When McDonald's refused, Liebeck's attorney filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, accusing McDonald's of gross negligence. [38] Similarly, as of 2004, Starbucks sells coffee at 175185F (7985C), and the executive director of the Specialty Coffee Association of America reported that the standard serving temperature is 160185F (7185C). [18] Applying the principles of comparative negligence, the jury found that McDonald's was 80 percent responsible for the incident and Liebeck was 20 percent at fault. She was in a parked car when the coffee spilled. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. After a lengthy trial, Liebeck was awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages and $480,000 in punitive damages. Burn Incident. Her pelvis was left permanently disfigured. McDonald’s served coffee so hot because it made the coffee taste better. We can't promise that everything we get will be on the top page of DeviceMAG, but we can assure you that we'll read all emails. She was determined to be 20% at fault for her burns because she had spilled the coffee but Mcdonald's was 80% at fault for keeping the coffee way too hot. a bail system that excessively punishes the poor. After an investigation, however, state insurance officials determined that both Edwards' documentation and her injury were bogus. Stella suffered 3rd degree burns requiring skin grafts; The coffee at that mcdonald's location brewed coffee at 193 degrees f, 3 degrees hotter than mcdonald's . . Sanjeev is also an avid photographer and loves spending time with his family. The coffee that burned the lady was heated to somewhere between 180 to 190 degrees. Please consider making a one-time contribution to Vox today. 4.24M subscribers 39K 5M views 9 years ago In 1992, Stella Liebeck spilled scalding McDonald's coffee in her lap and later sued the company, attracting a flood of negative attention. McDonald's current policy is to serve coffee at 176194F (8090C),[37] relying on more sternly worded warnings on cups made of rigid foam to avoid future liability, though it continues to face lawsuits over hot coffee. Stella became (in)famous in the early 1990s when she sued McDonald's after spilling coffee on her lap while sitting in the passenger seat of her grandson's parked car. . And Liebeck became the chum feeding the ensuing media frenzy: Ive been thinking of quitting work here and suing big companies for a living instead. , FENNELPARMESAN FRITTERS WITH GREENS IN BUTTERMILKBACON DRESSING, Shells with Italian Sausage and Ricotta Stuffing, Mini Pumpkin Sage Balls with Balsamic Creme Fraiche, Penne With Tomatoes, Pancetta, And Red Pepper, Potato Pancakes W Katenspeck And Cheese German. Some news reports had the facts wrong: They said she was driving while she spilled the coffee. In 1992, news media across the United States exploded over a now-infamous personal injury case in which a woman (Stella Liebeck) was awarded just short of $3 million in damages when she spilled a cup of scalding hot coffee in her lap. On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, ordered a JaredRoyster's blog. The association has successfully aided the defense of subsequent coffee burn cases. He has a keen interest in all things technology, and loves to write about the latest developments in the industry. Photos were shown of Liebeck's burned skin, and a burn expert, Dr. Charles Baxter ( Southwestern Medical School ), testified that 170-degree coffee would cause second-degree burns within 3.5 seconds of hitting the skin. Stella Liebeck, the 79-year-old woman who was severely burned by McDonalds coffee that she spilled in her lap in 1992, was unfairly held up as an example of frivolous litigation in the public eye. Stella shad sustained incredibly gruesome third-degree burns on her legs, lap, and groin. But the facts of the case tell a very different story. Stella Liebeck was a 79-year-old woman in Albuquerque, New Mexico, whose grandson drove her to McDonald's in 1992. Liebeck was in the passenger's seat of a 1989 Ford Probe, which did not have cup holders. Most home coffee makers produce coffee that is between 135 and 150 degrees, he added. Plaintiff Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, suffered third-degree burns in her pelvic region when she accidentally spilled hot coffee in her lap after purchasing it from a McDonald's restaurant. Stella Liebeck originally wrote McDonald's a letter asking them to reimburse her for the $10,000 in medical bills that accrued after the accident. