[Super Nintendo Chalmers]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I just want to explain how this stuff gets into the media and where all these $600,000 numbers come from...
In 99.9% of these cases neither the lawyers nor the clients would go to the media. But you have to file a lawsuit within 2 years of the "date of loss" or your claim dies. So, as a matter of routine, a lawsuit gets filed. The numbers in the lawsuit have no real connection to reality - they are just meant to be big enough to cover the highest possible extent of the claim. I always sue for $100,000 (or more, if warranted) - it's just a number. One of the reasons to keep numbers big is to avoid falling under the "expedited procedure" rules.
How this stuff gets into the media is this... The Toronto Star would have a Court beat reporter. The filed Statements of Claim are public documents. The reporter probably has a contact among the clerks who tips him off when something interesting gets filed (an unusual case, celebrities, etc). Hence, you get headlines like "Home-builder sues Jarome Iginla for $2,000,000".

I like the "whore wants get rich" version better.