MartinYorkshire
Retro Guru
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Re: Re:
I've grown cynical in my older age. Our society is becoming increasingly litigous, following the example of the US. It's not just that, it's also based on multiple bitter experiences unrelated to cycling, where doing the right thing has unexpectedly backfired. Compensation culture is a real thing, so I dont think it's my neighbours, more an overall pattern of the decline of traditional societal bonds. Just how I see it. Your mileage may vary, as they say.
It's not so much being sued for fixing a bike, it's the potential to be sued if I fix a BSO and a day/week later something else unrelated breaks on it, injuring the child and the parents link the two occurrances. "He isn't a professional mechanic, so it must be his fault". Imagine trying to disprove that in legal terms, it's not that easy. A no win no fee lawyer simply sends a letter and suddenly you're faced with a huge solicitors or worse, barristers bill for defending yourself. Predictably, regardless of whether the claimant had genuine grounds or not, it ends with a substantial out of court settlement, because you're looking at 5 figures+ for defending yourself if it goes to court. Over a pair of backwards forks...? No thanks.
If you've never had to go through something like that, then honestly I'm glad for you. It's crappy, I'll say that.
Captain Stupido":3bfh4tef said:
I've grown cynical in my older age. Our society is becoming increasingly litigous, following the example of the US. It's not just that, it's also based on multiple bitter experiences unrelated to cycling, where doing the right thing has unexpectedly backfired. Compensation culture is a real thing, so I dont think it's my neighbours, more an overall pattern of the decline of traditional societal bonds. Just how I see it. Your mileage may vary, as they say.
It's not so much being sued for fixing a bike, it's the potential to be sued if I fix a BSO and a day/week later something else unrelated breaks on it, injuring the child and the parents link the two occurrances. "He isn't a professional mechanic, so it must be his fault". Imagine trying to disprove that in legal terms, it's not that easy. A no win no fee lawyer simply sends a letter and suddenly you're faced with a huge solicitors or worse, barristers bill for defending yourself. Predictably, regardless of whether the claimant had genuine grounds or not, it ends with a substantial out of court settlement, because you're looking at 5 figures+ for defending yourself if it goes to court. Over a pair of backwards forks...? No thanks.
If you've never had to go through something like that, then honestly I'm glad for you. It's crappy, I'll say that.
