This is a crazy but true story: My sister has this guy (now 36), that I personally know back in high school, who cannot get over her because she refused to date him over 11 years ago (!). They never seen each other since. He's been trying to slander her all over town for years with little success. Since the "jilt," he never stayed out of trouble (arrested and jailed several times).
She got married recently, and when the guy (I've been told through a few friends) learned about it, he was shattered.
I am thinking of a wild scenario that if he ever attempts or commits suicide and writes a suicide note saying that she is to blame because "she didn't want to marry him," does his family have grounds to legally sue my sister for this, saying she was responsible for his death? Even though they clearly never seen and talked to each other for ages?
I cannot rule this possibility out because HIS sister attempted suicide at age 13. Which tells you something about the issues in his family.
2007-07-22 05:10:21 · 13 answers · asked by The Kid 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
You can sue anyone, but it does not mean you will win. If by some ridiculous chance the family could find and afford a lawyer who would even represent this ridiculous case, more than likely the judge would throw it out.
2007-07-22 05:14:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Anyone can file a lawsuit over anything in our system of jurisprudence (see the example of the $58 million dollar suit against a dry cleaner recently in the news as an example). However, what you really are asking is would the family of the guy PREVAIL in such a lawsuit. The answer to that question is almost certainly NOT. It is doubtful that the family would even be able to find a lawyer who would take the case. But as I said at the outset, anything is possible.
2007-07-22 12:18:39 · answer #2 · answered by utarch 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Assuming your sister has done nothing in the last 11 years except politely and/or firmly decline any advances, I think the family would be hard-pressed to make out any sort of case. Her involvement in his depression (for want of a better word) is far too remote, based on what you have said.
Of course, that does not stop them from trying - did you reads about the judge that sued a dry cleaner for $65 million because they allegedly lost his pants? He got his day in court, it cost the cleaner time and money to fight. They did win, but that did not stop the case from reaching court.
I really hope your scenario never comes to pass.
2007-07-22 12:17:25 · answer #3 · answered by skip 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. She cannot be held responsible. It sounds like the entire family is a little nuts. A person that commits suicide cannot blame others for their mental problems and they cannot be found at fault.
2007-07-22 13:31:17 · answer #4 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless the person is directly responsible for the death (weilding a weapon or something like that) there is no way to legally obtain restitution for someone having killed themself. There isn't any sort of lawsuit filed is there? Courts don't look favorably upon frivolous suits.
2007-07-22 12:19:18 · answer #5 · answered by SodaLicious 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simply put , no , your sister can not be sued .
If this nut does commit suicide and tries to blame your sister ,
his family will not have a leg to stand on , it would be laughed out of court .
And if he did commit suicide they would preform an autopsy and rule it as a suicide .
So my advice to you and your sister would be , put it out of your mind , and go on as if you never knew him , and thank God she didn't get with him .
If you still have doubts , call a lawyer who offers free consoltation and get their legal opinion on this .
Best of luck !
2007-07-30 02:38:50 · answer #6 · answered by native1 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't see it and if it happens what has this world come to he has also had a family suicide that right there should bring the red flages up.
2007-07-29 19:33:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone, anywhere, anytime it seems can file a suit for anything. However, whether or not it would proceed and damages would be awarded would be up for grabs.
2007-07-22 12:14:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
no i don't think so. it would clearly not be her fault if they have not contacted and she got married! there would be no support for the family suing her
2007-07-22 12:14:27 · answer #9 · answered by Carrie H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
jumping to conclusions is not healthy, however, your sister and her husband should watch over her shoulder to be sure that guy isn't stalking them. (see, I've been watching tv too.)
2007-07-29 20:30:12 · answer #10 · answered by sophieb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