Personal Injury claims/law suits and such...

[Cris413]

I was wondering if anyone has any thoughts from a Christian perspective on personal injury claims and/or law suits?

My understanding is…from an insurance perspective that in order for liability insurance to pay…negligence must be established. Medical payments pay regardless of negligence and of course…every business owner and homeowner usually carries Med Pay and Liability insurance coverage.

I just can’t shake the thought that…as Christians…we simply don’t sue people or businesses. While I understand that there may not even be any contest of indemnity for any medical bills and would be simply taking responsibility for an injury occurring on their property…still it just doesn’t seem right to me somehow.

Personal injury claims really get me nutty as a whole…it’s like…of course the coffee is hot crazy lady…might not be a good idea to drink it and drive or hold it between your legs while driving…

Do we really need to be told not to run with scissors and use not to use our hair dryers while sleeping or showering or not to put plastic bags over our heads?

However there are people who are truly injured...like in a slip and fall because something on the floor wasn’t tended to… and may not be able to financially handle medical expenses…even with medical insurance.

As Christians…are these types of claims/law suits ever an avenue we pursue?

What about other types of legal actions in general against a person or business?

 

[StreetPreacher82]

I wish I could say for sure that the bible spells it our clearly, but I cannot. However, it seems, in the NT at least, that when you combine money and judges... things never end well. Personally, unless there is a serious case of malpractice somewhere down the line, I say it is wrong.

 

[Cris413]

Matthew makes mention of legal matters:

Mat 5:25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.
Mat 5:26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.



But this seems to be more directed to the person being held accountable for some debt.

 

[CaliforniaJosiah]

Some thoughts.....


1. On the one hand, we are to "turn the other cheek" and we are to "settle things" personally and evangelically. All this is Gospel. And in a perfect, sinless world, I have a hunch this would all work perfectly.

2. We are also to confess our wrongs and make restitution. And in a perfect, sinless world, all would.

3. We don't live in a perfect or sinless world. WRONGS happen. And rather than confessing and making things as "right" as we can, we live in a society where we are told to shut up and phone our attorney. He/she will tell us to insist we are innocent - and see where the pieces fall.

4. My biggest "problem" in all this is that sometimes there either is no wrong at all or the "damages" are punitive or entirely out of proportion to the wrong. There is a point where this is no longer a civil issue but civil law is acting like criminal law. The "sin" may be just as much on the part of the plaintive as the defendant.

5. The chief winners are always the lawyers.....



My $0.005...


Pax


- Josiah





.

 

[Cris413]

Some thoughts.....


1. On the one hand, we are to "turn the other cheek" and we are to "settle things" personally and evangelically. All this is Gospel. And in a perfect, sinless world, I have a hunch this would all work perfectly.

2. We are also to confess our wrongs and make restitution. And in a perfect, sinless world, all would.

3. We don't live in a perfect or sinless world. WRONGS happen. And rather than confessing and making things as "right" as we can, we live in a society where we are told to shut up and phone our attorney. He/she will tell us to insist we are innocent - and see where the pieces fall.

4. My biggest "problem" in all this is that sometimes there either is no wrong at all or the "damages" are punitive or entirely out of proportion to the wrong. There is a point where this is no longer a civil issue but civil law is acting like criminal law. The "sin" may be just as much on the part of the plaintive as the defendant.

5. The chief winners are always the lawyers.....



My $0.005...


Pax


- Josiah





.

I agree with what you're saying...it seems we've become a sue-happy society...which is one of the reasons insurance is so expensive.

Here in TX...I voted for a cap on punitive damages...which really irritated a good friend of mine who's a lawyer.

The only time I would consider punitive damages awarded...(I'm speaking in a purely secular sense) is when there is willful negligence. Someone, IMHO, should be held accountable if the knowingly and willfully put others at risk or in danger.

There are things that are considered "negligent" such as spills on flooring, loose rugs and carpets...unrepaired structural damage and such...

...but I'm kinda hard pressed to consider that not knowing there was water on the floor...or a rug was loose is a reason to sue someone for injuries...I mean....shouldn't we be watchful where we're going and what we're walking on?

It just seems that no one really wants to be held accountable for anything these days.

 

[MrJim]

Hey, lawyers gotta eat too

 

[Cris413]

Hey, lawyers gotta eat too

LOL...let them eat cake....

 

[Optimax]

I think it would boil down to where is one's faith and what is it in.

If we sue, would our faith for financial blessings be in the Judge?

If we chose to forgive it and forget it then is not our faith more in God?

If we "reap" from the judgment have we not sown a seed that will bring a harvest in kind?

If we forgive and forget have we not also sown a seed that will bring a harvest in kind? Although these blessings are not as easily recognized.

 

[JCFantasy23]

I hate frivolous lawsuits. HOWEVER, there are many times when it completely deserved. I don't mean little errors but errors that result from total incompetence that result in life and death situations or permanent injury, they should be held liable. It is more than about just money.

 

[Cris413]

I think it would boil down to where is one's faith and what is it in.

If we sue, would our faith for financial blessings be in the Judge?

If we chose to forgive it and forget it then is not our faith more in God?

If we "reap" from the judgment have we not sown a seed that will bring a harvest in kind?

If we forgive and forget have we not also sown a seed that will bring a harvest in kind? Although these blessings are not as easily recognized.

I'm really happy to see this post...thank you...you just confirmed some of my thoughts...

The reason this was so heavy on my mind was that...right before Christmas...I slipped in some goo in a store and badly twisted my knee and back...

It's pretty messed up really...my knee seems to have a mind of it's own now and the pain in my leg and back is quite concerning.

And I know...from being in insurance for many years...the store would probably be happy to pay for medical treatment...and even though I have insurance...the insurance might not pay because they would consider the store to be the "liable" party.

