Well, I have an actual case of such a situation. My father-in-law sold his Buick (which had a trailer towing package) to a colleague, who took it to Woolco automotive for an oil change. They forgot to put the oil in and the owner drove away with no oil in the crankcase. He got to about 6 miles before the engine seized up. Woolco footed the bill for a replacement engine.
Another reason, as many posters pointed out, to be VERY CAREFUL in picking lube chains to do your work.