Legal group notes absurd lawsuits of 2012

• Tweet

WASHINGTON, Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A suit filed against the victim by a Florida driver who admitted to vehicular manslaughter after driving drunk topped a list of most ridiculous U.S. lawsuits.

The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform, which advocates for tort reform, Thursday released its list of the 2012's 10 most ridiculous lawsuits.

Second on the list is a Michigan woman, who sought -- and was summarily denied -- $5 million in compensation for the gas that was in the tank of her car when it was repossessed.

Rounding out the group's top five were:

-- A Little League baseball game attendee who sued a 13-year-old player after being hit by a foul ball;

-- A prison inmate who had five teeth when he was incarcerated, then sued the prison for shoddy dental work;

-- A person involved in a bar fight who sued Anheuser Busch after being hit with a beer bottle during the dispute.

"Abuse of our legal system is no joke, and these examples range from the outrageous to the absurd," said Lisa Rickard, institute president. "This poll reminds us that as a society, we sue too much. In turn, these abusive lawsuits inflict harm on lives, jobs and our economic growth."