You have got to be kidding.

What a crock of you know what!

What an absolute disgusting way to try to get money! Since your kid is clumsy, I guess you can say you're doing a good job at teaching the kid another way to rob a grocery store!

Sounds like the only payment that should be made would be for any cans that were damaged due to the boy's actions.

Society is "sue" happy

Good Afternoon Folks. I just deleted a post because it attacked the lawyer on something that's unproven. Just so you know, Patch can only report on criminal activity per the police reports and court coverage. Thank you for understanding.

Ann, first did not say it was criminal and second would be happy to send you the link to the picture out there that is definiately him.

Also it did not attack him, just stated a fact.

Hi New Lenox Mom. Perhaps the information might be best forwarded to the police.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY STUPID!!!

You can let this attorney(?) know what you think of this case at:
rock@blocklaw.com

Lawyers who take on ridiculous claims like this should be stripped of their license to practice. That would take care of people being sue happy over the most assinine things. The kid should sue his mom for being a loser.

Well seeing this just makes me wanna go ahead and sue for the time my 8 month old got her finger stuck in the cart.... I mean REALLY PEOPLE!!!! Maybe that mother should have been sued by Berkots for keeping an eye on her child. Too bad that's not possible !

Give me a break!

The last time I went to Berkots my daughter put a quarter in the gumball machine and nothing came out. I think I'll sue them for my pain and suffering of having to listen to her cry about it all the way home. What is happening to this country??

Parents, watch your kids or don't bring them with! I have and 8 yr old and she TOUCHES nothing at the store IF she is even with me. What a disgrace! I hope a judge laughs at her!

I slipped and fell while shopping in a grocery store when I was 7-1/2 months pregnant. (There was water on the floor.) I don't know what was bruised more, my hip or my ego. You know what I did? I got off the floor and started laughing. Seems to me, if people would laugh more, the world would be a happier place.

Its a case of stupid is stupid does! Really. Come on!

Wow! "Man up" Daniel. Get back to your usual daily activities (probably sitting on moms couch drinking cans of soda) Accidents happen in life, this is why we purchase insurance. This is obvious that mommy's boy was bruised and mommy could use a bit more money. Shame on them! P.S. Water is a healthier option.

she has no idea the amount of teasing she has brought to this kid. shame on her.

I think a lot of the reaction is directed in the wrong place. There will always be frivolous lawsuits. However, why does The Patch even think this is news worthy. In not sure how this major scoop was missed by the major networks and the Trib and the Sub Times. Maybe if this kind of drivel doesn't get reported these types of lawsuits might decrease by a small amount.

Hello. I deleted a post due to vulgarity. Patch can't allow on the site.

Pathetic suit. This happened 2 years ago, and the "minor" has an occupation. Makes you wonder how old the minor is that he can't take a soda "falling" on him. And if he is an older minor, the can couldn't fall that far.

Hi Folks, The point of the story is the lawsuit. Let's keep to the topic.

1. Patch - You reported that you do not know what type of container it is yet you post an image of a can? In doing so, you insinuate that it was a can that fell. You should not have posted any images. Bad journalism.

2. None of you know the facts of the case yet you all choose to pass judgement.
-- What if the display was set up in a way that was hazardous? What if the law suit results in the store changing its practices to ensure that no one else gets injured?
-- What if the minor was injured? You have no facts to suggest otherwise yet you all feel the need to jump all over the mother.

3. This is a good example of the "mob mentality" associated with most if not all web based "news" zines. Ex: The attorney's personal life has no bearing on this case. Why some of you like to make these things personal is beyond me but again, it happens all of the time on sites like this.

I too think that there are too many frivolous lawsuits brought each year but I personally have not read anything on this site and in this article with reference to this case to lead me to believe that this case does not have merit. If someone wants to share some real facts that might shed more light on this case, well then I'll be happy to take a look. In the meantime, I'll hold judgement on this case.

Novel thought when posting an article: How about trying to contact both parties for comment prior to posting?

