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Would be funny if not so insane

PelicanPelican Member Posts: 1,061 ✭✭✭✭
edited October 2001 in General Discussion
In 1994, a New Mexico jury awarded $ 2.9 million U.S. in damages to81-year-old Stella Liebeck who suffered third-degree burns to her legs,groin and buttocks after spilling a cup of McDonald's coffee on herself.This case inspired an annual award - The "Stella" Award -for the mostfrivolous lawsuit in the U.S. The ones listed below are clear candidates.All these cases are verging on the outright ridiculous and yet (in the goodold USA) with the right attorney you could win anything! (see OJ trial)1. January 2000: Kathleen Robertson of Austin Texas was awarded $780,000 bya jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who wasrunning amuck inside a furniture store. The owners of the store wereunderstandably surprised at the verdict, considering the misbehaving littleprick was Ms. Robertson's son.2. June 1998: A 19 year old Carl Truman of Los Angeles won $74,000 andmedical expenses when his neighbour ran over his hand with a Honda Accord.Mr. Truman apparently didn't notice there was someone at the wheel of thecar, when he was trying to steal his neighbour's hubcaps.3. October 1998: A Terrence Dickson of Bristol Pennsylvania was leaving ahouse he had just finished robbing by way of the garage. He was not able toget the garage door to go up, because the automatic door opener wasmalfunctioning. He couldn't re-enter the house because the door connectingthe house and garage locked when he pulled it shut. The family was onvacation. Mr. Dickson found himself locked in the garage for eight days. Hesubsisted on a case of Pepsi he found, and a large bag of dry dog food.Mr. Dickson sued the homeowner's insurance claiming the situation caused himundue mental anguish. The jury agreed to the tune of half a million dollars.4. October 1999: Jerry Williams of Little Rock Arkansas was awarded $14,500and medical expenses after being bitten on the buttocks by his next doorneighbour's beagle. The beagle was on a chain in it's owner's fenced-inyard, as was Mr. Williams. The award was less than sought because the juryfelt the dog may have been provoked by Mr. Williams who, at the time, wasshooting it repeatedly with a pellet gun.5. May 2000: A Philadelphia restaurant was ordered to pay Amber Carson ofLancaster, Pennsylvania $113,500 after she slipped on soft drink and brokeher coccyx. The beverage was on the floor because Ms. Carson threw it at herboyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument.6. December 1997: Kara Walton of Claymont, Delaware successfully sued theowner of a night club in a neighbouring city when she fell from the bathroomwindow to the floor and knocked out her two front teeth. This occurred whileMs.Walton was trying to sneak through the window in the ladies room to avoidpaying the $3.50 cover charge. She was awarded $12,000 and dental expenses.7. And just so you know that cooler heads do occasionally prevail KenmoreInc., the makers of Dorothy Johnson's microwave, were found not liable forthe death of Mrs. Johnson's poodle after she gave it a bath and attempted todry it by putting the poor creature in her microwave for, "just a fewminutes, on low." The case was quickly dismissed.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Do you think that when they asked George Washington for ID that he justwhipped out a quarter?
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Comments

  • RedlegRedleg Member Posts: 417 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Do you have a website where I can read about these?
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    Just goes to prove something I have said for years: Juries are made up of people too stupid to get out of jury duty.
    Certified SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of the General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the premier gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net Jesus is Lord!
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  • badboybobbadboybob Member Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey Nunn don't blame the stupid jurors. Blame the shyster lawyers who will do anything for a buck and pack the jury box. There are honest lawyers. I know two. Most of them are whores who will do anything for a buck.
    So many guns to buy. So little money.
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  • bfairbfair Member Posts: 250 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I can't understand why I never get picked for a Personal Injury Jury. When I am interviewed they always have to ask if you have ever been involved in anything about personal injury and I always tell them I worked for the Texas Attorney Generals Office Division Of Worker's Comp. Then they tell me to go home.I can never have any fun with these leaches.
    Home of the Blue Angels, P'colaSemper Paratus
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  • dhdh Member Posts: 127 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have heard all of this before,but I can in no way believe a juror would award an idiot,let alone an idiot in the commission of a crime any monetary settlement.No wonder our insurance rates are so high.Just goes to show you,God help you if you wound an intruder.
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  • will270winwill270win Member Posts: 4,845
    edited November -1
    Never wound anything! Deadly force is just that, deadly! My dad says make sure they make it to heaven or hell otherwise you will get sued.
    If you run, you'll just die tired! will270win@aol.com ~Secret Select Society Of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets~
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    Pelican, I started to respond here with a story about juries, but I decided it merited its own thread. See my post, About Juries and Social Workers.
    Certified SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of the General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the premier gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net Jesus is Lord!
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  • mickthenailermickthenailer Member Posts: 37 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    The lady who was burned by 180 degree coffee eventually recieved around $150,000 after the case made its way through the appeals process. Makes you wonder what, if any amount the others ended up with.
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  • PelicanPelican Member Posts: 1,061 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I always wondered, if I got coffee and it was too cold, could I be awarded damages for a chilled palate.I don't have a web link on this, got it in an email.
    "Audemus jura nostra defendere"- - - - - - - - - - - - - It is useless to hold a person accountable for anything they say while in love, drunk, or running for office.
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,078 ******
    edited November -1
    For 150 G's I will let you pour hot coffee on my lap. Once. But I want the money up front.
    Certified SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of the General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the premier gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net Jesus is Lord!
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I don't know if I should admit this, but I did go to law school (cool the flames, I'm not in practice; never took the bar . . . long story). I was constantly infuriated by the ppl I met who were eager to do this sort of s**t. But, really, 80+% of practicing attorneys are *not* in tort or criminal defense as a regular thing. And there are some very decent human beings practicing law who have much the same motivations as dedicated LEOs, teachers, medical practitioners and even social workers - to do what they can to help other people. Unfortunately, like any other profession, the slime buckets get the publicity, good or ill.
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  • turboturbo Member Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think that old 81 year old gal, got the idea from watching " The Jerry Seinfeld Show," Kramer had a similar encounter on the series.She won her case, when she presented a tape recording, of her screams while driving down the road, and full colored photos of the damages done by the hot coffee.I think it was a feelin sorry for her verdict.It stands to reason she put the hot coffee cup between her legs, while drivin off, after purchasing it, whose fault could it be?
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