Six Absolutely Preposterous Lawsuits

Liebeck vs. McDonald’s Restaurants

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In 1992, Stella Liebeck suffered third degree burns on her groin and thighs after spilling a cup of McDonalds coffee on herself. She was in the hospital for eight days, had multiple surgeries, and skin grafts. She asked McDonald’s to pay her medical bills. When McDonald’s only offered $800.00, she sued them for selling “unreasonably dangerous” coffee. A New Mexico jury awarded her $2.9 million in damages. The trial judge reduced the total award to $640,000. Latter, the parties settled for a confidential amount. The cup of coffee cost her 49 cents. McDonalds latter reduced the temp of their coffee to 80-90 degrees C, in order to avoid future law suits.

Pearson vs. Chung

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On May 3, 2005, Mr. Roy Pearson took some suits to Custom Cleaners, included was a pair of $800.00 grey trousers. Soo Chung, Jin Nam Chung and Ki Y. Chung own this dry cleaners. Mr. Pearson claimed that he was told the pants would be ready on May, 6 2005. The Chung’s informed Mr. Pearson that the grey pants had been misplaced. Pearson then asked to be refunded for the full price of the suit, which he claimed was $1,000. The Chung’s agreed to pay for the pants, but not the entire suit. When they refused, he decided to sue. They latter agreed to pay Mr. Pearson $3000, $4600, and then $12,000. Mr. Pearson came up with his own figures. He based his figure on two signs in the drycleaner’s- “Satisfaction Guaranteed” and “Same Day Service”.

Each sign held a $1500.00 violation. He multiplied 1500.00 times the 120 days his pants were missing and then times three (he decided to sue each owner separately.) He then added $500,000 for “emotional damages” and $542,500 in legal fees for representing himself. That was a grand total of $65,462,500! In 2007, the case was decided in favor of the dry cleaners. Ironically, the judge sanctioned Mr. Pearson $12,000 for “creating unnecessary litigation and making threats. By October Mr. Pearson lost his job as an Administrative Law Judge. The panel cited that he did not demsonstrate a “judicial temperament.” – Guess not.

Lincoln vs. Lakewood Church

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Matt Lincoln claims that he was so overcome by the spirit of God that he fell and hit his head while worshiping at Lakewood church. He is asking the Knoxville Tennessee church to pay $2.5 million for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. This broke on Fox News July 10, 2008. It has yet to be settled.

Peters vs. Universal Studios

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In 1998, Cleanthi Peters sued Universal Studios. She claimed that the Orlando theme park’s annual Halloween Horror Nights haunted house attraction was too scary and that it caused her emotional distress. Specifically, she alleged that as she and her granddaughter were approaching an exit, an employee with a chainsaw chased them toward the exit. This caused her and her granddaughter to slip in a wet spot on the floor. She claimed that the employee continued to scare them as they lay helpless on the ground. The ordeal left the Mrs. Peters and her granddaughter with “unspecified physical injuries” and inflicted “extreme fear, emotional distress and mental anguish.” They sought $15,000 in damages.

Jack Ass vs. Jack Ass

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Bob Craft changed his name to Jack Ass in 1997. After MTV’s show “Jackass” premiered, Mr. Jack Ass decided to sue Viacom for 10 million dollars. He claimed the show was plagiarizing his name, infringement of trademark, and was defaming his good character. Montana courts dismissed the case.

Kellogg’s vs. Exxon

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In 1996, Kellogg Co. sued Exxon Mobil at a local Memphis Tennessee court . They claimed that Exxon had crossed the line by using their “Cartoon Tiger” at their TigerMart stores. They said that Exxon’s tiger walked and appeared to much like “Tony” the tiger. The case was thrown out two years later and referred to the Supreme Court. The Supreme court kicked it back to local courts in 2000.