scam falls

http://www.wftv.com/news/24691516/detail.html

I thought it was interesting how these "falls" are becoming a trend.

The repercussions aren't good. Over time the establishment will switch from punishing these scams to just "ingoring" them (selective enforcement). And of course if they are scamming stores they will switch to scamming people.

One person interviewed said that she "didn't know why" the perpetrators would do this. But it reminds me of the new types of crimes that were happening in Japan, where (one example) a lonely old lady stabbed a man so she could have company that night, even if it was in jail. At least, thats what she told the news. The elderly have different things that are important to them.

As far as being equipped goes, I see a couple connections. First, I'm thinking this will all be part of the "brave new world" where we are all on condition Yellow all the time. Second I think it will begin to normalize crime in many people's eyes.

With the economic situation the past few years, I'm surprised that we haven't heard more about staged accidents by people desperate for money.

I'm not sure I'd agree that individuals are necessarily going to be more targeted for scams like these. Businesses generally have the deeper pockets, bigger insurance policies, therefore a bigger potential pay out. Any small business owner that deals with the public on their premises is acutely aware of the chance of being bankrupted by something like a slip 'n fall or other "accident". My parents were lucky that they never had to deal with it over 40 years of running a restaurant.

Just my opinion, but one area where individuals might be targeted more often as people get desperate is staged driving accidents, like being set up to rear end a scamster. I always try to keep a decent following distance from the car in front of me since once you plow into someone, regardless of what the other car does, you're very vulnerable legally. I don't know about elsewhere, but here in Southern California, people drive very close to the car in front of them even at high speed. It's particularly noticeable on the freeway. I'm surprised that more people don't get rear ended or in horrible chain reaction accidents on the freeways every day. It's a dumb reaction by most people who simply don't want someone cutting in front of them and somehow "getting ahead" of them.

People don't realize how dangerous that habit is. Cars these days are more powerful and can easily go faster. Plus we're all busy, impatient folk. So people drive faster but leave less space in front of them. Madness.

I've been seriously considering no longer teaching wild edible classes due to the liability risks involved by such a scammer. It would be really easy for someone to fake an injury and sue me for everything.

-Blast

Two hard up OAPs facing 35 years in prison...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aucj0zfoEvM

And the real crooks actually earn a descent living within the industry.

Nothing new in NYC. Every year or so, the transit authority here rigs a bus with hidden cameras, stages an accident and films the aftermath. Interesting how a bus with a capacity of 86 can result in about 150 injury claims.

Blast, a waiver will help a lot, but nothing is lawyer proof.

Unfortunate, but a legitimate concern. Have you considered an umbrella liability policy?

When had house built, got $1M coverage (despite general and subs having appropriate coverages). An abundance of caution maybe, but you never know. Cost was reasonable. IIR, slightly more than $300 for 12 months (2002).

Well, I think they have always fought back--if it saves them money or they want to make an example of someone and it won't be a PR disaster to actually take the claimants to court.

I'm glad that you and your dad dodged that bullet, btw.

If the US had the same system as other countries - loser pays - then there wouldn't be so many BS lawsuits.

I fell down due to my own negligence, but what the hey, lemme sue and see if they will settle. If not, my attorney says he doesn't get paid if I don't win, so why not? I can only lose and it costs me nothing if I do.

versus

I fell down due to my own negligence. If I sue and lose, I pay for all expenses incurred, to include lawyer fees, filing fees, admin fees, etc, etc, etc. Hmm... maybe I should reconsider this.

Don't ge me started on tort reform and fixed damages, lol.

I used to live in your neck of the woods, Izzy... I still have friends there and one of them linked me that news. As near as i can tell Florida is in a kinda bad and unique situation due to it being such a large retirement community.

Some of the stories I've heard involve elderly people who have to choose between medication and groceries. (Please, nobody hijack this thread and blame it on a past or present administration!)

My own situation came when an employee of my father's company got a job at another place down the road. His GF still worked for us. He was in his 30s and broke his ankle skateboarding on Sunday afternoon. He avoided everyone on his way into work on Monday and faked a fall, claiming he broke it "on the job".

Someone wiser than me once said... that to be a truly honest man you have to understand the depths of human dishonesty.

Slips and falls and staged auto accidents are pretty common ways for people to fill their pockets. Scams become more common as the opportunities for honest work and general fair dealing fall by the wayside under economic pressures. The 30s were famous for grifters, con-men and scams. When honest means fail people will resort to whatever they need to do to get by.

The coming cuts in the social safety net is going to increasingly leave jail as one of the few alternatives to living on the streets and eating cat food. And they throw in basic healthcare and dental.

I was asked to serve as an adjunct instructor for some pistol classes, and I discovered that I couldn't break even on buying liability insurance without teaching a lot more classes than I have time for. It's a shame, too, I'd have done it for free if it wasn't so expensive.

I've known people who have jobs, or hobbies, that might put them at risk of liability. A couple of them talked to a lawyer and got advised to transfer their assets to their wives or family members. If you own nothing and have nothing in your name they can sue all they want.

Scammers go after deep pockets and people/insurance companies willing to write a big check to avoid a protracted legal fight.

I would advise anyone teaching classes to talk to a lawyer. A lawyer can advise you as to what your exposure is and what you may want to do about it. A well written release signed by everyone who takes a course can give you limited protection.

The best deal is often from a lawyer that has an interest in the subject you teach or work in. A local SCUBA instructor uses the services of an ex-student and SCUBA enthusiast, who happens to be a good lawyer. He gets better rates and the lawyer is more aware of the potential risks and concerns of the instructor.

Yes, there are unscrupulous people out there who take advantage of situations and scammers who will try to pull a fast one. Some of this is basic human dishonesty.

Some of it are caused or made worse by economic or social injustice. In areas with universal health care there is little incentive to try to make an injury look like it happened at work. And payoff for slip accidents tend to be much smaller. Fewer people are interested in a scam where getting seriously injured is required and the main payoff is health care you could get by simply walking into a clinic.

It also says something about a nation when people are reduced to getting arrested to have a warm place to sleep, regular meals and basic health care.

It also has to be pointed out that even thought many such scams are easy to commit, with little risk of being busted, they remain relatively rare. Most scams are well within the physical and mental capabilities of virtually anyone but only a very few commit them. Most scams are committed by people who do them over and over again. Which also explains why they get caught. Most people are restrained by an implicit social contract that says if you want to live in a better society you have to act like a citizen in a better society.