When the dry cleaners lose your pants, should you sue?

Question

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070614/ap_on_fe_st/odd_67_million_pants;_ylt=ArAIA4caiDhhzYoG51TfmHVeW7oF

Administrative law judge Roy L. Pearson is suing an Korean-American couple for losing his suit pants. Should he be suing them? The better question is should this judge lose his job over such a frivolous suit?

Answer 1

Hah! I actually work right across the street in another court and went to watch this case being tried--standing room only. You grossly oversimplify his case. That being said, his law suit is a joke (although it does present an interesting question of law--I predict he will win something but nowhere close to the $57 million he's asking for).

To answer your questions directly, I think yes he should sue them. According to him, they ruined an $1100 suit by losing the pants. They offered him $150 (minus money for age of the suit) to replace the pants--although they were part of a suit and could not be individually replaced. The $1100 is justified, as is some monies for his attorneys fees (he is acting as his own attorney, but DC has very set law allowing an attorney representing themselves to collect reasonable attorneys fees). Some of his complaints, however, and the astronomical sum, are completely inappropriate.

As for whether he should lose his job, that's a more complicated question. He thinks (as do some others) that he's simply a test case for the Consumer Protection Act in the District--showing its poorly drafted nature. On the other hand, employment contracts with the District require that an employee not bring undue attention to the District (um, hello Marion Berry?!). As he's made us an international laughing stock, I say sack the prick.

In the interests of full-disclosure, I should also say that I'm sorely upset that, with his dubious legal credentials, he was able to get an ALJ position.

Answer 2

No! It was more likely a mistake than anything else. Why should someone threaten to sue & cause the owner & his family great financial stress because someone lost a pair of pants. I don't care if it's the "principal" that is involved that is making someone go to such lengths to prove a point...c'mon now!

Answer 3

particular. There desires to be some variety of action to chop back frivolous court docket circumstances. all of us inquiring for $60 million for a pair of pants is a shaggy dog tale and abusing the legal device. i'm no longer in prefer of a entire replace to a "loser will pay" device yet i think of juries and judges must be waiting to evaluate awarding attorneys expenses and damages in circumstances like this.

Answer 4

Mr. Pearson needs counseling in a serious way. He actually started crying on the stand for cripes sake. I'm sorry but this person stands in judgement over other areas of law?

Answer 5

No I don't think that he should loose his job because Korean couple lost his pants, I do believe that he is entitled to either get reimbursed for the cost of the pants or credited on his next bill.

Answer 6

there is a legal maxim that says "De minimus non curat lex" which freely translated means the law doesn't fool around with nickel and dime garbage. A lost pair of pants would be very de minimus.

Answer 7

As an officer of the court he should be ashamed of himself. The poor store owners offered this idiot a settlement that was more than fair. If I was the judge presiding over this case I would throw it, and him, out of court!!

Answer 8

He should be kicked off the bench, disbarred and thrown into counseling. What a jerk. But, no one will do anything and he'll probably take the people who owned the dry cleaners to the cleaners (ha ha). Idiot!!

Answer 9

He should definately lose his job, no way should he be in a position to judge anyone, He does not have it all together in his head.

Answer 10

yes he should lose his job. who is this joker? he deserves nothing more than his pants back no charge. what a jackass. what's wrong with people?