Would you ever sue someone, and if so, why? I remember having a conversation with my doctor about lawsuits. He knows my husband is a lawyer and we were talking about how some people are "sue happy". (No, not happy over me, but rather like to sue people for money over the simplest thing.) We both agreed that sometimes things go wrong in the medical field and no one is to blame. My doctor did say he would sue another doctor who was purposely negligent and had harmed someone in his family. They are supposed to be professional and live by the code he does to help and care for people. I can completely understood and agreed with his reasoning. If someone intentionally harms you when they are supposed to be caring for you and are sworn to do so, they need to face some consequences.
Last year a tragic accident happened in our community involving a high school student that was killed while handling a blank-firing prop pistol. The boy was alone when using the pistol and fired it at his head. Hours later the fifteen year-old died from the blanks that struck him in the head. It was a sad event that could have been avoided.
In the paper today I read that the parents of the killed teen are now bringing a lawsuit against the school officials and police because the safety plan for the revolver was repeatedly violated. Only an adult was to transport, control, and fire the gun, which wasn't the case. Sometimes the gun owner's daughter took the gun to school in a lock box and often it was left unattended with the blanks in the sound booth. I can understand being upset that people didn't follow through with doing their part and adhering to the guidelines that had been set concerning the usage of the gun. People slacked off and it wasn't right.
However, as the parents admit, their son also had a part to play in his death. Says the father, "They were typical 15-year-old kids being stupid 15-year-old-kids. I blame my son to a point. He's the one who picked up the gun. But the gun never should have been there for him to pick up." He's right, the gun shouldn't have been out where it could have been misused. But it was. Yet his son was the one who picked it up and put it to his head. No one can know what was going through the boy's mind at the time or why he would think to do something so careless and stupid. Perhaps he didn't realize what the results would be. Still, he wasn't forced, he did it by his own choice. He is still accoutnable for his actions.
That is what makes it an accident. Two parties screwed up. The people in charge of gun safety didn't do their part to keep the gun locked away and the boy decided to use the gun in an inappropriate way. The results were tragic, but no one party can be blamed for the whole of it.
What I don't understand is the need to sue. Seeking out financial reparations and dragging this tragedy out longer will not help in the family's healing. It will only prolong their suffering and when all is done, whatever amount of money they receive will not bring their son back. In part of the law suit the family wants to be awarded money for the costs amounted from the accident and funeral. Understandable. But they also want an additional $2 million for pain and suffering. Let me say again, no amount of money will bring their son back. How will $2 million help them? They will still miss him and feel the loss of their child.
What will ease their pain and suffering is working on forgiving those who failed to do their part and their son for his actions. They can turn to the Lord to overcome their bitter feelings and forgive. As we learn from the scriptures, all things are possible through Him. It is only then that they will be able to heal and move on. Having a check for a certain amount of money will not bring that peace. It just cannot be.
If only we lived in a world where people worked to heal themselves rather than demand what they believe to be instanteous justice that will supposedly make it all better. Like I said, I do agree that there are some instance when a person should seek out justice through the law for some one's intentionally negligence. But sometimes tragedies happen that are accidents, no sole fault of one group or another. That is when the great challenge arises to overcome, heal, and move on. It is possible, it just takes a lot more personal strength and reflection than seeking out monetary reparations.
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