It's all so complicated...even though I have insurance...and even if they did pay...there is still a large deductible and co-pay...and right now that would be a financial hardship...

In my logical mind...I consider it would be prudent to let the store take care of it...

...but in my heart it just doesn't seem right.

I trust God for everything...He always provides a way...and He's not failed me yet and I know He never will...so I'm just going to leave this in God's hands...


But still I wonder...I guess one could consider...that the store could be used as a means for the provision...I mean...what if one did not have insurance...or any ability to pay for medical treatment at all...for some...this would be more than a hardship...but totally devastating.

I think there is a difference in desiring indemnity...and desiring to capitalize on misfortune...

...but basically...I personally think I should have been watching where I was walking and I think what the law considers "negligent" is pretty vast.

I mean...yes...the store should be aware of the condition of the their floors...but...how could they possibly be held accountable for something they may not have been aware of at the time?

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Talking to my husband about this, we decided that moderation is the key. Of course you should sue when there has been negligence, but when there's these outlandish figures thrown out there, it is a bit ridiculous. We have to have a system in place for accountability.

There are cases out there where the people suing don't care if they get a red cent. They just want some type of justice. Sometimes the civil suits can help where the criminal suits did not.

I don't encourage litigious behavior, though. I won't sue McDonald's if I drop my coffee in my lap and it burns me. That's my own fault and my own stupidity.

 

[CyberPaladin]

Cris I have seen what can happen if you sit back and assume God will magicialy fix everything in these sorts of cases you endup broke, divorced and in the case of my friend commiting suicided.

 

[Cris413]

Talking to my husband about this, we decided that moderation is the key. Of course you should sue when there has been negligence, but when there's these outlandish figures thrown out there, it is a bit ridiculous. We have to have a system in place for accountability.

There are cases out there where the people suing don't care if they get a red cent. They just want some type of justice. Sometimes the civil suits can help where the criminal suits did not.

I don't encourage litigious behavior, though. I won't sue McDonald's if I drop my coffee in my lap and it burns me. That's my own fault and my own stupidity.

I agree...we absolutely need a system for accountability...and punitive damages should be looked at quite closely...but indemnification...absolutely.

Cris I have seen what can happen if you sit back and assume God will magicialy fix everything in these sorts of cases you endup broke, divorced and in the case of my friend commiting suicided.

I understand what you're saying here CP...there should be a lot of wisdom and prayerful discernment when deciding such things...we also need to be able to recognize God's providence...

...like the story of the man drowning who prayed for God to save him...and he refused help from the row boat...the coast guard...the helicopter...saying no, no my God will save me....

...then when he got to Heaven he asked God why He didn't save him and God said...Well...I sent you a row boat, the coast guard and a helicopter...

 

[PreachersWife2004]

Cris I have seen what can happen if you sit back and assume God will magicialy fix everything in these sorts of cases you endup broke, divorced and in the case of my friend commiting suicided.

That is sad to hear, indeed, and I think it represents a rare view of "letting go and letting God" (that is the phrase, right?)

God gives us brains and expects us to use them. I've never been able to understand people who refuse medical treatment because they seem to think that God will heal them. I understand the concept, but part of God's healing is giving us the sure hands of the surgeons who heal us!

 

[Cris413]

That is sad to hear, indeed, and I think it represents a rare view of "letting go and letting God" (that is the phrase, right?)

God gives us brains and expects us to use them. I've never been able to understand people who refuse medical treatment because they seem to think that God will heal them. I understand the concept, but part of God's healing is giving us the sure hands of the surgeons who heal us!

Exacadackly...

God's providence always comes...sometimes just not in the way we expected.

I believe His word to be true and faithful...

Mat 6:25 "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?
Mat 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Mat 6:27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
Mat 6:28 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;
Mat 6:29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Mat 6:30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Mat 6:31 "Therefore do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?' or "What shall we drink?' or "What shall we wear?'
Mat 6:32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Mat 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

 

[Cris413]

Just to give a little clarification…for me personally…God has blessed us with good insurance and financial stability to tend to this need…yes…a huge deductible and co-pay would be a hardship at this particular moment in time…but this too will pass…so for me personally…I just don’t feel right making a claim against the store.

Now for those who are not in such a position…I see no reason not seek indemnification from the store…again…personal decisions for each individual…

As a matter of fact…that’s why I started this thread…because although I knew it would be fine to file such a claim in general…I couldn’t seem to wrap my brain around why it felt wrong…

Well…that and personal injury claim abuse makes me a lil’ crazed….

I got this via an email the other day…and I really liked it:

The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not PROTECT you...

Stay FAITHFUL and Be GRATEFUL

 

[Nadiine]

Personal injury claims really get me nutty as a whole…it’s like…of course the coffee is hot crazy lady…might not be a good idea to drink it and drive or hold it between your legs while driving…

Do we really need to be told not to run with scissors and use not to use our hair dryers while sleeping or showering or not to put plastic bags over our heads?

Obviously, some do Cris!! lol

 

[StreetPreacher82]

The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not PROTECT you...

Stay FAITHFUL and Be GRATEFUL

 

[Uncle Tommy]

Frivolous lawsuits do occur and are egregious. However a legitimate lawsuit against a culpable individual does not violate the Gospel in any way. It does not show a lack of faith in God to hold people responsible for their actions.

 

[Nadiine]

Frivolous lawsuits do occur and are egregious. However a legitimate lawsuit against a culpable individual does not violate the Gospel in any way. It does not show a lack of faith in God to hold people responsible for their actions.

I feel the same way.

The only mention of lawsuits in the Bible that I know of are
regarding 2 fellow Christians.
The issue was how it looked to the outside world where
they couldn't settle a dispute without a secular party to
oversee it.

I don't see any problem with a legitimate case.