FULL VIDEO AT THE END OF THE POST
Plaintiff Alleges Prank Finger Wrestling Injury
Mr. Sanchez, the plaintiff, brought a complaint before Judge Judy.
He alleged that the defendant broke his middle left finger.
This injury supposedly occurred during a "prank finger wrestling" incident.
Mr. Sanchez was suing the defendant for $4,000.
This amount was to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
The defendant, however, denied this account entirely.
Conflicting Accounts of the Incident
Mr. Sanchez began to explain his version of events.
He stated that on November 14th, he and his wife were at a friend's house for dinner.
The defendant arrived later that evening.
Mr. Sanchez was in the living room, talking to his wife.
He made eye contact with the defendant.
The defendant motioned him over.
Mr. Sanchez walked over to him.
The defendant stuck out his hand.
Mr. Sanchez did not know what the defendant intended.
He grabbed the defendant's hand.
The defendant grabbed Mr. Sanchez's finger.
The defendant started pulling a little.
He then turned his hand a certain way.
Mr. Sanchez claimed this action broke his finger.
He said his finger was "completely sideways."
Defendant's Version: Roof Work Injury
The defendant presented a completely different story.
He stated that on November 14th, he was building his house.
He was putting shingles on his roof with his neighbors.
Mr. Sanchez drove up to his property.
Mr. Sanchez was looking for his cousin.
He volunteered to help carry shingles.
The defendant described Mr. Sanchez climbing a ladder.
Mr. Sanchez had a bundle of shingles.
He tossed the bundle.
He then bent his finger.
Mr. Sanchez said "ouch."
The defendant offered to help Mr. Sanchez.
He contacted his insurance company, State Farm.
State Farm Contact and Initial Lie
A State Farm representative contacted Mr. Sanchez.
This occurred several days after the incident.
Mr. Sanchez was asked to give a statement.
Judge Judy questioned Mr. Sanchez about this statement.
She asked if his initial statement to State Farm was that he hurt his finger at the defendant's house.
She asked if he said he was helping with roof work.
Mr. Sanchez admitted this was true.
He stated, "We lied about the whole thing."
Judge Judy clarified that Mr. Sanchez was on the phone with the State Farm representative alone.
Mr. Sanchez confirmed this.
He admitted he told State Farm a lie.
He confirmed he said the accident happened at the defendant's house.
He also confirmed he said it happened exactly as the defendant described.
Plaintiff Explains Lying to State Farm
Judge Judy asked Mr. Sanchez why he lied to State Farm.
Mr. Sanchez explained his reason.
He said he was "pressuring him because of the money."
He had lost money because he was not getting paid at work.
He did not have accumulated time off.
Judge Judy pointed out that State Farm contacted him several days after the incident.
She noted he had not lost weeks of work when they contacted him.
Another Lie: The Doctor's Account
Judge Judy then introduced another discrepancy.
She stated that Mr. Sanchez saw his primary physician on November 20th, 1998.
She said the doctor's record indicated Mr. Sanchez told him he was injured on November 14th.
Mr. Sanchez told his doctor he was injured "while breaking up a fight."
Mr. Sanchez confirmed this statement to his doctor.
Judge Judy highlighted the pattern of deception.
She stated, "So now you lied to the insurance company a few days later and then you lied to your doctor, is that right?"
Mr. Sanchez responded, "Yes."
Plaintiff's Explanation for Lying to Doctor
Judge Judy asked Mr. Sanchez why he lied to his doctor.
Mr. Sanchez said he "didn't realize I was gonna have to sue the man or anything."
Judge Judy presented the options Mr. Sanchez had.
He could have told his doctor the finger wrestling story.
He could have told his doctor the roof work story.
Instead, he chose a "third story."
Mr. Sanchez claimed he was "embarrassed about the whole situation."
Judge Judy Questions Embarrassment Claim
Judge Judy challenged Mr. Sanchez's claim of embarrassment.
She asked why a hand wrestle would embarrass him.
She compared it to being embarrassed in an open courtroom.
Mr. Sanchez reiterated, "I was embarrassed about the whole situation."
He added, "I just I didn't realize it was gonna come to this point."
He insisted he was telling the truth now.
Judge Judy's Disbelief and Dismissal
Judge Judy questioned how she was supposed to determine the truth.
Mr. Sanchez mentioned his witness.
Judge Judy expressed her strong disbelief in Mr. Sanchez and his witness.
She stated, "You think that I'm gonna believe him?"
She added, "He can't even keep a straight face."
She also commented on the witness's demeanor.
She said the witness "wouldn't know the truth if he came up and slapped him in the face."
Judge Judy included Mr. Sanchez in her assessment.
She stated, "and neither would you."
She then dismissed the case.
Mr. Sanchez attempted to speak further.
Judge Judy told him, "excuse you step out."