With apologies to Johnny Cash and his song lyrics about a boy named Sue, there are three words that I have gotten so tired of hearing and seeing - "potential law suit." We have become a litigious society - and that is not a good thing.
Does everyone have to be right? Can no one just accept life and reality? How about some personal responsibility?
Sure, there are times when something egregious happens or there is culpable negligence. Law suits - contrary to what trial lawyers want us to believe - aren't the only answers even for obvious situations. Mistakes happen, miscalculations happen. Sometimes it's just an inconvenience that results. Occasionally the results of a mishap are tragic.
Someone burns themselves on hot coffee and they feel they're entitled to millions of dollars? Why? Outside of a minor burn that can happen when we are careless or not paying attention, where was the crime here? What damage or permanent injury was actually sustained?
People who suffer a small injury - often through their own clumsiness or from not paying attention - are looking for the big score - the lottery. That's why they are called accidents.
Can every manufacturer or business anticipate that someone will figure out a way to use their product improperly in a dangerous or unsafe way and try to prevent it or design for that eventuality? This only adds to the regulation, costs of production, and ultimately to the retail price.
The words "potential law suit" or "I'll sue" have become threatening, intimidation, or bullying tactics today. Don't like something - threaten to sue. Didn't get your way - threaten law suit.
Occasionally you might not have any choice but to use litigation to collect a debt and get paid - that's not the same thing as looking for ways to create a windfall from non-contractual occurrences.
With the elections now only a few days away, we're going to hear this lament more and more - law suit. If the right candidate doesn't win and the results are close - law suit from his or her supporters. If someone is denied the right to vote because they don't meet the criteria - law suit. If a proposition is closely passed or defeated - law suit by the other side. If there are issues with the actual voting equipment - law suit by anyone or any candidate who thinks they've been harmed.
William James once said, “Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequence of any misfortune.” He might have something there.
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For more information on my coaching services or sales tips visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my blog homesalesinsights.com.
