Ussnorway wrote if I boil water (100c) in a jug then pore it over my genitals the shop gets sued because the water is too hot and that jug needs a tag warning me not to do that? do people in the US remove shirts before ironing... nevermind its a rhetorical question |
As much as we get slammed for frivolous lawsuits, there are cases that have just causes.
Going back to the 1960s, poor or non existent safety labeling could cause problems. Especially with those not sufficiently trained in using hazardous products that could be bought anywhere. Mixing two types of cleaners for example could create poisonous fumes and no ordinary person had any idea.
A famous case involved celebrity pianist Liberace who was touring small venues including a nightclub in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
For some reason he was not able to find a dry cleaner to clean up his wardrobe for an evening engagement. So he bought a large container of dry cleaning fluid (which back then could be found in local stores). It was assumed if you bought it, you already knew the precautions about safe ventilation. This fluid had carbon tetra chloride (later banned) and while the fumes were still strong, Liberace decided to take a nap in his room. He woke feeling sick and had to be rushed to the hospital--acute renal failure. The doctors told him to get his affairs in order. He eventually recovered, won a large lawsuit over it, and from now on, the bottles had the cautionary labeling:
"Flammable and Toxic fumes. Use in a well ventilated area".
This case is not well known because the same day, Nov 22nd 1963, President Kennedy was assassinated.
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