Average Joe
Jan 07, 2006, 07:23 AM
past winners............
PAST WINNERS OF M-LAW'S WACKY WARNING LABEL CONTESTS
In 1997, Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch (M-LAW) began a contest to expose how frivolous lawsuits, and a concern about potential frivolous lawsuits, have led to a new cultural phenomenon: the wacky warning label.
You have probably heard about the lawsuit over a spilled cup of coffee. However, there are many other silly lawsuits involving products that have received far less attention. For example, did you know a man received $50,000 when he sued a small company that makes basketball nets because he claimed the company was responsible when he caught his teeth in a net while dunking a ball? People who make products hear about these outrageous lawsuits, and they often decide to slap common sense warnings on their product... âjust in case.â
Over the years, M-LAW has received hundreds of warning labels from people around the world. M-LAW verifies the authenticity of each label and selects the âTop 5â for each year. Then, a radio audience selected the top three winners. The past four years, listeners of the award-winning Dick Purtan show on WOMC in Detroit have selected the winners.
The first place winner receives $500, second place gets $250 and third place receives $100.
Following is a list of some of the best labels from the first eight contests:
A label on a baby stroller warns: âRemove child before folding
A brass fishing lure with a three-pronged hook on the end warns: âHarmful if swallowed
A popular scooter for children warns: "This product moves when used."
A nine- by three-inch bag of air used as packing material cautions: "Do not use this product as a toy, pillow, or flotation device."
A flushable toilet brush warns: "Do not use for personal hygiene."
The label on an electric hand blender promoted for use in "blending, whipping, chopping and dicing," warns: "Never remove food or other items from the blades while the product is operating."
A digital thermometer that can be used to take a person's temperature several different ways warns: "Once used rectally, the thermometer should not be used orally."
A household iron warns users: âNever iron clothes while they are being wornâ
A label on a hair dryer reads, âNever use hair dryer while sleepingâ
A warning on an electric drill made for carpenters cautions: âThis product not intended for use as a dental drill.â
The label on a bottle of drain cleaner warns: âIf you do not understand, or cannot read, all directions, cautions and warnings, do not use this product.â
A smoke detector warns: âDo not use the Silence Feature in emergency situations. It will not extinguish a fire.â
A massage chair warns: âDO NOT use massage chair without clothing... and, Never force any body part into the backrest area while the rollers are moving.â
A cardboard car sunshield that keeps sun off the dashboard warns, âDo not drive with sunshield in placeâ
An âAim-n-Flameâ fireplace lighter cautions, âDo not use near fire, flame or sparksâ
A label on a hand-held massager advises consumers not to use âwhile sleeping or unconsciousâ
A 12-inch rack for storing compact disks warns: âDo not use as a ladder.â
A cartridge for a laser printer warns, âDo not eat tonerâ
A 13-inch wheel on a wheelbarrow warns: âNot intended for highway useâ
A can of self-defense pepper spray warns users: âMay irritate eyesâ
A warning on a pair of shin guards manufactured for bicyclists says: âShin pads cannot protect any part of the body they do not cover.â
A snowblower warns: âDo not use snowthrower on roof.â
A dishwasher carries this warning: âDo not allow children to play in the dishwasher.â
A popular manufactured fireplace log warns: âCaution - Risk of Fireâ
A box of birthday cake candles says: âDO NOT use soft wax as ear plugs or for any other function that involves insertion into a body cavity.â http://www.mlaw.org/wwl/photos.html
PAST WINNERS OF M-LAW'S WACKY WARNING LABEL CONTESTS
In 1997, Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch (M-LAW) began a contest to expose how frivolous lawsuits, and a concern about potential frivolous lawsuits, have led to a new cultural phenomenon: the wacky warning label.
You have probably heard about the lawsuit over a spilled cup of coffee. However, there are many other silly lawsuits involving products that have received far less attention. For example, did you know a man received $50,000 when he sued a small company that makes basketball nets because he claimed the company was responsible when he caught his teeth in a net while dunking a ball? People who make products hear about these outrageous lawsuits, and they often decide to slap common sense warnings on their product... âjust in case.â
Over the years, M-LAW has received hundreds of warning labels from people around the world. M-LAW verifies the authenticity of each label and selects the âTop 5â for each year. Then, a radio audience selected the top three winners. The past four years, listeners of the award-winning Dick Purtan show on WOMC in Detroit have selected the winners.
The first place winner receives $500, second place gets $250 and third place receives $100.
Following is a list of some of the best labels from the first eight contests:
A label on a baby stroller warns: âRemove child before folding
A brass fishing lure with a three-pronged hook on the end warns: âHarmful if swallowed
A popular scooter for children warns: "This product moves when used."
A nine- by three-inch bag of air used as packing material cautions: "Do not use this product as a toy, pillow, or flotation device."
A flushable toilet brush warns: "Do not use for personal hygiene."
The label on an electric hand blender promoted for use in "blending, whipping, chopping and dicing," warns: "Never remove food or other items from the blades while the product is operating."
A digital thermometer that can be used to take a person's temperature several different ways warns: "Once used rectally, the thermometer should not be used orally."
A household iron warns users: âNever iron clothes while they are being wornâ
A label on a hair dryer reads, âNever use hair dryer while sleepingâ
A warning on an electric drill made for carpenters cautions: âThis product not intended for use as a dental drill.â
The label on a bottle of drain cleaner warns: âIf you do not understand, or cannot read, all directions, cautions and warnings, do not use this product.â
A smoke detector warns: âDo not use the Silence Feature in emergency situations. It will not extinguish a fire.â
A massage chair warns: âDO NOT use massage chair without clothing... and, Never force any body part into the backrest area while the rollers are moving.â
A cardboard car sunshield that keeps sun off the dashboard warns, âDo not drive with sunshield in placeâ
An âAim-n-Flameâ fireplace lighter cautions, âDo not use near fire, flame or sparksâ
A label on a hand-held massager advises consumers not to use âwhile sleeping or unconsciousâ
A 12-inch rack for storing compact disks warns: âDo not use as a ladder.â
A cartridge for a laser printer warns, âDo not eat tonerâ
A 13-inch wheel on a wheelbarrow warns: âNot intended for highway useâ
A can of self-defense pepper spray warns users: âMay irritate eyesâ
A warning on a pair of shin guards manufactured for bicyclists says: âShin pads cannot protect any part of the body they do not cover.â
A snowblower warns: âDo not use snowthrower on roof.â
A dishwasher carries this warning: âDo not allow children to play in the dishwasher.â
A popular manufactured fireplace log warns: âCaution - Risk of Fireâ
A box of birthday cake candles says: âDO NOT use soft wax as ear plugs or for any other function that involves insertion into a body cavity.â http://www.mlaw.org/wwl/photos.html