German courts issue rulings on liability, employment, and property

Several recent German court rulings have addressed diverse legal issues involving consumer liability, employment, and property ownership.

A Munich District Court rejected a €10,000 claim for pain and suffering from an Oktoberfest visitor who injured his wrist on a ride. The court ruled that the operator fulfilled its safety obligations, as the ride was technically sound and warning signs explicitly prohibited raising arms above the head.

In an employment case, the Heilbronn Labor Court ruled that while an employee could be dismissed for sexual harassment at a company party, an immediate termination without notice was disproportionate. The court cited the employee's nearly ten-year unblemished service and the influence of alcohol during the single incident as factors making continued employment until the standard notice period reasonable.

Additionally, the Higher Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main ruled against a Ferrari collector attempting to reclaim a rare Daytona. The collector claimed the vehicle was transferred to a dealer solely for registration purposes, but the court found insufficient evidence of this alleged sham agreement, noting the dealer had treated the car as his own property.