Personal Injury Case Results That Blew Up the Internet
Court cases are not unusual in the media; however, the most well known personal injury case on the Internet is questionable. In fact, there have been many personal injury cases that have taken media by storm over the years.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident caused by someone else, contact a personal injury attorney from Russell & Lazarus APC today. We can help you make a claim or file a lawsuit, if necessary. Call us at (949) 851-0222.
A Famous Dog Bite Case: Harris vs. McGraw
Most people know Dr. Phil McGraw, often simply referred to as “Dr. Phil,” from his hit television show where he features people dealing with difficult real-life situations. However, Dr. Phil and his wife came into a very real difficult situation when his dog bit long-time friend Janet Harris.
The McGraw’s convinced Harris that she didn’t need medical treatment, and seeking to avoid negative publicity about the bite. Harris later developed a bacterial infection that led to other severe medical conditions like hand tremors and hearing loss. As a result, Harris was no longer able to treat patients as a skin specialist, resulting in emotional distress and significant medical care. Harris sued the McGraws in a personal injury case for $7 million, but in 2013, they settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Caution! Hot Coffee: Liebeck vs. McDonald’s Restaurants
In a 1994 personal injury case, Stella Liebeck sued McDonald’s Restaurants for burns that she received from their coffee. Liebeck obtained the coffee, which was found to be hotter than the industry average, through the drive-thru window. The coffee spilled on her thighs and groin, resulting in severe burns that required skin grafting.
Lieback asked the restaurant to pay for $20,000 in medical costs. When the chain offered her $800, she took them to court in a personal injury case and was awarded $160,000 in compensatory damages and $2.7 million in punitive damages by a jury. The trial judge did reduce the final verdict to $640,000, but the decision was appealed. Before the appeal could work its way through the court system, the parties settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Fragile Glass Bottles: Gladys Escola vs. Coca-Cola
In a famous personal injury case, Gladys Escola sued the Coca-Cola company over the fragility of their bottles. She was stocking bottles into a glass refrigerator when one of them exploded, causing damage to her blood vessels, nerves, and muscles. In 1944, the Supreme Court of California ruled in her favor.
Sued by a Burglar: Terrence Dickinson
A man who sought to steal from homeowners entered their garage and was subsequently trapped when the door malfunctioned. The burglar, Terrence Dickinson, could not get out from any other doors and was forced to stay in the garage for eight days. He lived on dog food and soda. When he finally got out, he sued the property owner in a personal injury case and won $500,000 for mental anguish that he suffered while trapped.
Exit Stage Right: CBS vs. Bret Michaels
In 2009, Bret Michaels sued CBS after hitting his head on a piece of the stage and breaking his nose. The injury later caused a brain hemorrhage as well. Michaels claimed in a personal injury case that he was never properly instructed on how to leave the stage during the Tony Awards. The parties settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
An Attorney Can Help With Your Personal Injury Case
Most of these lawsuits resulted in significant recovery for those who were injured. Although some of the injuries were questionable, they all garnered attention on the Internet. If you or a loved one was injured and you have questions about a personal injury case, contact Russell & Lazarus APC at (949) 851-0222.