Very few cases make it to trial, as trials are very expensive. In a perfect world, stupid stuff like this would get thrown out before it makes it very far, but sometimes you have to go through the motions a bit before 1) the parties settle or 2) a judge finally says "Are you kidding me?" and tosses the whole thing. Most of the legal system is finding a magic number (dollar amount or time served) that both sides can live with, but that still involves motions, briefs, depositions, and so on.
I do absolutely think this is stupid, but other people's stupid lawsuits pay my bills, so I shouldn't complain too much.