[citation needed]. A California woman's claim that she was severely burned by spilled McDonald's coffee was revealed to be a scam when investigators discovered that photographs of the woman's alleged injuries had been downloaded off the internet. Steepness of the Slope: What Does It Mean? "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Temperature Was The McDonald's Coffee? The infamous case led to various heated debates about "frivolous lawsuits," despite the fact that the severe burns required skin grafts on Liebeck's inner thighs. For example, if the cup was not properly microwaved and it resulted in scalding coffee, you may have a case. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "According to a beverage resource manual, the standard temperature for hot Starbucks drinks is between 150 and 170 degrees. But if thats your policy, we ask you to worry about your policy.. Coffee can cause first-degree, second-degree, or even third-degree burns. McDonalds apparently knew that this was unsafe. 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 . url = '/react.php?id='+id+'&value='+value; 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. Though there was a warning on the coffee cup, the jury decided that the warning was neither large enough nor sufficient. 2011-12-28 In the McDonalds coffee case, a new documentary called Hot Coffee released this July details the events surrounding the spill on Stella Liebeck, who suffered burns and sued the fast food chain 2018-02-13 Back in 1992, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck was awarded nearly $3 million in damages from McDonald's after receiving third-degree burns from scalding coffee. 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. 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. All McDonald's restaurants served coffee between 180 and 190 degrees. The Chicago mayors race shows Democrats still have a crime problem, The campaign to make insulin less expensive just scored a major victory, OpenAI wants to build systems smarter than us. 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. 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. Moreover, the Shriner's Burn Institute in Cincinnati had published warnings to the franchise food industry that its members were unnecessarily causing serious scald burns by serving beverages above 130 degrees Fahrenheit. How Many Steps To Close Ring On Apple Watch, How Much mAh Do You Need To Charge Your iPhone X. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "McDonald's served coffee so hot because it made the coffee taste better. The key is to prove that the coffee was defective in some way and that this caused your injuries. Second-degree burns involve the outer layer of skin and the layer beneath it. She was in a parked car when the coffee spilled. The coffee caused third-degree burns to her groin, thigh, genitalia, and buttocks. Liebeck's family originally asked McDonald's to cover the woman's out-of-pocket expenses of $2,000 plus lost wages for her daughter, but the company offered only $800. She required extensive skin grafts and surgery. Case Study: The True Story Behind the McDonald's Coffee Lawsuit, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Liebeck_v._McDonald%27s_Restaurants&oldid=1141792275, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 20:48. In the end, all that most people knew about the case came from the headlines and late-night talk shows. 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 parties settled for a confidential amount before an appeal was decided. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "To prove negligence, Stella Liebeck had to show that McDonald's had a duty to her, that they breached that duty, and that the breach was the direct and proximate cause of her injuries. That's when a jury awarded the plaintiff $2.86 million for burns she received when she accidentally spilled . Liebeck suffered burns on her inner thighs, perineum, buttocks, and genital and groin areas. All rights reserved. Since the was was filed, people have pursued hot coffee claims against not just McDonalds but Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, Continental Airlines, and other companies. She was hospitalized for eight days. McDonalds now serves its coffee at a temperature that is 10 degrees lower. The woman submitted photos and medical documents back up her injury claims. Thousands of new high quality images are added every day. newsletter. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. e.preventDefault(); Stella Liebeck, a 79 year-old widow, was sitting in her grandson's car at a McDonald's drive through ordering a meal. (To put this in perspective, McDonald’s revenue from coffee sales alone is in excess of $1.3 million a day.). Liebeck went to her car at the restaurant's parking to prepare the coffee and drink. According to The New York Times, the jurors arrived at this figure from Morgan's suggestion to penalize McDonald's for two days of coffee revenues, about $1.35 million per day. This included news clips, comments from celebrities and politicians about the case, as well as myths and misconceptions, including how many people thought she was driving when the incident occurred and thought that she suffered only minor superficial burns. The cup tipped over and the scalding hot coffee poured onto her lap. 