In many movies I have seen how Americans (in case of conflict situations) immediately say to their opponent – “In that case, you will speak with my lawyer!” or “See you in court!”
Is it true that Americans are litigious?
In many movies I have seen how Americans (in case of conflict situations) immediately say to their opponent – “In that case, you will speak with my lawyer!” or “See you in court!”
Is it true that Americans are litigious?
Comments
Yes, we each get assigned a personal lawyer at birth who remains with us for the duration of our lives.
No. Most of us can’t even afford one.
We’re not even the most litigious country.
Even if we were, why is it a bad thing for a government to provide a neutral ground to settle disputes?
It’s just a movie trope.
I don’t have a lawyer and I don’t know anybody who retains a lawyer. It’s all movie talk.
No. People call an attorney if they are arrested, getting a divorce, get a DUI or reckless driving charge. We might have a lawyer to prepare a will, research something real estate related, or hire one to send a cease and desist letter if we are stalked or harassed.
Suing someone is expensive and who wants to throw money away and waste vacation time?
If saying “do you have any idea who my father is??” doesn’t strike fear in those situations then yes, we are constitutionally bound to warn them that they will in fact be hearing from our lawyers.
real answer, no
real answer: my sister ate the leftover cake I was saving from yesterday and I’m seeking restitution of about $10,000
When I watched Adolescence on Netflix, I noticed the British system is pretty similar in that they immediately tell the suspect to say nothing until the lawyer arrives. So I don’t think it’s just an American thing.
>Is that true, that Americans are tend to call their lawyers during every conflicting situation?
No. This is a common (though not really widespread) thing that some people say in an attempt to scare a cop to not arrest them, but it largely doesn’t happen because most people don’t have a lawyer they retain. Lawyers are expensive, most Americans don’t have money or a need for such things.
>Is it true that Americans are litigious?
No, this isn’t true. We have more access to lawyers as every person is allowed the opportunity to have a lawyer present even if they can’t afford one (the state will provide one for free).
The most litigious countries are Germany, Sweden, Israel, Austria… then the U.S. is behind those, followed up by the UK, Denmark, Hungary, Portugal and France. We also have to remember that every country has the same means for suing others or having legal council.
No 😂
Not at all, to the point where people will think this is a trolling question
A lot of lawyers are useless
Is it true that all Russian movies are documentaries and completely based in fact?
Most of the time when someone does say it it’s just an empty threat. Lawyers aren’t cheap, well good lawyers aren’t cheap.
We do use lawyers for other things like preparing wills, criminal defense, or assistance in creating contracts.
no
Only wealthy people do that
It could happen if you do something bad enough, but I’ve never heard of it with anyone I know except a business owner with a dispute. It pops up in movies because movies tend to feature rare dramatic events.
Not sure what the context was in the movie, but there are lots of legal protections in the US where you can use a lawyer… but in terms of daily life, most Americans aren’t interacting with a lawyer that often, unless they are getting divorced, buying a home/business, were accused of a crime, or are pressing charges on a person or business. Most Americans would probably have to Google the nearest attorney if they ever needed one, as it’s not a common situation to need one.
Sorta. My wife’s a lawyer. Haven’t won and argument since we got married. I have given thought to having professional representation at our next spat.
No. Tell me where you are, so I can throw stereotypes.
No
We can’t afford lawyers lol
As with everything, it varies regionally.
Big cities tend to be more litigous, but it’s still rare to sue or be sued for anything outside of a car accident (which will be handled by insurance and typically doesn’t make it to court)
No. Most people don’t have enough money for that. It’s something people say to scare others into complying with what they want.
Are there people that litigious? Yea, they tend to be pro se (representing themselves). Source: am law librarian. Some of my regulars are that litigious (also, often mentally jll), and they try and sue over the most stupid shit.
Most ordinary Americans don’t have a lawyer on retainer, no
Only wealthy people have lawyers on retainer. Very few of us have a couple grand we don’t need to that
I call my mom.
no
lol, a bit, but not like, say, the Germans, at least not so far as reputation.
It’s both a common legal trope as well as usually, a totally empty threat we throw around when we’re upset. Most people who say “you’ll be hearing from my lawyer” don’t have a lawyer on retainer (which is expensive), and certainly not a family attorney and are trying a bluster as a last ditch effort at maintaining their dignity or expressing their discontent.
Unless you’re rich or deeply involved in a corporation or something, we don’t have lawyers, plus lawyers specialize in different things. Having a bankruptcy lawyer or a contract attorney or dating in house counsel for an insurance company (which I’m doing) doesn’t really translate to “I’ll see you in court for dinging my car”.
