Woman Gets 3rd Degree Burns From Mcdonald's Coffee
The Incident
Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, made headlines in 1992 after she suffered third-degree burns from a cup of McDonald's coffee.
Liebeck was a passenger in her grandson's car when they stopped at a McDonald's drive-thru to buy a cup of coffee. She placed the coffee cup between her legs to add cream and sugar. As she lifted the cup to take a sip, the lid came off and the scalding hot coffee spilled onto her lap.
Liebeck suffered third-degree burns on her thighs, buttocks, and groin, and was hospitalized for eight days. She required skin grafts and two years of medical treatment for her injuries.
The Lawsuit
Liebeck initially attempted to settle with McDonald's for $20,000 to cover her medical expenses and lost income, but the fast food chain offered only $800.
She then filed a lawsuit against McDonald's, claiming that the company had served coffee that was too hot and had failed to warn customers of the potential danger. She also argued that McDonald's had a history of serving excessively hot coffee and had received numerous complaints from other customers.
The jury ultimately awarded Liebeck $2.7 million in damages, although the judge reduced the amount to $640,000. McDonald's appealed the decision and eventually settled with Liebeck for an undisclosed amount.
The Aftermath
The case became a national sensation and sparked debate about the role of personal responsibility in consumer safety. Critics argued that Liebeck was at fault for placing the coffee cup between her legs, while others pointed out that McDonald's had a duty to serve coffee at a safe temperature.
The incident also led to changes in the way that fast food restaurants serve coffee. McDonald's and other chains now serve coffee at a lower temperature and provide warnings to customers about the potential danger of hot beverages.
Conclusion
The case of Stella Liebeck and her burns from McDonald's coffee remains a cautionary tale about the importance of consumer safety and corporate responsibility. While some may argue that Liebeck was at fault for her injuries, it is clear that McDonald's had a duty to serve coffee at a safe temperature and to provide warnings to customers about the potential danger.