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The McDonald’s Coffee Burn That Shocked America
Stella Liebeck’s 1994 lawsuit against McDonald’s became the poster child for outrageous lawsuits, but there’s more to the story than most people realize. The 79-year-old woman suffered third-degree burns when she spilled their 190°F coffee in her lap – hot enough to cause serious tissue damage in seconds. While people joked about the case, the jury saw evidence that McDonald’s had ignored hundreds of prior burn complaints. They awarded $2.7 million in punitive damages to send a message about corporate responsibility. Though the final settlement was much smaller, this case forever changed how restaurants handle hot beverage safety.
When a Prisoner Took Himself to Court
In what might be the most bizarre legal filing ever, Virginia inmate Robert Lee Brock sued himself in 1995 for $5 million. His logic? By committing crimes that got him imprisoned, he had violated his own civil rights. The court documents read like absurdist theater as Brock essentially argued against himself. Not surprisingly, the judge dismissed the case immediately, though it remains a favorite among law professors teaching about frivolous lawsuits. This case proves truth really is stranger than fiction when it comes to the American legal system.
Children Taking Mom to Court Over Christmas Gifts
Two Illinois siblings made headlines in 2009 by suing their mother for $50,000 over what they called “emotional distress.” Their complaints included not getting enough toys and insufficient care packages while at college. The judge didn’t just dismiss the case – he seemed genuinely perplexed by the notion of children litigating against parents for normal parenting decisions. This lawsuit became a symbol of the entitlement culture gone wild, where even family relationships could become legal battlegrounds over hurt feelings.
The $2 Trillion Apple Lawsuit That Defied Logic
In 2022, one man decided Apple’s Siri voice assistant was racist and filed a lawsuit demanding $2 trillion – yes, trillion with a T. To put this in perspective, Apple’s entire market value at the time was about $3 trillion. The plaintiff claimed Siri violated his constitutional rights through “racially biased algorithms.” The court threw out the case, but not before it set records for the largest monetary demand in a single plaintiff lawsuit. Legal experts still debate whether this was a serious civil rights claim or just an attention-seeking stunt gone viral.
Suing Satan for a Bad Life
Gerald Mayo’s 1971 lawsuit against Satan and his “staff” remains the gold standard for creative legal targets. Mayo claimed the Devil had personally ruined his life through various misfortunes. The Pennsylvania court dismissed the case, humorously noting they lacked jurisdiction over the Prince of Darkness. The judge’s written opinion became famous for its deadpan legal analysis of whether hell had a physical address that could be served court papers. This case shows how the legal system sometimes has to handle claims that stretch the boundaries of reality.
The Jelly Belly Sugar Controversy
When Jessica Gomez sued Jelly Belly in 2017 over the term “evaporated cane juice,” it sparked a nationwide debate about food labeling. Gomez claimed the candy company deceived consumers by not simply calling the ingredient “sugar.” Though the case was dismissed, it highlighted growing consumer concerns about transparency in food marketing. Some saw it as a legitimate challenge to corporate doublespeak, while others viewed it as an example of people refusing to take personal responsibility for reading labels carefully.
When a Shot Burglar Won a Settlement
A Texas burglary case took an unexpected turn in 1997 when the injured criminal sued his victim. After being shot while breaking into a home, the burglar successfully argued the homeowner used excessive force. The $300,000 settlement outraged many who saw it as rewarding criminal behavior. This case became a rallying point for self-defense law reforms across several states. It raised difficult questions about whether criminals should have legal standing against victims defending their property.
Subway’s Shrinking Footlong Scandal
The 2013 lawsuit about Subway’s “footlong” sandwiches being only 11 inches seemed trivial at first glance. But it tapped into deeper consumer frustrations about corporate honesty. Customers felt cheated by what they saw as false advertising, even if the difference was just an inch. Subway quietly settled by agreeing to better quality control, though courts later dismissed the case. This lawsuit demonstrated how even small discrepancies can damage consumer trust in big brands.
The Michael Jordan Lookalike Who Wanted $832 Million
In 2006, a man who vaguely resembled basketball legend Michael Jordan filed one of the most audacious lawsuits ever. He demanded $832 million from Jordan and Nike, claiming constant mistaken identity caused him emotional distress. The case was quickly thrown out, but it raised interesting questions about celebrity image rights. Legal analysts noted that if looking like a famous person became grounds for lawsuits, courts would be overwhelmed with frivolous claims from every Elvis impersonator and celebrity doppelganger.
The Great Bagel Hole Conspiracy
A New York man’s lawsuit over hole-less bagels became instant comedy gold in legal circles. He claimed the bakery committed fraud by selling “bagels” without the characteristic hole in the middle. While the case went nowhere legally, it perfectly encapsulated how anything can become a lawsuit in America. Food historians actually noted that traditional bagels do have smaller holes than American versions, making this a rare lawsuit that accidentally touched on genuine culinary history.
Besides founding Festivaltopia, Luca is the co founder of trib, an art and fashion collectiv you find on several regional events and online. Also he is part of the management board at HORiZONTE, a group travel provider in Germany.
