Lamp post prosecution
She is still recovering and says the accident caused permanent brain damage. She has filed a $395 million lawsuit against the city, Macy's and the lamppost manufacturer. - Reuters
This was regarding an incident a few years ago when a woman was struck by a lamppost that fell when a parade balloon hit it. Does it ever sound odd to you when you hear that someone is suing a bunch of different people for the same thing? Does it seem like they aren't sure whose fault it is so they're just suing everyone? But why is the lamppost manufacturer at fault? Because the post wasn't designed to hold up parade balloons? Maybe I just don't get it...
(source: Spectators hurt by Thanksgiving parade balloon)
Actually, it's called "shotgun litigation" the idea is that you hit everyone who could possibly by any stretch of the imagination be liable for the accident then see how many will settle. If you get at least one or two then you don't have the expense of trial which most tort and personal injury lawyers hate. ;-)