Bottom-Feeding Lawyers Should Be Disbarred After 3 Frivolous Suits

• I hope they all get hit by a bus when they leave the courthouse.

• Mark, I really appreciate you pointing out that frivolous suits cost the taxpayers money. On the story about the chick that sued the bank because she was too hot to work there, I had pointed out that these things cost us way too much money and several people argued that the court fees cover these costs. I'm just thankful that someone else understands that the measly court fees fail to even come close to how much it costs for a suit such as this to stream through the system. As a taxpayer, I'm more insulted by how much of my money goes to these suits (directly through taxes and indirectly through raised consumer prices), than I am that some of the suits are even filed. However, in this story, I have to say that the suit makes me way more mad than the cost. I also agree about the disbarment of lawyers who file too many suits.

• The bar association rarely sanctions its own, Kris. It's akin to having an committee of cops decided over police brutality cases. The penalties for ill-behavior are laughingly light.

• The problem with frivolous lawsuits, besides the obvious fact that they do not take into consideration the victims, is that they are an unnecessary burden upon the Courts and cost the Taxpayers loads of money. The reason why frivolous lawsuits are so prevalent is that they are no more difficult to make than purchasing a Lottery Ticket. The only difference between a frivolous lawsuit and the Lottery is that you have far better odds of winning the big prize with a frivolous lawsuit. The people who place these frivolous lawsuits, such as the Winters, have nothing to lose but everything to gain by making mountains of frivolous lawsuits being that the predatory lawyers who take these cases are willing to work on Contingent Fee, meaning that the plaintiff needs to pay nothing unless they are awarded damages from a settlement or favorable verdict, wherein the attorney gets a percentage. Since lawsuits are Civil Cases, the burden of proof is significantly less than their Criminal Case counterparts (think of O.J. Simpson who was found "Not Guilty" in Criminal Court yet was successfully sued in Civil Court into Bankruptcy). In a Civil Case you only need to show Preponderance of Evidence, meaning that evidence shows that the plaintiff's supposition is more likely than not (think 51% proof instead of 100%). The worst thing, is that those who are abused by such frivolous lawsuits would have to rely on Tort Law to counter-sue, which not only would one would first have to be wealthy enough to pursue such litigation in the first place, but relies on a totally different burden of proof to prove the original plaintiff of the frivolous lawsuit engaged in tortious conduct. In order to prevent victims of crimes, or their surviving relatives who are in mourning, from being further victimized by these kinds of frivolous lawsuits, there either needs to be penalties levied for the filing of frivolous lawsuits, or the "nothing to lose, but everything to gain" benefits of filing a frivolous lawsuit needs to go away. Until that happens, we will continue to see rampant frivolous lawsuits, even against the victims of crimes, that will continue to bog down our Judicial System and burden Taxpayers. (Thankfully the morality of what the Winters have chosen to do when filing their frivolous lawsuits was not lost on society who will continue to scorn their sociopathic behaviors, regardless of whether their meritless cases win or lose.)

• "Why don't we have some sort of law that penalizes those who file frivolous lawsuits?" We already have that. It's called the bar association. Lawyers can very well lose their license for filing frivolous law suits just as much as if they acted unprofessionally in court. The catch being that someone has to make complaints.

• Relatives of the victims killed in the accident, and now being sued, should file counter suit against the father for failing to better raise his daughter, and against the father and lawyer for defamation and emotional distress.

• @angry grandma and mark ... I COMPLETELY AGREE!! Which ever one of these came up w/ the idea for the lawsuit is nothing more than bottom feeding scum!! I agree, disbar the attorney, jail the dad and girl for the rest of their lives ... and the attorney should also face some other kind of punishment. I hope the victims turn around and file a wrongful death suit and take everything that family has!!! Isn't that exactly what they are trying to do to the victim??!! There just are no words ...

• I wanted to add some addition information for those interested (I hope that is alright). This is beyond ridiculous!!! How dare she sue anyone because her "suicide attempt" failed for her but resulted in HOMICIDE of 3 other INNOCENT people! She deserves to spend the rest of her life behind bars! CARS ARE NOT TOYS!!! She's also suing because she had severe injuries as a result of the accident ... past and future income, medical expenses, etc., etc. on the total BULLSHIT! She deserved every one of those injuries and MORE! Too bad she wasn't the one killed! I don't mean to sound so cold; but, it you want to end your life do it in a manner that will only hurt YOU! There are just no words for this. Should she ever get out from behind bars she should definitely NEVER be allowed behind the wheel of another car EVER AGAIN!!! http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_320658f6-23f5-5450-aa9b-6e1825293433.html http://www.dailyinterlake.com/news/local_montana/article_3a5c2d3a-9d06-11df-8fed-001cc4c002e0.html Scrapes and "scrubs" in the southbound lane on the overpass "had to be made by [Winter's] Grand Am," Curry testified. The lawsuit notes that Winter suffered permanent and continuing injuries, along with mental pain and suffering and the loss of capacity to enjoy life. It cites future loss of income and past, present and future medical expenses. Winter is seeking a judgment against the defendants for damages, costs, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest and other relief deemed appropriate. A key issue in the case is the allegation — based on several text messages just before the crash — that Winters intentionally crashed into Thompson to commit suicide.

• I almost agree with your reasoning Mark. But i think in this case the father should be jailed as well. He is the one who started the frivoloue lawsuits to begin with. I read somewhere (maybe crimesiders?) that they (father, creep and lawyer) could use the victims against themself. Claiming they were at fault for being where they were at that moment in time! Not to mention the money would have gone to the lawyer anyways as payment for his defending the creep in this case. So i agree. Just need to add the creepo's dad. and i would add more jail time also. Just a thought.

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