So Walter Noel and his wife employ a Brazilian gardener for a few years until he injures his back, is operated on for a herniated disc and applies for workman’s compensation. They contest the claim (and appeal the first ruling against them) on the ground that the poor sucker was an illegal alien – who knew? They had to pay anyway.
Reached at her home for comment, Monica Noel was contrite, if still combative:
“Okay, we paid him, alright? We had to cut one of the nanny’s pay to do it, but we gave him the money – sheesh!
“But you know,” she continued, “he was lifting friggin’ boxes – he should have been careful. He shoulda used – what’s that word, Honey?”
“Due diligence?” Walt suggested.
“That’s it! If the dummy had exercised a little due diligence, nobody woulda’ gotten hurt.”
Update: Friday’s WSJ doesn’t think as much of Walt as Monica does.
For What It's Worth 
he he . . . good one!
I got a chuckle out of this one too (from the ’96 court opinion):
“This determination is amply supported by the testimony of a real estate appraiser . . . ”
But I guess the party hadn’t started yet back in ’96.
When the rich treat the help like crap, it tells me all I need to know. With the ability to assist this man , they decide to sue him. Can you imagine his economic hardship, yet they could not care less. Sad thanks for the information.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.