Sir Austin’s Dry Cleaning News: Judge Sues Dry Cleaner For $54 Million Over Lost Pants
Jan 6th, 2009 by admin
Roy Pearson, an administrative law judge in Washington D.C. has revived his $54 million suit against a local dry cleaner who he claims lost a pair of his pants. Pearson claims that Soo Chung, owner of Custom Cleaners in Washington, owes him over $54 million for loosing a pair of his pants. Pearson’s suit claims that the dry cleaner owes him the exorbanent fee strictly because the store had a sign that read “satisfaction guaranteed” in their window. Pearson claims that the sign is what drew him in to the store, even though he admittedly claims he had no car at the time of infraction and lived within walking distance from the cleaners. Pearson claims that ”(he) would have never tried the store out if it were not for the sign that stated “satisfaction guaranteed”. In the beginning Custom Cleaners agreed to offer Pearson $1200 for a new suit. When he declined the cleaners then offered him $2000 then $4800 and then finally $12,000.
How Pearson Decided on $54 Million
Pearson justifies the monetary amount of the claim due to a statute in Washington law that states that plaintiffs can sue for up to $1500 a day, per infraction. The suit has been going on for more than 1200 days. In addition, the Washington judge is suing for emotional distress north of $500,000 and an additonal $540,000 for legal fees. (EVEN THOUGH HE IS REPRESENTING HIMSELF!).
Defense attorney for Custom Cleaners, Christopher Manning, stated that “this case is cut and dry. It is all about one sign and a plaintiffs gross misinterpretation of law (and a judge no less!)” Manning also stated that many of Pearson’s peers (trial lawyers) even can’t believe the outlandish lawsuit that is “obviously an abuse of power of the judicial system.”
What His Peers Think of The Suit
Bill Schulz, representative for the American Association of Justice, states that “This is incredible as it is shameful. To essentially try and bankrupt this dry cleaner is a travesty of the legal system.’
Because Pearson is a lawyer he has had to spend relatively nothing to keep this case going. On the other hand, Custom Cleaners has been forced to file for bankruptcy due to the mounting legal fees associated with defending themselves regarding this case.
Sir Austin understands paying just restitution for a mistake that has been made. However for Pearson to be able to abuse the legal system in this manner is a shame. The fact that Pearson was not trying to merely receive just compensation from Custom Cleaners but really trying to inflict the most financial harm on the couple is evident by the fact that he turned down $12,000 for one pair of pants!
If our readers feel so compelled, we encourage you to contribute to Custom Cleaners defense fund by clicking on the line below.
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