Imagine being a child and having a birthday party where you turned 8 years old.  Imagine receiving a present that you liked, and then seeing your aunt, and as you run and jump into her arms for a hug, you both land on the ground, and her wrist is broken.  Naturally you would ask if she’s alright, and though she’s visibly hurt, she doesn’t say, or insists she’s ok and you’re off to enjoy the rest of the birthday party.

Fast forward four years later, with Mom having died a year ago, and then being called to meet with your father.  He appears troubled, but maybe not with you so much as with your aunt, who is suing you for thousands more than you could ever afford to repay.  All of a sudden, feelings may change about your aunt, or like your father you may be questioning why after such a long time.

Unfortunately, this is not fiction or even a set-up for a comical skit.  The incident actually happened in New York, where Jennifer Connell, the aunt, sued her nephew, Sean Tarala, for $127,000 suggesting that he should have known better than to jump into her arms as he did.  He was eight years old when it happened, he’s twelve years old now, but why even let four years pass in between as she said she didn’t want to ruin his birthday?  Apparently she didn’t want to ruin his birthday at that time, but what about the other birthdays to follow?

What led to this seeking such a huge sum?  Was he recklessly disobedient of his parents who warned him that he’s too big to jump and have Aunt Jennifer catch him like she could when he was smaller and lighter?  Was he angry that the gift she gave wasn’t as cool as the new bike, or was he upset that he didn’t receive a gift from her?  Was he so excited to see her at his party that he just wanted to give her a big hug and thank her for coming, to where that was all that was important to him? Just how does she expect to recover such a large sum from a child, whose allowance is nowhere near that amount?  In a recent report, the Connecticut jury rejected the claim.  So much for lawsuits.