O.J.’s trial was for wimps. If you think the idea of suing a dry cleaners for $54 mil (clearance priced from original $65 mil) for losing a pair of pants is nuts, just wait until you read about the trial. The ruling is expected next week.
Judge Who Seeks Millions for Lost Pants Has His (Emotional) Day in Court
Before trial began yesterday in the case of the D.C. judge who sued his neighborhood dry cleaners after they lost his pants, the most extraordinary fact was Roy Pearson’s demand for $65 million in damages.
That was before Pearson, an administrative law judge, broke down while testifying about the emotional pain of having the cleaners give him the wrong pants.
[…]
The global import of Pearson v. Custom Cleaners was evident from the start. The courtroom was packed with members of the Korean Dry Cleaners Association and reporters from print and broadcast outlets in at least five countries. The guy from the tort reform lobby handed out bright green buttons protesting the $65 million “pantsuit.” The gent from Fox TV sported neon-color paisley pants.And Pearson, who by his account has spent more than 1,400 hours preparing his case, arrived in a black pinstripe suit. I hope he won’t sue me if I mention that the pants could have used a pressing.
Grace Hewell, a retired congressional staffer, said Jin Chung, Soo’s husband, “chased me out of the store” when she complained that her suit pants “looked like they had been washed” and no longer fit properly. “At 89, I’m not ready to be chased,” she said. “But I was in World War II as a WAC, so I think I can take care of myself. Having lived in Germany and knowing the people who were victims of the Nazis, I thought he was going to beat me up. I thought of what Hitler had done to thousands of Jews.”
This is just another sign that the end is near.
Only in America.
And so I wonder—does this guy still have his job?
And, what would be the equity of suing for lost pants and having a judge rule you not only lose, but get involuntarily committed for evaluation??
The guy is clearly nuts, no one takes action.
Whether he wins or loses, the guy will have no dry cleaning service in his neighborhood, or even the rest of Washington D.C., most likely, for the rest of his life — nobody would dare run the risk of possibly losing this guy’s pants, for sure.
Uh oh. The first one to compare their opponent to Hitler or Nazis has admitted defeat. Not a good sign for the defense. I hope they have a good insurance company.
By all accounts, the judge overseeing this suit is having a hard time keeping a straight face. Especially during the several instances when the plaintiff broke down in tears over his trousers!
The man needs counseling and maybe medication.
“Stupid is as stupid does”
The erstwhile judge should be sentenced to community service for bringing the administration of justice into disrepute. How about a 54-year sentence to clean up spilled water for the TSA at Dulles?
I guess this means that any mentally disturbed person can sue anyone for any reason.
#9 – I guess that’s true…. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
It’s all well and good to talk about how this case is ludicrous… Because it is… But once we start imposing limits on this bonehead’s right to file a lawsuit, we have effectively limited everyone’s recourse to the law… including our own.
So let this guy have his day in court.
Once its over, however, let’s all go over to his house and march around in boxers, holding torn suit pants in our hands and crying in despair.
Because this guy is a loonbat.
I’m gay and even I don’t whine over clothing.
If I were called to be a juror in a criminal case where someone murdered that despicable, litigious thief, I would be strongly tempted to vote not guilty.
I’m waiting for the TV Movie.
It’s not so much the pants, it’s what the Nazis did to the Jews in WWII that they should have to pay for…
OFTLO – Maybe grand juries should first look into unusual – ridiculous cases like this.
#15 – Well… Yeah… I’m really surprised this got to trial.
But I would still not hamper this nutjob’s right to file the suit.
This is a civil case. No grand jury. Anyone can sue anyone for anything. Doesn’t mean a judge won’t throw it out for being stupid and make the one who filed the case pay expenses of the court and opposing side.
The guy has a case in that they lost his pants. It’s what he’s asking for and his antics that make it stupid.
Actually, I hope he wins and is awarded only a free pants cleaning at the shop.
The truly sad aspect of this case is the large sum of money that the Chung family will be forced to spend to defend themselves against this frivolous lawsuit.
If this doesn’t scream “Kill All Lawyers Now!”, I don’t know what does.
Ignatius J. Reilly must at last feel vindicated.
#18 – If this doesn’t scream “Kill All Lawyers Now!”, I don’t know what does.
Comment by Steve S — 6/15/2007 @ 11:21 am
I don’t know what does either, but it ain’t this. Does this guy even have a lawyer? I don’t recall that being mentioned in the story.
But it doesn’t matter. He has a right to file the suit and a lawyer has an obligation to tell his client honestly what his chances are. I doubt that if he has a lawyer that the lawyer is banking on a percentage of the settlement. He is probably, wisely charging by the hour.
Really… Lawyer bashing is getting tired.
#20- “Does this guy even have a lawyer? I don’t recall that being mentioned in the story.”
Did you even read the artical? just woundering… it says that he is representing himself and he wants to be paid attorneys fees at $350 to $425 an hour!!!! UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! not you, the plaintiff
The plaintiff is a lawyer representing himself. He is employed as an administrative judge.
I think the amount he is requesting in damages is ludicrous. He should have taken the $12,000 settlement offer.
But, I don’t oppose his suing the drycleaners at all. They probably did lose his pants and try to pass off some cheapos as his. Nor am I pleased by the stereotypical treatment of the Korean drycleaners. Heck, I once had one of them pick up a pair of scissors and threaten to cut a garment when I pointed out it wasn’t really clean. This ‘model’ minority stereotyping needs to stop.
No cure for stupid….
Uncle Dave,
Your comment from 10 days ago is worth repeating. I hope you don’t mind my reposting it but you summed it all up in just a few words.
The guy has a case in that they lost his pants. It’s what he’s asking for and his antics that make it stupid.
Comment by Uncle Dave — 6/15/2007 @ 11:20 am
I know the morani can’t be bothered to read the article, but maybe they will take the time to read this.
Someone should have just cited “Godwin’s Law,” and the case would have been over in minutes.