This *expletive deleted* is one of the reasons our society is circling the drain

[Boomhauer]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-lifeguard-follow-20120704,0,4887768.story

Lifeguard leaves his "zone" to save someone's ass. Lifeguard gets fired by management dweebs.

I still contend one of the biggest mistakes ever made by American business was to let such worthless sacks of meat who lack balls and can't find their asses with both hands into supervisory positions...

[MechAg94]

I would agree that utlraprotective liability concerns are way out of hand in a lot of areas.  Unfortunately, trail lawyer groups put a lot of effort into blocking any attempt to limit liability.

[vaskidmark]

I would agree that utlraprotective liability concerns are way out of hand in a lot of areas.  Unfortunately, trail lawyer groups put a lot of effort into blocking any attempt to limit liability.

Are those the ones that cyber-stalk via the TV infomercials telling me all the different ways I might be entitled to substantial compensation, and that I don't need to file a lawsuit to get my hands on the dough?

I am not opposed, per se, to limiting liability.  Unfortunately, with the present contingency fee system we seem to be stuck with, liability awards need to be about three times as big as are the needs of the actual plaintiff.

stay safe.

[geronimotwo]

i wonder if this was a setup to get him fired?  employer doesn't care for lifegaurd x,  creates scenario where he can say he wasn't doing his job and fires him.  (sorry, but it popped into my head when i read the story.)  why else would a boss fire a lifegaurd for trying to save someone?

[roo_ster]

I would agree that utlraprotective liability concerns are way out of hand in a lot of areas.  Unfortunately, trail lawyer groups put a lot of effort into blocking any attempt to limit liability.

Texas has shown that a state can wrestle the tilecrawlers to the floor and put a check on their depradations:
http://www.obgynnews.com/news/across-specialties/single-article/texas-has-more-doctors-since-tort-reform/dd227721ce0abce885b311a812d06278.html

[Jamisjockey]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-lifeguard-follow-20120704,0,4887768.story

Lifeguard leaves his "zone" to save someone's ass. Lifeguard gets fired by management dweebs.

I still contend one of the biggest mistakes ever made by American business was to let such worthless sacks of meat who lack balls and can't find their asses with both hands into supervisory positions...

Which is a direct byproduct of our overly litiguous society.  Which is a direct byproduct of a distinct unwillingness to assume personal responsibility.

[Ben]

Which is a direct byproduct of our overly litiguous society.  Which is a direct byproduct of a distinct unwillingness to assume personal responsibility.

Word.

[French G.]

We started preferring managers to leaders right about the same time "peace officer" was swept into the dustbin of history by law enforcement. Hmmm, all one big drain.

[RevDisk]

Which is a direct byproduct of our overly litiguous society.  Which is a direct byproduct of a distinct unwillingness to assume personal responsibility.

Na, it's not about personal responsibility. Fair number of lawsuits are about getting a pay day.

It's rarely about responsibility, often (maybe usually?) just money. 

[MechAg94]

I doubt I would want blanket liability limits, just limits in some key areas.  I think some other changes might be necessary in the way our courts operate and what cases are allowed to proceed.  If someone is truly at fault, I have no problem with that costing them, but when someone sues because the business didn't post a warning sign/label or something, the courts and or juries really should be throwing those cases out with prejudice.  I don't know if that requries changes in people's thinking or actual changes in law. 

A loser-pays system might help, but I am not fully certain that would be the best solution.  I was also thinking we should get rid of the system that finds someone XX% at fault and splits the judgement.  I have never really liked that concept.  I think it encourages juries to find defendants at fault. 

[brimic]

Didn't something like this happen in Britain recently where Emergency presonnel watched a person struggle and drown until a college kid dove in and rescued the victim?

[Waitone]

Another story came out saying a second lifeguard was also fired for saying (I assume on camera) that he agreed with the actions of the first lifeguard.  If true, the manager is terrified of violating policy.

[Hawkmoon]

Updated news has it that the manager has offered the kid his job back. Said manager says his decision was based on "the information available at the time," but that he now has better information.

Meanwhile, the kid has declined to be re-hired, and most of the rest of the team have also quit, so the manager had better buy a new pair of swim trunks and get his certs in order, because he works for a company that has a contractual responsibility to the municipality to provide lifeguards ... and he just came up a wee bit short on the head count.

[MechAg94]

Does the media actually swallow the line of "I have received new information"?  Everyone knows it is BS.  I am curious if the reporters receiving that answer bothered to press him on it.