Top 10 Bizarre or Frivolous Lawsuits

“Explore the top 10 most bizarre and frivolous lawsuits, from a man suing himself to a traffic cop suing for underwear-related injuries. Discover these strange legal battles that capture the quirks of the judicial system.”

1. Man vs. Himself

In 1995, Robert Lee Brock, an inmate in Virginia, wanted to be transferred from prison to a mental institution. To achieve this, he sued himself, claiming his crime was committed under the influence of alcohol, violating his religious beliefs and civil liberties. Brock sought $5 million but argued the state should pay since he was imprisoned and had no income. The court dismissed the case, and Brock did not get his transfer.

2. Dukes Family vs. Killer Whale

In 1999, Daniel Dukes from Florida snuck into Sea World to swim with a killer whale, fulfilling his lifelong dream. Tragically, the whale killed him. His parents sued Sea World, alleging that the park failed to warn of the dangers of killer whales and misrepresented the whale as friendly, partly due to its portrayal in stuffed toys.

3. New Yorker vs. Subway

A New Yorker sued Subway for $1 million after finding a seven-inch knife baked into his sandwich. Though the knife didn’t cut him, he claimed severe stomach issues and food poisoning from the filthy plastic handle. His lawsuit was based on his claimed injury and illness.

4. Holy Roller vs. Magicians

Christopher Roller, from Minnesota, sued magicians David Blaine and David Copperfield, demanding they reveal their magic tricks and pay him 10% of their income. Roller believed the magicians were using godly powers, and since he considered himself a deity, he claimed they were stealing his powers.

5. Madera City vs. Tasers

After a California police officer mistakenly shot a suspect with her gun instead of a taser, the city of Madera sued the taser company. They argued that any officer might mistakenly draw a gun instead of a taser and sought compensation for the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the suspect’s family.

6. Traffic Cop vs. Underwear

A Los Angeles traffic officer, Macrida Patterson, sued Victoria’s Secret for eye damage caused by a metal clip from a thong she tried on. The tight fit made the clip fly off, hitting her in the eye. The case was filed in 2008, and Patterson sought unspecified damages.

7. PETA vs. Division of Fish and Wildlife

In 2001, after a PETA protest against deer hunting, two members hit a deer on the highway. They sued the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, claiming the department’s deer management program was responsible for the accident and damages due to its efforts to increase deer population.

8. Man vs. Anheuser-Busch

A Michigan man sued Anheuser-Busch in the 1990s after their beer commercials promised beautiful women appearing before truck drivers. After consuming the beer and not seeing any women, he sued for over $10,000, alleging false advertising. The court dismissed the suit.

9. Woman vs. Act of God

An Israeli woman sued a TV station for inaccurately predicting the weather. The incorrect forecast led her to dress lightly, catch the flu, miss work, and incur medical expenses. She claimed $1,000 in damages and won the case.

10. Common Sense vs. McDonald’s

In 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old Albuquerque woman, sued McDonald’s after spilling hot coffee in her lap. She claimed the coffee was too hot to be safe. The jury awarded her $160,000 in compensatory damages and $2.7 million in punitive damages. The case was later settled out of court for less than $600,000.