Top 5 Strangest Personal Injury Claims

When thinking about personal injury claims, most people think of cases involving slip and falls, car crashes, medical malpractice, and similar negligence claims. But sometimes, personal injury lawyers handle claims that are much less traditional. Check out Christensen Law’s Top 5 List of the Strangest Personal Injury Claims in America.
Note: These cases are compiled from reports only. Christensen Law did not represent the clients in the following claims.
Number 1 Icon
The Faulty Phone
Number 1 Icon

The faulty phone booth case

The Faulty Phone
A California custodian was using a public phone booth to make a call when a drunk driver crashed into it. Though the plaintiff, Charles Bigbee, saw the car coming, he was unable to exit the booth due to a faulty door that jammed shut. His right leg was amputated and he suffered a severe disability in his left leg that prevented him from working. He sued the drunk driver, the establishment that served her, and the phone company.
Number 2 Icon
Toilet
Number 2 Icon

The falling toilet case

Toilet
A Philadelphia woman sued the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort when the toilet in her hotel room broke away from the wall while she was sitting on it, causing a permanent disability to her left arm. She settled with the hotel for $1.2 million.
Number 3 Icon
Woman Having Bad Hair
Number 3 Icon

The bad hair case

Woman Having Bad Hair
A woman visited a hair salon to receive straightening treatments. But when she went home, clumps of hair started falling out. She sued for lost income, emotional distress, and counseling and was awarded $6,000.
Number 4 Icon
Horse
Number 4 Icon

The horse case

Horse
Personal injury lawsuits typically involve people. But one in Oregon name a horse as the plaintiff. Justice, formerly named Shadow, was abused by his first owners. After his new owners renamed him, the Animal Legal Defense Fund filed what would have been a groundbreaking lawsuit in the horse's name to prevent future abuse and abandonment of animals. It was ultimately dismissed.
Number 5 Icon
Subway Sandwich
Number 5 Icon

The sharp sub case

Subway Sandwich
A New York man sued the Subway sandwich chain after he found a plastic serrated knife baked into his bread. Although he didn't bite into the knife itself, he said that he became sick afterward, potentially from the plastic chemicals in the bread. He asked for $1 million and received $20,000.
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