9 Stupidest Court Cases in Recent History

Man Sues Michael Jordan for Looking Like Him

You would think resembling a world-famous basketball superstar is something to be proud of. Well, for Allen Heckard, looking like Michael Jordan translated into years of “defamation, permanent injury, and emotional pain and suffering”, to quote Mr. Heckard himself.

Heckard filed a lawsuit against Jordan and asked for $416 million because the athlete was stealing his likeness. Jordan was not the only one getting sued. He also sued Nike for the same amount because they helped Michael Jordan become one of the most recognizable faces in the world.

The way he came up with the amount was quite simple, really, in his opinion. “Well, you figure with my age and you multiply that by seven and, ah, then I turn around and, ah, I figure that’s what it all boils down to.”

Heckard soon dropped the lawsuit. Probably because Nike representatives explained what would happen to him (legally and money-wise) if he lost the case.

Nebraska State Senator Sues God

Now, here’s a clear example of separation of powers between the church and the state. The plaintiff, in this case, Ernie Chambers, “the duly elected and serving State Senator from the 11th Legislative District in Omaha, Nebraska” sued God “for directly and proximately [causing], inter alia, fearsome floods, egregious earthquakes, horrendous hurricanes, terrifying tornados, pestilential plague.” He also said God must also comply with the law and “cease certain harmful activities and the making of terroristic threats.”

Chambers’ reasoning was to fight local laws that prevent people from filing superficial lawsuits. As a state senator, he felt the need to fight for the public’s right to sue no matter how stupid the reason, saying “anyone can sue anyone they choose, even God”.

Why God, you ask? Because God, as, “that defendant, being omnipresent, is personally present in Douglas County”. Way to spend the taxpayer’s money! Unfortunately for Chambers, a judge rejected the case. We still don’t know what God had to say about all of this.