Absent facts, how is this type of article even allowed on the Patch? What exactly is the point of the article? I don't see one. Does it inform or educate or notify the masses of anything of value? Nope.

A disservice has been done to all of the parties as a result of this post:
-- The mother has been attacked.
-- The minor has been judged.
-- The attorney has been disparaged.
-- Berkots, well they have actually benefited by this post. They have been made out to be the good guys and victims when there are no facts to support that.

I would like the author to express their intent in posting this article.

Good grief Ann, these are adults reading these posts... You are olicing this thing like you own the patch...

Hi Folks. The problem is that this conversation has turned vulgar. Patch doesn't allow it.

The lawsuit is vulgar, the reporting is vulgar....only Miss Jean is riveted and informed..

@Rob Bennetti, here are the facts: A single soda fell on a minor in a grocery store and the mother is suing. Nothing else matters, regardless if the display was "hazardous" or the kid was actually injured (doubtful) as you suggest. Accidents will happen. That doesn't mean you sue because you see dollar signs. Would she sue if that same soda fell on her son at a friend's house? It's a joke lawsuit from a joke of an attorney. Let's not try to make it any more than that with your what if this leads the store to use best practices comment. This is a free country. The Patch has a right to write about this story and the readers have a right to comment as they see fit. Perhaps next time any loser who decides it might be a good idea to do the same thing might think otherwise or endure the wrath of intelligent, practical comments posted by Patch readers.

oh i'am so sorry i insulted the lawyer and his head in my comment yesterday.what is this kid going to do when he grows up and has a warm beer can spray him in the face.

No matter what anyone says, society is really screwed up!

OMG....for real! And to feel sorry for the mom and the obviously "older" child please and they will be the first to complain that thier insurance rates are too high or that the groceries cost to much. Its due stupid lawsuits of people trying to make a buck that the cost of so many things go up. Get real people, get a job and stop trying to find ways to get rich quick! The store does not even put up the pop displays - the beverage company does!

Sounds like the soda bottle hit Kathy Harmon in the head.

@Rob, the lawsuit is public record that includes the "minor's" name. Public lawsuits against a local business should be reported on. the public has the right to voice their OPINIONS, good or bad. I would think Ms. Harmon should expect that her actions could result in people not having a very good opinion of her. Now it is just my guess, but had this been a serious accident/injury we would have heard about this two years ago when it happened. Anyone can go over to the courthouse and pull up the actual suit, which it appears that Ann has done for this story. Time will tell whether this is one of those many frivolous suits as it appears to be, or something more serious. Since this happened almost 2 years ago and the statue of limitations is about to expire, it appears that she found a lawyer willing to file this in an attempt to make a few bucks! As for the lawyer, anyone who needs to text out pictures of his privates is not someone to be taken seriously. Apparently at least one of the women he sent the text to did not appreciate it and based on the comments posted with the picture it is something he has done before. Certainly not someone I would want representing me personally nor, if I was the owners of this firm, is he someone I would want representing my firm.

Sounds like one for Judge Judy; the forum for morons. Lets see now, pain and suffering??? "My child will never ever be able to look at or go near another soda pop can again." That might actually be a good thing.

I,had can"s fall on before what the big deal! Any way to maker her richer and rich
so she can stash the cash ib the bank.

America has gone from "The land of opportunity" to the "Land of opportunists"
PUT THAT ON A BUMPER STICKER!

If each one of you/us who are appalled by the frivolous cases clogging our court system took the time to write your/our reps instead of posting on this site, we might actually be able to help make change.

Maybe The Patch should lead this charge? Maybe a real article about the issue with detailed analysis and interviews with attorneys, judges and elected reps would be a good start?

Desperate times call for desperate measures--this is pretty desperate!

Don't judge until you know all the facts!

I think I'll sue each person who posted here for the intentional infliction of emotional distressed caused in reading this.

CAN we all get along?

" POP - goes the weasel "

Hi Folks; Patch can't allow personal attacks in the comments. I just deleted one for that reason.
Thank you,