14 Times Regular People Sued Big Companies And Won
You would be tempted to believe that big-money companies are unbeatable in any battle. However, this is often proven wrong when little-known people sue the giants. and win substantial amounts in compensation. These lawsuits give you hope and restore your trust in the judiciary and judicial processes. Take a look at some landmark cases that caught major corporations off guard.
Stella Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants – 1994
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You order coffee, and what you get are third-degree burns? That’s what happened in Stella Liebeck’s case against McDonald’s. The subsequent lawsuit gained popularity after she proved that the outlet served dangerous food. As a result, she won $2.86 million, which was later reduced to $640,000.
Patricia Anderson v. General Motors – 1999
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This was a case of David taking on Goliath and winning. After her fuel tank exploded and burned her car, Patricia Anderson sued General Motors for injuries to her and her family. It’s a case that attracted attention to the car manufacturers and won the victim $4.9 billion, later reduced to $1.2 billion.
Erin Brockovich v. Pacific Gas & Electric – 1996
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After discovering the presence of hexavalent chromium in her water, Erin Brockovich took Pacific Gas & Electric to court and won. You can see what taking initiative means. She won this because PG&E was aware that the water was contaminated. The court awarded her a staggering $333 million, making it a historic case.
Judy Augustine v. Bank of America – 2012
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In 2012, Judy Augustine won $300,000 in a lawsuit against Bank of America over unfair mortgage practices. BAC had wrongly foreclosed on her home, sparking a prolonged lawsuit. The court established that the bank had engaged in predatory lending. It’s a landmark case that gives you hope as a consumer.
Hugh Caperton v. A.T. Massey Coal Co. – 2002
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This case would interest you because of the issues it highlighted. Hugh Caperton’s battle against A.T. Massey Coal Co. began in 2002 over contract interference and won $50 million. The litigation revealed judicial corruption and corporate malpractice. You can see the power of truth and justice in this case.
Hugo Vasquez v. State Farm – 2013
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State Farm was sued by Hugo Vasquez in 2013 after they denied his valid insurance claim. In a case that also included others, deceptive denial tactics exposed State Farm badly. Winning this case proved that the company had acted in bad faith. The court awarded him $14.5 million in compensation.
Judy Hopkins v. Unocal – 2000
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You probably have heard of oil spills, which were the foundation of Judy Hopkins’ fight against Unocal in 2000. The company was found guilty of negligence in the pollution case, costing them a substantial amount. The settlement, while not disclosed, marked a substantial victory for environmental justice.
Robert Kearns v. Ford Motor Co. – 1990
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Would you imagine the mighty Ford Motor Co. losing a court battle? Robert Kearns did this when he sued the company for the invention of intermittent windshield wipers. He claimed that he owned the patent that Ford infringed. The court agreed and awarded him $10.2 million in damages.
Wendy Dolin v. GlaxoSmithKline – 2012
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Wendy Dolin’s 2012 lawsuit against GlaxoSmithKline was elicited by her husband’s suicide after taking a generic version of Paxil. She was awarded $3 million after she convinced the court that the company was aware that the medication’s active ingredient could increase the risk of suicide.
Benjamin Careathers v. Red Bull – 2013
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Do you believe in the potency of energy drinks? This is what Benjamin Careathers found to be nonexistent. He sued Red Bull in 2013, claiming the energy drink’s slogan was misleading. He was awarded $13 million in compensation after proving that the energy drink did not improve performance, concentration, or reflex.
Stanley and Susan Rosenblatt v. Philip Morris USA Inc. – 2000
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Stanley and Susan Rosenblatt led other people in suing Philip Morris USA, Inc. The lawsuit was over deceptive tobacco marketing practices, which resulted in their developing cancer and other diseases. They won $145 billion for the impacts of tobacco on their lives, proving the power of consumer advocacy.
Lilly Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. – 2007
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The gender pay gap discussions you constantly see in the media have attracted some major lawsuits. Lilly Ledbetter took Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. over unequal pay. This is the case that gave birth to the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009. It reinforced the concepts of workplace equality and justice.
Dewayne Johnson v. Monsanto Co. – 2018
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After his diagnosis with cancer, Dewayne Johnson sued Monsanto Co., claiming Roundup weed killer was the culprit. He won $289 million, which was later adjusted down to $78 million. It was a case that highlighted the significance of consumer safety in chemical products. It was a consumer health and safety victory.
Herbert Washington v. McDonald’s Corporation – 2021
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Did it even come to your attention that your favorite McDonald’s outlet is owned by an individual? This was revealed when Herbert Washington sued McDonald’s Corporation over racial discrimination in franchise location practices. McDonald’s agreed to a settlement of $33.5 million after it was found culpable.