Tattoo horror story...can I sue?

Based on the facts you provided, it appears you can sue the artist, the tattoo studio and perhaps your girlfriend, but only if she was a participant in the deception. You have causes of action for misrepresentation, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, as well as several others. The California statutes of limitation on these causes of action are two years from the date of your injury, so you need to act quickly and should consult an attorney. If you file your lawsuit after the statute expires, you will lose your chance of recovery.

You also need to mitigate your damages, so you should investigate whether you can change the characters into something that doesn't have the same meaning. If that's not possible, you need to investigate tattoo removal and the costs. You can include the change/removal cost in the damages you claim.

As seen on tv..


http://www.tv.com/committed/the-apartment-episode/episode/382875/recap.html

Jan. 11, 2005 episode of NBC's new sitcom "Committed", there is a story about Bowie's (Darius McCrary) Chinese character tattoo.

The next day at the record store Nate and Bowie talk about how Nate needs to throw all his crap out. The Chinese delivery guy shows up and tells Bowie that his tattoo doesn't mean "Fiery Strength," it actually means "Lil' B*tch." Bowie doesn't take that well.

Another Chinese delivery guy shows up and Bowie has him translate his tattoo. He says it means, "Of two men who love each other, you are the one who plays the woman."

Bowie is picking out a new tattoo, and the tattoo guy suggests picking another Chinese character. Bowie doesn't trust the poster of them on the wall, but starts to look at a Chinese food menu.

Bowie is on the subway and a guy compliments his tattoo. He asks if Bowie knows what it means and he says "Lemon Chicken." When the guy says that Bowie must really like lemon chicken, Bowie says, "I do now."