Once someone is actively involved in a court case or legal issue and has retained a lawyer, *then* the smart thing is to do everything through your lawyer. So in a criminal case where you are the accused, saying “talk to my attorney” isn’t just a litigious or American issue, it’s the best way to have your rights represented.
There are dummies who throw out “you’ll hear from my lawyer” every time something doesn’t go their way or they are the tiniest bit put out.
1/ they see the trope in Tv/movies and are copying the language
2/ they don’t have a lawyer unless it was for their DUI or divorce and don’t understand that civil cases are different
3/ if they do bother to actually talk to an attorney they find out their little issues is not actionable
But yes corporations have attorneys either in house or on retainer and that’s where entertainment media get the trope from
Yes, everything in my life is just like a movie. I have a lawyer on retainer, and I am never seen in public without perfect hair and makeup. /s
It’s all movie nonsense. I don’t know anyone that has a lawyer. Much less one on retainer.
Movies often feature people that have reasons to have a lawyer on retainer. Like a corporate executive that embezzles money.
I nor anyone else I know has a lawyer
We do also have a thing called small claims court. Like if someone sold you a bicycle that turn out to be held together with super glue.
No lawyers are allowed in snall claims and it has to be under a certain amount (usually like $5,000), and the filing fees are lower.
Rich people keep a lawyer on retainer, so they can call them over everything . But otherwise suing someone is really expensive.
It also takes forever to get in to see one, if they’re not on retainer.
There are other factors though. Insurance companies will sue on your behalf. Unions will represent a worker with an attorney if they need one. And if a person is arrested they will be aassigned a defender if they can’t afford one.
Most of the time when someone says you’ll hear from their lawyer they are bluffing. Lawyers are expensive, and smart people who really intend to sue won’t give that advanced warning.
However, we are very litigious when it comes to companies and rich people. The best comment I’ve seen on this was an old comic strip called Bloom County. It was after Sean Penn hit a photographer, and a character in the comic was hit by him too.
No, it’s just TV. In other news London has no ministry of magic. Carpets don’t fly in the middle east. There are no dragons in china. And street racers don’t become an elite crime fighting groups obsessed with being family.
Yes, if you look at me the wrong way I will be calling my lawyer who was assigned to me at conception ( like every other American) and I will see you in court.
I’m 43.
The only time I’ve ever needed a lawyer was when I was arrested for simple battery, and when workers comp wouldn’t cover medical expenses for an injury I received at work.
I don’t think most of us can afford lawyers.
My company offers a legal service for about $20/month that helps with legal issues (adoptions, disputes, etc.). I’ve used it a couple times over the past few years for disputes with an airline and a hotel. I’ve never said, “See you in court!” to anyone though.
It’s only for rich people or corporations where people have a lawyer on retainer. Very successful edge lord youtubers who regularly find themselves in lawsuits have a lawyer on retainer and will say “I had my lawyer talk to the complainers, my video stays up,” and multi-million dollar media corporations regularly “have their lawyers file complaints,” but it’s not like it’s something most people say.
This trope is an effort by big corporations to get support for legislation to make holding businesses accountable for malfeasance more difficult.
The famous example is the woman who got burned by hot coffee. She was served liquid far too hot to be considered a food item. When the cup spilled on her she got 3rd degree burns that required extensive medical treatment.
When big companies get sued for making people sick or injured they lose a lot of money.
To mitigate this they fund a public relations effort through multiple forms of media by influencing news and talk show topics to create the narrative that “People will sue over anything.” This bled over into other forms of media.
Provide an example where you saw this in an unnecessary situation. In fact, provide an example where you saw this at all.
Hell no. Do you get a lawyer for free if you get arrested? Yes. Might take a while, so sit in jail.
“See you in court” is real. Civil lawyers are real. But it takes a VERY long time (they forgot the 6th amendment).
My job offers me legal services should I need them as a benefit.
In 12 years of working here, I’ve not once used those services.
Of all my friends and family, only 2 people that I know have ever gone to court (both were in a contentious divorce).
Most Americans cannot afford a lawyer.
Unless it’s on tv or in the movies.
If someone says that, they probably are making an empty threat and likely won’t do anything. The ones you have to worry about won’t say a word to you and will wait to file a suit at the last possible moment, often a couple of years, depending on the jurisdiction and the issue at hand. That way, you’ll be more likely to forget important details, lose contact with other parties involved, and possibly make other mistakes that will be more difficult to hide from the discovery process.