Freaky Fast

Jimmy John's is known for touting its “freaky fast delivery,” but that claim could land the company in hot water following a ruling by an Illinois appeals court. Robert Reynolds sued the company and one of its franchises, claiming he broke his leg after a Jimmy John's driver failed to yield to traffic and crashed into his motorcycle.

Reynolds contends that the sandwich chain is so committed to its 15-minute delivery policy that it failed to train its employees to make such deliveries safely. A lower court dismissed Reynolds' complaint in January 2012, but the 4th District Appellate Court ruled this month that the motorcyclist can pursue his suit for negligent training and supervision.

Wig Woes

As if we needed more proof that Hooters cares more about its employees' looks than their brains, a former waitress is suing the restaurant chain for allegedly firing her after she had her head shaved for a craniotomy. In July 2012, Sandra Lupo got a buzz cut when surgeons had to remove a large mass from her brain.

When she tried to return to work, her regional manager reportedly told Lupo that she would have to wear a wig while on the job. When the waitress tried to comply with her boss's request, however, she found that the wig “caused extreme stress to her body because of the surgery and the healing wound.” She claims that her manager then reduced her hours to the point where she was forced to quit, leaving her ineligible for unemployment. Lupo is now suing the restaurant under the Missouri Human Rights Act, which prevents workplace discrimination based on disability.

Singed Suspect

A Pennsylvania trooper will have to face charges from a man who caught fire after being tasered during a traffic stop. In August 2008, troopers Justin LeMaire and Peter Burghart pursued plaintiff Allen Brown after they saw him driving an unlicensed scooter—sans license plates or helmet—down the Schuylkill Expressway. The chase ended with Brown falling off his scooter, which began leaking gas onto him.

When Brown allegedly resisted arrest, Burghart tasered him, igniting the gasoline and setting him ablaze. Brown sued both officers, claiming that he suffered third-degree burns over roughly one-third of his body. A judge this week denied summary judgment to LeMaire—having previously denied immunity to Burghart. He explained his decision by noting that most officers “surely would not conclude that conduct risking lighting [an unarmed] suspect on fire was an appropriate amount of force.”