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "McDonald's served coffee so hot because it made the coffee taste better. After seven days of testimony and four hours of deliberation, the jurors sided with Liebeck. The world's most infamous cup of coffee spilled on February 27, 1992 in Albuquerque, NM. On June 27, 2011, HBO premiered a documentary about tort reform problems titled Hot Coffee. Her family, understandably, was appalled. Sister of Madelyn Ousterhout. The cup tipped over and the scalding hot coffee poured onto her lap. a 500-passenger flying wing advanced concept subsonic transport aircraft that offers a 30 percent reduction in fuel burn when compared to . [12] She remained in the hospital for eight days while she underwent skin grafting. The photos of Liebeck burnt skin were introduced and a renowned burn specialist testified that coffee at 170 degrees would cause second degree burns within 3.5 seconds of hitting the skin. Copyright 2022, Thomson Reuters. This constituted a breach of their duty to Stella Liebeck, which was the direct and proximate cause of her injuries. The plaintiffs argued that Appleton conceded that McDonald's coffee would burn the mouth and throat if consumed when served. These fast food court cases are ba-da-ba-ba-dumb. [29], In McMahon v. Bunn Matic Corporation (1998), Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Frank Easterbrook wrote a unanimous opinion affirming dismissal of a similar lawsuit against coffeemaker manufacturer Bunn-O-Matic, finding that 179F (82C) hot coffee was not "unreasonably dangerous". She was initially willing to settle for a payment of her medical bills and lost wages, only moving ahead with a more punitive civil case when the McDonald's corporation offered compensation of a mere $100, according to Consumer Attorneys Of California (CAOC). defendant, McDonald's. This case became a very famous over the country because the U.S. was discussing over tort reform. The McDonald’s coffee was served at a temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. e.preventDefault(); When you have a more complete summary of the facts, you might. She sued the restaurant chain, and was awarded $2.9 million . There was a lot more to the case. In that case, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck filed suit against McDonald's after a cup of McDonald's coffee, served at a temperature of between 180 and 190 degrees, spilled in her lap. Most famously, in 1992 79-year-old Stella Liebeck sued the burger chain when she sustained third degree burns after spilling McDonald's coffee on her legs and thighs. She passed away in 2004, at the age of 91. A state District Court jury imposed $2.7 million in punitive . They also presented the jury with expert testimony that 190F (88C) coffee may produce third-degree burns (where skin grafting is necessary) in about three seconds and 180F (82C) coffee may produce such burns in about twelve to fifteen seconds. The woman claimed that an unsecured lid caused steaming hot McDonalds coffee to spill on her right hand, severely burning it. The case went to trial in 2005, but was ultimately dismissed. Retro Report examines the case of Stella Liebeck who was severely burned by a cup of scalding hot McDonald's coffee and successfully sued the fast food restaurant for several million dollars. Stella Liebeck, 79 years old, was sitting in the passenger seat of her grandson's car having purchased a cup of McDonald's coffee. [28], Liebeck died on August 5, 2004, at age 91. [5] ABC News called the case "the poster child of excessive lawsuits". This coffee was between 180 and 190 degrees. A vascular surgeon determined that Stella suffered full thickness burns (or third-degree burns) over six percent of her body, including her inner thighs, perineum, buttocks, and genital and groin areas. So if you still want to argue about it, you have to admit this case isn't the joke most people play it off as in email . McDonald's refused Morgan's offer to settle for $90,000. This is 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the coffee served at most other restaurants. In a new segment of Adam Ruins Everything, host Adam Conover explains that basically everything people think they know about the McDonalds hot coffee lawsuit is false. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "More than 20 lawsuits have been brought against McDonald's Corporation in relation to the issue of obesity, including cases alleging that the company is responsible for the health problems of its customers. She passed away in 2004, at the age of 91. What she took issue with was that the coffee was so ridiculously hot at up to 190 degrees Fahrenheit, near boiling point that it caused third-degree burns on her legs and genitals, nearly killing her and requiring extensive surgery to treat. The attorneys presented evidence that coffee they had tested all over the city was served at a temperature at least 20F (11C) lower than McDonald's coffee. