Have you ever decided not to sue someone or some group?

I had my oil changed at JiffyLube, and the didn’t tighten the oil pan plug, which fell out while I was going freeway speeds. It ruined my engine, which I had to replace.
I spent a lot of time trying to get them to take responsibility, which they never did. I talked to a lawyer, but he said I would have to do it myself in small claims court. I dropped it, since I was impossibly busy at work.

@filmfann If it happens frequently then I suggest a class action lawsuit. Also suing for costs of the lawyers, and your time.

I was hit by a car bicycling. I did file a police report but did not pursue any legal action. I was able to repair the bicycle and I only ended up with some bad bruising.

A few years ago, I was driving on a busy road and someone rear ended me. It wasn’t bad, but it still damaged my car. He had an older car. We both pulled over and he admitted what he did and I said I was going to call the police to make a report. The police came and the cop told me he was going to ask the guy what happened, and then ask me what happened. I stood aside when the cop discussed what happened, and when the cop asked me, I told him my side of the story, which was basically I was stopped at a light and the guy hit me. The police report reflected that. My insurance company said I could go through the guy’s company or use mine. The guy’s company told me for a few months that they were trying to get in touch with the guy and he was not responding. My company said don’t worry, if the guy doesn’t respond, the guy’s insurance will pay you. Long story short, the guy’s company never got in touch with the guy, they didn’t pay me, I had to go through my company to get the car fixed (3k in damage which is what “minor” damage costs nowadays), and my insurance company told me I could sue the guy in small claims court, but I decided not to. What I lost was my 500 dollar deductible. My insurance didn’t go up, I think because the report reflected that I did nothing wrong.

When I was much younger, for 3 years I rented a duplex / half a house from my aunt. It seemed like a good idea at the time. We got along well and we used to do craft shows together, etc. But she turned into a completely different person while I was renting from her. She was constantly invading my privacy, would come over and adjust my thermostat, and one time threatened me if I didn’t take my 17 year old cat to the vet because she said there must be something wrong with her because she was having trouble jumping. She said if I didn’t take her to the vet then she was going to call animal services on me. I was young and less knowledgeable about stuff so I did take her to the vet who agreed with me that she was fine but was just getting older. She also one time came over and turned off my air conditioning in the midst of a really hot and humid summer day. I came home from work around 6:00 to find that it was 98° in my side of the house, and my three cats had had to deal with that all day. And yet she apparently cared about animals so much. Before I moved out, I cleaned my half of the house to within an inch of my life. I even did stuff that as a renter you’re not required to do, including my friends coming over and shampooing the area rugs. She still kept my $600 security deposit, coming up with false claims, such as that my cats had peed on the floor in one particular corner, which actually happened to be right under the cheaply installed air conditioning that she had put in the wall. There was no smell and it was obvious that it was from the water dripping on the floor.

I was going to take her to small claims court, especially because I was counting on that money as I was moving into a town home at that point. My mom talked to me and asked me not to take her to court because she was family. And when I told her that it was mainly because I needed the money, my parents actually gave me the $600. That’s how much they wanted me not to take her to court. I felt a little bad about taking it from them but I really did need the money. However, for about 3 years I wouldn’t come to Thanksgiving dinner because my aunt was still invited and I refused to break bread with her.

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People don’t sue because they can’t afford it lol. A large percent of cases are settled because one party can’t afford the legal battle.

However many lawsuits for damages are contingency, @Blackberry, where the attorney takes a cut if the plaintiff wins but otherwise there are no fees, and they are often settled out of court, which saves everyone money.

A mail-order pharmacy in Canada sent me the wrong drug. It was supposed to be a blood pressure medication, and they sent cholesterol medication. It was labeled as bp meds, but didn’t look exactly like them. I know that pharmacies receive drugs from various manufacturers, so I didn’t think much of the slight difference.

Over several days I could tell that my bp was off so I looked at the pill bottle. I was able to peel off the pharmacy label and saw on the original bottle that it was a cholesterol med. I’m not a “I’m gonna sue the bastards” kind of gal, but I was upset so I called them. The guy barely spoke English. I called at a different time, hoping he’d be off duty, but I could never get anyone who could help me.

When I thought about the time, energy and angst required for a lawsuit I figured it hadn’t damaged me other than not being good for my heart and circulatory system and I left it at that.

There are only two times in my life where I could have done so. (where I felt egregiously wronged).

But both times I did the math, and even if I won, the amount I would have received wouldn’t have been worth the effort (and investment in the lawsuit).

I’ve responded to a similar question before.
The short answer is many times.