Lady That Sued Mcdonald's For Hot Coffee
Introduction
In 1992, a lawsuit that would go down in history as one of the most controversial and widely discussed lawsuits of all time was filed in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This was the case of Stella Liebeck, an elderly woman who sued McDonald's for serving her hot coffee that allegedly caused third-degree burns.
The Incident
On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, ordered a cup of coffee at a McDonald's drive-thru. She was sitting in the passenger seat while her grandson was driving. After they had received the coffee, her grandson pulled over so that she could add cream and sugar to her coffee. As she was doing so, she spilled the entire cup of coffee on her lap, causing third-degree burns. She was hospitalized for eight days, and had to undergo skin grafts and other surgeries.
The Lawsuit
After the incident, Stella Liebeck filed a lawsuit against McDonald's, seeking $20,000 in damages to cover her medical expenses and lost income. However, McDonald's refused to settle, and the case went to trial.
The Verdict
In 1994, a jury awarded Stella Liebeck $2.86 million in punitive damages, which was later reduced to $640,000 by the judge. This verdict caused a public outrage, as many people believed that it was excessive and frivolous. Many accused Stella Liebeck of being greedy and trying to take advantage of McDonald's.
The Controversy
The controversy surrounding the lawsuit was mainly due to the fact that people believed that Stella Liebeck was at fault for not being careful enough while handling the hot coffee. Many people argued that McDonald's had clearly labeled the coffee as hot, and that it was her own negligence that had caused the incident.
The Truth
However, the truth was that the coffee that McDonald's had served Stella Liebeck was not just hot, but scalding hot. The coffee was heated to a temperature of 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns within seconds of contact with skin. Moreover, McDonald's had received over 700 complaints of burns from hot coffee in the ten years prior to the incident, yet they had failed to take any action to reduce the temperature of their coffee.
The Aftermath
The lawsuit sparked a national debate about tort reform and personal responsibility. Many people argued that frivolous lawsuits were driving up the cost of insurance and healthcare, and that people should take responsibility for their own actions. However, others argued that corporations should be held accountable for their negligence, and that lawsuits were the only way to force them to change their behavior.
The Legacy
The legacy of the Lady That Sued McDonald's For Hot Coffee is still felt today. The case has become a symbol of the need for corporate responsibility and the dangers of frivolous lawsuits. It has also inspired many other lawsuits against corporations that have caused harm to consumers.
Conclusion
The Lady That Sued McDonald's For Hot Coffee will always be remembered as one of the most controversial and widely discussed lawsuits of all time. It was a case that raised important questions about personal responsibility, corporate negligence, and the role of the legal system in holding corporations accountable for their actions.