Weirdest Lawsuits You Can File in Texas

The legal system exists to settle disputes, uphold justice, and ensure that people are held accountable for their actions. But in Texas, where everything tends to be larger than life, the court system has also seen its fair share of bizarre, outrageous, and downright ridiculous lawsuits. From individuals attempting to sue over supernatural occurrences to strange consumer complaints that somehow made it in front of a judge, Texas has developed quite the reputation for legal oddities. While many lawsuits deal with serious issues like personal injury, contract breaches, and property disputes, there are always a few cases that make people question how certain complaints even make it to court. Some lawsuits are creative, others are laughable, and a few are just downright absurd. But they all raise an interesting question. Just how far can you go when it comes to filing lawsuits in Texas?

Could you sue someone for ruining your weekend barbecue? What about suing your neighbor for bad energy? And if your house turns out to be haunted, do you have any legal standing to demand compensation? As strange as these questions sound, people have tried to take cases like these to court. While Texas courts do have ways of dismissing frivolous lawsuits, some strange cases manage to proceed further than you’d expect. In some instances, people even win their cases. In turn, they set strange legal precedents that make you wonder what’s possible within the Texas legal system. If you’re curious about the most unusual lawsuits ever filed in Texas, or just wondering what kind of ridiculous cases could theoretically make it into a courtroom, here’s a look at some of the strangest legal battles that have taken place in the Lone Star State.

Can You Sue a Ghost? And Has It Been Done?

The law is designed to deal with tangible disputes between people, but what happens when the complaint involves something supernatural? Believe it or not, ghost-related lawsuits have been attempted in Texas.

In one particularly bizarre case, a couple sued the former owners of their home. They claimed that they had failed to disclose that the house was haunted. The buyers argued that they never would have purchased the property had they known about its ghostly reputation and that the unexplained disturbances they experienced caused them significant emotional distress.

The case was ultimately dismissed. Texas law does not require home sellers to disclose whether or not a house has a history of paranormal activity. However, it does raise an interesting legal question. In some states, failing to disclose a home’s haunted reputation is a fraud, especially if it is a part of local history. But in Texas, the law does not recognize ghostly encounters as a valid real estate concern. So, if you’re purchasing property in an area with a spooky past, it’s probably best to do your research.

Sue First, Think Later: The Most Absurd Consumer Lawsuits in Texas

Consumer complaints are nothing new. However, some Texans have taken their dissatisfaction to an entirely new level by attempting to sue over things that seem completely ridiculous. While some of these cases get dismissed quickly, others make it into a courtroom, making for some truly strange legal battles.

One of the most infamous cases involved a Dallas man who attempted to sue a beer company after he claimed that their advertisements misled him into believing that drinking their beer would improve his attractiveness and social life. When he found that his dating life did not improve despite drinking the beer regularly, he decided to take legal action. Predictably, the case did not go far.

In another case, a woman from Houston sued a perfume company after claiming that the scent was so intoxicating that it distracted her while driving. According to her, it led her to ultimately crash her car. She argued that the company should be held liable for failing to warn consumers about the dangerous allure of their fragrance.

Fast food chains have also been the target of strange lawsuits in Texas. A disgruntled customer once filed a lawsuit against a popular burger chain, arguing that the food he received looked nothing like the advertisement. While complaints about misleading food photography are common, few people actually take their grievances to court.

While these cases may sound ridiculous, they serve as a reminder that some Texans will sue over just about anything.

Can You Sue Someone for Giving You a Bad Handshake?

Handshakes are often seen as a sign of respect, professionalism, and agreement. But what happens when a handshake goes wrong? As strange as it sounds, there have been lawsuits in Texas related to overly aggressive handshakes.

One notable case involved a businessman who sued an associate. He claimed that an excessively firm handshake caused nerve damage in his hand. He argued that the injury affected his ability to work and ultimately required medical treatment. This made the handshake an act of unintentional harm.

While this might seem like an absurd claim, Texas law does allow for personal injury lawsuits if someone’s negligence or intentional actions cause harm. If a handshake were to actually result in medical injuries, it is technically possible for the injured party to file a lawsuit. However, proving that a handshake was excessive enough to cause lasting damage would likely be an uphill battle in court.

Animal Lawsuits: Can You Sue a Cow for Damages?

Texas has a long history of ranching and livestock ownership, which has led to some strange legal disputes involving animals. While animals themselves cannot be sued, their owners can be held responsible for any damage or injury their livestock causes.

Some of the strangest animal-related lawsuits in Texas include cases where individuals attempted to sue over unexpected encounters with livestock. In one case, a man tried to sue a horse owner after claiming that the horse gave him a dirty look, causing him emotional distress. Another case involved a woman who sued her neighbor after their goat ate the flowers from her wedding bouquet. She sought damages for the emotional distress caused by the unexpected loss of her wedding flowers.

There have also been cases where drivers have attempted to sue livestock owners. Of course, this was after animals wandered onto the highway, causing accidents. In Texas, the law often places the responsibility on the driver unless the landowner was negligent in keeping their animals secured.

Can You Sue for Emotional Distress Over Someone’s Barbecue Smoke?

Barbecue is a way of life in Texas, but what happens when someone’s smoky brisket becomes a legal issue? There have actually been cases where individuals have attempted to sue their neighbors over barbecue smoke drifting onto their property.

These cases typically fall under nuisance laws. These laws allow property owners to take legal action if a neighbor’s activities interfere with their ability to enjoy their own home. However, proving that barbecue smoke rises to the level of a legal nuisance can be difficult. This is even more difficult in a state where smoked meats are practically sacred. Most judges are unlikely to rule against a well-cooked brisket. However, for those particularly sensitive to smoke, it might be best to settle disputes with a conversation rather than a lawsuit.

Final Thoughts: Can You File These Weird Lawsuits in Texas?

While some of these cases may seem too absurd to be real, they highlight an important truth. Texas law allows people to sue for just about anything, but that doesn’t mean they will win their case. Judges can dismiss frivolous lawsuits and those who file baseless claims risk being fined for wasting the court’s time. However, there will always be Texans willing to push the limits of the legal system by filing lawsuits that range from mildly ridiculous to completely outrageous. So, could you sue over a haunted house, a bad handshake, or a misleading burger ad? Technically, yes. But whether or not a judge would take you seriously is another matter entirely.