Florida Skier Gets $800k [Default] Judgment Against Snowmass Snowboarder

[abc]

No, he doesn't have the money to hire a lawyer to defend himself.

Even if he's at fault, him being poor means he doesn't have the means to even negotiate for a lessor amount.

Shortsighted for sure. But I won't go so far for the lazy part.

 

[VTKilarney]

Talk to me when somebody actually collects on this judgment. I have a feeling that isn't going to happen anytime soon.

 

[BenedictGomez]

Then it seems incredibly lazy and shortsighted on his part to let that go down without leaving himself an opportunity to appeal

He sounds like a jerk and a moron to boot.

“I’m certainly not going to let them garnish my wages”

Smart thing to say to the media. He's no threat to cure cancer, that's for sure.

 

[deadheadskier]

No, he doesn't have the money to hire a lawyer to defend himself.

Even if he's at fault, him being poor means he doesn't have the means to even negotiate for a lessor amount.

Shortsighted for sure. But I won't go so far for the lazy part.

It's a civil case. If he couldn't afford an attorney, couldn't he at least try to represent himself?

That's why I say lazy. It sounds like he just put his head in the sand and figured this would go away.

 

[VTKilarney]

It's a civil case. If he couldn't afford an attorney, couldn't he at least try to represent himself?

If he was up against an attorney the result would have been the same.

 

[HowieT2]

Clearly he had no money (hence can't afford the defense).

But what happens if he wins the lottery a year later? He might have to hand over the money? Any lawyers here?

(or his parents died and left him the old dilapidated family house in the flat land which happens to sit in a highly desirable location and worth a big chunk of money?)

yes with the caveat that he can file for bankruptcy and get the debt discharged.

 

[HowieT2]

It's a civil case. If he couldn't afford an attorney, couldn't he at least try to represent himself?

That's why I say lazy. It sounds like he just put his head in the sand and figured this would go away.

yes. all he would have had to do is file an answer denying the allegations in the complaint. one paragraph.

 

[abc]

yes with the caveat that he can file for bankruptcy and get the debt discharged.

you an attorney?

 

[HowieT2]

If he was up against an attorney the result would have been the same.

even if he was up against an attorney, he wouldnt have defaulted and thereby conceded liability.

 

[HowieT2]

yes i'm an attorney.

 

[VTKilarney]

yes. all he would have had to do is file an answer denying the allegations in the complaint. one paragraph.

Well... that really doesn't conform to the rules of pleading. But even if it did, all it would do would delay the inevitable. I stand by my comment that if he was up against an attorney the result would have been the same.

 

[thetrailboss]

Well... that really doesn't conform to the rules of pleading. But even if it did, all it would do would delay the inevitable. I stand by my comment that if he was up against an attorney the result would have been the same.

Right, but you must admit that the courts give a lot of leeway to pro se parties.

 

[thetrailboss]

Then it seems incredibly lazy and shortsighted on his part to let that go down without leaving himself an opportunity to appeal

Exactly

 

[HowieT2]

Well... that really doesn't conform to the rules of pleading. But even if it did, all it would do would delay the inevitable. I stand by my comment that if he was up against an attorney the result would have been the same.

here in ny that would be more than sufficient to avoid a default and allow the defendant to contest liability

 

[deadheadskier]

You don't know what the results would be unless you try. Who knows, maybe if the judge sees him contrite and listens to his point of view about the woman stopping in a poor location, then maybe the judgment gets reduced.

I just know if it were me, I'm trying to fight it. I'm not ignoring the case and hoping it goes away.

 

[VTKilarney]

Right, but you must admit that the courts give a lot of leeway to pro se parties.

Very true.

 

[thetrailboss]

Very true.

Sure, maybe he would have lost, but he at least would have tried to do something.

 

[thetrailboss]

here in ny that would be more than sufficient to avoid a default and allow the defendant to contest liability

+ 1

 

[abc]

I just know if it were me, I'm trying to fight it. I'm not ignoring the case and hoping it goes away.

Sounds like that's what he was hoping, from the report. He just didn't think the victim would go all the way. He was probably thinking they wouldn't pursue it seeing he had no money.

yes with the caveat that he can file for bankruptcy and get the debt discharged.

Or maybe he figure he has a way out in the worst case anyway. So why bother?

 

[makimono]

Lawsuit? I miss the days when you would just push a dirtbag snowboarder off the lift...