20 Absurd Lawsuits That Somehow Went to Court
These bizarre lawsuits prove that some people will take just about anything to court—no matter how ridiculous it sounds.
- Chris Graciano
- 5 min read
The legal system is meant to settle serious disputes, but every now and then, cases make their way to court that leave everyone scratching their heads. From people suing over their own mistakes to multi-million-dollar claims over trivial inconveniences, these lawsuits push the limits of common sense. Here are 20 of the most absurd legal battles that actually made it to court.
1. Man Sues Himself for $5 Million (and Wins Nothing)
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A prison inmate attempted to sue himself for violating his own civil rights by committing a crime that led to his incarceration. He argued that he was suffering emotionally and financially.
2. Woman Sues McDonald’s Over Hot Coffee (and Wins Big)
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In one of the most infamous lawsuits ever, a woman sued McDonald’s after spilling hot coffee on herself, claiming it was dangerously hot. While it sounds ridiculous, the case revealed that McDonald’s kept its coffee much hotter than industry standards.
3. Burglar Sues Homeowner After Getting Stuck in Garage
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A man broke into a home and got trapped in the garage when the automatic door malfunctioned. With no way out, he survived on pet food and soda for eight days before the homeowners returned.
4. Man Tries to Sue Beer Company for False Advertising
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A man claimed that beer commercials misled him into believing drinking beer would improve his social life and attract beautiful women. When that didn’t happen, he sued the beer company for emotional distress.
5. Parents Sue Video Game Company Over Their Son’s Addiction
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A couple sued a gaming company, claiming that their son became so addicted to video games that he refused to eat, sleep, or socialize. They argued the company should have warned them about the game’s “highly addictive nature.”
6. Woman Sues Haunted House for Being Too Scary
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A woman visited a haunted house attraction and was so frightened that she ran into a wall and injured herself. She then sued the attraction for causing “extreme emotional distress.”
7. Customer Sues Dry Cleaner for Losing Pants ($67 Million Demand!)
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A man sued a dry cleaner for losing his pants and demanded an outrageous $67 million in damages. His argument? The business had a “satisfaction guaranteed” sign, and he was not satisfied.
8. Woman Sues Google Maps for Bad Walking Directions
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A woman mindlessly followed Google Maps’ walking directions and ended up getting hit by a car while crossing a highway. She sued Google, claiming it failed to warn her of potential dangers.
9. Student Sues School for Waking Him Up in Class
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A high school student sued his teacher after she woke him up in class, claiming it caused “mental anguish.” He argued that the sudden awakening damaged his hearing.
10. Man Sues Fast Food Chain Over a Napkin Shortage
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After receiving only one napkin with his meal, a man sued a fast food restaurant for $1.5 million, claiming it caused emotional distress. He argued that the lack of napkins ruined his dining experience.
11. Woman Sues After Getting Stuck in a Porta-Potty
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A woman sued a portable toilet company after she got locked inside one at a fair. She claimed the experience was traumatic and sought damages for emotional distress.
12. Man Sues Over ‘Crunchberries’ Not Being Real Berries
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A man sued the makers of Cap’n Crunch cereal, arguing that “Crunchberries” led him to believe the cereal contained real fruit. When he realized they were just artificially flavored corn puffs, he took legal action.
13. Driver Sues Car Manufacturer After Crashing on Cruise Control
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A man set his RV’s cruise control and walked away from the wheel, assuming it would steer itself. The RV, of course, crashed, and he sued the manufacturer for not warning him that cruise control wasn’t autopilot.
14. Woman Sues After Falling in a Fountain While Texting
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A woman, distracted by texting, walked straight into a shopping mall fountain. The security footage went viral, and she sued the mall for releasing the video.
15. Man Tries to Sue Weather Forecaster for a Wrong Prediction
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A man sued a TV meteorologist after they incorrectly predicted sunny weather, only for it to rain. He argued that the incorrect forecast caused him to dress inappropriately and get sick.
16. Woman Sues Herself for Wrongful Death
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A woman, acting as the executor of her deceased husband’s estate, sued herself for causing his fatal car accident. She hoped to collect damages from her own insurance company.
17. Guy Sues Batman Producers for ‘Mental Anguish’
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A man named Batman (yes, really) sued Warner Bros., claiming their Batman movies caused him emotional distress due to constant jokes and teasing.
18. Man Sues Over Pop-Tart Burn
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A man sued Kellogg’s after burning his mouth on a too-hot Pop-Tart, arguing that a more prominent warning should have been provided. The court ruled that common sense should have prevailed, and the case was dismissed.
19. Woman Sues Theme Park for Not Winning a Prize
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A woman sued an amusement park after failing to win a carnival game, claiming the game was “rigged” against her. She argued that she had spent a significant amount of money and deserved compensation.
20. Thief Sues Store Owner After Getting Locked Inside
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A man who broke into a store got trapped when the security system automatically locked him in overnight. He later sued the store owner for “unlawful imprisonment.”