Folks who sued gun dealer after Aurora shooting unsuccessfully..

[41magsnub]

On the hook for $220K in legal fees.

Good.

Linking to HuffPo just because of the epic whining.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/22/maddow-aurora-shooting_n_7421414.html

[Perd Hapley]

I am horrified and saddened...

...by the hideous lack of journalism on display. They're claiming that a gun manufacturer not only made "bullets," but sold them to James Holmes?  

[Chuck Dye]

Definitely a Ta Daaa moment.  Pity such are so rare in the U.S.

I have long though that "loser pays" would go a long way toward curing the frivolous and predatory law suit problem.  In addition to losers paying legal costs, I think any punitive damages should be paid to the general fund of the jurisdiction in which the suit is tried.  Not sure how to solve bogus awards easily faked, emotionally driven, "pain and suffering" or "loss of consort," but loser pays would help.

[AJ Dual]

 

[Hawkmoon]

I love stories with happy endings.

[Andiron]

Feel good story of the day. 

[Angel Eyes]

Great outcome, but reading the comments made my head hurt.  Too much concentrated stupid.

ETA: a bit confused by the article.  Was the firearm manufacturer sued, or the retail shop?

[Perd Hapley]

Great outcome, but reading the comments made my head hurt.  Too much concentrated stupid.

ETA: a bit confused by the article.  Was the firearm manufacturer sued, or the retail shop?

You weren't paying attention. It was a gun maker that sold him bullets, according to the article. It's right there in black and white. Why don't you believe them? 

[bedlamite]

Obvously, Lucky Gunner and Sportsman’s Guide are gun manufacturers.

http://blog.thomsonreuters.com/index.php/parents-lost-daughter-mass-shooter-now-owe-220000-suppliers/

[never_retreat]

So does anyone know the real parties involved? Was it the gun maker, ammo maker, or retailer?
Obviously the person writing that article has no idea.

[grampster]

The butthurt...it burns.

[Angel Eyes]

So does anyone know the real parties involved? Was it the gun maker, ammo maker, or retailer?
Obviously the person writing that article has no idea.

From the link posted by bedlamite, it was Lucky Gunner LLC and Sportsman's Guide.

The HuffPo article is useless.

[MechAg94]

The parents both work for the Brady Center, who bankrolled the suit and I'm sure is picking up the tab.

This comment was in the comments section.  Didn't we see something on this not too long ago? 

I wonder if the Brady Center will actually pay the damages.

[Hawkmoon]

I don't think the Brady Center has enough money to pay that award. Don't forget, the plaintiffs also have to pay their own attorneys. I hope they can't pay it. I'd love to see a court find the plaintiffs in contempt (or bankruptcy, but I don't think you can use bankruptcy to escape a court-ordered restitution) for not paying up. I'm sorry for the loss of their family member, but I have little sympathy for people who try to capitalize on their loss by suing innocent parties.

[Mannlicher]

sadest thing of all, is that these parents valued  agenda and money more than  their child.

[De Selby]

I don't agree with loser pays, but you'd think they would've got advice on the risks.  I. Wondering if their lawyers' malpractice insurance is going to end up paying.

In the meantime I'd like to find and move to this magical place where it's easy to sue people with claims of stress or pain and suffering.  I'm aware of no place in America where you can easily get large sums with unprovable claims. 

[Scout26]

This was an precedent setting attempt to get around the Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, by suing the retailers rather then the manufacturers.

It failed miserably.

And I hope it comes out the lawyer's and Brady's pockets. 

[MechAg94]

I don't agree with loser pays, but you'd think they would've got advice on the risks.  I. Wondering if their lawyers' malpractice insurance is going to end up paying.

In the meantime I'd like to find and move to this magical place where it's easy to sue people with claims of stress or pain and suffering.  I'm aware of no place in America where you can easily get large sums with unprovable claims. 

It isn't necessarily easy to win judgements, but it is easy to sue and force the targets to spend money on lawyers to defend against it. 

[roo_ster]

It isn't necessarily easy to win judgements, but it is easy to sue and force the targets to spend money on lawyers to defend against it. 

Yep, the process is the punishment. 

Got to see a civil suit up close and came away thinking:
1. Bring back dueling.  Make folk back up their mouth's accusation with their ass.
2. Lawyers would better serve society as fertilizer than as lawyers.
3. Silliest bit of fiction I ever read was what the plaintiff accused the defendant of.  Being witness to the incident, I had certain handicaps saying what tilecrawler wanted me to say.

[lupinus]

It isn't necessarily easy to win judgements, but it is easy to sue and force the targets to spend money on lawyers to defend against it. 

Yep. Which is why so many things often just end in settlement, its often cheaper.

I'm all for loser pays, provided it is discretionary and reserved for cases such as this.