Comments on: Paralyzed in crash after underage drinking, wins $2.5M from homeowner

By: shay pendleton

shay pendleton — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:39:03 +0000

I looked at this case while debating my own situation. and thought long and hard about what I should do. What about a minor- ok he turned 18 that day– but was still under legal drinking age— who was fleeing from a house party (that a fight broke out in–cops called ) hosted by adults– who knowingly served the alcohol–
he was hit by a car trying to WALK home. killed. what about him?

*holding my breath *
the mom of the deceased.

By: Eric Ogunbase

Eric Ogunbase — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 21:15:11 +0000

Wow. Bunch of idiots here. What happened to personal responsibility? He was 19, knew that the drinking age was 21, and drank anyway. He then got behind the wheel, knowing drunk driving is a crime, drove anyway. He got into an accident as a result of making choices that (due to our nanny state) are repeatedly drilled into our heads from age 13 on. He doesn’t deserve a f**king penny, and should be prosecuted for drunk driving, because he could have killed someone else.

Why should an adult be responsible for other adults in their home? If a 19 year old goes out and murders someone, rapes someone, steals something, etc, we hold that 19 year old responsible. Why not in this case?

By: Max Kennerly

Max Kennerly — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 06:04:56 +0000

You can’t just make an assumption that “she new people were drinking” and slap a $2.5M price tag on it.

Assume, no. But a homeowner is typically liable for injuries caused by permitting minors to drink on their property.

By: Dave Asdf

Dave Asdf — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 05:13:55 +0000

This is a great decision. If you’re at home and don’t know that kids for which you are legally responsible are getting drunk, you either live in a mansion that crosses state borders or you’re lying.

By: JT

JT — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 04:56:07 +0000

“George Baldwin is garbage. So is his lawyer. And the Judge. And the jury.”

I think the whole thing is pretty ridiculous myself (he’s an adult, he should be responsible for his own actions), but let’s not get carried away. There was no judge nor jury involved – this payment is a settlement to ensure the lawsuit doesn’t go to trial. George said “I’m suing you for lots of money” and before any judges or juries got involved, the homeowner and her insurance company said, “How’s $2.5M sound?” To which George, upon hanging up the phone, likely said, “Ka-CHING!”

By: Bob Qwerty

Bob Qwerty — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 02:58:18 +0000

This is a stupid decision. The 19 year old should be held responsible, not the home owner. You can’t just make an assumption that “she new people were drinking” and slap a $2.5M price tag on it.

By: Max Kennerly

Max Kennerly — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:16:10 +0000

“Lauralee Pfeifer, the girls’ mother, will pay…”

Baloney. She will almost certainly pay $0. Her insurance company, with extensive experience in this area, well-represented by experienced counsel, will voluntarily pay $2.5 million to avoid trial.

This whole report smells fishy; I highly doubt the plaintiff conceded a total lack of awareness by the parents, even though the article describes such as fact.

More likely, there was regular, near-constant, drinking by minors at the house with the parents’ permission. Maybe, just maybe, the parent had no knowledge of this particular event, but I can virtually guarantee all of this generally occurred with their knowledge. Nothing else explains the insurance company’s decision.

By: Jake

Jake — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 20:47:00 +0000

Well what would happen if the gov bans the manufacture of alcohol? The gov should ban the manufacture and distribution of cigarette’s alcohol. Yes there would be loss of jobs, but after a while, people would become creative, get other jobs, the society would become a better place.

Don’t agree with me?

There is a state in India (Gujurat I think, spelling may be wrong) which has banned drugs, cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol completely. In the beginning it was tough but now its a place with very less crime(almost zero).

By: freedom fighter

freedom fighter — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 20:45:45 +0000

We have a problem in America, that people simply can’t take responsibility for their own actions. When a legal adult drinks and then gets in a car with another drunk driver, that’s just stupid and in this case George Baldwin clearly should have known better.

What’s worse is that society indulges this irresponsible behavior by awarding the idiot a ton of money from someone who is innocent. We are getting to the point that everyone things they are entitled and that know one should have to face consequences and it’s destroying the country.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:40:44 +0000

Better yet, let’s just hold everyone responsible for their OWN actions. These are adults. He made the choice to drink, he made the choice to ride with a drunk driver. Feel bad for the kid, but he made his own bed…