Ex-Wing Konstantinov sues for $300M

[12Newf 0]

just came across this on sportsnet....wow

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DETROIT -- A lawyer for ex-Detroit Red Wings defenceman Vladimir Konstantinov and a former team masseur has asked a federal jury to award them nearly US$300 million for a 1997 limo crash in suburban Detroit that left them with disabling brain injuries.

Richard Goodman asked in his closing argument on Friday for $75 million to $100 million each for pain and suffering for Konstantinov and Sergei Mnatsakanov.

Goodman also asked for lost wages of $88.8 million for Konstantinov and $2.29 million for Mnatsakanov.

Konstantinov and Mnatsakanov sued a Findlay, Ohio, Ford dealership that sold the limo. Findlay Ford Lincoln Mercury says it shouldn't be held responsible because it didn't make the vehicle.

The jury was to begin deliberating late Friday or Tuesday.

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2008/05/23/...ntinov_lawsuit/

[GMRwings1983 8,804]

He asked for too little.

[55fan 5,133]

It would be too little if he were suing the driver of the limo, but the company who sold the car is not at fault.

I love Vladdy dearly and I wish there would be a way to end his and Sergei's pain and suffering, and return them to health, but this isn't it.

[Hiei 192]

I wanna sue Richard Gnida. to Win the Immunity i need to kill him...

[rwfan007 18]

just to clarify... there is nothing "ex" about Vladdy.

in response to the thread, the driver is at fault. he had a poor driving record and it is his responsibility to make sure that any problems with the vehicle are taken care of.

Edited May 23, 2008 by rwfan007

[Happy Pancake 6]

The amount I think is justified but I must say I don't think the dealer is responsible. The manufacturer might be at fault if something was shown to be faulty with the design of the limo. The employer of the driver and the driver himself I would think would be more sensible though you almost surely won't get much if anything from either one of them.

[Yzerfan1999 81]

The jury has rejected the lawsuit.

Jury Rejects Former Wings' Lawsuit

Maybe $300 million was a bit much. What will that kind of money do for Vlad anyways? I dunno...not making light of the incident - Konstantinov should have got something from this, but I am against suing the pants of people just to prove a point.

[HockeytownRN 0]

I know the Toast of Hockeytown used to be a benefit for Vladdi and Sergei, as my old tickets even have their names on the stubs. I think Fedorov and Larionov had a lot to do with that. The past two years it has been for Children's hospital of Detroit, and I wonder why they changed that charity event? I know the wings raise a lot of money for kids in the Detroit area in other ways, and it would have been nice to keep that event for Vladdi and Sergei. I'm sure their medical bills have gotten HUGE.

[Copenhagen848 58]

As mentioned, the dealership is definitely not at fault in this case. The only one to blame is the driver that's why I was kind of disappointed to hear about this lawsuit a while back. I'm actually glad they rejected it....not because I don't feel Vladdy and the rest shouldn't get something, but because it's not the dealership's fault.

[Z and D for the C 712]

just to clarify... there is nothing "ex" about Vladdy.

And like he needs an introduction anyway.

And I agree with what's been said, of crouse no disrescpect to vladdy or anyone else, but I think this is a silly case. It's not the dealership's fault, unless the dealership supplied the driver.

And why now?

[Yzermania19 1]

As has been stated, the dealership is not at fault. That would be like you or I suing the car dealership where we bought our cars because there was a defect in the car that led to an accident. It just doesn't make sense.

All the dealership did was sell the car to a company that turned luxury cars into limos. However, even that company (which has apparently gone out of business) isn't responsible. IMO, it's the limo company, Gambino (also out of business), and the driver that bear the responsibility. The limo company should have, first of all, made sure they had drivers with impeccable driving records, and that all proper safety precautions had been taken, which included making sure that the seat belts were visible and available, should the passengers choose to use them. The driver should never have been driving in his condition.

What happened to Vlady and Sergei Mnatsakanov was a horrible, horrible thing, but this just makes it look like they're grasping at straws to find someone culpable.

[imisssergei 0]

I wasn't aware that car manufacturers were supposed to make cars impossible to be driven if the driver is drunk.

Oh wait, that's right, they aren't.

This is just one example of the many things wrong with this country.

[imisssergei 0]

Agreed.

Litigation/frivalous lawsuits, & our inability to manufacture our own goods will eventually wreck this country.

