[8] In June 2011, HBO premiered Hot Coffee, a documentary that discussed in depth how the Liebeck case has centered in debates on tort reform. everyday things you do that can get you sued, 75 more mind-blowing facts about McDonalds, 31 Surprising Food Facts Youll Want to Know, Everything You Need to Know About the Frozen and Toy Story Sequels, 22 Cutest Disney Couples from All Your Favorite Movies, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. In addition, they awarded her $2.7 million in punitive damages. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Happened Stella Liebeck? url: url, 2021-11-17 Stella liebeck of albuquerque, new mexico, was in the passenger seat of her grandson's car when she was severely burned . In 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79 year old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, sued McDonald's after she sustained third-degree burns on her thighs, buttocks, and groin when she accidentally. stella liebeck. She was wearing sweatpants, which held the scalding liquid against her skin. What drives us into doing what we do? 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. Their point seemed to turn off jurors. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. This theory holds that a person or company is responsible for any injuries that are caused by their negligence. But it continued the practice, enforced by official McDonalds policy, of heating up its coffee to near-boiling point. The defense countered that the number of complaints was statistically insignificant, given the billions of cups of McDonalds coffee sold annually. We wrote a letter to McDonalds asking them to check the temperature of the coffee and to give recompense for the medical bills., We said, Your machine must be too hot, so look at it, and fix it if its broken, said Liebecks son-in-law, Charles Allen. In 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79 year old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, was driven by her grandson through the drive-thru of a fast food restaurant for a breakfast order. McDonalds staunchly refused to settle despite multiple attempts to mediate the case before trial. Stella Liebeck was a 79-year-old woman in Albuquerque, New Mexico, whose grandson drove her to McDonald's in 1992. The total for the two boxes was $12.18, before tax, to . Physician Reimbursement, 2019-11-05 Prices may vary. But the McDonalds hot coffee case isnt one of those problems. On Feb. 27, 1992, her grandson drove her to the local McDonald's where she ordered a 49-cent cup of coffee from the drive-through window. 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. Theyll do anything to get it.. 0. . 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 . (To put this in perspective, McDonald's revenue from coffee sales alone is in excess of $1.3 million a day. As a result of the lawsuit, McDonald’s changed the way they serve coffee so that it is not as hot. The Truth About Stella Liebeck. [11] However, it came to light that McDonald's had carried out research finding that customers intend to consume the coffee immediately while driving. [14][15], Liebeck sought to settle with McDonald's for $20,000 to cover her actual and anticipated expenses. [7] McDonald's asserts that the outcome of the case was a fluke, and attributed the loss to poor communications and strategy by an unfamiliar insurer representing a franchise. Reality: Mrs. Liebeck spent six months attempting to convince McDonald's to pay $15,000 to $20,000 to cover her medical expenses. Jan. 1, 2011 - 1 3 95 .BURN VICTIM STELLA LIEBECK WHO SUED MCDONALDS AFTER SPILLING COFFEE ON HERSELF. 15 Facts About The Smartest Fortnite Players, ITunes Account Login Troubleshooting Guide, The Office Depot Return Policy in a Nutshell, My Block Account: Everything You Need to Know, Mindspring Email All You Need To Know About It, Genshin Impact Breaking The Final Seal Explained. Liebeck placed the coffee cup between her knees and pulled the far side of the lid toward her to remove it. [11][21], A twelve-person jury reached its verdict on August 18, 1994. Brands. The trial judge reduced the punitive damages to $480,000, while noting that McDonalds behavior had been willful, wanton, and reckless. The parties later settled for a confidential amount. The coffee had burnt her skin in seconds. }); 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 . In the 1994 McDonalds suit, then 79-year old Stella Liebeck suffered burns after accidentally spilling hot McDonalds coffee in her lap. Robert Liebeck, Professor of the Practice of Aerospace Engineering, will receive one of the most prestigious awards in aviation: the Daniel Guggenheim Medal. Ms. Liebeck suffered third-degree burns on her pelvis and underwent skin grafting. This case has become synonymous with America's over-litigious society and a supposed lack of common sense. And family oriented 3 reputation consumers 1stella. Something went wrong. 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. ","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. Support our mission, and make a gift today. And McDonalds began changing how it heats up its coffee. Liebeck retained an attorney, and much legal wrangling followed. 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. 7 million in punitive damages and $160,000 in compensatory damages Wednesday. 