FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: PETER BYLSMA
PHONE: 310-795-8532
February 14, 2007
LOS ANGELES -- Just in time for Valentine's Day, Los Angeles Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) is reminding Americans that there is a fine line between love and litigation.
"Forget about the flowers, chocolates and candlelight dinners, personal injury lawyers are encouraging Americans to make a date in court instead," said Peter Bylsma, executive director of Los Angeles CALA.
A few examples of courtroom lessons in love:
One in 20 Million
A woman sued her Beverly Hill matchmaker for failing to produce the love of her life. In return for the matchmaker's fee the woman expected an "extremely successful and highly educated, charismatic, kind, down-to-earth romantic who enjoys a life of fine dining, travel and leisure," and who earns a minimum of $1 million a year with an estate valued near $20 million. (Los Angeles Times, May 2006)
Online Love
A Northern California man sued eHarmony for not letting him join the dating service while he was still married. The suit alleged eHarmony abridged his civil rights by refusing to match him up. (Associated Press, March 2006)
Dr. Heartbreaker
A Manhattan doctor was sued by two women he met through an online dating service. The women alleged that the doctor wooed them with bizarre come-on lines invoking the Devil, tales of past lives and talk of the Apocalypse. Their suits were seeking unspecified money damages for infliction of "severe emotional distress." (New York Daily News, September 2005)
Love Bites
A Connecticut woman sued her one-time boyfriend for allegedly biting her lip during a kiss the couple shared. The woman claims that her ex-boyfriend breached a contract the two had made after the fateful kiss, in which he agreed to pay $3,000 for medical bills and prescription drugs. When he allegedly failed to pay, she filed a lawsuit seeking, among other things, compensation for her "pain and suffering." (Associated Press, October 2003)
Diamonds Aren't Forever
After three months of unblissful marriage, two Michigan newlyweds filed for divorce and asked a jury to decide if the bride should receive payment from the groom for claims that he gave her a fake diamond engagement ring and spent their wedding money on personal hair transplants. (Associated Press, October 2000)
"Unless Americans do something to kiss the lawsuit lottery good-bye, this love affair with lawsuits likely will continue long after the current celebration of the holiday of love," Bylsma said.
CALA is a nonprofit, grass roots, 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 information, visit www.losangelescala.org.
