I read this article and couldn't believe it was a real news story. A man, a judge nonetheless, is suing the owners of a dry cleaners for a pair of lost pants. Pants that were eventually found. He is suing for pain and suffering and time, oh and renting a car that he now needs each weekend to take his laundry to the cleaners. All of it adds up to a mere $65 million.
I am NOT even kidding.
In the middle of this lawsuit are the owners, a Korean-American couple who emigrated to the US 7 years ago.
The picture of the couple reminds me so much of my own parents, hardworking Koreans who came to this country years ago in search of a better life for themselves and for their children. Being the daughter of dry cleaners, this story hit me particularly hard. I am so angry that people like this judge use his so called intelligence and power to justify such a ridiculous lawsuit. I know that my parents work hard and do their best to ensure the best customer service and satisfaction. They've had their share of lost clothes and shrunken items and have always offered a full reimbursement of the item and have even gone to in search to buy the customer the exact same item. Like all small business owners, they take the business and their customers very seriously. For Koreans, their businesses are their livelyhood. This judge has no disregard and compassion for these business owners - he is more concerned with having his own middle-class justice served.
The couple and their son is even considering moving back to Korea after all of this. They have spent much of their time and money agonizing over this lawsuit that just won't die. They've offered to buy this man a new suit and have even offered settlement money. The judge refused their offers and instead is trying to sue them for $65 million.
I can't help but wonder if Mr. Pearson is taking advantage of the fact that the owners are Korean-American. Being here in the US for only 7 years, I assume their English probably isn't as polished and their knowledge of the law and of their rights may be limited. I am not saying he is racist - after all, he did patron their business without problems prior to this incident. But if the owners had been well educated Caucasian Americans, I wonder if Pearson would have gone so far as to sue for a ridiculously exorbitant amount.
They go to court on June 11th. It should be interested what comes of this trial. From what I've read, most of his peers and others in the field hope this case is thrown out of court. What a waste of tax payers money.
I hope the Chungs don't give up hope. I hope the system with which they are so disenchanted can prove them wrong.
- Linda
