kajun Posted January 10, 2005 Posted January 10, 2005 Has anyone been following the lawsuit that was filed against him by a man who rode with him on his boat as an observer during the 2003 Classic. This may be old news for some of you but I just heard about it on a replay this morning of Basscenter. Not only is this guy seeking damages from Evers but also from all of his sponsors and from the sponsors of the classic. Supossedly this guy was injured to the point where he had to have a lower back operation. I was just wondering what everyones thoughts were on the subject. Do you think any adverse affects will come about from this?
Will Posted January 10, 2005 Posted January 10, 2005 Didn't the observer need to sign a liability? I would think that the observers would need to sign for this very reason. Pro's are going to push the limits like alot of others would if fishing was their job.
Super User Marty Posted January 11, 2005 Super User Posted January 11, 2005 There's quite an active thread on this subject on another forum. Lots of guys are ready to kill the guy who filed the suit because of a variety of reasons. I'm one of the few who wants to wait and see what happens. Boaters can and do break laws and otherwise drive negligently. Who knows what Evers was doing? Nobody. I think this will end up being settled out of court with no details being released.
kajun Posted January 11, 2005 Author Posted January 11, 2005 What concerns me the most is that the guy is suing not only Evers sponsors but the sponsors of B.A.S.S and the sponsors of the classic. ESPN, B.P.S and others. If this guy wins alot of money through this suit it might deter some sponsors, IMO.
Snag Posted January 12, 2005 Posted January 12, 2005 I'm sure it will get some other "Money Seakers" on the prowl for free money. That is so terrible that it is so easy to sue anybody for anything anymore. Makes you wonder whats next. Do you know how many times I've spilled hot coffee in my lap in my truck or on the boat? It ain't fun but it's my fault lol... Basst of luck all, Snag
mcorr Posted January 12, 2005 Posted January 12, 2005 If this guy gets a settlement it will hurt the entire fishing industry. Thats like a police officer suing everyone that calls him a pig, for harassment. You automatically take some risks when you put yourself in these situations. Ask any non-boater in the FLW they'll tell you they don't always like the way an angler handles his boat, but that's part of being a non-boater.
JT Bagwell Posted January 12, 2005 Posted January 12, 2005 It is very easy to sit at home behind our computer screens and "assume" we know the details of this case. The fact of the matter is, we know nothing about the case that can suggest whether or not the plaintiff is trying to screw the system. It would make more sense to sit back and wait for the details to become known, rather than making false assumptions and working over a man's charactor before we even know if he is at fault. In other words: Don't assume anything. You might not like how it makes you look when all of the evidence has been submitted. JT Bagwell
John Cullum Posted January 13, 2005 Posted January 13, 2005 I don't think he's getting bashed on this board but I've seen a few that are out of line. It seems anytime someone wins a lawsuit of it's first kind everyone follows with similiar claims. If he wins I agree with everyone else it will probadly get ugly and some rules will have to change because of it.
AUTgrPilot Posted January 15, 2005 Posted January 15, 2005 I agree with JT with one exception. The guy filing the suit does show us one of the cards in his hand, so to speak. If he wasn't out for a BUNCH of money and just wanted simple restitution for whatever Evers might/might not have done, then he wouldn't be going after the sponsors. He'd just be going after Evers. I am very interested to see how this one comes out. If the sponsors are proven responsible for Evers actions (whatever those are/aren't), then we're looking at a much bigger problem for society as a whole and not just professional bass fishing.
Chris Posted January 15, 2005 Posted January 15, 2005 I would be surprised if the guy gets anything from the lawsuit against the sponsors but who knows. We had a tournament on a lake one year where a guy broke his back when a boat ran by him and threw a wake that made him smack his buttseat. (to put this in a different context) Should the guy have filed a lawsuit against the club for having the tournament. The DNR for not being there to give the guy a ticket or the boat company for not making a more stable boat. I don't see this case being any different. Its the fault of the tour pro or the observer or both or none. I don't see how sponsors had anything to do with how that boat caused the injury. But like I said who knows
crankbait Posted January 16, 2005 Posted January 16, 2005 I'm with JT Bagwell.....There's not enough information out yet to make any judgements on who was right or wrong.....
John Cullum Posted January 19, 2005 Posted January 19, 2005 Tells a bit more about the story. Sounds like it could be worse than everyone thought. http://www.al.com/outdoors/huntsvilletimes/aclemons.ssf?/base/sports/1105525205224570.xml
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted January 19, 2005 BassResource.com Administrator Posted January 19, 2005 Hmmm let's see.... an editorial about what could, might, perhaps, maybe could happen in the worst possible case scenario. Sells newspapers I guess. :-/ Sorry, I didn't bite. I'm not much of an alarmist. I'd rather sit back and see what unfolds here. Very, very doubtful it will turn everything upside down and change everything, as the author would like you to believe. It could change things, but not to the extreme he's talking about. I think he's cryin' wolf.
D.Taylor Posted January 19, 2005 Posted January 19, 2005 The man with the Law Suit is a Bass Federation member I was told. So i dont believe he was some guy who didnt know how to ride in a boat thats all the facts I know.
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