6 Bizarre Halloween-Related Lawsuits
For most people, Halloween This is a time to be someone other than yourself and enjoy the festive atmosphere. But sometimes, these reduced inhibitions can lead to… legal problem. Take a look at several bizarre cases involving costume malfunctions, collapsing pumpkins, and other creepy lawsuits.
Inflammatory condition
In 1984, Michigan natives Frank and Susan Ferlito civilized region Halloween party. Susan was dressed as the Virgin Mary and her little lamb was famous; Frank was her animal friend. Susan achieved Frank’s pregnancy look by gluing cotton made by Johnson & Johnson to his long underwear, effectively covering him in the flammable material from head to toe. For reasons known only to Frank Ferlito, he decided to light a cigarette with a butane lighter. His left arm caught fire, and Frank suffered burns to more than a third of his body.
The couple filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson. In 1989, a jury awarded Frank Ferlito $555,000 and Susan Ferlito $70,000. In 1991, Johnson & Johnson successfully petitioned for a new trial, in part because the Verlitos both admitted knowing that cotton would burn if exposed to fire. While prosecutors argued that the cotton had no warning, Frank said neither I confess He ignored the warnings on cigarette packs, meaning it wouldn’t change their behavior. The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in favor of Johnson & Johnson in 1992.
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Rotten blow percussion
For years, Milwaukee resident John Magdoch has enjoyed an active seasonal job managing a number of pop-up Halloween stores called Halloween Express. The “shops” were actually located under a giant inflatable pumpkin measuring 100 feet in diameter. Although high winds once blew along the highway, there were no major problems.
But in 2017 Magdukh Custom order A smaller inflatable pumpkin so he can set up a smaller store in the parking lot of a home goods store. This item came from Larger Than Life Inflatables and was assembled by another company, House of Bounce. One day, it rained so heavily that water pooled on top of the pumpkin, causing it to collapse. No one was hurt, but Magduk’s stock was destroyed. His insurance company, Hastings Mutual, paid out a six-figure policy and sued both Larger Than Life Inflatables and House of Bounce alleging manufacturing defects. The lawsuit is ongoing.
The eyes have
If you’re thinking about wearing cosmetic contact lenses for Halloween, you may want to rethink that decision. A number of retailers have faced lawsuits from state attorneys general and consumers over eye damage caused by over-the-counter lenses.
In 2016, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster foot Gotcha Cosplay Rental sued for selling lenses without a prescription, a violation of state and federal laws. (Aaro Froese, owner of fashion rental company Gotcha, has agreed to abide by the law and only sell contact lenses to customers with prescriptions.) Lenses, which may not fit properly, can scratch and cause corneal abrasions. a reason Infection or even blindness. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) routinely provides a consumer warning that contact lenses are medical devices and should never be worn unless prescribed by an eye care professional.
Banana call
With dozens of costume makers around the world creating every type of costume imaginable, it’s easy to find similar products on store shelves. But in the case of the banana costume, it turns out it is still subject to copyright law.
In 2017, fashion manufacturer Rasta Sets File a lawsuit against A number of companies, including Kmart and Kangaroo Manufacturing, were forced to sell banana uniforms which they felt infringed their rights. Citing things like the color and shape of the costume, the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia ruled AgreedConfirming in 2019 that Banana Rasta Emposta was special. The company “is entitled to the true fruits of its intellectual labor,” the court wrote in its ruling.
Night of terror
Thanks to liability waivers, haunted houses are very difficult to sue because they deliver what they promise: good scares. In 2011, Scott Griffin and his friends went to The Haunted Trail, a haunted attraction in San Diego, California. When Griffin reached the exit, he thought it was over. Instead, a man holds a hacksaw Move He charged at him forcefully, startling Griffin and causing him to run away – then he fell and injured his wrist. Griffin sued the operators but found no satisfaction. A lower court ruled in favor of the defendant, and the Fourth District Court of Appeals affirmed the ruling in 2015. The judges decided it was a case of someone paying money to feel “extremely frightened” and receiving “exactly what they paid for.”
Spider-Man
Although this Halloween tale did not result in a lawsuit, it did affect a few attorneys in West Virginia. In 2015, Assistant Logan County Prosecutor Chris White reaction (Some might say exaggerated) for a small army of fake Spiders Which was put on hold on Halloween by pulling out a gun and insisting that he start shooting the replicants. Logan County Prosecuting Attorney John Bennett had to suspend White over the incident, explaining that White really hates spiders and that the gun was not actually loaded. The spider decorations were eventually removed.
A version of this story was originally published in 2020; Updated for 2025.
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