Jose Rincon $40M award reduced to $12M; City rejected settlement offer of $950,000.00
fatality May 28th, 2010
The AZ Daily Star reports today that the judge in the Jose Rincon wrongful-death lawsuit has reduced the award the Rincon family received from $40 million to $12 million.
But what is really interesting to me is that the Rincon family extended an offer before trial of 950,000 dollars, which the city rejected. Who made that decision? That was a very generous offer, in my opinion, given the facts of this case and the parties. I think the City was quite arrogant in their view that they could get off for less than that, particularly given they had to also pay their lawyers and employees to defend the case.
–Erik Ryberg
May 28th, 2010 at 11:11 am
“I think the City was quite arrogant in their view that they could get off for less than that, particularly given they had to also pay their lawyers and employees to defend the case.” (Erik Ryberg, this date)
Red Star agrees that the City was arrogant (Red Star would add smug and smirking)in its behavior. But aren’t COT lawyers (and employees, as if COT lawyers are not employees) salaried? Are they not paid the same fixed salary regardless of whether they defend a lawsuit or sit around unbending paperclips all day (which is actually roughly their, on an typical COT day, level)?
May 28th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
It’s also extremely easy to gamble
with other people’s money. And, hey,
don’t we pay these legal guys for
their expertise and experience and
judgement in these sort of things?
Someone might have made some noise
about accepting the settlement, but
it cost the tax payers $11 million
for the legals to cover their asses.
Nice! The city’s attitude toward
money makes my stomach hurt.
May 28th, 2010 at 10:16 pm
…yeah, and, try to remember not to vote for any more sales tax increases (like the one the City is planning for…), willya?
Or wait, i think i’ve got the logic: because they are mispending our money, basic services are not adequate – so hold your nose and give them more (regressive-as-hell sales tax) money.
thanks for keeping me informed, Erik. what a story!…