Famous Cases

Liebeck v. McDonald’s

Stella Liebeck, the 79-year-old woman who was severely burned by McDonald’s coffee that she spilled in her lap in 1992, was unfairly held up as an example of frivolous litigation in the public eye. Also referred to as the “Hot Coffee Case”.

The Ford Pinto

Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Company, 1981

The Pinto, a subcompact car made by Ford Motor Company, became infamous in the 1970s for bursting into flames if its gas tank was ruptured in a collision.

The Tobacco Cases

Do you remember Joe Camel and the Marlboro Man? Cigarette manufacturers don’t use them in their ads anymore, because a series of lawsuits beginning in the 1980s have succeeded in holding Big Tobacco companies accountable for their dangerous products and in making them change some of their practices.

Inetianbor v. Western Sky Financial

Here’s a case you should know about. It highlights not only the dangers of predatory lenders, but also the many shortcomings of mandatory arbitration. This is another reason why trial by jury, in open court, and subject to the rules of evidence, is so very important. The Founding Fathers knew this; so should you.

Vosburg v. Putney

Here’s what happened: Waukesha, Wisconsin, February 20, 1889. School. Class is in session. There are two boys that we are concerned with, Andrew Vosburg, who is 14, and George Putney, who is 11. They’re sitting across from each other, and Putney, the eleven-year old, reaches across the aisle with his foot, and “hit with his…