People may wish to sue others in BitLife for various reasons, such as being defrauded of money or needing extra funds to deal with life’s obstacles.
In this article, we’re going to take a close look at some of the most egregious cases of Karens being sued for damages in the game. Additionally, we’ll explain why it’s important to keep track of these incidents.
1. Karen Hepp vs. Facebook
Karen Hepp, a journalist for over two decades who co-anchors a morning show in Philadelphia, is suing Facebook and several other internet companies for allegedly violating her statutory and common law right of publicity. She claims that a photograph taken without her consent from a convenience store security camera was posted without her authorization on social media sites such as Reddit and Imgur; furthermore, Karen claims the image accompanied derogatory and indecent user commentary about her physical appearance.
Hepp filed a lawsuit in federal court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against Facebook, Reddit, and Imgur. She contends that these companies violated her statutory and common law rights of publicity by using her name, photograph, and likeness without consent for commercial purposes. Furthermore, Hepp claims each company’s actions have caused irreparable harm to her reputation.
The companies moved to dismiss Hepp’s complaint on the basis that her statutory claim is barred by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (CDA), which shields Internet service providers from claims related to their services. They maintained that Hepp’s right of publicity claim does not meet CDA’s intellectual property exception since it does not involve her likeness being used commercially.
However, the court rejected this argument, noting that Hepp’s statutory right of publicity claim concerns her commercial interest in her name and likeness and thus falls within the CDA’s intellectual property exception. It highlighted that “[i]f we were to find Hepp’s common-law right of publicity claim unbarred by the CDA then we would be faced with an array of inconsistent state laws which would severely restrict protected speech in ways far outweigh its benefits.”
The court also rejected Facebook’s contentions that a state-level right of publicity statute does not create liability in the absence of an equivalent common-law right. It explained that this limitation is necessary to prevent individuals from claiming such rights without sufficient financial resources or legal standing to back it up.
2. Karen Piper vs. Pittsburgh Police
Karen Piper is a recognized expert in high-profile government, law enforcement and sensitive internal investigations. She has served as an advisor to several prominent clients such as Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos; a major university; and the New York Attorney General’s Office, among others. Additionally, Karen represented a key witness in an independent investigation of sexual harassment allegations against former governor of New York; additionally she prepared Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton for their presidential debate appearances.
She has also perfected the art of press release writing and often assists her clients with conveying their messages concisely, clearly and with lasting impact. For instance, when Pittsburgh’s mayor announced a radical overhaul of city government in 2016, she was on hand to deliver an award-winning press release that captured national attention.
District Attorney Stephen Zappala has never shied away from a challenge and has been an enthusiastic supporter of reforming the city’s police department since he took office in 2009. As for the Jordan Miles incident, it remains an open case as of press time – and for good reason: many individuals claiming to be Jordan’s family are seeking redress in courtrooms.
3. Karen Garner vs. Loveland Police
Loveland Police Chief Robert Ticer announced Friday that three officers involved in an arrest last year of Karen Garner, 73 years old with dementia, have since left their posts. These include Officers Austin Hopp and Daria Jalali as well as Community Service Officer Tyler Blackett.
Though Loveland police have previously faced lawsuits related to excessive force by its officers, this is the first time they’ve been sued over an individual incident. A lawyer named Sarah Schielke filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Loveland and five police officers involved in Garner’s arrest or at the jail where she was booked.
On June 2020, Garner was walking home from Walmart when she was allegedly caught shoplifting $14 worth of merchandise. A police report states that when arrested, her arms were down and head bowed; additionally, she suffered a broken arm as well as other injuries sustained during the ordeal.
One of the Loveland police officers present during the arrest is accused of dislocating Garner’s shoulder while she was being handcuffed. Former Loveland Police Officer Austin Hopp pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in August for his role in the arrest.
This week, a video emerged showing Garner standing in front of the squad car as Hopp holds her arm behind her back and the sound of cracking can be heard as she’s propelled upward. According to Garner’s attorney Sarah Schielke, this is due to her shoulder being dislocated.
Recently, KDVR broadcast a video that was watched by hundreds of viewers. It featured two former Loveland officers who were present during Garner’s arrest laughing, fist-bumping each other and reviewing body camera footage of the incident.
Despite the video, police in Loveland claim the actions of officers who arrested Garner were not indicative of their culture and values. As a result, they conducted an audit and review of their policing policies.
4. Karen Hepp vs. Trader Joe’s
Trader Joe’s is one of the country’s most beloved grocers, known for its eclectic product selection and keen bargain hunting skills. Leveraging their size to negotiate substantial discounts with suppliers, they are particularly known for high-end niche items like Everything But the Bagel seasoning or Cauliflower Gnocchi.
Though Trader Joe’s has earned a reputation for offering great prices, the store has not always lived up to its reputation. Recently, it received criticism over some product names; although the company said it would rectify them, some still view it as an anti-white brand that perpetuates damaging stereotypes. Despite these efforts, some still perceive Trader Joe’s as an oppressive brand that promotes harmful stereotypes.
Some of Trader Joe’s competitors are better known for offering vegan, gluten-free and organic options. Furthermore, they specialize in marketing their own products to consumers with specific needs like those who follow a paleo diet or are allergic to certain ingredients.
Trader Joe’s popularity as a franchise is evident with over 1,500 locations nationwide and another 300 opening this year, according to retail experts. But Trader Joe’s stands out from other supermarket chains in several ways that other supermarket chains cannot match, experts note.
Trader Joe’s is known for offering a more diverse selection of foods than its larger competitors, as well as its friendly atmosphere and ability to cater to customer preferences. It has become an especially popular stop among college students who visit the stores to stock up on school supplies and other essential items they need on their own.
Low prices make this store a go-to for those on a budget, and its commitment to providing high-quality foods makes it ideal for those with health concerns. Families on a tight budget will find plenty of items here too!
But Trader Joe’s is not immune from criticism or lawsuits. A pirate named Jack Hallatt has recently sued them for trademark infringement and other claims, through his business Pirate Joe’s which sells Trader Joe’s merchandise.
Trader Joe’s has filed a lawsuit against Hallatt for trademark infringement, unfair competition and false designation of origin. The company claimed Pirate Joe’s is selling products that infringe upon its trade mark and causes confusion among customers.
