"He's a child. No child should ever be put in the situation he was put in because of a ski accident."
Robb and Susan Swimm
Eagle, Colorado
When a man suddenly turned in front of seven-year-old S...
"He's a child. No child should ever be put in the situation he was put in because of a ski accident."
Robb and Susan Swimm Eagle, Colorado
When a man suddenly turned in front of seven-year-old Scott Swimm on the ski mountain, Scott reacted and prevented a collision. Instead, he passed over the man's skis, and both Scott and the man lost their balance. As Scott stood up and tried to apologize, the man grabbed Scott and threatened to sue him and his whole family.
Months later, the local sheriff came to the Swimms' house to personally serve Scott with papers. "Scott thought he was going to go to jail. He did not understand what was happening," said Scott's mother, Susan. Scott was later deposed by three plaintiffs' lawyers. The night before, he cried himself to sleep. "Scott was intimidated by that," his mother said. "That was a scary, scary thing."
The Swimms' legal ordeal lasted almost a year. Scott's grades suffered, and his teachers called Susan to let her know how differently Scott was behaving at school. Seeing how dramatically the suit was affecting their son, the Swimms "wanted the whole thing to stop... and I wanted Scott to be able to get his little smile back," Susan said.
Since the cost of fighting a lawsuit, no matter its merits, is often more than a settlement, the Swimms' insurance company decided to settle the suit.
Not only did the lawsuit take an emotional toll, it put a dent in the Swimms' income as well. The many hours Robb spent handling the lawsuit took him away from his jobs, which both paid by the hour. At the time, Robb was working as a hotel concierge and scanning tickets on the ski mountain. Susan was attempting to start her own small business.
"My son's age was no concern," Robb said of the lawsuit. "My family's situation was no concern. And I do believe the lawyers used Scott and his age as a pawn to get across a certain fear that 'we're going to hurt your child more if you don't pay us.'"
"What we learned is that it wasn't about justice. And it wasn't about what really happened in the accident... it was all about money."
Like to rate videos and let people know what you think?
Automatically share your ratings, favorites, and more on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Reader with YouTube Autoshare.
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
Like to share videos with friends?
Automatically share your ratings, favorites, and more on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Reader with YouTube Autoshare.
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
This video has been removed from your Favorites. (Undo)
Like to Favorite videos and let people know what you think?
Automatically share your ratings, favorites, and more on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Reader with YouTube Autoshare.
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
i'd tell that ASSHOLE to learn how to fucking ski on friday the 13th march of 2009 a young skier slammed into me and shattered my collar bone. the father had the audacity to talk shit to me when it was his sons fault...
its stupid jackass skiers and there radical turns that fuck people up
fuck that asshole that hit him... im with you guys. you ride at your own risk. the guy wasnt even hurt and he sued? shit i had 2 surgeries and i didnt say a word
he's seven SEVEN he's still learning to ski or something but sue him, gosh, there should be a law where you can sue only if the person is at least 14 and up
wow that guy who sued had serious problems i would beat the crap out of him if something like this happened to me... well im older but thats like totally unfair
if i ever meet the guy who sued the poor kid, i would chop off his balls throw them in a bear infested forest and then leave him in a lions den for him to die off.
its a poor kid! nowadays cowards, and pussies can get away with anything with the law on their side. whatever happened to duking it out to settle agreements?? -.-
Autoshare makes certain YouTube activities public on the services you choose. Select only the services you are comfortable with - like Facebook, Twitter, or Google Reader - to let your friends know what you like on YouTube. You can turn Autoshare off at any time.
you are bound to fall either way when snowboarding or skiiing lmfao....
on friday the 13th march of 2009 a young skier slammed into me and shattered my collar bone. the father had the audacity to talk shit to me when it was his sons fault...
its stupid jackass skiers and there radical turns that fuck people up
fuck that asshole that hit him... im with you guys. you ride at your own risk. the guy wasnt even hurt and he sued? shit i had 2 surgeries and i didnt say a word
some people are just assholes
its a poor kid! nowadays cowards, and pussies can get away with anything with the law on their side. whatever happened to duking it out to settle agreements?? -.-