Have you ever been sued?

[Mesterh]

Have you ever been sued (includes paying damages before court action) by a client, employee an insurance company or other third party?

 

Just wondering if it has ever happened, I guess it must have but I have never heard of it. Also applies to the LOLER/trainer/inspector etc side of the industry.

 

If so some details please.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Graham]

A client took me to court once.  I'd done plenty of work for him in the past and he phoned me one day to tell me one of his trees had been damaged in a storm.

I popped out to see the tree and told him I'd make it safe and then return when I was able to fell and clear up.

 

I cut up the timber on the ground, removed the hung up branches and stacked it all for later removal.  I told him it may be a while before I could get back as I was very busy with other storm damage.

 

He stated to phone regularly reminding me about the tree and then issued a court summons.  He stated that it had caused him him a lot of worry, the stacked timber had damaged his grass and that he had to employ a contractor to fell the tree, clear up and make good the grassed area.

 

His claim was for the cost of the above plus his time.  He was a retired solicitor and I can still see the smirk on his face as he looked at me in court.  It was dismissed as he was being unreasonable in expecting me to finish the work during a very busy time.

A professional a***hole who didn't even pay for my time making it safe for him.

[Mesterh]

That sounds like a low character for sure. Good to see sense prevailed in the courts though.

 

Looks like it doesn't happen very often though in regards to only one reply, which is good.

[Bustergasket]

There is more crooks with pens than there is with guns ! but when eventually it gets inside a courtroom someone sensible is looking at it, also it's worth remembering that the judge has to decide and sometimes you could get the result you want if he sides 51% with you and 49% with the other, this is what the judge said to us prior to the proceedings, we had two cases last year, self represented and were successful in both, i was a bit daunted at first but now i know what's coming at you i would not hesitate, that is providing you have genuinely operated with integrity and been fair and reasonable

[MattyF]

A client took me to court once.  I'd done plenty of work for him in the past and he phoned me one day to tell me one of his trees had been damaged in a storm.
I popped out to see the tree and told him I'd make it safe and then return when I was able to fell and clear up.
 
I cut up the timber on the ground, removed the hung up branches and stacked it all for later removal.  I told him it may be a while before I could get back as I was very busy with other storm damage.
 
He stated to phone regularly reminding me about the tree and then issued a court summons.  He stated that it had caused him him a lot of worry, the stacked timber had damaged his grass and that he had to employ a contractor to fell the tree, clear up and make good the grassed area.
 
His claim was for the cost of the above plus his time.  He was a retired solicitor and I can still see the smirk on his face as he looked at me in court.  It was dismissed as he was being unreasonable in expecting me to finish the work during a very busy time.
A professional a***hole who didn't even pay for my time making it safe for him.

Should of counter sued him for your time he never paid for.

[Graham]

Probably should have but at the time I just wanted it forgotten and done with.

[Stephen Blair]

Probably should have but at the time I just wanted it forgotten and done with.

I bet the stress that must of caused you is best forgotten!