Wackiest personal injury suits of 2006

Filing personal injury suits to remedy pain and mental anguish suffered in fateful accidents has become increasingly popular in our state courts.

Some of the more unusual lawsuits filed in 2006 include:

Butter on steps renders Casino Queen unseaworthy, suit says

An accumulation of butter on steps inside the Casino Queen rendered the gambling boat unseaworthy, according to a "Jones Act" personal injury lawsuit filed in August by an employee.

Beverly Shinn of St. Clair County claims she slipped and fell as she was walking up a set of steps while on duty as a cage cashier Aug. 9, 2003.

The Illinois Appellate Court ruled that employees who work riverboat casinos are "seamen" and can sue for damages under the Jones Act.

Holiday Inn sued after manager bites customer

Danny Glasgow of Montrose, Iowa claims a hotel manager bit his right index finger after he demanded a refund and an apology for being told to shut up.

Glasgow filed suit against the Alton Holiday Inn and its manager Joel Schunk in Madison County Circuit Court April 20 over an incident that took place Aug. 29, 2004.

According to the suit, Glasgow is seeking in excess of $150,000 in damages for injuries to his index finger.

Friend files suit for injuries from dog's mess

A woman who sustained injuries to her ankle after slipping in dog urine filed suit against her friends for failing to clean their kitchen floor.

Wanda Vogler claims she was a guest at Jeremiah Boykin's Collinsville home on Nov. 2, 2005. Boykin allegedly noticed the dog urinated on the kitchen floor, but in his haste to get his daughter to school, failed to clean the mess the dog created.

According to Vogler, at about 9 a.m. she slipped and fell on the wet kitchen floor in the urine Boykin allowed to remain.

Customer physically, emotionally ill after discovering animal tooth in peanuts

A Sam's Club customer who claims he bit into a non-human animal tooth while munching on Planter's Salted Peanuts, is suing Kraft Foods in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Carl T. Cornett of Fayette County alleges he became violenty, physically and mentally ill after he spit an animal tooth from his mouth and into his hand.

The incident took place Aug. 25, 2005.

Bible study hosts sued by guest

Theresa Hunt is suing the hosts of a Bible study group for injuries she sustained after tripping on raised pavement in their driveway.

The defendants, Chris and Mary Beth Robinson, reside at 8476 Triple Lakes Rd. in Dupo.

According to the two-count lawsuit filed May 5 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Hunt was carrying food to the front door when she tripped over a speedbump. The incident took place May 11, 2004.