WASHINGTON, D.C. – Lawsuits accusing Starbucks of putting too much ice in iced coffee and too much foam in lattes top the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) survey of the Top Ten Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2016, announced today. ILR also released a highlight video running down each lawsuit on the list.
“While some of these lawsuits will draw laughs, they are a cringe-worthy reminder that America’s legal system is being abused to target large and small businesses, universities and even respected non-profit charities,” said ILR President Lisa A. Rickard. “While each of these lawsuits is ridiculous in its own way, the combined list highlights how this practice has run amok.”
The Top Ten Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2016 were chosen from the year’s ten most popular stories featured on FacesOfLawsuitAbuse.org, and then ranked according to a national Google Consumer Survey of 5,000 consumers across America. That survey was conducted November 16-18, 2016.
The Top Ten Most Ridiculous Lawsuits of 2016 are:
- Starbucks feels the heat from two abusive lawsuits (IL and CA)
- Court Tosses Lawsuit over Lip Balm Left in Tube (CA)
- Woman walks into a ladder while ‘engrossed’ in her cellphone; jury awards her $161,000 (GA)
- Monkey Business Coming to Ninth Circuit, Courtesy of PETA (CA)
- MasterCard Blasts ‘Baseless’ Lawsuit Over Its ‘Stand Up To Cancer’ Fundraising Promotion (NJ)
- Lawsuit Turns $40 Printer Sale on Craigslist into $30,000 in Damages
- SoulCycle Rider Alleges Injury to Sue Trendy Indoor Cycling Outfit (CA)
- Hot Air: Man Sues Nebraska Cornhuskers To End Balloon Release (NE)
- Mom and Son Sue Over SAT Typo that Gave Students Extra Test Time (NJ)
- Business Owner Fights Back Against Overzealous Government Prosecutors – and Wins (MN)
The Faces of Lawsuit Abuse campaign is ILR’s public awareness effort created to highlight absurd and ridiculous lawsuits filed against businesses, families and communities across America.
ILR seeks to promote civil justice reform through legislative, political, judicial, and educational activities at the global, national, state, and local levels.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.