, but it would really depend on the specific circumstances. I went camping relatively near where I live at a campground that is basically set up on some cliffs overlooking Lake Michigan. It seemed a fine campsite and we were all having a good time, but late that night I started to wander off to take a leak and nearly fell to my death. Granted, it was dark - but I had a flashlight. Probably less than 10 feet from the edge of our campsite was a 40-50 foot drop straight down - with only a 3 foot opening on top. I never saw it - well, not until I stuck my leg through it, anyway... In a situation like that, had I fallen and died, I would be absolutely fine with my family suing the park - and I don't like frivolous lawsuits any more than most other people. Remember, often times people hear about a situation and automatically assume that it is frivolous lawsuit. For instance: The lady who spilled McDonald's coffee on her lap. At least in my opinion, it wasn't frivolous - the coffee was far hotter than it ever should have been, and caused extensive damage to her - if I remember correctly, multiple surgeries, skin grafts, permanent nerve damage, and of course scarring were just the tip of the iceberg. Initially, it sounds ridiculous, but I try to withold judgement until I have the full story... __________________ I have an aura of reliability and good judgement. Just in case you were wondering...