Lady Spills Coffee On Herself Sues Mcdonald's
In 1992, a woman named Stella Liebeck made headlines when she sued McDonald's after spilling hot coffee on herself. The story became a cultural touchstone, with people using it as an example of frivolous lawsuits and corporate greed. However, the truth of the matter is much more complicated than the media portrayed it at the time.
The Incident
On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, ordered a cup of coffee from the drive-thru at a McDonald's in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her grandson, who was driving the car, parked so that she could add cream and sugar to her coffee. As she lifted the cup to do so, the lid came off and the hot coffee spilled on her lap.
Liebeck suffered third-degree burns on her thighs and groin, and spent a week in the hospital undergoing skin grafts and other treatments. She was left with permanent scarring and a lifelong sensitivity to heat.
The Lawsuit
Liebeck initially sought $20,000 from McDonald's to cover her medical expenses and lost income. However, the company offered her only $800. Frustrated by what she saw as a lack of concern for her injuries, Liebeck decided to file a lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleged that McDonald's had served coffee that was unreasonably hot, and that the company had been aware of the risk of burns but had failed to take action to prevent them. The case went to trial, and a jury awarded Liebeck $200,000 in compensatory damages and $2.7 million in punitive damages.
The Aftermath
After the verdict, many people criticized Liebeck and her lawyers, claiming that the lawsuit was frivolous and that she was trying to profit from her injuries. However, the truth is that Liebeck's injuries were severe and that she had only wanted McDonald's to cover her medical expenses.
Furthermore, McDonald's acknowledged that it had received more than 700 previous complaints about burns from its coffee, and had settled some of those claims out of court. The company also admitted that it had known that its coffee was dangerously hot, but had not taken steps to reduce the temperature or to warn customers of the risk of burns.
In the end, the judge reduced the punitive damages to $480,000, but the message was clear: companies have a responsibility to provide safe products and to warn customers of potential risks. And while the case may seem like a punchline today, it helped to create a safer and more accountable consumer culture.
Conclusion
The story of Stella Liebeck and her lawsuit against McDonald's is often misunderstood and misrepresented. While it has become a cultural shorthand for frivolous lawsuits, the truth is that Liebeck's injuries were severe and that McDonald's had been aware of the risks posed by its coffee for years. The case helped to create a safer and more accountable consumer culture, and remains an important reminder of the responsibility that companies have to provide safe products and to warn customers of potential risks.