4 year old can be sued, Judge rules.

[Karen]

The ruling by the judge, Justice Paul Wooten of State Supreme Court in Manhattan, did not find that the girl was liable, but merely permitted a lawsuit brought against her, another boy and their parents to move forward.

Again, the suit is not just against the child, but against the children and their parents, too.

The judge is just permitting the lawsuit to move forward. He did not rule either way as to fault or whatever.

[DJFyrewolf36]

Again, the suit is not just against the child, but against the children and their parents, too.

The judge is just permitting the lawsuit to move forward. He did not rule either way as to fault or whatever.

Am I right to assume that they are doing it this way to make sure some funny business doesn't happen during the lawsuit of the parents? *sigh* So complected...over what was most likely an accident. I wonder if criminal charges were filed ever or is this just a civil thing?

[wombat2u2004]

If it was kept all simple and common sense was used, half of the legal turkeys wouldn't have a job.

[moosmom]

Because the person in question in the lawsuit is a minor, they'd have to sue te parents. Also (okay, so I watch alot of Judge Judy), a minor cannot enter into a contract with anyone, because they aren't of legal age.

Do I think this lawsuit is stupid...ABSOLUTELY!!! I wonder what kind of value they'll put on an 87 year old woman as far as life expectancy.

[caseysmom]

That comment about the womens age is just disrespectful. Her life has as much value as yours and mine regardless of her age she deserves respect.

[Karen]

That comment about the womens age is just disrespectful. Her life has as much value as yours and mine regardless of her age she deserves respect.

I don't think moosmom was being disrepectful of the woman because of her age.

Court cases often cite a person's life expectancy in recouping damages for lost earnings, and the like. At 87, she was already above the average life expectancy for a woman (80.8) so I do not know they would begin to calculate that.

[moosmom]

I'm in NO WAY disrespecting this woman's age. I worked for lawyers as a paralegal for many years. I was just commenting on the law. When there is such a fatal tragedy and the family sues, they actually have a chart showing a human's life expectancy, depending upon whether or not they smoke, drink, recreational drugs, etc. I was simply trying to explain the law.

Sorry you took it the wrong way, Cassiesmom.

Karen,

Thank you for putting it so eloquently.