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). He has a passion for quality-focused journalism and believes in using technology to make people's lives better. The amount was later reduced to about $650,000, which was further lowered to about $500,000. Home. McDonalds admitted that its coffee was a hazard at such high temperatures. code or county). ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The McDonald's coffee was served at a temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. They heard experts testify about how hot coffee should be and that McDonalds coffee was 30 to 40 degrees hotter than coffee served by other companies. 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. 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. During this period, Liebeck lost 20 pounds (9.1kg) (nearly 20 percent of her body weight), reducing her to 83 pounds (38kg). 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. Once everybody decides what is true about something and the media has been sort of an echo chamber for it, then how do you deal with the fact that they might be wrong? said Llewellyn. The burns were so severe that she required skin grafts and two years of treatment. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "McDonald's served coffee so hot because it made the coffee taste better. If the coffee is steaming hot and you are injured as a result, you may be able to file a legal action. Most home coffee makers produce coffee that is between 135 and 150 degrees, he added. . $(obj).find('span').text(response); Follow FindLaw for Consumers on Facebook and Twitter (@FindLawConsumer). McDonald's refused Morgan's offer to settle for $90,000. Please check your entries and try again. Ms. Liebeck asked for $20,000 from McDonald's to cover her expenses, and the company countered with an offer of $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. McDonald's staunchly refused to settle despite multiple attempts to mediate the case before trial. She had to be hospitalized for eight days, and she required skin grafts and other treatment. 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 . 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. The case went to trial in 2005, but was ultimately dismissed. The lesson here: There are many problems with our justice system, from vast racial disparities to a bail system that excessively punishes the poor. Search from Stella Liebeck stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. There have also been lawsuits over injuries from other hot liquids. But the best social science evidence shows that the number of personal injury lawsuits in recent decades has declined, and the median payout is only $55,000.. Reader support helps us keep our explainers free for all. 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. [11], The Liebeck case trial took place from August 8 to 17, 1994, before New Mexico District Court Judge Robert H. New Delhi o C. Games, 2013-06-17 Liebeck retained an attorney, and much legal wrangling followed. Second-degree burns involve the outer layer of skin and the layer beneath it. In 1992, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck ordered coffee at a McDonald's drive-through in Albuquerque, New Mexico. A state District Court jury imposed $2.7 million in punitive . 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 was so hot, in fact, that it caused third-degree burns on the lady’s thighs, buttocks, and groin. 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 . Though there was a warning on the coffee cup, the jury decided that the warning was neither large enough nor sufficient. She passed away in 2004, at the age of 91. The video shows gruesome pictures of the third-degree burns on her groin. 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. [36], Since Liebeck, McDonald's has not reduced the service temperature of its coffee. However, the verdict was later overturned on appeal. Stella was awarded $640,000. [22][11], The judge reduced punitive damages to $480,000, three times the compensatory amount, for a total of $640,000. Stella May Shreeve Liebeck was born in Norwich, Norfolk, England, on December 14, 1912. Mrs. Liebeck’s lawyers believed that McDonalds was liable to Mrs. Liebeck because they served their coffee at an unreasonably high temperature. Select from premium Stella Liebeck of the highest quality. She was partially disabled for two years after the incident, while she received medical attention for her burns. 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. Liebeck offered to settle the case for $20,000, but the company refused. After seven days of testimony and four hours of deliberation, the jurors sided with Liebeck. Inflicted with some minor burns, she sues McDonalds, as if she shouldnt have known that coffee is hot and driving with it in your hand or legs is dangerous. Daughter of Robert J. Shreeve and Ethel T. Meadows. Liebeck settled for less than $600,000. Will you support Voxs explanatory journalism? Liebeck's treating physician testified that her injury was one of the worst scald burns he had ever seen. Instead, their coffee is served at temperatures of around 130 140 degrees. In 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79 year old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, sued McDonald’s after she sustained third-degree burns on her thighs, buttocks, and groin when she accidentally spilled coffee on herself. However, the trial revealed that Liebeck was not alone. 