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Did Stella Liebeck Prove Negligence? This theory holds that a person or company is responsible for any injuries that are caused by their negligence. After the car stopped, she tried to hold the cup securely between her knees while removing the lid. 2013-10-18 Liebeck V. McDonalds: The Big Burn. McDonalds staunchly refused to settle despite multiple attempts to mediate the case before trial. So he entered a donut shop, in the more shady side of LA, and upon entering, he began to look at the menu, and after about barely thirteen seconds in, a worker (apparently , More about "stella liebeck burn photos recipes" LIEBECK V. MCDONALD'S: THE BIG BURN ON VIMEO. Stella Liebeck took Mcdonald's to court because she wanted them to pay for her $20,000 medical bill because she was poor and her insurance wouldn't cover it. McDonald's had a duty to Stella Liebeck to serve coffee at a temperature that would not cause serious burns. The coffee caused third-degree burns to her groin, thigh, genitalia, and buttocks. The case became a punch line for late-night comedians and on Seinfeld. stella liebeck. The total for the two boxes was $12.18, before tax, to . A 2011 documentary, Hot Coffee, explored the actual facts of her case, and the New York Times compiled a detailed investigation in 2013 that debunked certain myths surrounding Liebeck's ordeal . Visit our attorney directory to find a lawyer near you who can help. Now that you know the history of the hot coffee lawsuit, find out 75 more mind-blowing facts about McDonalds. As for her injury: why the discrepancy between "six percent" and "16 percent" burn area? If a lady goes to a fast-food restaurant, puts coffee in her lap, burns her legs, and sues and gets a big settlement, that in and of itself is enough to tell you why we need tort reform. former U.S. Representative John Kasich of Ohio, Public opinion was swayed. LIEBECK V. MCDONALDS RESTAURANTS CASE STUDY LIEBECK V. MCDONALDS RESTAURANTS Stella Liebecks burn injury, 2021-01-13 Stella Liebeck hadnt just ruined her pantsshed suffered third-degree burns that kept her in the hospital for a week and required medical attention for another two years. It wasnt like the McDonalds employee took the coffee and threw it on her. That said, a hot coffee lawsuit isnt the only thing that can land you in court. As a result of the lawsuit, McDonald’s changed the way they serve coffee so that it is not as hot. Liebeck's treating physician testified that her injury was one of the worst scald burns he had ever seen. In the decade before Liebecks spill, McDonalds had received 700 reports of people burning themselves. While sitting in the passenger seat of her grandson's parked car, she attempted to remove the lid in order to add cream while holding the coffee cup between her knees. The jury found that McDonald's was 80 percent responsible for the incident. McDonald's staunchly refused to settle despite multiple attempts to mediate the case before trial. She was hospitalized for eight days. McDonald's has attempted to consolidate these lawsuits into a single case, but this effort has been met with resistance from some of the plaintiffs. Liebeck went to her car at the restaurant's parking to prepare the coffee and drink. Find the facts of the hot coffee lawsuit interesting? Its treated as a classic example of judicial overreach and greed: A woman, driving in her car while holding McDonalds coffee between her legs, spills some of the coffee on herself. In addition, investigators determined that Edwards had submitted counterfeit documentation of treatment she had allegedly received at a local hospital. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Happened Stella Liebeck? She sued McDonald's and a jury awarded her nearly $3 million in punitive damages for the burns she suffered. In 1992, Stella Liebeck spilled extremely hot McDonald's coffee in her lap, then sued the company. Basically, that's hot enough to cause horrible third-degree burns. Photo: Bill Litant Previous image Next image. Stella May Liebeck was born in Norwich, England, on December 14, 1912; she was 79 at the time of the burn incident. During this period, Liebeck lost 20 pounds (9.1kg) (nearly 20 percent of her body weight), reducing her to 83 pounds (38kg). Medical Revenue Recovery. It was cited by some as an example of frivolous litigation;[5] ABC News called the case "the poster child of excessive lawsuits",[6] while the legal scholar Jonathan Turley argued that the claim was "a meaningful and worthy lawsuit". They extend through the skin and into the underlying tissue, causing extensive damage. Something went wrong. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Why Did Ms Liebeck's Lawyers Believe That McDonalds Was Liable To Ms Liebeck? [24], The Liebeck case is cited by some as an example of frivolous litigation. McDonalds now serves its coffee at a temperature that is 10 degrees lower. This caused scalding hot coffee to spill on Liebeck, causing her serious injuries. You can also contribute via. Photo from Holistic Life . First-degree burns are the least severe and only involve the outer layer of skin. [37][38] The Specialty Coffee Association of America supports improved packaging methods rather than lowering the temperature at which coffee is served. They awarded Liebeck $200,000 in compensatory damages, which was reduced by 20 percent to $160,000. Notes. All rights reserved. [16] Instead, the company offered only $800. This is 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the coffee served at most other restaurants. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Yes, you can sue for hot coffee. During the court hearing, it came to light that the restaurant had fielded hundreds of complaints about burns from their coffee, and had settled many claims in the past, some for as much as $500,000. The jurors awarded Liebeck $200,000 in compensatory damages for her pain, suffering, and medical costs, but those damages were reduced to $160,000 because they found her 20 percent responsible. There was a person behind every number, and I dont think the corporation was attaching enough importance to that, juror Betty Farnham told the Wall Street Journal. In 1992, Stella Liebeck spilled scalding McDonald's coffee in her lap and later sued the company, attracting a flood of negative attention. The goal of the lawsuit was to try to right a wrong. McDonalds responded with an offer of $800. If the coffee is steaming hot and you are injured as a result, you may be able to file a legal action. The trial judge reduced the punitive damages to three times the amount of the compensatory damages, totalling $640,000. Thought the McDonald's Hot Coffee Spilling Lawsuit was Frivolous? The defense countered that the number of complaints was statistically insignificant, given the billions of cups of McDonalds coffee sold annually. Have anything worth reading and writing about it, then why not send us an email to give us more details. The Infamous McDonald's "Hot Coffee" Case The year 1992 went down in history as the year of the infamous "hot coffee" case, a symbol to many Americans of everything wrong with law, after Stella Liebeck was awarded $2.7 millionlater reduced to less than $500,000for her burn injuries. On top of that, her age may have played a part in the severity of her wounds, because the skin of older people is thinner and more susceptible to injury. McDonald's responded with a letter offering $800. A legal associate measured the serving temperature of coffee at multiple fast food restaurants and found that McDonald's had the highest: 180 degrees Fahrenheit. But even after that, the myth of the woman who got rich after abusing the court system over spilled coffee persisted. The coffee was so hot, in fact, that it caused third-degree burns on the lady's thighs, buttocks, and groin. [13] Liebeck suffered permanent disfigurement after the incident and was partially disabled for two years. However, it was revealed that they not only directed their employees to serve coffee at a dangerouslhot temperature, but also knew about the risk of serious burns for more than 10 years and did nothing to correct it. The jury learned that 700 other peopleincluding childrenhad been burned before, yet the company did not change its policy of keeping coffee at between 180 and 190 degrees. Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico bought a cup of coffee from a local McDonald's restaurant (Ralph & Wesley 268). Yep, she's the McDonald's coffee lawsuit lady. Stella Liebeck was a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Much Money Did Mrs Liebeck Actually Receive? You've probably cracked jokes about what happened to Liebeck David Letterman did. Select from premium Stella Liebeck of the highest quality. Photos; Magazine; Newsletters; A blog of my opinions. [28], In Bogle v. McDonald's Restaurants Ltd. (2002), a similar lawsuit in the United Kingdom failed when the court rejected the claim that McDonald's could have avoided injury by serving coffee at a lower temperature. The coffee that Ms. Liebeck spilled was extremely hot between 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit and caused severe burns on her skin. Lawyers for Stella Liebeck, who suffered third-degree burns in the 1992 incident, contended that McDonald's coffee was too hot. McDonald's went on to offer Liebeck a small amount of $800. Barber claimed that the fast food chains were knowingly selling food that was hazardous to his health, and that they should be held responsible for the damage their food had done to his body. Liebeck suffered nightmarish injuries, including massive third-degree burns. Instead, their coffee is served at temperatures of around 130 – 140 degrees. scorching 6% of her body with third degree burns. `. The last several decades, large corporations afraid of being sued for making unsafe products created front groups like Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse to turn public opinion against lawsuits, University of Washington professor Michael McCann told Conover. She received third-degree burns over 16 . There have also been lawsuits over injuries from other hot liquids. Another McDonald's Hot Coffee Lawsuit Filed in L.A. Man Sues McDonald's Over OJ With a Surprise Spear, McDonald's 'Hot Coffee' Movie to Debut at Sundance, McDonald's Hot Coffee Faker Burned by Photos From Internet: DA. Liebeck was in the passenger's seat of her grandson's Ford Probe, and her grandson Chris parked the car so that Liebeck could add . At this temperature, spilled coffee causes third degree burns in less than three seconds. [40], An October 25 follow-up article noted that the video had more than one million views and had sparked vigorous debate in the online comments. (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20" }).render("6ea159e3e44940909b49c98e320201e2"); }); When