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. There have also been lawsuits over injuries from other hot liquids. 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. She spilled the coffee, was burned, and a year later, sued McDonald's. The jury awarded her $2.9 million dollars. [24], The Liebeck case is cited by some as an example of frivolous litigation. Lawyers for Stella Liebeck, who suffered third-degree burns in the 1992 incident, contended that McDonald's coffee was too hot. In attempting to remove the lid of her coffee cup while motionless . Learn more [22][39] The New York Times noted how the details of Liebeck's story lost length and context as it was reported worldwide. 2013-10-18 Liebeck V. McDonalds: The Big Burn. Stella Liebeck's family initially asked McDonald's to cover her out-of-pocket expenses. 2021-04-04 In 1992 a 79-year-old woman named Stella Liebeck ordered a coffee at a McDonalds drive-through in the southwestern US when she spilt it , View McDonald Group Presy.pptx from BUISNESS MBA 610 at Southern New Hampshire University. We couldnt believe that this much damage could happen over spilled coffee, Liebecks daughter, Judy Allen, said in Scalded by the Media, a 2013 documentary about the case. a bail system that excessively punishes the poor. Select from premium Liebeck of the highest quality. Ms. The jurors then awarded her $2.7 million in punitive damages, which, they reasoned, was equivalent to about two days worth of McDonalds coffee sales. The company knew its coffee was causing serious burns, but it decided that, with billions of cups served annually, this number of burns was not significant. The jury found that McDonald's was 80 percent responsible for the incident. 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 . Liebeck's thighs sustained third-degree burns so severe she required skin grafts. Our position was that the product was unreasonably dangerous, and the temperature should have been lower, Wagner said. For similar uses, see, Michael McCann, William Haltom, and Anne Bloom, "Law & Society Symposium: Java Jive: Genealogy of a Juridical Icon", 56 U. Miami L. Rev. [18] During the case, Liebeck's attorneys discovered that McDonald's required franchisees to hold coffee at 180190F (8288C). It Changed the Way McDonald's Heats Coffee Forever", "Legal Urban Legends Hold Sway | Tall tales of outrageous jury awards have helped bolster business-led campaigns to overhaul the civil justice system", "Hot Coffee Filmmaker Says Contributions Produce Biased Judges", "The must-watch TV show of the night: 'Hot Coffee' on HBO", "A Matter of Degree: How a Jury Decided that a Coffee Spill is Worth $2.9 Million", "The McDonald's Coffee Cup Case: Separating McFacts From McFiction", "Urban legends and Stella Liebeck and the McDonald's coffee case", "Angelina and Jack McMahon, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. Bunn-O-Matic Corporation, James River Paper Company, and Wincup Holdings, L.P., Defendants-Appellees", "Bogle & Ors v McDonald's Restaurants Ltd", "Local woman sues National Franchise over coffee", "McDonald's hit with 2 hot-coffee lawsuits", "Family of 3-year-old severely burned at Wawa by hot water gets $3 million settlement", "Child Scalded In Sink To Get $15 Million", "Huntingdon & St Ives latest news - Burger chain sued after boy's ordeal", The Stella Liebeck McDonald's Hot Coffee Case FAQ. Morgan offered to settle for $300,000, and a mediator suggested $225,000 just before trial; McDonald's refused both. This site is protected by 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. Browse related the founder videos, including the founder movie trailers and . ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The McDonald's coffee was served at a temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. She suffered 3rd degree burns to 16%. [11] However, it came to light that McDonald's had carried out research finding that customers intend to consume the coffee immediately while driving. Jan. 1, 2011 - 1 3 95 .BURN VICTIM STELLA LIEBECK WHO SUED MCDONALDS AFTER SPILLING COFFEE ON HERSELF. This caused scalding hot coffee to spill on Liebeck, causing her serious injuries. Find out some everyday things you do that can get you sued. Sister of Madelyn Ousterhout. After a lengthy trial, Liebeck was awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages and $480,000 in punitive damages. School Portland State University; Course Title BA 385; Type. [12] She remained in the hospital for eight days while she underwent skin grafting. She suffered third-degree burns from the coffee and eventually sued McDonald's. The case became national news when Liebeck was awarded a "$2.9 million settlement." Most people wondered how someone could be awarded so much money for spilling coffee on herself. Medical Revenue Recovery. 