What is the most famous frivolous lawsuit?

Asked by: Buster Kling  |  Last update: October 14, 2023
Score: 4.3/5 (15 votes)

Frivolous lawsuits happen often, but despite some involving some petty accidents in unusual locations, there may be a good reason we hear about these "outlandish" cases so often. We all know the most famous frivolous lawsuit story. Stella Liebeck sued McDonald's back in 1992 when she spilled hot coffee on herself.

What is the most ridiculous lawsuit ever?

Subway Sandwich Lawsuit

A man found a 7 inch serrated plastic knife baked into his subway sandwich and decided to sue the company for damages. He filed a $1 million lawsuit, he also said he contracted food poisoning from the sandwich, leading to severe stomach aches. The personal injury claim was settled.

What is the dumbest reason someone got sued?

Two McDonald's customers from Florida sued the fast-food chain for $5 million because they were made to pay for a Quarter Pounder sandwich without cheese the same price as the sandwich with cheese (the difference is about 30 cents). A judge dismissed the case with prejudice, which means they can't file the suit again.

What have people sued McDonald's for?

McDonald's is a well-known product liability lawsuit that became a flash point in the debate in the U.S. over tort reform after a jury awarded $2.9 million to Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, who sued McDonald's after she suffered third-degree burns from hot coffee that was spilled on ...

Which state has the most frivolous lawsuits?

Washington, DC, Dec. 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The most litigious locales in the nation earned the title of “Judicial Hellhole®,” according to the latest report by the American Tort Reform Foundation (ATRF). California regained its position at the top as the worst Judicial Hellhole®.

The Most Frivolous Lawsuits Ever

36 related questions found

What is the biggest sue in history?

The largest lawsuit in history was the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement in November 1998. This lawsuit resulted in a record-breaking settlement of $206 billion, paid by major tobacco companies to 46 US states to cover public health-care costs related to tobacco-induced illnesses.

Who has the largest lawsuit in history?

Number 1: The 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement

The 1998 Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement is also the biggest civil litigation settlement in US history. At USD246 billion, it is unlikely to be beaten any time soon. The case was brought against all the major tobacco companies by more than 40 US states.

What happened to the lady who sued McDonald's?

A judge later reduced Liebeck's award to $640,000 US. Liebeck required extensive skin grafts and surgery to treat burns covering 16 per cent of her body. She died a decade after settling her case. Other lawsuits centred on hot drinks have cropped up over the years.

How much did the lady who sued McDonald's win?

She sued McDonald's and a jury awarded her nearly $3 million in punitive damages for the burns she suffered.

Why did McDonald's sue Burger King?

The ad was the first of its kind: Instead of using innuendos to shade its competition, BK took direct aim at its rival by using its name. So, in 1982, McDonald's sued Burger King and ad agency J.

What is the most money ever sued?

1998 – The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement - $206 Billion. The Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement was entered in November 1998 and is still the largest lawsuit settlement in history.

What is the lowest you can sue?

There's not a minimum amount you can sue for in small claims court, but most courts have a filing fee that will be between $25 and $50.

Can poor people be sued?

You are well within your legal rights to sue someone who has caused you harm, regardless of whether they have money. Lack of financial resources or assets does not absolve a negligent party of their liability.

How much did Coca Cola pay in lawsuit?

The Coca-Cola Bottlers' Association settled a class action lawsuit for $3.3 million over claims that its 401(k) plan breached ERISA laws by charging extreme record-keeping fees and promoting overpriced investment offerings.

What is the biggest lawsuit ever for one person?

$150 Billion For The Family of Robert Middleton

In 1998, eight-year-old Robert Middleton was sexually assaulted, doused in gasoline, and lit on fire by then 13-year-old Don Collins. Middleton received burns over 99 percent of his body. The story shocked the world, but the tragic tale was far from over.

What is the most expensive lawsuit and why?

Tobacco Settlement — $206 Billion

This included Philip Morris, R. J. Reynolds, Brown & Williamson, and Lorillard. The lawsuit was brought by attorneys general from 46 states to get compensation for all the money tobacco illnesses cost the state healthcare system.

Has anyone ever won the 100k from mcdonalds?

But McDonald's says some customers are still dubious about the big wins with the Monopoly game at McDonald's. But the retailer says 475 Gold Cards have been awarded, there were 60 £1,000 winners, 26 customers won the £2K Tui Holiday prize, five won a MINI Electric Car and three winners won the £100,000 cash prize.

Who got sued for hot coffee?

McDonald's Restaurants, also known as the McDonald's coffee case and the hot coffee lawsuit, was a highly publicized 1994 product liability lawsuit in the United States against the McDonald's restaurant chain. Stella Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants, P.T.S., Inc. and McDonald's International, Inc.

Who sued McDonald's for coffee?

McDonald's to exit Russia after 30+ years, selling all 800 locations. There's also the notorious case of the woman who sued McDonald's over hot coffee and won. In 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman received 3rd degree burns from a McDonald's coffee spilled in her lap that was 190 F.

What actress was banned from McDonald's as a child?

In a recent interview with Buzzfeed UK, Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar recalls getting caught in the middle of a fast food war. When she was just 5 years old, McDonald's sued her for using its company name in a Burger King commercial.

How hot was the McDonald's coffee when they got sued?

Liebeck was wearing cotton sweatpants; they absorbed the coffee and held it against her skin, scalding her thighs, buttocks, and groin. The coffee was heated to somewhere between 180 to 190 degrees.

Is Pfizer guilty of bribing doctors?

Pfizer has been a “habitual offender,” persistently engaging in illegal and corrupt marketing practices, bribing physicians and suppressing adverse trial results. Since 2002 the company and its subsidiaries have been assessed $3 billion in criminal convictions, civil penalties and jury awards.

What is the criminal fine for Pfizer?

As part of the settlement, Pfizer PFE will pay a criminal fine of $1.195 billion, the largest criminal fine ever imposed in the USA for any matter, according to the Justice Department. Pharmacia & Upjohn must pay a $105 million criminal fine.

What is the penalty for Pfizer?

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Pfizer Inc agreed on Wednesday to plead guilty to a U.S. criminal charge relating to promotion of its now-withdrawn Bextra pain medicine and will pay a record $2.3 billion to settle allegations it improperly marketed 13 medicines.