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Man Sued For $30K Over $40 Printer He Sold On Craigslist (usatoday.com)
An anonymous reader cites an article on USA Today: Selling a used, black-and-white printer through Craigslist seemed simple and straightforward to Doug Costello. It wasn't. What the 66-year-old Massachusetts man didn't know then is that he would spend the next 6 and a half years embroiled in a complicated and confusing legal dispute in Indiana over that printer, which, according to its buyer, was broken. He would find himself liable for about $30,000 in damages. He would pay a lawyer at least $12,000 in his battle to escape the legal mess. And it all started with a piece of hardware he sold online for about $40 in 2009. With shipping and other costs, the total was less than $75, according to court records.Gersh Zavodnik, the printer's buyer, has been described as "prolific, abusive litigant" who has brought dozens of lawsuits against individuals and businesses. He often asks for "astronomical" damages.
For some reason, this whole fiasco reminds me of this scene from Office Space.
With the part of the printer played by Mr. Zavodnik?
The US.
No, it would just ensure that every large corporation would show up with a team of 50 lawyers to every case. Knowing that you could end up paying each one of them $500/ hour if you lose because your lawyer was having a bad day, or the judge made a mistake. Including the amount of time each would be billing for for case prep and such, it would mean financial ruin from most people if they lose.
Again, how this would play out in Germany for a â500 case: This team of 50 lawyers turn up in court. Judge looks at his watch. They all tell the judge their names. Judge decides that this is enough time spent on a â500 case and sends them all home, no claims stated, case lost.