$1 Mil lawsuit for lost Xbox

March 11, 2009 by Jin
Filed under Off the Wall, Recent

Baggage claim

In the latest story of abuse of the American judicial system, a Yale University student is now suing US Airways up to $1,000,000 for misplacing the Xbox 360 video console he checked into baggage. According to Jesse Maiman, his lost Xbox has a specialized hard drive and other components that cost more than $1,000.

After landing from his flight from New Haven, Connecticut, Maiman noticed that his bag was lighter. Upon opening his bag, he saw that everything was there except the video-game console and its accompanying components.

He immediately went to a US Airways representative at the airport to report a theft. What followed, his suit alleges, was weeks of “an unconscionable ‘run-around’ ” that saw him write or speak to five airline employees.

“This was an annoyance that they really hoped not to deal with,” Maiman said.”That thing was my DVD player.”

It sure doesn't look like it'll be worth a million dollars of emotional distress.

The suit seeks to have the airline pay him $1,700 for the loss of the gaming system and for “non-economic distress” of at least $25,000, but “in the maximum amount allowable by law or, in the alternative, in the sum of $1,000,000.” Yeah, a Yale University student actually expects the airline to fork over $1,000,000 for a lost Xbox.

A US Airways spokeswoman said the airline was unaware of the lawsuit, and notes that, there are federal loss limits applicable to all airlines on their liability for lost luggage and belongings, which are currently set at $3,300 per bag.

It’s surprising that a fellow as academically smart as Jesse Maiman didn’t consider simply keeping the Xbox with his carry on luggage. Most travelers don’t put expensive electronic devices such as laptop computers into checked baggage.

Via Cinncinati Enquirer.

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