quite a lot of info here :-

http://www.marklitwak.com/faq/life_story_rights.html

Hope it helps

I recall comic artist Todd McFarlane being sued for creating a villain in one of his stories that was similar to a famous hockey player.

Second paragraph here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_McFarlane#Lawsuits

It doesn't say on the wiki but I think Twist ended up getting a cool 5 mil.

Lazzard: Thanks for that link. I've referenced Litwalk before re issues of entertainment law. His website is a good one.

Thanks for the information. I really appreciate it. :)

I also had a similar inquiry as Davina -- except the true events that occurred are just the genesis of story idea but anything else I planned to write would be completely fictional.