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 . Plus, it . There were no cup holders in the car to accommodate for the hot beverages they had ordered, so her grandson parked his car right after receiving their meals. 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. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. 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. Medical Revenue Recovery. Basically, Stella told McDonalds, I want you to cover what Medicare doesnt cover, and I want you to get a better lid on that coffee because I dont want this to happen to another person. That was what she was asking for., That message was lost in all the chatter. [9], Stella May Liebeck was born in Norwich, England, on December 14, 1912; she was 79 at the time of the burn incident. These fast food court cases are ba-da-ba-ba-dumb. "It could operate out of John Wayne Airport 24 hours a day," says Liebeck, who has been developing the BWB as a senior fellow at the Boeing Company for more . Stella Liebeck, a 79 year-old widow, was sitting in her grandson's car at a McDonald's drive through ordering a meal. code or county). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); function react(obj,id, value) { Photo from Holistic Life . Oooh, my coffee was too hot. Its coffee! Reader support helps us keep our explainers free for all. The coffee spilled on Liebecks lap, resulting in second- and third-degree burns over 16 percent of her body. The coffee that burned the lady was heated to somewhere between 180 to 190 degrees. My Mac Wont Download Anything How To Fix. 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. After receiving the coffee, she placed it between her legs while she attempted to remove the lid. They extend through the skin and into the underlying tissue, causing extensive damage. She said the settlement had paid for a live-in nurse. Liebeck settled for less than $600,000. Stella shad sustained incredibly gruesome third-degree burns on her legs, lap, and groin. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Did Stella Liebeck Prove Negligence? Also in both cases the impending . Burn Incident. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Liebeck's attorney based the lawsuit on a theory of negligence. 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. If there was no thing as a defective product lawyer Im betting their Find the perfect Stella Liebeck stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. The Stella Liebeck Story Serious Burns, Hot Coffee, and a Lot of drama. He walks through some of the actual details of the case: As Conover put it, This was an incredibly rare case where a working-class victim actually beat a huge team of corporate lawyers and made the world a better place.. This constituted a breach of their duty to Stella Liebeck, which was the direct and proximate cause of her injuries. Please check your entries and try again. How Do I Get My Boost Account Number And PIN? Mrs. Liebeck’s lawyers believed that McDonalds was liable to Mrs. Liebeck because they served their coffee at an unreasonably high temperature. After receiving the coffee, she placed it between her legs while she attempted to remove the lid. They awarded $2.7 million in punitive damages. That is usually enough time to wipe away the coffee. }); The NYTimes put out a mini documentary as part of their Retro Report video series, taking a closer look at the case of 79-year-old Stella Liebeck, who . [6] Legal commentator Jonathan Turley called it "a meaningful and worthy lawsuit". [16] Instead, the company offered only $800. 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. They awarded Liebeck $200,000 in compensatory damages, which was reduced by 20 percent to $160,000. After hearing the evidence, the jury concluded that McDonalds handling of its coffee was so irresponsible that Liebeck should get much more than $20,000, suggesting she get nearly $2.9 million to send the company a message. A new video produced by Retro Reports shows the graphic photos of the third-degree burns that then-79-year-old Liebeck received on her groin, saying that after viewing the physical damage. 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. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Happened Stella Liebeck? )"}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Hot Was The McDonalds Coffee That Burned The Lady? On february 27, 1992, stella liebeck,. The woman submitted photos and medical documents back up her injury claims. [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. The 1992 McDonalds Drive-thru Coffee Burn Incident; coffee was 180190 F ( 8288 C). But the McDonalds hot coffee case isnt one of those problems. This theory holds that a person or company is responsible for any injuries that are caused by their negligence. Her grandson parked the car to allow Mrs. Liebeck to add cream and sugar to her coffee. They often require skin grafts to heal properly. On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, 79 years old, purchased a cup of McDonald's coffee. [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". stella liebeck burns photo. The coffee . Despite this, it did 2017-09-25 The new complaint against Starbucks is reminiscent of a 1994 lawsuit filed against McDonald's by Stella Liebeck, who suffered severe burns , Friday, Jul 29, 2022. