FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: PETER BYLSMA
PHONE: 310-795-8532
July 11, 2006
(Los Angeles, CA) – Los Angeles Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) has announced its "Loony Lawsuit" for July. This month's frivolity looks at how you can sue someone for anything - even for looking like you.
According to a July 2006 news story on KGW-TV (NBC), a Portland man who bears a resemblance to Michael Jordan has filed a lawsuit against the basketball superstar saying he's been mistaken for Jordan nearly every day over the past 15 years and he's tired of it.
The suit, also filed against Nike founder Phil Knight, is seeking $832 million for defamation, permanent injury and emotional pain and suffering. In addition, Knight is being sued for promoting Jordan and making him one of the most recognized men in the world.
Allen Heckard, who filed the suit himself, stands just over six feet tall (not six foot six like the real Michael Jordan), has a shaved head, an earring in his left ear and is in good shape from working out and playing basketball. He even wears Air Jordan tennis shoes.
According to Heckard, it was simple math in deciding to sue Jordan and Knight for $832 million. Heckard is quoted in the KGW-TV story as saying, "Well, you figure with my age and you multiply that times seven and ah, then I turn around and ah I figure that's what it all boils down to."
"What has happened to our society that even confusion with an admired celebrity isn't immune to lawsuits?" stated Peter Bylsma executive director of Los Angeles CALA. "Although these types of frivolous lawsuits are often eventually dismissed, it's still at a great cost in time, money and personal grief for the person being sued; and it can happen to anyone - even basketball superstars."
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse is a nonprofit, grassroots public education organization dedicated to serving as a watchdog over the legal system and those who would seek to abuse it for undeserved gain. For more information, visit www.losangelescala.org.