It all stems from greed. The bible is wrong when it says money is the root of all evil. Saying greed is the root of all evil is a much more accurate statement.

There is no way you could possibly justify $300 million for this. I could see the $88+ million in lost wages, as Vladdy could have earned that fairly easily, however the extra $200+ million is nothing more than greed on the part of everyone involved (obviously Vladdy excluded). It makes me sick to see people putting together lawsuits like this. But it's time for bed, so I'll leave my ranting for another day.

[Lovin Jiri Fischer 147]

I definately think Vladdy should get something out of this. The accident was 10 years ago. Think about ten years' worth of medical expenses, physical training, medications, etc. And he will still be paying these expenses for the rest of his life. Also, he can no longer play hockey. But this isn't like getting injured your senior year of high school and not being able to play again. This is no longer being able to do your job and support your family the way you used to. Vladdy is giving up his salary, and that should also be made up.

The thing is, we all know that the driver is at fault and not the dealer. But there is no way the driver even has this amount of money to pay. So this is probably why Vladdy is suing the dealer. I'm not saying it's the right move, but I'm trying to explain why I think he is taking this action.

[superstarsingh 23]

I wanna sue Richard Gnida. to Win the Immunity i need to kill him...

It is a miracle that someone has not already done away with that supposed human being.

[DaKineMaui 8]

If I personally had one billion dollars, they could welcome themselves to half.

But I smell lawyer. And it made me puke a bit, in my mouth.

[55fan 5,133]

It all stems from greed. The bible is wrong when it says money is the root of all evil. Saying greed is the root of all evil is a much more accurate statement.

Technically, the quote is "the love of money is the root of all evil". It's one of those quotes that has gotten shortened and misquoted over time until the original is forgotten. But, yeah, you are right on that greed is the evil.

As far as the Toast of Hockeytown, doesn't that still benefit Vladdie and Sergei and their families? I think it is for a number of things, including that and the children's hospital.

Their care costs must be astronomical. Great that the Wings take care of their own, not only financially, but also the way they have treated Vladdie as a friend and a person.

I seem to remember that the Ford company (not the dealer) did come to some sort of settlement where they paid something, but I can't find that anywhere. Does anyone else remember seeing anything about that? I believe it was relatively close to the time of the accident.

[imisssergei 0]

I definately think Vladdy should get something out of this. The accident was 10 years ago. Think about ten years' worth of medical expenses, physical training, medications, etc. And he will still be paying these expenses for the rest of his life. Also, he can no longer play hockey. But this isn't like getting injured your senior year of high school and not being able to play again. This is no longer being able to do your job and support your family the way you used to. Vladdy is giving up his salary, and that should also be made up.

The thing is, we all know that the driver is at fault and not the dealer. But there is no way the driver even has this amount of money to pay. So this is probably why Vladdy is suing the dealer. I'm not saying it's the right move, but I'm trying to explain why I think he is taking this action.

Don't forget, Vladdy was and is coverd with HEALTH INSURANCE. I'm willing to bet that he has pretty good coverage that takes care of just about every medical bill he has seen.

[OsGOD 3]

The jury has rejected the lawsuit.

Jury Rejects Former Wings' Lawsuit

THANK GOD! There is some level headed people in the world. Its because of bulls*** lawsuits like this that normal people who have a actual cases on hold don't get to see their time in court!

KUDOS for rejected this bulls*** lawsuit... Love Vladdy but his lawyer is scum... suing the Ford Dealership.... EFF THAT! Get real Vladdy

[PaVel DaTsYuK fan13 0]

I wish Konstantinov could get better compensation, but the jury made the right desiscion here.

[Aussie_Wing 354]

No amount of money will bring back what you had. That's the tragedy.

[Guest nutz2u]

The article states that both mens medical bills are being paid by Michigan nofault insurance program. I also read somewhere that FMC's settlement was a few million. I guess they should have grabbed the 6M that was offered. Had the greedy lawyers asked for something reasonable they may have gotten it, but true to form they got greedy and wound up with nothing. Sooo in summation Michigan auto owners are paying the medical bills of a couple of millionaires. Don't get me wrong I feel horrible about what happened, but it truley is appalling that the little guy always winds up getting screwed by having to pay the bills. Anyway you cut it, f***in Gambino was the cause of the whole thing because they were the ones that put the pisshead behind the wheel.