• Woman who walked into traffice sues Google for providing unsafe directions.  (Read story)
• Driver charged with manslaughter after high-speed chase sues police for pursuing him. (Read this story)
• Woman sues former employer, claiming she was fired for being too attractive. (Read full story)
• College grad sues dad for violating agreement to pay for her college costs.  (Read story)
• Inmate who attempted suicide sues jail for giving him a razor.  (Read story)

To voice your vote for the most ridiculous lawsuit for last month, go here .

These crazy lawsuits tell us that you are at risk of losing your assets if you (1) give people directions at their request, (2) try to enforce your policies and procedures with customers or the members of the public, (3) have employees that you terminate for any reason, (4) make promises to your kids that you don't keep even if for good reason - like impossibility, or (5) provide your customers with a product designed for one purpose and they use it for another unintended purpose.  If you communicate with the public, have customers, have employees, have kids, or sell anything to the public, you may want to consider meaningful asset protection planning, because you are at risk.

The U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform released a new study earlier this month that shows small businesses in the U.S. paid out over $105.4 billion in 2008 for tort lawsuits filed against them.  Thirty five billion six hundred million ($35,600,000,000) of that total came out of pocket because it was uninsured.  Another $28 billion was paid out in medical malpractice costs for doctors in small groups and small medical labs.  The study, conducted by NERA Economic Consulting, estimates that in 2011 small businesses will pay out more than $152 billion in tort lawsuit costs - a 50% increase in just three years.  Those numbers are sobering for any small business owner or medical professional.  Asset protection planning has become one of the fundamental steps for every business organization, large or small, and every business owner or professional.  It is just as essential as tax planning and should be a required component of every business plan.