Lya -
Don't you think it would be at least inconvenient for him to have to deal with any escalation? I don't know if you've dealt with anything like this but it was hugely inconvenient for me when my dog bit a guy who tried to grabbed her face from behind (very long story). They guy got a tiny cut on his hand and got $2500. I had paperwork and time dealing with the insurance company. My homeowners insurance company wasn't remotely interested in right or wrong. They wanted to settle the case and told me that I would have to get rid of my dog if she bit anyone else ever again. When I filed a complaint against a contractor with the Board of Consumer Affairs after trying to deal with the contractor for a year, the case was solved within a month. I don't imagine it was enjoyable for the contractor. All this stuff takes time away from work and from life. In addition, it goes into the public record and gets posted on the website (at least for some states).
If I had delusions of grandeur, of six figure settlements, of what you seem to be implying, I wouldn't have started by posting here. My post here was for the primary purpose of getting some advice and brainstorming about how I could create some leverage for settling this long standing issue. I always feel that one should negotiate with compassion from a position of power whenever possible.
Anyway, I thought I was following the spirit of your advice and attempting to stop the escalation and to resolve this. I guess we disagree if you think I couldn't find someone looking to make a quick buck with this lawsuit. I hope it doesn't have to get to that point.