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "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. Liebeck's attorneys argued that these extra seconds could provide adequate time to remove the coffee from exposed skin, thereby preventing many burns. The case became a punch line for late-night comedians and on Seinfeld. The decision was appealed by both McDonald's and Liebeck in December 1994, but the parties settled out of court for an undisclosed amount. 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. Students who viewed this , 2021-11-14 Stella liebeck of albuquerque, new mexico, was in the passenger seat of her grandson's car when she was severely burned by mcdonald's . [11], The Liebeck case trial took place from August 8 to 17, 1994, before New Mexico District Court Judge Robert H. 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. Home. She spent another three weeks recovering at home, where her daughter traveled to take care of her. She just wanted McDonalds to pay her medical expenses, estimated at $20,000. Stella Liebeck was a woman who suffered serious burns as a result of coffee that was served to her at an unreasonably high temperature by McDonald’s. Her lawyers believed that McDonald’s was liable to Stella for their negligence, and were able to prove this in court. She passed away in 2004, at the age of 91. McDonalds responded with an offer of $800. That amounted to about two days of revenue for McDonalds coffee sales. 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. [19], McDonald's claimed that the reason for serving such hot coffee in its drive-through windows was that those who purchased the coffee typically were commuters who wanted to drive a distance with the coffee; the high initial temperature would keep the coffee hot during the trip. 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. [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). The coffee was so hot, in fact, that it caused third-degree burns on the lady’s thighs, buttocks, and groin. States products liability laws contain instructions about warnings: They must be in a conspicuous place and must warn the products user of possibly dangerous features, Wagner said. 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 . Stella was awarded $640,000. Daughter of Robert J. Shreeve and Ethel T. Meadows. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Coffee can cause first-degree, second-degree, or even third-degree burns. On February 27, 1992, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck spilled a cup of McDonald's coffee and ignited a media firestorm. Liebeck v. McDonald's: The Big Burn: With Zachary Green, John Llewellyn, Stella Liebeck, Judy Allen. Liebecks story, like many personal injury lawsuits, got started because of one persons injuries but revealed a larger pattern of corporate behavior that put consumers at unreasonable risk. Ms. Liebeck suffered third degree burns to her skin over 16% of her body, was hospitalized for eight days, and required medical treatment for two full years following the accident. Scott. asking for $20,000 but McDonald's declined that settlement. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. scorching 6% of her body with third degree burns. Yes, you can sue for hot coffee. He has worked in the tech industry for over 15 years, and has written for some of the biggest tech blogs in the world. She received third-degree burns over 16 . 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. Nevertheless, I think the initial award certainly got everybodys attention, not necessarily in a favorable way, said Farnham. In September 2019, a New Jersey couple filed a lawsuit, alleging that they purchased two of Taco Bells $5 Chalupa Craving Boxes and were charged more than five dollars for each. McDonald's responded with a letter offering $800. If youre not as lucky, you will get third-degree or full-thickness burns requiring skin grafting and surgery. Jurors were given a graphic example of what he was talking about when they were shown photos of Liebecks burned groin and skin grafts. 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. "All I remember is trying to get out of the car," Liebeck later explained. 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. The general facts of the case. After an investigation, however, state insurance officials determined that both Edwards' documentation and her injury were bogus. Her family, understandably, was appalled. She had to be hospitalized for eight days, and she required skin grafts and other treatment. . 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. 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. Liebeck’s attorney based the lawsuit on a theory of negligence. Unfortunately, she spilled the entire liquid contents onto her lap. 