I’ll See You in Court

In today’s world celebrities equal big money - that’s why film producers hire them, why companies want them to endorse products, and why more people are deciding to sue them. But it wasn’t always like this.

Once upon a time, tripping on the pavement meant visiting the hospital, not suing the government. While losing your job simply meant finding another, not taking your boss to the cleaners. Mentalities toward suing have changed drastically over the years however, and while some lawsuits may be well-deserved and stand up in court, others just seem like a pathetic excuse to make a quick buck.

This week actor Keanu Reeves is due in court to face a lawsuit filed by a paparazzi news photographer, who alleges Reeves negligently struck him with his car, causing him injuries. Reeves claims that the snapper tripped and fell, but who really knows? The court will now decide, leaving the wealthy actor vulnerable to forking out millions of dollars. I take a look at a some of the wackiest reasons people have resorted to for suing, and also give you the low-down on celebrities who’ve found themselves being sued for mega bucks, and the shocking reasons why…

Wacky reasons to sue
1. One man is said to have swallowed a razor and then sued Gillette, because the company said the razor was stainless steel, but it wasn't and it didn’t show up on the X-ray when the man got injured. (Loses case)
2. A man starts banging in a nail with a loaded revolver because the hammer was too far away. He then attempts to sue the gun company because he shot himself. (Loses case)
3. A grown woman locks herself - on purpose - in the boot of her car in a suicide attempt. She changes her mind - isn’t able to get out and sues the car manufacturer. (Loses the case)
4. An adult man climbs onto the roof of his neighbours’ house to dive into a shallow above ground pool and gets injured. Sues the pool company. (Wins case)
5. One not-so-bright spark decides to drink spark plug cleaner to get high. He then proceeds to try and sue the company for producing an unsafe product. (Loses the case)

Gordon Ramsay Vs Restaurant manager
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay probably thought everyone knew what to expect when signing up to take part in his TV programme, Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares. But in April this year the foul-mouthed television personality was sued, along with the show’s programme makers, for $800,000. Martin Hyde, ex-restaurant manager at Dillions, who appeared on the show, claims Ramsay left his reputation in tatters after millions of viewers saw him being labelled a “lazy *****r” on Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares USA.

MY VERDICT
Having summoned up all that energy to sue Ramsey for $500,000, it seems Hyde’s not so lazy after all

Britney Vs Louis Vuitton
Britney Spears had her wrists slapped after she used images of a car upholstered in Vuitton fabric in the video for her single ‘Do Something’. A judge ruled that the image was an “attack” on the fashion house Louis Vuitton brand and its luxury image. Spears’ record company and MTV Online were guilty of violating counterfeiting laws. The companies were ordered to stop broadcasting or marketing the video and fined $86,000.

MY VERDICT
Granted, Britney may not be the definition of ‘class’, but don’t they say any publicity is good publicity

J-Lo Vs Flight Attendant
Accustomed to taking her dogs on airplanes with her, actress, singer and mum of two J-Lo probably got the shock of her life when her German Shepherd, Floyd, grabbed hold of flight attendant Lisa Wilson’s trouser leg and caused her to fall to the floor, injuring her back. Wilson claimed that she could no longer go to work, and that she suffered “great economic loss”. The result? A lawsuit for $4million.

MY VERDICT
The flight attendant injuries were no doubt enhanced by the thought of dollar bills, but surely even pampered pooches should fly in luggage

Lindsay Lohan Vs Fur coat owner
Lindsay Lohan found herself slammed with court papers in May of this year after she allegedly stole a mink coat from a party. Student Masha Markova had been sitting near Lindsay at a Manhattan hotspot when the fur went missing - only for Masha to spot it on Lindsay a few days later in images of the party girl leaving a club. Masha began legal proceedings, but then the club returned the coat to her, reeking of alcohol and cigarettes and with a torn lining. The art student is now apparently suing Lindsay for over $8,000 for “unauthorised three-week rental” of the garment.

MY VERDICT
Stealing somebody else’s property is just wrong…especially when you’re as loaded as Lindsay

Tom Cruise Vs extras
Superstar Tom Cruise was reportedly sued for $11m by 12 extras on his movie ‘Valkyrie’, after they were injured during filming. The extras claim they suffered broken bones, cuts and bruises while filming in Berlin last year when the side panel of a period German army truck flew open. The unlucky star was not even present when the accident took place.

MY VERDICT
Unlucky. Accidents happen.