Attn May 22 SD "Farmer's Field Refugees"

[Mark Blue]

Not really worth a law suit.

You got that right Andrew. Hiring a lawyer would chew through the $400.00 the farmer wants from each person in just 2 hours of their time (assuming $200.00 per hour which is a cheap one nowadays). In a couple of days a lawyer can generate a $1500.00 to $2000.00 bill no problemo.

I hope no one is banking on this that or the other to come through with the deadline looming so near and will just fork over the money pronto. I think that was the original intent of the first post to prod anyone who hadn't paid up yet. It isn't worth calling the farmer's bluff to find out what will happen if you punt the deadline.

 

[Tyler Allison]

I agree that $400 was probably "fair" and would have happily paid that instead of dealing with lawyers and insurance companies. I would have just been miffed that I wasn't going to be allowed to retrieve my vehicle until said farmer felt like it.

ps: I wasnt saying use another 4x4 to get out of the mud. That's what a winch is for

 

[cdcollura]

Good day all,

I heard about this and have seen the "stuck" people north of me that day (north of Highway 12). This really stinks because the road ended and the "field" (property) began with little "warning".

Unfortunately, the $400 fee is IMO pretty reasonable as a farmer could have charge anything for such. Consider this all a lucky (and rather generous) break.

Back in 2008 I ran into trouble and got stuck in mud off Quinter, KS but it was a bad area in a dirt road. A tracter had to pull my chase partner and myself out, and did not ask for anything (but I shoved $100 in his pocket anyway).

Had that been a 'vehicle / rental "recovery" operation' than incident could have costed THOUSANDS. I was stuck like Betty Crocker and I was happy to be winched / tractored out of there.

 

[Michael Towers]

Unfortunately, the $400 fee is IMO pretty reasonable as a farmer could have charge anything for such.

He could have asked or demanded whatever he wanted but absent a civil judgment he wouldn’t have a legal leg to stand on regarding enforcement of payment. Same holds true for the $5000 threat, he can’t arbitrarily come up with a number and have it be enforceable. He also may have undermined any future efforts to collect additional damages by agreeing to the original lesser amount. Personally I wouldn’t worry about the $5000 threat because it holds no legal weight, if he wanted to pursue additional damages he’d have to file a civil claim and then I’d certainly involve my insurance company. But is it worth the cost, time & hassle? For everyone’s sake I hope the issue is done with and closed forever. Sounds like the deal was fair, put it behind you and move on.


Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer and the content of my post is strictly personal opinion and should not be considered legal advice. I also think it’s sad that I feel the need to include a disclaimer!