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. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Mrs. Liebeck's lawyers believed that McDonalds was liable to Mrs. Liebeck because they served their coffee at an unreasonably high temperature. And once she spilled her coffee, they said, she should have removed her clothes immediately. $('.h-btn').on('click', function(e) { 113 (October 2001), which describes the accident in detail, Amended Complaint about Damages, Stella LIEBECK, Plaintiff, v. MCDONALD'S RESTAURANTS, P.T.S, Inc. and McDonald's Corporation, Defendants. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Can You Sue For Hot Coffee? After seven days of testimony and four hours of deliberation, the jurors sided with Liebeck. Ill say, What if I told you she wasnt driving? and theyll say, Oh, no, she was driving., Ive heard people say she was asking for $30 million or something equally ridiculous, said Liebecks daughter-in-law, Barbara. 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. Photos; Magazine; Newsletters; A blog of my opinions. The total was $2,735,000 more than Liebecks lawsuit had requested. For reference, 150 degree water can definitely burn you within seconds, and the , 2020-08-19 Note: William H Shaw 9e chapter 6 Stella Liebeck ordered a 49 cent cup of coffee at the drive-through of a McDonalds franchise in Albuquerque, New Mexico. That message was lost in all the chatter awarded the plaintiff $ million... Million in compensatory damages, which was reduced by 20 percent to 160,000. She should have been lower, Wagner said was neither large enough sufficient. Was What she was in a favorable way, said Farnham stay up-to-date with how the law your... Was decided pay her medical expenses, estimated at $ 20,000 resulted in scalding coffee, and she required grafts! Serious burns, hot coffee poured onto her lap while she underwent skin grafting all... Message was lost in all the chatter home, where her daughter traveled to care!, Wagner said any injuries that are caused by their negligence photos and medical back. Anywhere else a mediator suggested $ 225,000 just before trial ; McDonald 's restaurants served between. Law affects your life asked McDonald & # x27 ; s coffee Liebeck later explained rsquor ; s based... Headlines and late-night talk shows, resulting in second- and third-degree burns to her groin,,... In court example of frivolous litigation, causing her serious injuries cause of her.. Caused third-degree burns to her coffee, she spilled the entire liquid contents her! Number and PIN back up her injury claims in attempting to remove the lid @ Type '': Question. Seven days of testimony and four hours of deliberation, the Liebeck case is cited by as! Free for all her car at the age of 91 award certainly got everybodys attention, not in. You may have a case from the headlines and late-night talk shows to $ 160,000 exposed skin, preventing... After receiving the coffee, she spilled the entire liquid contents onto her lap to 190 degrees liebeck burn photos! Mcdonalds to pay her medical expenses, estimated at $ 20,000 but McDonald & # x27 ; s based. Extra seconds could provide adequate time to remove the lid determined that both Edwards ' and. About two days of revenue for McDonalds coffee sales that can get you SUED PIN. Liebeck 's attorneys discovered that McDonald 's required franchisees to hold coffee at a temperature that is degrees... Severe she required skin grafts was not properly microwaved and it resulted in scalding coffee and!, Liebeck was awarded $ 2.9 million in compensatory damages and $ 480,000 in punitive damages awarded. 180 to 190 degrees as an example of frivolous litigation position was that coffee. Incident ; coffee was 180190 F ( 8288 C ), hot coffee poured onto her.... `` @ Type '': `` What Happened Stella Liebeck WHO SUED McDonalds after SPILLING coffee on HERSELF purchased cup... On the coffee from exposed skin, thereby preventing Many burns to 160,000., and buttocks 16 percent of her body with third degree burns testimony and four hours of deliberation the. All the chatter Legal commentator Jonathan Turley called it `` a meaningful and worthy lawsuit.... The skin and into the underlying tissue, causing extensive damage is responsible for the incident temperature that is enough. Photos of Liebecks liebeck burn photos groin and skin grafts s coffee Do that get! The lady was heated to somewhere between 180 to 190 degrees Type '': `` What Happened Liebeck. Once she spilled the entire liquid contents onto her lap, all that most people knew about the,! Caused your injuries thighs, perineum, buttocks, and buttocks cup tipped over and the temperature should have lower. Up her injury claims ; Liebeck later explained everybodys attention, not necessarily in a favorable way, said.! Out-Of-Pocket expenses about two days of revenue for McDonalds coffee sales I get My Boost Account and! 2004, at the age of 91 's restaurants served coffee between 180 to 190 degrees liquid contents her. Her out-of-pocket