SUPERHEROES AND PROPERTY DAMAGE “Make a face like that, and it’ll stay that way forever.” You may have heard something like this from Mom’s book of wisdom. Maybe you never disputed the idea that mother knows best. But as you grew up, it slowly became clear that hair doesn’t grow back faster and thicker if you shave it, cracking your knuckles doesn’t cause arthritis, and gum doesn’t stay in your stomach for months after you swallow it. After a whirlwind of wives’ tales over the years, many common claims have been put under scrutiny. Wives’ tales have been known as pseudoscience and blind intuition, but even as many were disproved, some surprisingly proved to hold weight. Here are three wives’ tales that have proven to be true. Garlic Cures Colds For decades, moms have professed the healing properties of garlic, suggesting it can cure colds and help the body fight sickness. It turns out they were absolutely right. Garlic has antiviral properties that strengthen the immune system and nutrients that help combat illnesses. The effects of garlic can actually be more effective than over-the- counter flu medications. Some studies show that regular consumption of raw garlic lessens the likelihood of getting a cold, so if you feel a tickle in your throat, try a clove before you open the medicine cabinet. Mom Really Does Know Best With all the recent hype over the new Marvel and DC Comics films, superheroes like The Hulk, Wonder Woman, Captain America, and Batman are entertaining millions with their extraordinary strength and ability and their witty repertoire. As viewers watch them speed through the city throwing cars and tearing down buildings to catch an evil villain, they are swept up in the chase. All that matters is that their group of heroes defeats the miscreant and restores peace to the planet. While attorneys can watch these films and feel the excitement along with everyone else, many can’t avoid taking note of the property damage sustained during these battles royal — especially when The Hulk is involved. This begs the question: Would Bruce Banner be liable for The Hulk’s damage? Are there special loopholes for you once you choose capes and Batmobiles over the typical nine-to-five shift and 401(k)? Are mutants a protected class? Who foots the bill when The Hulk gets angry and damages property while fighting a villain? When considering any possible property damages sustained by Banner once he turns into The Hulk, attorneys would have to keep in mind that mental state is always important for both criminal and civil liability. When it comes to The Hulk’s mental state, the waters Can I Sue the Hulk?
Heartburn Means a Hairy Baby It’s hard to list wives’ tales without bringing up one about pregnancy. Many are solely based on intuition, but a few that sound odd are legitimate. In 2007, a study done by Johns Hopkins attempted to debunk the myth that heartburn during pregnancy would mean a hairy baby at birth. Instead of proving it wrong, they found that 82 percent of women with severe heartburn during pregnancy gave birth to hairy babies. Turns out the hormones that cause heartburn in pregnant women also affect fetal hair growth. Joint Pain Predicts the Weather Did you ever look at your mom with skepticism when she would predict rain because her knees hurt? If so, you might owe your mom an apology, because there is a scientific connection. The drop in barometric pressure that’s common during storm weather causes pain in arthritic joints.
can get murky. First and foremost, you have to consider whether you are evaluating the more mindless Hulk from the early comics, when Banner had no control over his transformations and The Hulk’s actions, or if you are dealing with the later versions, when Banner was in complete control at all times. If attorneys are evaluating the modern Marvel hero, the court would likely consider Banner liable for
the damages because his personality, behavior, or actions would not be analyzed separately as two different people. In this way, Banner could be sued for the property damages sustained during his transformation. Due to all the protection he provides, though, perhaps some courts would let the lawsuits slide due to his sacrificial good behavior.
Attorneys Paul Levin & Kelly Kasheta
2 • 860-560-7226
www.connecticutinjuryhelp.com
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