Comments on: Harrisburg mayor-elect traumatized out of pumping gas, suit says

By: David Schwartz

David Schwartz — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:30:28 +0000

I think that is probably more likely. I can’t imagine the gasoline could have ignited without that being mentioned in the coverage. In that case, calling her (likely very minor, if any) skin irritation “severe burns” fits the pattern of ludicrous exaggeration for virtually nonexistent injuries.

By: Walter Olson

Walter Olson — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:38:23 +0000

Reading through the news report as a whole, I would be wary of assuming that Thompson claims the spilled gasoline blew up or caught fire (“severe burns” from such an incident would surely rate a higher damages demand, and any news organization covering the story would have wanted to provide more details). A reading that seems more likely — though I welcome correction if I’m wrong — is that she claims that coming in contact with the gasoline resulted in skin irritation which she characterizes as “burns” (i.e., “chemical burns”) of a “severe” nature.

By: David Schwartz

David Schwartz — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:37:11 +0000

The claims seem ridiculous until you find out she also claims she was severely burned (is seeking something like $150,000, not millions). If she was in fact severely burned, then the other claims are not quite as ridiculous as the first sound. (But then, why add these ridiculous-sounding claims at all?)

By: Jim Collins

Jim Collins — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:09:32 +0000

She could move to New Jersey. End of problem.

By: Mia

Mia — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:09:02 +0000

She needs to get a bike.

By: Titus

Titus — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:42:23 +0000

Funny, I can’t pump gas psychologically either—I’m stuck doing it physically.