Yes, the threat of being sued is more prevalent than ever today. A threat that in recent years has created an almost paranoid fear among employers, official bodies and school authorities.

A fear fuelled by the regular adverts we all see on television of "no win no fee" law firms hawking their services to people who have suffered accidents.

Health and safety, either in the workplace or school, is very important and I am not trying to mock it, but I read something recently that seemed to be taking it too far.

In 2001 former Manchester City and Wales goalkeeper Andy Dibble won £20,000 damages after claims he'd suffered "horrific" burns from pitch markings.

Goalkeepers are famous for being a fearless bunch, crazy even, as they put their head in where it hurts, which makes Andy Dibble's claim even more amusing.

But what other crazy claims have been made in recent years? Long-term smokers suing cigarette companies after contracting cancer always seems to me to a bit optimistic.

Doing a bit of research for this column, I found some completely ridiculous claims which thankfully usually ended in pain for the plaintiff. Not surprisingly, most of them are from the promised land of lawsuits – America.

In 2005, Austin Aitken sued NBC for $2.5m. He claimed an episode of "Fear Factor" caused him "suffering, injury, and great pain." He said that watching the contestants eat rats on television made him dizzy and light-headed, causing him to vomit and run into a doorway. The judge said the case was frivolous and threw it out.

In 2006, Allen Heckard sued basketball star Michael Jordan and Nike founder Phil Knight for $832m. He claimed to suffer defamation, permanent injury and emotional pain and suffering because people often mistook him for the star. Heckard dropped the lawsuit later that year.

Finally, my favourite. In 1995, Robert Lee Brock sued himself for $5m. He claimed he had violated his own civil rights and religious beliefs by allowing himself to get drunk and commit crimes which landed him in a Virginia prison, serving a 23-year sentence for burglary. The case was thrown out.

I think Mr Brock's got it right. Who hasn't got drunk and regretted something they've done? I could have sued myself for millions.