The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform annually highlights civil lawsuits that illustrate perceived excesses or misuse of the legal system, often dubbed the “Most Ridiculous Lawsuits.” The 2015 list featured several cases that drew significant public and media attention due to the nature of the claims or the facts involved.
The Top Selection and Previously Covered Cases
The case designated as the “winner” for 2015 was the monkey-selfie case. This unique copyright dispute involved a crested macaque monkey in Indonesia who used a photographer’s camera equipment to capture self-portraits. The resulting legal battle centered on whether the monkey, the photographer, or no one owned the copyright to the images.
In addition to the top selection, several other cases included in the Chamber’s list had already been the subject of prior discussion in legal circles:
- A suit in which an aunt sued her nephew alleging injury from a careless hug.
- The claim brought by a police officer who sued after spilling free coffee on their lap.
- The lawsuit stemming from an injury allegedly caused by a thrown roll at a Missouri restaurant.
- The case involving a California woman who allegedly used fake medical records and pictures “from the internet” to support a claim related to the well-known McDonald’s coffee-spill case precedent.
- The Washington case concerning a bank robber who was injured while fleeing the scene and subsequently sued.
Four Additional Notable Cases from 2015
The Chamber’s 2015 selection also included four other claims that were notable for their facts and demands:
- Pennsylvania Nursing Student Fails Course and Sues: A nursing student in Pennsylvania filed suit against her educational institution after failing a course twice. The student asserted that the school failed to adequately assist her in managing her anxiety, which she claimed contributed to her academic performance.
- New York Gas Explosion Lawsuit: Two women in New York filed a substantial $40 million lawsuit seeking damages for what they described as “like, five or six scratches” sustained in a gas explosion that occurred blocks away from their location.
- Inmate Sues NFL Over Playoff Loss: A Colorado inmate filed an extraordinary lawsuit against the National Football League (NFL), seeking $88 billion in damages stemming from the 2015 Dallas Cowboys’ playoff loss.
- Florida Woman Sues FedEx for Tripping: A Florida woman filed suit against FedEx after allegedly tripping over a package that had been left on her doorstep.
