Marvin Katko broke into an abandoned farmhouse in Eddyville, Iowa, in 1967 and was wounded when a booby-trapped shotgun discharged, striking him in the legs.

Katko suffered non-life threatening injuries that required extensive medical treatment and left him with a permanent limp. He decided to sue the owners of the farmhouse, Edward and Bertha Briney.

At trial, to the surprise of many local observers, Katko prevailed. The jury awarded him $30,000 (including $10,000 in “punitive” damages – to punish the Brineys for their actions leading to Katko’s wounds)!

According to one source on the interne...