Recently, I received a notice of a class action. For not being paid overtime for 5 years, I was offered a total of $300 in the settlement. The legal fees payable to the attorney were over $130,000.

I don’t care what anyone says. This is outright legal extortion on the backs of working people. This is casa nostra. Where are the state attorneys general now? They go after the working people trying to make a living, yet the lawyers have free reign.

A nurse familiar with my home and its facilities claimed that she slipped over a chair in my room while my back was to her. This was a chair she was familiar with, but she said she walked backwards away from my bed during my care. She hopped within my view claiming an injury to her knee. She called her agency and reported that she couldn’t continue the remainder of her visits but did stay with me to complete my care, which was noncritical.

She claimed a disability leave from work under workman’s compensation, returned to work in light duty and was eventually laid off. Later, I was sued by her lawyer, who claims that she suffered a “career ending injury” from a “spinal cord injury,” although her original claim was for her knee. She is not satisfied with the limits of my home owners insurance and is pursuing all my assets including my home.

I merely rolled into a vehicle at a red light. I insisted on a police report and the officer himself wrote on his report that there was no damage to either car and no injuries.  About 2 weeks later, I got a call from my insurance company saying that the person had sued for injuries and damages. I showed them my car and the insurance agreed they wouldn’t pay. But, instead of going to court, they paid the other person $1,000.00.  It was sometimes in the 90’s. I don’t even remember the date now. But I remember my insurance payments were increased until the money was paid. 

Tort reform and lawyer actions are crucial to our present economic crisis.

Within 15 minutes, city police, firemen and ambulance service had all arrived.  After a detailed investigation of what might have caused the incident, it was determined that there was a party, and someone attending the party had improperly lit the pilot on their furnace. That person had not sealed the burner opening properly, causing exhaust to be pulled into duct system and distributed amongst the home.  Emergency personnel wouldn’t allow the individuals to come back to the home as a result. I felt sorry for the single mom and her child, so I got them a room in a motel for the night.

About two weeks later, I was giving my deposition to our insurance company and was told that they would settle even though it was clearly not our responsibility. They said it was cheaper than fighting it in court.  They gave her a $75,000 settlement.  I’m sure our insurance went up as well!

The next day we were served by an ambulance chasing type attorney.  I turned the claim into our insurance, and because this took place in a temporary structure it was not covered. We received a judgment for $50,000. We have fought this judgment since 2006, but it is ruining our lives. We are now going to make payments and settle with this. The part that I don’t understand is that he was able to sue us.

I moved to Ohio in 2000 when I got married. I thought my prayers were answered. We had a beautiful place to live and bring up kids and grandkids on a lake. In 2003, I was sent a letter by an attorney. A neighbor had claimed:

• Our deck blocks their view of the lake, but the deck was put on some 15 years ago.
• That I throw dog poo in people’s yards.
• That the swing set installed by my husband’s grandfather around the 1930’s was theirs too because they enjoyed it for so many years and we had no right to remove it.
• That my trees block their view of the lake.
• That I am rude to people.
• That we are over here killing each other. (This was one of several unexpected visits from the local Sherriff. We in fact were playing Yatzee with the kids.)

I could go on and on. This is not a joke. It is happening, and it’s costing us our livelihood. It has cost us well over $10,000 to protect our family, our property and our rights. This has emotionally and financially drained us. I have been afraid to go outside as the neighbor who put this together has spit on me, chased me down on a rider mower, and has 400 plus pictures of me and my friends and family and our property. Yet he is suing me??

We have contracts with customers to built one-of-a-kind designed vehicles. But, when the customers found times were tough for them financially and they were unable to finish the project, they sued right away. People sue for any stupid thing just to make me want to settle and give them their money back. This is what happens when people get in over their finances and get crazy.