Story Archive

Sue Yourself

Brian Lim told his wife he wanted a divorce six years ago, and they just met in court — the New South Wales, Australia, Court of Appeal — over what happened next. She was driving through Strathfield with him in the passenger seat when he opened the door and got out — at 31 mph. This left him with “catastrophic” injuries, the court was told, and he sued her for not stopping when he opened the door, which may have reduced his injuries. The trial court found she had no duty to protect him from his own unreasonable actions, a sudden stop would have been dangerous and, in any event, his contributory negligence warranted a 100 percent reduction of any damages owed. The appellate court agreed. Lim is “under legal incapacity,” the court was told — and the defendant, Eunkyung Cho, is apparently still his wife. (AC/ABC Australia) ...In sickness, in health, and in obliviocy.