Jailed Pimp Sues Nike: Are Air Jordans 'Dangerous Weapons'?

By Jenny Tsay, Esq. on January 14, 2014 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

A convicted pimp is suing Nike from behind bars, accusing the footwear company of an alleged defect: a failure to warn that Air Jordans can be dangerous weapons.

Sirgiorgio Clardy, 26, of Portland, Oregon, asesrts that Nike should've warned consumers that their sneakers could cause serious injury or death. The reason: Clardy was wearing Air Jordans when he repeatedly stomped the face of a john who tried to "hit it and quit it" without paying, reports The Oregonian.

Why does Clardy think Nike should be held liable for the brutal stomping he committed?

Hidden Danger Alleged

Clardy is suing Nike under product liability laws, claiming the company failed to adequately warn him that its product could cause serious injury. The failure to warn allegedly caused him mental suffering, according to The Oregonian.

Under product liability laws, companies have a duty to make sure that there products are safe for consumers. Companies are also required to warn users about hidden dangers of the product and provide instructions for how to properly use the product. Warnings aren't always required, so it's only when the manufacturer knows of the danger and when the danger isn't obvious to the consumer that warnings are needed.

However, when it comes to sneakers, you probably won't see a warning about using them to stomp someone's face.

Are Clardy's Claims Fit for Compensation?

Clardy is claiming that because of Nike's failure to warn him about the potential dangerousness of his Air Jordans, he didn't know that they could be used as a dangerous weapon.

Clardy's claim, however, is pretty laughable -- arguably, his leg and foot were the dangerous weapons here because they're what really did the damage. In fact, his Air Jordans probably protected his feet from getting blood all over them when he stomped on the john's face.

Furthermore, a jury would likely find it completely unreasonable for Nike to have predicted that its sneakers would be used to violently assault someone.

Even if the convicted pimp's claim was reasonable, it's hard to feel sympathetic for him. He's been sentenced to 100 years for stomping the john's face in, robbing him, and also beating up a prostitute so bad that she bled out of her ears, reports UPI. You can't blame Air Jordans for that.

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