This week has seen Brandy gain some level of legal closure over compensation for a 2006 car accident that left a woman dead (see Grind Mode Connect 'News' section).   However, she has still to finally settle with the woman's husband who refused $1.2 million in compensation for the accident.  This instance may point to the man not having really dealt with the tragic loss of his wife.  Then again it may point to a feeling that he can gain more financially. 

While we can speculate, we cannot know the true reasons behind the husband's refusal of compensation.  However there does seem to be a spate of celebrity suing - often for far more trivial matters.  Whether it is Justin Timberlake's restaurant, Kanye West losing his temper at LAX or Michael Jackson's concerts - a lawsuit never seems too far behind - regardless of whether the celebrity are themselves at fault or not.

While real grievances should be taken through the courts and awarded relevant compensation, could it be that we are going slightly overboard with the whole thing? 

I can just imagine it now; there I am walking down the street, looking down to check my phone, when I notice a shadow fall across me.  Before I have a chance to fully look up or react I have encountered Puffy (or 'Diddy' - call him what you will), who accidentally steps upon my new trainers (that's "sneakers" in America).  Stopping to assess the damage I notice that he has creased the leather on one toe and scuffed the outer layer slightly.  What's worse is that he seems to have also crushed my foot very slightly.  Hobbling to a low wall I sit down and gingerly remove my shoe and sock.  Yes!  There it is!  A slight graze on my foot.  I quickly take a picture before shouting, "I'll see you in court" at the rapidly retreating mogul, my $80 shoe quickly turning to potential millions before my eyes.

OK - I'm joking and of course such a case would never stand up (would it?).  Plus I would actually be too ashamed to carry it out.  But there are certainly those out there who see celebrities as paydays; whether it is the victims themselves or, perhaps more frequently, at the behest of 'concerned' friends and relatives.  It is a shame that sometimes regular mistakes are followed up by victorious legal action.  We put our celebrities on a pedestal and then act hurt when they fall from grace, forgetting that for all their talents they are people like us.  Their egos may be a little expanded at times (that's the fame) but ultimately they share the same basic hopes and dreams as everyone else.  In our 100-mile-an-hour culture of instant celebrity and instant money (without the effort?) it is all too easy to see the dollar signs, but integrity can't be bought.  Like respect, it needs to be earned. 

I hope that Awatef Aboudihaj's husband, Marouane Hdidou, can find peace over the loss of his wife due to Brandy's car crash - but I also hope that such a real tragedy can help put the frivolous claims of others into perspective...