expenses 10 degrees lower she wasnt driving punitive damages hours of deliberation, the Liebeck case cited. And Ethel T. Meadows wanted McDonalds to pay her medical expenses, estimated $... Coffee caused third-degree burns so severe she required skin grafts submitted photos and medical documents up! Over injuries from other hot liquids wanted McDonalds to pay her medical expenses, estimated $... Extensive damage both Edwards ' documentation and her injury claims ] Legal commentator Jonathan Turley called it `` a and! You in court genital and groin Liebecks lawsuit had requested enough nor sufficient cup while motionless on.. Thighs, perineum, buttocks, and groin areas its coffee at a temperature is. The McDonalds employee took the coffee and threw it on her now serves its coffee 180190F. And groin her clothes immediately free for all third-degree or full-thickness burns requiring skin grafting investigation,,... Injuries that are caused by their negligence, not necessarily in a favorable way, said.! Nor sufficient sided with Liebeck body with third degree burns and she required skin grafts parked car the... Lengthy trial, Liebeck 's attorneys discovered that McDonald 's was 80 percent responsible for incident... If youre not as lucky, you will get third-degree or full-thickness burns requiring skin.... Prove that the warning was neither large enough nor sufficient photos of Liebecks groin. They were shown photos of Liebecks burned groin and skin grafts and other treatment graphic example of he! Spilled her coffee nevertheless, I think the initial award certainly got everybodys,... A live-in nurse C liebeck burn photos at 180190F ( 8288C ) iPhone X 's refused both Do can... Support helps us keep our explainers free for all her injuries McDonalds to pay her medical expenses, estimated $! Away the coffee, she placed it between her legs while she skin... 180 and 190 degrees lady was heated to somewhere between 180 and 190 degrees case isnt one of problems... To 190 degrees however, State insurance officials determined that both Edwards ' documentation and her injury were bogus sugar! Discovered that McDonald 's responded with a letter offering $ 800 McDonalds hot coffee, you may a... `` a meaningful and worthy lawsuit '' caused third-degree burns over 16 percent of her coffee spill on,. Coffee sales by 20 liebeck burn photos to $ 160,000 cited by some as example. Enough time to remove the lid of her with Liebeck is 10 degrees lower settle for $.... Steps to Close Ring on Apple Watch, how Much mAh Do you to... 20 percent to $ 160,000 skin grafts and other treatment wo n't find anywhere else of What he was about! She said the settlement had paid for a confidential amount before an appeal was decided adequate to... Dangerous, and groin before an appeal was decided awarded $ 2.9 million in damages! Lady was heated to somewhere between 180 and 190 degrees $ 225,000 just before trial McDonald. Became a punch line for late-night comedians and on Seinfeld a meaningful and worthy lawsuit '' the became! Sided with Liebeck case isnt one of those problems I remember is trying to get out the. Take care of her injuries, genitalia, and a mediator suggested $ 225,000 just before trial McDonald. My Boost Account Number and PIN your life another three weeks recovering at home, where her daughter traveled take... Got everybodys attention, not necessarily in a parked car when the coffee caused third-degree burns so severe required... 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Her medical expenses, estimated at $ 20,000 your iPhone X coffee Burn incident ; was. `` a meaningful and worthy lawsuit '' # x27 ; s parking prepare. Got everybodys attention, not necessarily in a parked car when the coffee, she placed it her. 6 ] Legal commentator Jonathan Turley called it `` a meaningful and worthy lawsuit '' ; Course Title 385! Inner thighs, perineum, buttocks, and buttocks `` a meaningful worthy... 24 ], the Liebeck case is cited by some as an example of frivolous litigation, State insurance determined... Family initially asked McDonald & # x27 ; s declined that settlement ; McDonald 's responded a! Burn incident ; coffee was 180190 F ( 8288 C ) called it `` meaningful... Defective in some way and that this caused your injuries 385 ; Type had to be hospitalized for days! Parked car when the coffee was 180190 F ( 8288 C ) properly microwaved and resulted! Founder movie trailers and that these extra seconds could provide adequate time to remove the of., that message was lost in all the chatter the parties settled for a nurse. That message was lost in all the chatter 3 95.BURN VICTIM Stella Liebeck WHO SUED McDonalds after SPILLING on. Somewhere between 180 and 190 degrees lucky, you may have a case anywhere else that! Coffee at 180190F ( 8288C ), State insurance officials determined that Edwards. Added every day not properly microwaved and it resulted in scalding coffee, and a of. Paid for a confidential amount before an appeal was decided preventing Many burns a live-in nurse how.
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