Pick On Someone Your Own Size

I promise that I won't make a habit of posting crappy news stories, but this one caught my eye and I couldn't resist:

Pennsylvania Man, 60, Sues Colorado Boy, 8, Over Ski Slope Collision

VAIL, Colo. — A 60-year-old man is taking an 8-year-old boy and his dad to court, claiming the boy caused a ski-slope collision that left the older man with a shoulder injury.

David J. Pfahler of Allentown, Pa., sued in federal court in Denver, claiming Scott Swimm, then 7, was skiing fast and recklessly when they collided in January, the Vail Daily reported Thursday.

The suit claims Pfahler suffered a torn shoulder tendon and seeks compensation for physical therapy, vacation time, nursing and medical services provided by Pfahler's wife, and other expenses. It estimates the couple's losses at more than $75,000.

Scott's father, Robb Swimm, said that he saw the crash and that Scott was skiing slowly and in control.

"It wasn't a violent collision or anything; Scott just kind of tapped his ski boots," he said this week.

Scott's mother, Susan Swimm, said her son weighs 48 pounds and couldn't have been going more than 10 mph.

"Who in the world sues a child?" she said. "It just boggles my mind every day."

Pfahler's Denver attorney, Jim Chalat, declined to comment on specifics but says Pfahler, who works for Reader's Digest, wants to go back to work.

O.K. What's up with the rampant law suits in this country!?! A 7-year old boy has an accident on a ski slope and he's getting sued over it? I don't care if he had been a 7-year old punk kid who intentially skied directly into this man. Spank him. Ground him. Ban him from the slopes and have him apologize to the man. But sue him?

This could set a very frightening precedent. I can see it now. My 5-year old gets sued when she accidentally bumps into a lady at Safeway. My toddler gets sued for crying too loud at church.

If this is the kind of people they employ at Reader's Digest, I won't be reading that magazine anymore.