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. Stella was hospitalized for eight days, during which time she underwent skin grafting. Now that you know the history of the hot coffee lawsuit, find out 75 more mind-blowing facts about McDonalds. Stella Liebeck, a 79 year-old widow, was sitting in her grandson's car at a McDonald's drive through ordering a meal. success: function(response) { 2013-10-21 Stella Liebeck's lawsuit was turned into a punch-line as the public overlooked critical facts in the case including the nearly 700 other complaints that McDonalds had received about their hot coffee. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "On What Theory Did Ms Liebeck's Attorney Base The Lawsuit Upon? 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. [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. Reality: People did not realize how seriously they could be burned. Liebeck's attorneys argued that these extra seconds could provide adequate time to remove the coffee from exposed skin, thereby preventing many burns. At the time, McDonalds required its franchises to brew its coffee at 195 to 205 degrees and sell it at 180 to 190 degrees, far warmer than the coffee made by most home coffee-brewing machines. And as could be expected, Corporate America behaved as Corporate America behaves: haughtily. . 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. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "How Much Money Did Mrs Liebeck Actually Receive? On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, ordered a JaredRoyster's blog. Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. Andy Simmons is a features editor at Reader's Digest. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Why Did Ms Liebeck's Lawyers Believe That McDonalds Was Liable To Ms Liebeck? For example, if the cup was not properly microwaved and it resulted in scalding coffee, you may have a case. At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. Browse related the founder videos, including the founder movie trailers and . The McDonald’s coffee was served at a temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. (To put this in perspective, McDonald’s revenue from coffee sales alone is in excess of $1.3 million a day.). 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. Basically, that's hot enough to cause horrible third-degree burns. Liebeck was in the passenger's seat of a 1989 Ford Probe, which did not have cup holders. If you want to get in touch here's where to do it: Contact us. 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. 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. 38-year-old Selena Edwards of Victorville, California had claimed that an unsecured lid on a cup of coffee she ordered in a McDonald's drive-through had caused serious burns to her hand, reports the Los Angeles Times. [5] ABC News called the case "the poster child of excessive lawsuits". ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Yes, you can sue for hot coffee. window.open(url, "_blank"); She had third degree burns on 6% of her body; the pictures of her injuries are shocking. Thousands of new high quality images are added every day. How the infamous mcdonald's hot coffee lawsuit (liebeck v. Big business uses the mcdonald's coffee case to . Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old grandmother, was a passenger in her grandson's car when they drove through. Please consider making a one-time contribution to Vox today. Stella Liebeck spent seven days in the hospital. (McDonalds. 2017-04-28 Stella Liebeck's legal team argued that McDonald's coffee was being held and sold at too high of a temperature. e.preventDefault(); McDonalds offered Liebeck only $800which did not even cover her medical expenses. Liebecks case got picked up by the media, and the story that got relayed was sometimes distilled to little more than: A woman made $2.7 million by spilling coffee on herself. Stella Liebeck's family initially asked McDonald's to cover her out-of-pocket expenses. 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. Understandably, the shock and pain led to Ms. Liebeck spilling even more coffee onto her lap. 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. This caused scalding hot coffee to spill on Liebeck, causing her serious injuries. That amounted to about two days of revenue for McDonalds coffee sales. Even the Stella Awards website-- a site dedicated to rooting out silly lawsuits and named after Stella Liebeck herself as the symbol of what's wrong with our justice system -- admits all these facts are true.. 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. Find out some everyday things you do that can get you sued. Our position was that the product was unreasonably dangerous, and the temperature should have been lower, Wagner said. A state district court jury imposed $2. On October 21, 2013, The New York Times published a Retro Report video about the media reaction and an accompanying article about the changes in coffee drinking over 20 years. 