A man is suing a major shoe manufacturer for not warning him that their shoes are considered a dangerous weapon. The 26-year-old hand-wrote the complaint at the Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution, where he is serving a 100-year prison term. He believes the shoe manufacturer is partly responsible for his incarceration.
The man is suing Nike for $100 million. He was wearing a pair of Nikes when he stomped on a man who was attempting to flee a hotel without paying the prostitute that worked for him. The attack resulted in the man needing stitches and plastic surgery to correct the damage inflicted on his face and nose. The man also robbed the “john” and beat the prostitute so badly she was bleeding from her ears.
A jury found him guilty of second-degree assault and robbery. The jury also determined that the shoes he was wearing were a dangerous weapon. Because of the dangerous weapon stipulation, a more severe penalty could be levied against him.
It also opened the door for the man’s lawsuit. As the man wrote in his complaint, a manufacturer is obligated to warn consumers if a product could be dangerous. Because the jury determined that the shoes were a dangerous weapon, the man posits that Nike should have placed a warning label on their shoes.
Nike will be served with the complaint soon. Then they will have a chance to file a response. Although this is an unusual case, it will be interesting to see how it plays out in legal system.
Anyone who feels they have the right to seek compensation for a situation in which they were wronged may want to seek the advice of a legal professional to determine what rights they have for damages. Civil disputes can be complicated, so it is wise to seek advice from someone who is experienced in handling these types of situations.
Source: The Oregonian, “Portland pimp sues Nike for $100 million for lack of warning label after beating victim with Jordans” Aimee Green, Jan. 10, 2014
