Personal injury law exists to help people recover from serious, life-changing accidents. Attorneys play a crucial role in that recovery by advocating for individuals who might otherwise be overwhelmed by insurance companies, legal complexities, and mounting medical bills.
While the nature of an attorney’s work is serious, not every case they handle is a textbook example. Some personal injury lawsuits are just downright strange — even a little silly. Here are a few of the weirdest lawsuits that (believe it or not) were actually filed with a court.
The Haunted House That Was Too Scary
In 1998, Cleanthi Peters filed a lawsuit against Universal Studios, following her visit to the “Halloween Horror Nights” haunted house attraction.
In the haunted house, one of the actors chased Peters with a chain saw prop. Out of fright, she ran to the exit door, but unfortunately for her, there was a puddle just outside that resulted in a slip and fall accident.
Peters ended up suing Universal Studios in excess of $15,000 for the physical injuries she suffered, as well as emotional distress and mental anguish. The case was settled outside court, before making it to trial.
The Soda Surprise
In a case handled by the Florida-based Nance Cacciatore law firm, an individual suffered serious injuries to their eyes and face. The cause—a defective soda can that randomly exploded in the plaintiff’s face, while waiting in the checkout line at the grocery store.
While technically a product liability case, it’s still a perfect example of how personal injury law can come into play in the most unexpected places — like the checkout line.
This case was settled outside of court for an undisclosed amount.
The Trampoline of Doom
In a case handled by the NYC-based Maya Murphy law firm, a seven year old boy fractured his arm after using a neighbor’s trampoline. While the trampoline was not defective, testimony from a gymnastics and trampoline expert revealed that the owners of the trampoline did not provide a safe environment for the children to play.
By breaking the “one jumper at a time” rule, and not adequately supervising the children on the trampoline, the trampoline owner was now facing a classic premises liability claim under personal injury law. The family of the injured boy ended up settling for $65,000.
The Chicken Sandwich Slip-Up
In 2009, Janice Prioleau and her son were visiting a KFC in New Jersey. After slipping and falling near the bathroom, Prioleau suffered pain, numbness, and tingling which ultimately led to a hospital visit.
This premises liability case made it to court and a jury eventually ruled in favor of Prioleau—who was awarded $138,000 for the slip and fall.
Most people remember this case because, well, it involved slipping on fried chicken grease at a KFC. But what actually makes Prioleau v. Kentucky Fried Chicken important is the legal precedent it set.
This case clarified the limits of something called the “mode-of-operation” doctrine in New Jersey — a legal rule that usually makes it easier for plaintiffs to prove negligence when businesses encourage self-service. Since KFC isn’t self-service, the court ruled that the doctrine didn’t apply, and a new trial was ordered (nullifying the original verdict for $138,000).
So, while slipping on chicken grease might sound funny, this case helped sharpen how courts handle slip-and-fall claims across the state.
Get David Get Paid
Not all accidents look “normal”. Whether you slipped after fleeing for your life in a haunted house, broke your arm on an overcrowded trampoline, or were attacked by an exploding soda can, David Femminineo can help you get the compensation you deserve.
The team at Femminineo Law is amongst the top tier of Michigan injury attorneys. You can rest assured if you get David, you will be treated with respect, dignity, and the utmost care. Do not hesitate—call us today at 855-65-CRASH or visit our website at www.getdavidgetpaid.com.