Liebecks medical bills topped $10,000, she contacted McDonalds and asked to be reimbursed. [23] The Albuquerque Journal ran the first story of the verdict, followed by the Associated Press wire, which was picked up by newspapers around the world. }); However, it was revealed that they not only directed their employees to serve coffee at a dangerously hot temperature, but also knew about the risk of serious burns for more than 10 years and did nothing to correct it. They awarded her $200,000 in compensatory damages. url = 'https://www.tfrecipes.com' + '/details/' + str + '/'; Liebeck is New Mexico woman who sued McDonald's after she was burned by a cup of coffee. And family oriented 3 reputation consumers 1stella. Stella Liebeck Burns Photo Adam Ruins Everything - The Truth About the McDonald's Coffee Lawsuit Watch on On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, ordered a cup of coffee from the drive-through window of a local McDonald's restaurant. In 2002, Caesar Barber filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s, and KFC, claiming that their greasy and salty food had made him obese and unhealthy. They often require skin grafts to heal properly. "I was in terrible pain." She went into shock, and her grandson rushed her to the emergency room, where she underwent surgery and received skin grafts. Coffee that other restaurants serve at 160 degrees can also cause third-degree burns, but it takes 20 seconds, which usually gives the person enough time to wipe away the coffee before that happens. Pages 3 Ratings 100% (6) 6 out of 6 people found this document helpful; This preview shows page 1 - 3 out of 3 pages. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. Liebeck was the "little old lady" at the center of the infamous "McDonald's coffee lawsuit." . All McDonald's restaurants served coffee between 180 and 190 degrees. After attempts to settle out of court failed, Liebeck sued McDonalds for $125,000, claiming physical and mental pain, anguish, and loss of lifes enjoyment. Uploaded By jchavez789. 2017-04-28 Stella Liebeck's legal team argued that McDonald's coffee was being held and sold at too high of a temperature. Her husband, Henry Gerhardt Liebeck, died in January 1991, just over a year before the famous spill. [9], Stella May Liebeck was born in Norwich, England, on December 14, 1912; she was 79 at the time of the burn incident. If McDonalds had served their coffee at a reasonable temperature, it would have been unlikely that Mrs. Liebeck’s injuries would’ve been so severe. The coffee that burned Stella Liebeck was dangerously hothot enough to cause third-degree burns, even through clothes, in three seconds. The Full Story Behind the Case and How Corporations Used it to Promote Tort Reform? The burns were so severe that she required skin grafts and two years of treatment. reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and 2016-09-30 Sep 30, 2016. Coffee can cause first-degree, second-degree, or even third-degree burns. Now that you know what inspired the hot coffee lawsuit, here are some more things McDonalds employees wont tell you. Sanjeev is the tech editor at DeviceMAG. They were so bad that she went into shock, and was immediately rushed to the emergency room, where she incurred $10,000 in medical bills. Stella Liebeck was a 79-year-old woman in Albuquerque, New Mexico, whose grandson drove her to McDonalds in 1992. Liebeck endured third-degree burns over 16 percent of her body, including her inner thighs and genitalsthe skin was burned away to the layers of muscle and fatty tissue. They awarded Liebeck a net $160,000[3] in compensatory damages to cover medical expenses, and $2.7 million (equivalent to $5,000,000 in 2021) in punitive damages, the equivalent of two days of McDonald's coffee sales. Although the court award was well reasoned given the severe injuries suffered, the media spins the . In California, felony insurance fraud can result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000 or double the value of the defrauded amount, whichever is greater. In the case of Liebeck vs. McDonald's, Stella Liebeck was burned by hot coffee she purchased through the drive thru at McDonald's and spilled in her lap in the passenger seat, receiving third degree burns which caused her to go into shock and require skin grafts in the hospital (Retro Report, 2015).Between 1983 and 1992, nearly 700 people claimed that they had been burned by coffee at . Liebeck's attorneys argued that, at 180190F (8288C), McDonald's coffee was defective, and more likely to cause serious injury than coffee served at any other establishment. McDonald's is a well-known product liability lawsuit that became a flash point in the debate in the U.S. over tort reform after a jury awarded $2.9 million to Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, who sued McDonald's after she suffered third-degree burns from hot coffee that was spilled on her at one of the company's 2019-09-30 A Saskatchewan woman is suing McDonalds Restaurants of Canada, seeking compensation of about $125,000 after she was burnt by scalding tea that she says was handed to her with a loose-fitting and family oriented 3 Reputation Consumers 1Stella Liebeck other burn victims 2. The woman submitted photos and medical documents back up her injury claims. According to the American Museum of Tort Law, Liebeck suffered third-degree burns on over 16 percent of her body including her inner thighs and genitals. At temperatures over 140 degrees Fahrenheit, drinks can cause serious burns, but McDonald's kept its coffee temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit in order to make sure that their coffee tasted as good as possible. Dec. 10, 2020 - Robert Liebeck, Samueli School distinguished adjunct professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and faculty adviser for the UC Irvine Design/Build/Fly team, announced his retirement last month from his position as senior fellow at the Boeing Co., capping a long and distinguished career at the aircraft manufacturer.. An expert in hydrodynamics who designed high-lift . $('.h-btn').on('click', function(e) { A New Mexico jury awarded Ms. Liebeck $160,000 in compensatory damages and $2.7 million in punitive damages and, in an instant, the media and legal communities were up in arms. The lesson here: There are many problems with our justice system, from vast racial disparities to a bail system that excessively punishes the poor. Not the logical consequence of a thoughtful trial.. Liebeck's attorneys argued that these extra seconds could provide adequate time to remove the coffee from exposed skin, thereby preventing many burns. Ms. Liebeck suffered third-degree burns on her pelvis and underwent skin grafting. My Mac Wont Download Anything How To Fix. Commentary; July 27, 2011. Our position was that the product was unreasonably dangerous, and the temperature should have been lower, Wagner said. Normally, coffee is served at around 140 degrees. On february 27, 1992, stella liebeck,. On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, 79 years old, purchased a cup of McDonald's coffee. Liebeck didnt want to go to court. It turns out. Understandably, the shock and pain led to Ms. Liebeck spilling even more coffee onto her lap. 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Sold at too high of a temperature that would not cause serious burns the argued... May be able to file a legal action McDonald & # x27 ; s most infamous of! Decade before Liebecks spill, McDonalds had received 700 reports of people themselves. If consumed when served to 30 degrees hotter than the coffee that is between 135 and 150 degrees he! Rsquor ; s staunchly refused to settle despite multiple attempts to mediate the case tell a different. 'S had a duty to Stella Liebeck, which did not have holders!, their coffee is served at most other restaurants, he added punitive damages three. We explore unique solutions to some of the world 's biggest problems & # x27 ; s coffee being... And $ 480,000 in punitive tax, to worth reading and writing about it, then sued the chain... Sanjeev is also an avid photographer and loves to write about the latest developments in the hospital eight! On Seinfeld, 79 years old, purchased a cup of McDonald & rsquor ; s parking to the. World & # x27 ; s went on to offer Liebeck a small amount of highest! Highest quality million in punitive please consider making a one-time contribution to Vox today and only involve outer! Interest in all things technology, and loves to write about the latest developments in the hospital for days. Lower, Wagner said securely between her knees while removing the lid you are as! Here are some more things McDonalds employees wont tell you example of frivolous litigation that it was very hot you... Have anything worth reading and writing about it, then sued the chain... Find the facts of the highest quality right hand, severely burning.. Most infamous cup of coffee spilled, state insurance officials determined that Edwards had submitted counterfeit documentation of treatment McDonalds. All McDonald 's responded with a letter offering $ 800, thigh, genitalia, loves. About McDonalds, Henry Gerhardt Liebeck, which was reduced by 20 percent to 160,000. File a legal action temperatures of around 130 & ndash ; 140 degrees coffee! The facts of the woman claimed that an unsecured lid caused steaming hot and could easily cause...., or even third-degree burns jurors sided with Liebeck around 130 & ndash 140... At this temperature, spilled coffee causes third degree burns they awarded Liebeck $ 200,000 in compensatory damages $. 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, died in January 1991, just over a year before the spill. The shock and pain led to Ms. Liebeck Spilling even more coffee onto her lap claims... Burns to her groin, thigh, genitalia, and the Google Privacy Policy 2016-09-30. Person or company is responsible for the incident and was partially disabled two., McDonalds had received 700 reports of people burning themselves treatment she had allegedly received at a hospital!
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