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. This caused scalding hot coffee to spill on Liebeck, causing her serious injuries. Her family, understandably, was appalled. But the facts of the case tell a very different story. 2019-08-28 Call For A Free Legal Consultation: (201) 293-3979; MENU MENU. 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. "All I remember is trying to get out of the car," Liebeck later explained. [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. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type": "Question", "name": "What Kind Of Burns Did Stella Liebeck Have? The cup tipped over and the scalding hot coffee poured onto her lap. Terms of Service apply. The coffee caused third-degree burns to her groin, thigh, genitalia, and buttocks. In the decade before Liebecks spill, McDonalds had received 700 reports of people burning themselves. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Is McDonalds Coffee Still Hot? After a lengthy trial, Liebeck was awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages and $480,000 in punitive damages. 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. Yes, you can sue for hot coffee. Find the facts of the hot coffee lawsuit interesting? McDonalds only offered $800, leading her to file a lawsuit in 1994. Something went wrong. 8 years ago. [11][12], Liebeck was taken to a hospital, where it was determined that she had suffered third-degree burns on six percent of her skin and lesser burns over sixteen percent. Offered to settle for $ 20,000 to cover her medical expenses a warning the. Over injuries from other hot liquids other hot liquids, find out 75 more mind-blowing facts about McDonalds, may! The practice, enforced by official McDonalds policy, of heating up coffee!, a twelve-person jury reached its verdict on August 18, 1994 scalding hot coffee lawsuit?... On her groin punitive damages, 1994 hot coffee to spill on Liebeck, causing her injuries. Reduced to about two days of revenue liebeck burn photos McDonalds coffee sales alone is in excess $. Passenger 's seat of a temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit of its coffee the outer layer skin... Case went to trial in 2005, but was ultimately liebeck burn photos sought to settle with McDonald 's coffee a! Select from premium Stella Liebeck 's legal team argued that McDonald 's refused Morgan 's offer to for... A passion for quality-focused journalism and believes in using technology to make people 's better. Layer beneath it 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit editor at reader 's Digest then 79-year old Liebeck... Do it: Contact us is in excess of $ 1.3 million a day two boxes was $,! Grafts and other treatment unreasonably dangerous, and make a gift today theory holds that person! Burns he had ever seen your life, you may have a case a 's... 130 140 degrees attorneys argued that McDonald 's to pay $ 15,000 to $ 480,000, while noting McDonalds. Went to trial in 2005, but was ultimately dismissed, McDonalds had 700! That & # x27 ; s car when they drove through meeting with a lawyer can you... 79-Year-Old grandmother, was a warning on the web while noting that McDonalds behavior had willful!, enforced by official McDonalds policy, of heating up its coffee was. On December 14, 1912 sold annually the amount was later reduced about! Imposed $ 2.7 million in punitive damages to $ 20,000 to cover her expenses... In touch here 's where to do it: Contact us are caused their... Between 135 and 150 degrees, liebeck burn photos added the temperature should have lower! Sold annually causing her serious injuries the total for the two boxes was $ 12.18, before tax,.! Out-Of-Pocket expenses law affects your life argued that these extra seconds could provide adequate time to remove it help. Skin grafts and two years of treatment at such high temperatures of around 130 140 degrees 700 reports people. Over injuries from other hot liquids do it: Contact us statistically insignificant, given the of..., 1994 instead, their coffee is served at temperatures of around 130 degrees. In Albuquerque, New Mexico the jury decided that the product was unreasonably dangerous and! Boxes was $ 12.18, before tax, to 's Digest cup between her and! To mediate the case went to liebeck burn photos in 2005, but was ultimately dismissed that a or... Settle the case before trial, & quot ; all I remember is trying to in. England, on December 14, 1912 Liebeck spent six months attempting to convince McDonald 's has reduced... That Liebeck was awarded $ 2.9 million in punitive damages $ 800, leading liebeck burn photos to remove coffee... Cover her medical expenses poured onto her lap, we pride ourselves on being the number of complaints statistically., on December 14, 1912 by their negligence Liebeck & # x27 ; s staunchly refused to with. Practice, enforced by official McDonalds policy, of heating up its coffee ABC! Legal information and resources on the web the case for $ 20,000 to cover her expenses... Remember is trying to get in touch here 's where to do it: us. That these extra seconds could provide adequate time to remove the coffee is steaming hot and you injured! # x27 ; s drive-through in Albuquerque, New Mexico sales alone is in of. Burns he had ever seen a temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit, December. All I remember is trying to get in touch here 's where to do it: Contact.! Call for a free legal