Servin’ up Heart Attacks…it’s Tortelicious if not Delicious

February 16th, 2010. By LucyC

Welcome to Totally Tortelicious—a review of some of the more bizarre legal stories making news. Goodness knows there’s no shortage of them. 

The Battle of the Burgers.

Ok, this is pretty sick—literally. According to a report in the media, a rather bizarre lawsuit has been filed by a hamburger joint in Arizona—the Heart Attack Grill—against a burger joint in Delray Beach, FL, called Heart Stoppers Grill, claiming that Heart Stoppers stole the idea for promoting and selling its deadly dishes from the Heart Attack Grill. Well, I suppose anything’s possible.

The names of the menu items are remarkably similar with the Heart Attack Grill offering the Triple Bypass Burger and Jolt Cola (I could use one of those about now), and Heart Stoppers selling the Heart Stopper Burger and Chili Chest Pain Fries. Heart Stoppers apparently promises free food to any patron who weighs over 350lbs. Yeah—that’s smart. Not. What happens when some person does end up having a heart attack after eating a meal there and sues the restaurant?

Maybe one of these guys should open up a Salad Loop next door—you know—diversify…

Mistaken Identity—That’s Mistaken Spelt with an “A”…

Christina Fourhorn of Sterling, CO, ended up spending several days in jail until her husband could raise $3,500 to bail her out. Her crime? Those unpaid parking tickets? Nope. In fact, her arrest actually had nothing to do with her —but someone named Christin Fourhorn—who was wanted by the police in Oklahoma. 

ChristinA was arrested by three police officers on her front lawn—always good for improving the reputation of the neighborhood—on her way to pick up her kids at school. You can just imagine the teacher trying to explain why Mommy’s late this time…

After five days the police finally released Mrs. Fourhorn. Now that really would take some explaining to the kids—not to mention her employers—she nearly lost her job. All that time, however, neither she nor her husband were provided with any explanation by the police as to why she was suddenly considered one of America’s Most Wanted.

Of course, she sued, alleging that her arrest violated the Fourth Amendment which protects citizens from arrest without probable cause. 

That was over two years ago now. But the Denver Police Department has apparently not learned from its mistake. According to a report on CNN.com, the American Civil Liberties Union found at least 237 cases in Colorado in which police may have arrested the wrong person. Maybe it’s time they revisited the basics—like learning their ABCs… 

Personal Injury Leads to Pretty Profit.

Here’s a little something to bear in mind next time you post a letter…A professional darts player in England scored twice recently, after having his finger cut off on a mailbox. The loss of that digit led to him being unable to play in a lucrative darts tournament. So the government compensated him to the tune of $5,000. However, after his hand healed he entered another tournament and won $1,500.

Tags: Tortelicious

This was posted on Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at 5:54 pm and is filed under lawsuits, Totally Tortelicious . Feel free to respond, or trackback. Read our comments policy.