Buzz
The US economy suffers a staggering loss of more than $200 billion annually due to civil lawsuits! As reported by US Federal News, each taxpayer in the country is now burdened with an annual 'litigation tax' ranging from $700 to $800. It's no wonder that personal injury attorneys are flourishing, and law schools are overflowing with aspiring lawyers. This list highlights some of the most peculiar cases these lawyers have tackled—ranging from personal injury claims to utterly bizarre lawsuits that defy categorization. Only recent cases are included.
10. Man Versus Himself
In 1995, Robert Lee Brock, a Virginia inmate, sought to be transferred from prison to a mental institution. To achieve this, he filed a lawsuit against himself. He argued that his crime was committed while he was intoxicated, which contradicted his religious principles. Brock claimed he had infringed upon his own civil rights and demanded $5 million in damages. Adding to the absurdity, he insisted the state should cover the payment since he was incarcerated and had no income. Fortunately, the court dismissed the case, and Brock remained in prison.
9. Dukes Family Versus Killer Whale
In 1999, Daniel Dukes, a 27-year-old man from Florida, devised a plan to fulfill his lifelong dream of swimming with a whale. He evaded security at Sea World and remained in the park after hours. Shortly after, he jumped into the tank housing a killer whale, realizing his dream. Tragically, the whale killed him. His family later sued Sea World, alleging the park failed to warn visitors that the whale, Tillikum, could be deadly. They also argued that the whale was misleadingly portrayed as friendly, citing the sale of stuffed toys. Tillikum, pictured above at Sea World, is now considered too dangerous for trainers to enter the water with, having been linked to two fatalities. [Image source]
8. New Yorker Versus Subway
A 27-year-old New Yorker is taking legal action against Subway after discovering a 7-inch knife baked into his sandwich. Although the knife didn’t cut him and he didn’t swallow it, he claims the incident caused him severe stomach issues for three hours. He alleges he contracted food poisoning from the knife’s plastic handle, which he describes as filthy. He is seeking $1,000,000 in damages.
7. Holy Roller Versus Magicians
This case is truly a matter of belief. Christopher Roller, a Minnesota resident, filed a lawsuit against David Blaine and David Copperfield, demanding they reveal their magic secrets. He also requested 10% of their lifetime earnings. Roller argues that the magicians are defying the laws of physics, implying they are using divine powers. However, the situation escalates further: Roller believes he is God and claims the magicians are stealing his powers.
6. Medera City Versus Tasers
Marcy Noriega, a police officer in California, attempted to use a taser on a suspect in her patrol car after he became unruly and began kicking the windows. However, she mistakenly drew her firearm instead of her taser and shot the man in the chest, resulting in his death. The city is now suing the taser manufacturer, claiming that any officer could easily confuse the two devices. They are seeking compensation for the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the man’s family against the city.
5. Traffic Cop Versus Underwear
In a recent case, a 52-year-old Los Angeles traffic officer, Macrida Patterson, sued Victoria’s Secret for an eye injury she sustained while trying on a thong. She claims the tight fit caused a metal clip to snap off and strike her eye. The lawsuit was filed on June 9, 2008, with Patterson seeking unspecified damages. The courts have yet to inform her that, as a traffic cop, fancy underwear might be unnecessary since she’s unlikely to have a date anyway.
4. PETA Versus Division of Fish and Wildlife
In 2001, PETA, the often-controversial animal rights group, organized an anti-hunting protest to advocate for the rights of deer. Ironically, on their way back from the protest, two members struck a deer that had wandered onto the highway. They later notified the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife of their intent to sue for damages and injuries. In their letter, they argued that the Division was liable due to its deer management program, which, in some cases, actively works to boost the deer population.
3. Common Sense Versus McDonald’s
In 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, purchased a coffee from a McDonald’s drive-through. Her grandson parked the car so she could add cream and sugar. Placing the cup between her knees, she attempted to remove the lid, causing the coffee to spill onto her lap. She sued McDonald’s, alleging negligence for serving coffee at an unsafe temperature. Surprisingly, the jury ruled McDonald’s 80% responsible and awarded Liebeck $160,000 in compensatory damages and an astonishing $2.7 million in punitive damages. The case was later appealed, and the parties settled out of court for less than $600,000.
Contributors: damien_karras, and JFrater
2. Woman Versus Act of God
Weather forecasts are often inaccurate, and most people plan accordingly. However, an Israeli woman took issue with a TV station’s incorrect prediction of good weather, which led to her dressing lightly. When it rained, she caught the flu, missed a week of work, and incurred medical expenses. She also claimed the incident caused her significant stress. She sued the station for $1,000—and won.
1. Man Versus Anheuser-Busch
In the 1990s, Anheuser-Busch, the makers of Budweiser, aired ads featuring two stunning women coming to life in front of truck drivers. A man from Michigan purchased a case of the beer, consumed it, and was disappointed when no women appeared. He filed a lawsuit against the company for false advertising, seeking over $10,000 in damages. Fortunately, the court dismissed the case, leaving the man both broke and without a date.
