I came across this story in the SBA Business Monthly newspaper which had been circulating on the web and couldn’t resist blogging it

A Charlotte, NC, lawyer purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against fire, among other things. Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars and without yet having made even his first premium payment on the policy, the lawyer filed claim, against the insurance company.

In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost in a series of small fires. The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion.

The lawyer sued … and Won!!! (Stay with the story)

In delivering the ruling, the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated that nevertheless, the lawyer “held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be unacceptable fire” and so was obligated to pay the claim. Rather than endure a lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15000 to the lawyer for his loss of the rare cigars lost in the “fires”.

Now for the best part …

After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of arson. With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case being used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24000 fine.

Note: Story is a urban legend.

For movie freaks who love to watch courtroom drama, some must see movies

1. To kill a mocking bird.
2. My cousin Vinny.
3. The Rainmaker.
4. 12 Angry Men.
5. Philadelphia.
6. Runaway Jury.
7. Class Action.
8. Rules of engagement.
9. The Pelican Brief.
10. A Few good men.

On this day..

• Flight Nightmare - 2007