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Recap / Dinosaurs S 04 E 5 Earls Big Jackpot

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Earl gets fired for getting injured while working overtime, and Fran and Robbie encourage Earl to sue. When Earl refuses, they trick him into suing WESAYSO. However, the court remains in B.P. Richfield's favor until Robbie decides to let the Baby take the stand and cry over the fact that Earl couldn't play with him because his foot was broken. The jury then rewards Earl significantly more money than what the Sinclairs sued for (instead of $800 to cover medical expenses, the jury awards Earl a whopping $800 million). After striking it rich, Earl visits his former co-workers and shows off his wealth. When he gloats that Mr. Richfield should be careful or he'll sue him again, Richfield makes Earl look bad by telling them that, due to the company's losses from the lawsuit, he has to lay them off, and also raises prices significantly. Robbie convinces Earl that he has to give the money back to Mr. Richfield. They go to give him the money, but only if Richfield promises to rehire all of the workers he fired and lower prices. Richfield refuses, and when Earl and Robbie leave in Earl's newly-purchased golf kart, Earl accidentally backs up into Richfield's trailer. While not hurt, Richfield fakes an injury and sues Earl. The judge orders Earl to give back all of the money he got from the previous lawsuit and for Richfield to lower prices and rehire all the laid off workers.

Includes examples of:

  • Courtroom Episode: When Mr. Richfield fires Earl, Fran and Robbie trick him into suing the WESAYSO Corporation for compensation. The Sinclairs win the lawsuit and are rewarded with $800,000,000.00, rather than just the $800.00 they needed for the medical bills. Near the end of the episode, Mr. Richfield sues Earl for a case of whiplash to get his money back.
  • Frivolous Lawsuit: Not entirely, as the Sinclairs had a good reason for the lawsuit (Earl was fired just for getting injured, plus he was given orders to work overtime at the last minute, without pay), Earl didn't even want to sue his former boss, and the Sinclairs ended up with more than they sued for. However, Richfield's lawsuit was totally frivolous.
  • George Jetson Job Security: Earl and his co-workers get fired, but thanks to the judges orders, they get their job back in the end.
  • Injured Limb Episode: Earl's leg gets injured by a fallen tree when Mr. Richfield forces him to work after hours without pay.
  • Karma Houdini: Mr. Richfield fakes an injury and successfully sues Earl, allowing him to get back the money he lost from the previous lawsuit. The closest thing he gets to losing is the fact that he has to rehire everybody he fired and lower prices, neither of which he intended to do when he got the money back.
  • Meaningful Name: Things go back to normal thanks to Judge X. Machina.
  • Status Quo Is God: Thanks to the judge.

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