Did Justice Prevail in the Case of the Dr Vs. The 11-Year Old Skater?

The Verdict is Finally In

MORRISTOWN, NEW JERSEY - Closing arguments was heard today in Morris County in the case of Dlugi vs. Ellis, the doctor who sued the 11-year old skater with whom he collided with on his bike 4 years ago.

Dr. Alexander Dlugi had sued student Lauren Ellis for loss of income and pain and suffering that was the result of a bike/skate collision between the two in 2003 when Ellis was only 11 years old. For a complete run-down on the story, see the original article here.  

This was a story that had many people in outrage at the sheer absurdness of it all. The American public questioned the validity of the case and whether or not the doctor actually had legal bearings to sue the little girl. Even one juror stated that he was surprised the case had been taken this far. Presumably Dlugi was seeking damages against the parent's homeowner's insurance- in the event that it could be proven Ellis was at fault for the incident.

Many questions came into play during this case:

• Is an 11-year old legally responsible for their actions in a case such as this?
• Who legally had the right-of-way; the cyclist or the pedestrian?
• Is the girl still considered a pedestrian if she was on in-line skates?
• How can Ellis be responsible for his injury not healing "properly or quickly"?
• What about the mental stress and anguish he has caused her over the last four years?

In addition to the technical and legal questions were the moral and social questions that arose during this case. Many people have asked "What happened to the days when an accident was just that -an accident?" Others state that the doctor was just out for money, any way he could get it. Still a few side with the doctor and say that even children should be responsible for their own actions. Regardless of how people feel in their hearts or how silly many believed the entire lawsuit to be, Dlugi would have his day in court and it would be up to a jury to determine the outcome.