![For the amusement of our clients… Courtesy of www.msn.com [edited]Most bizarre lawsuits ever filedThe word "lawsuit" bri...](https://img5.lawfirms1.com/791/579/1621866457915792.jpg)
30/03/2019
For the amusement of our clients… Courtesy of www.msn.com [edited]
Most bizarre lawsuits ever filed
The word "lawsuit" brings to mind lawyers in black gowns mulling over serious issues. However, there have been many cases where the issue at hand is utterly ridiculous. Read through as we list a few of those instances.
David Slater vs. PETA A lawsuit was filed against English photographer David Slater by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on behalf of a Macaque named Naruto in 2015. Four years earlier, Slater was in Indonesia when the Macaque clicked a selfie using his camera and the case was debated whether a monkey can own the copyright to photos. A U.S. Court dismissed the appeal stating that animals aren’t covered by the Copyright Act.
Teunis Tenbrook vs. Erasmus University Tenbrook, a philosophy student at the Dutch university, was expelled due to his smelly feet in 1999. He filed a lawsuit against the institution. After a 10-year-long legal battle, a judge ruled in his favor. The verdict stated: “Our considered opinion is that the professors and other students will just have to hold their noses and bear it.”
Cathy McGowan vs. Radio Buxton When McGowan was given a toy Renault Clio for a “new car” after winning a competition in 1999, she sued the radio station. “I felt numb. I thought he was joking. I would never have entered the contest if I thought it was a joke,” she said. Two years later, after listening to the transcript of the broadcast, the judge in the Derby County Court ruled in her favor and ordered the station to pay her the amount to buy the real car.
Frédéric Desnard vs. Interparfums The French man sued his former employer in 2016 for $415,000 for the boredom he had to endure at the job, which resulted in serious health and emotional issues. Describing it as a “descent into hell” and a “nightmare,” he complained how between 2010 and 2014, he was ‘mis au placard’ – a French phrase which means ‘put in the cupboard’ – by the company.
Allen Heckard vs. Michael Jordan and Nike In 2006, Heckard, from Portland, Oregon, U.S., sued the basketball legend for $416 million for resembling him, which led to emotional stress and defamation. He demanded the same from Nike for making Jordan a celebrity. He stated, “I’m constantly being accused of looking like Michael, and it makes it very uncomfortable for me. Even when I go to the gym I’m being accused of playing ball like him.” He later withdrew the lawsuit
Pavel Mircea vs. God Mircea, a Romanian murderer serving 20 years in prison, sued God for fraud and betrayal of trust. He directed the case towards the Romanian Orthodox Church, who he assumed are representatives of God on Earth. He stated, “At my christening, I made a deal with the defendant aimed at freeing me from evil. But the latter has not respected that agreement until now, although he received from me various assets and numerous prayers.” The court dismissed it stating: “God is not subject to law and does not have an address.”
Anna Ayala vs. Wendy’s Ayala sued the fast-food chain for allegedly serving a severed finger with her bowl of chili at their store in San Jose, California, U.S., in 2005. On further investigation, it was found that Ayala and her husband Jaime Plascencia planned an extortion worth $2.5 million by planting the finger themselves – Plascencia had borrowed the finger from his co-worker who had lost it during an industrial accident. After pleading guilty, Ayala got nine years in prison while her spouse was sentenced to 12 years.
Richard Overton vs. Anheuser-Busch In 1991, Overton sued the brewing company for $10,000 against false advertising that allegedly led to emotional distress, financial damage and mental issues. He stated that the ads depicted “scenic tropical settings [and] beautiful women and men engaged in endless and unrestricted merriment” that were “untrue.” The case was dismissed.
Stella Liebeck vs. McDonald’s In 1992, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck sued the fast-food giant when she suffered burns after accidentally spilling hot coffee in her lap at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. It was found that the company’s policy was to serve it very hot, and there had been multiple other reports of injuries from coffee. A jury almost granted her $3 million in punitive damages. It was reduced extensively, before the parties settled for a confidential amount.
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