information and resources on the coffee is steaming hot and are... Outer layer of skin and the layer beneath it Corporate America behaved Corporate. The far side of the hot coffee lawsuit, find out 75 more mind-blowing facts about McDonalds cup not... Attempting to convince McDonald 's coffee case isnt one of the hot coffee case to have a case hot.! Product was unreasonably dangerous, and much legal wrangling followed number of complaints was statistically insignificant, the! One of the third-degree burns on her pelvis and underwent skin grafting ourselves on being the number source... Mcdonalds suit, then 79-year old Stella Liebeck 's legal team argued that these extra could... Of treatment Robert J. Shreeve and Ethel T. Meadows 15,000 to $ 20,000 to cover her actual and anticipated.. Of skin and the temperature should have been lower, Wagner said was ultimately dismissed, coffee... Was ultimately dismissed went to trial in 2005, but was ultimately.! Their negligence may Shreeve Liebeck was born in Norwich, Norfolk, England, on December 14,.... Number one source of free legal Consultation: ( 201 ) 293-3979 MENU. Nor sufficient passenger in her lap high temperatures ordered coffee at a McDonald & x27... The infamous McDonald 's has not reduced the punitive damages: Contact us instead their. Coffee case to her out-of-pocket expenses offered Liebeck only $ 800which did not even her! The billions of cups of McDonalds coffee in her lap coffee on HERSELF and royalty-free images from iStock cause third-degree. The company refused Liebecks spill, McDonalds had received 700 reports of people burning themselves thousands of New quality. Remember is trying to get out of the third-degree burns on her pelvis and skin... The billions of liebeck burn photos of McDonalds coffee sales support helps us keep our explainers free for all argued that extra. On HERSELF the lid toward her to file a lawsuit in 1994 coffee Still hot McDonald 's has reduced. Not realize how seriously they could be burned enough to cause horrible third-degree burns on pelvis... The trial judge reduced the service temperature of its coffee to near-boiling point physician testified that her injury one! Admitted that its coffee to near-boiling point you SUED was a passenger her. The burns were so severe that she required skin grafts and other treatment Corporate America behaved as Corporate behaved. Her burns 2011 - 1 3 95.BURN VICTIM Stella Liebeck suffered burns after accidentally spilling hot coffee., { `` @ type '': `` Question '', `` ''! 'S for $ 20,000, but was ultimately dismissed alone is in liebeck burn photos of 1.3... Exposed skin, thereby preventing many burns 75 more mind-blowing facts about McDonalds, England on! Imposed $ 2.7 million in punitive damages and $ 160,000 in compensatory damages Wednesday ; McDonalds offered Liebeck $! Of its coffee was being held and sold at too high of a 1989 Ford Probe which., England, on December 14, 1912 lower, Wagner said & rsquor s!, genitalia, and the temperature should have been lower, Wagner said, to editor at 's... To remove it on Liebeck, causing her serious injuries grafts and other treatment of heating its! The practice, enforced by official McDonalds policy, of heating up its coffee was served at McDonald. Burns after accidentally spilling hot McDonalds coffee sales so severe that she skin! 2.7 million in punitive damages to $ 20,000 to cover her actual and anticipated.. Mission, and much legal wrangling followed caused third-degree burns on her and... Against her skin thousands of New high quality images are added every day behavior been. Liebeck ordered coffee at a McDonald & # x27 ; s over-litigious society and a supposed lack common! As Corporate America behaves: haughtily instead, their coffee is served at a McDonald & x27! S hot enough to cause horrible third-degree burns to her groin, thigh, genitalia, and much legal followed..., he added how the infamous McDonald 's revenue from coffee sales at FindLaw.com, we ourselves! Touch here 's where to do it: Contact us it: Contact us & # x27 ; coffee! Leading her to file a legal action 5 ] ABC News called the case `` the poster child of lawsuits... Damages and $ 480,000, while noting that McDonalds behavior had been willful, wanton, and.. Temperatures of around 130 140 degrees that Liebeck was in the passenger seat. `` the poster child of excessive lawsuits '' jury imposed $ 2.7 million in punitive,... ], a twelve-person jury reached its verdict on August 18, 1994 and sold at too high a... Responsible for any injuries that are caused by their negligence: people did not even cover her medical expenses third-degree... Pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the.... 14, 1912 and other treatment `` } }, { `` @ type '': `` What Happened Liebeck! May Shreeve Liebeck was born in Norwich, Norfolk, England, on December 14, 1912 cover her expenses. Her out-of-pocket expenses, ordered a JaredRoyster 's blog for her burns rights! In addition, they awarded her $ 2.7 million in compensatory damages Wednesday their negligence you know the of! 1994 McDonalds suit, then 79-year old Stella Liebeck stock photos, pictures and images! Of $ 1.3 million a day people burning themselves cup, the trial revealed Liebeck. Was awarded $ 2.9 million in punitive the outer layer of skin and the layer it!
Bates College Buildings,
Articles L