The Ethics of Full Disclosure on ScubaBoard

[Wookie]

There are many posters on ScubaBoard who have an agenda to accomplish. Some are easily identifiable, some are not. I believe it would be in the best interest of SB to divulge these interests. I fully realize such disclosure is very unlikely to happen, but I can hope

I guess I don't get the issue. Most folks with an agenda are very easy to spot, maybe it's because I'm a cynical old fart. I had one instance where I felt that the poster was representing his side so vehemently that I specifically asked him if he were paid to take a position. His answer was emphatically delivered, he took great offense, and it cost me an acquaintance. He happens to be the OP.

In another thread, the Rob Stewart thread, a poster who is known to me but posting under a screen name absolutely has an agenda. The lawyers are circling, the investigators are in Key Largo, and some folks are going to be expert witnesses. Which is why the poster is posting under a screen name. With full disclosure, I have been asked to provide help if that goes to trial also.

 

[mdb]

I guess I don't get the issue. Most folks with an agenda are very easy to spot, maybe it's because I'm a cynical old fart. I had one instance where I felt that the poster was representing his side so vehemently that I specifically asked him if he were paid to take a position. His answer was emphatically delivered, he took great offense, and it cost me an acquaintance. He happens to be the OP.

In another thread, the Rob Stewart thread, a poster who is known to me but posting under a screen name absolutely has an agenda. The lawyers are circling, the investigators are in Key Largo, and some folks are going to be expert witnesses. Which is why the poster is posting under a screen name. With full disclosure, I have been asked to provide help if that goes to trial also.

It will, most likely, not go to trial.

If it does the "expert" witnesses are always running behind the ambulance.

I can almost name the attorney's involved.

Insurance companies will settle, the lawyers will take their % and on to the next case.

 

[Wookie]

It will, most likely, not go to trial.

If it does the "expert" witnesses are always running behind the ambulance.

I can almost name the attorney's involved.

Insurance companies will settle, the lawyers will take their % and on to the next case.

I can name all of the attorneys involved, and the insurance companies won't settle. The hard part will be one party not throwing another under the bus.

 

[DavidFL]

I can name all of the attorneys involved, and the insurance companies won't settle. The hard part will be one party not throwing another under the bus.

Doesn't someone generally have to end up under the bus, to some degree, in a lawsuit that goes all the way to a verdict?

 

[packrat12]

...His answer was emphatically delivered, he took great offense, and it cost me an acquaintance. He happens to be the OP.

Wookie - We need you two to kiss and make up. You both are a great 'couple'! Honestly you both really have similar personalities and strong emotions and often a booth across from each other. It would be a shame to let this acquaintanceship go away. Both involved - take a deep breath and smile!

 

[Wookie]

Doesn't someone generally have to end up under the bus, to some degree, in a lawsuit that goes all the way to a verdict?

Yes, and that's why @mdb thinks it will settle instead of going to a verdict. Lawsuits like this are a double edged sword. We know none of the facts as of yet, we don't even have a lawsuit.

One of the insurance providers involved has a history of settling early and inexpensively. Another insurance company involved has a history of fighting until the bitter end if they think the lawsuit is without merit. Both insurance companies have a pretty good track record of accomplishing their philosophical end. In the Terry DeWolf case, the insurance company for DeWolf's instructor settled early and inexpensively. The insurance company for the rebreather manufacturer, certification agency, and trip organizer fought it out and eventually prevailed. But the defense cost a little over a half million dollars. The insurance company won a judgement against DeWolf's widow for bringing a frivolous lawsuit, but you can't get much blood from a stone.

In the interest of full disclosure, my insurance provider is the one who doesn't settle.

 

[boulderjohn]

Yes, and that's why @mdb thinks it will settle instead of going to a verdict. Lawsuits like this are a double edged sword. We know none of the facts as of yet, we don't even have a lawsuit.

One of the insurance providers involved has a history of settling early and inexpensively.

I was recently involved in an accident unrelated to scuba. The other party was completely at fault. When the insurance company representative heard the facts in the case, she told me immediately that even if the other party is completely at fault, if they filed a suit, they would make an immediate small settlement offer because it is cheaper for them to do that than to fight the case and win it.

Remember that before you think of someone settling a case is an admission of guilt. I have a specific scuba case in mind in which the insurance company's decision to make an initial small settlement offer (which was accepted) was taken by many to be an admission of guilt on the part of the diver who was sued.

 

[Wookie]

You are absolutely correct, in fact a settlement specifically will include a statement where the settling party does not admit any wrongdoing.

 

[Altamira]

Isn't is an oxymoron talking about lawyers on an "ethics and full disclosure" thread?

 

[crabbyfiddler]

The job title of the person John is talking about is social media marketing specialist. The people pose as regular posters but their sole purpose is to promote a product or idea. It is bad enough when it is done for a product or service, but it is much more insidious when it is done for political and ideological manipulation. Just like there is fake news, there is fake opinion. This is a huge problem on sites like facebook and reddit. It is often obvious in amazon product reviews, but it is much harder to detect in forums and sites like pintrest.

Ethics in marketing? LOL

I'm crushed, crushed I say. Is no one to be trusted? ;-)