The case went to trial in 2005, but was ultimately dismissed. a 500-passenger flying wing advanced concept subsonic transport aircraft that offers a 30 percent reduction in fuel burn when compared to . The Full Story Behind the Case and How Corporations Used it to Promote Tort Reform? Stella Liebeck's Injury and Hospitalization A vascular surgeon determined that Liebeck suffered full thickness burns (or third-degree burns) over 6 percent of her body. She spent another three weeks recovering at home, where her daughter traveled to take care of her. 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. Nevertheless, I think the initial award certainly got everybodys attention, not necessarily in a favorable way, said Farnham. Google Pay. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "According to a beverage resource manual, the standard temperature for hot Starbucks drinks is between 150 and 170 degrees. McDonald's had a duty to Stella Liebeck to serve coffee at a temperature that would not cause serious burns. She said the settlement had paid for a live-in nurse. Liebeck's attorney, Reed Morgan, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America defended the result in Liebeck by claiming that McDonald's reduced the temperature of its coffee after the suit, although it is not clear whether McDonald's in fact had done so. All the cup said was contents hot, but that isnt enough, Wagner notedthe warning should say how hot it is and that it could cause serious burns. 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. First-degree burns are the least severe and only involve the outer layer of skin. ZIP She spent eight straight days in the hospital, undergoing skin grafting, and then needed further medical care for the following two years. McDonald's offered $800. Reality: Mrs. Liebeck spent six months attempting to convince McDonald's to pay $15,000 to $20,000 to cover her medical expenses. How, 11 Followers, 2 Following, 0 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Lii Bella (@stella.liebeck). Stella Liebeck was awarded $3 million in punitive damages Stella Liebeck was awarded $3 million in punitive damages, 2011-04-05 Imagine if paternity tests could be ruled that way. {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type": "Question", "name": "What Kind Of Burns Did Stella Liebeck Have? Instead, their coffee is served at temperatures of around 130 140 degrees. Follow FindLaw for Consumers on Facebook and Twitter (@FindLawConsumer). Commentary; July 27, 2011. She went into shock and was hospitalized for a week, undergoing numerous skin graft operations. McDonald's went on to offer Liebeck a small amount of $800. Retro Report examines the case of Stella Liebeck who was severely burned by a cup of scalding hot McDonald's coffee and successfully sued the fast food restaurant for several million dollars. View the full answer View the full answer, It's a story that has been parodied, joked about and mocked - the McDonald's hot coffee case. Now what? ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Liebeck's attorney based the lawsuit on a theory of negligence. Stay up-to-date with how the law affects your life. Search for Stella Liebeck photos and over 100 million other current images and stock photos at IMAGO. Heres how to remove coffee stains. 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. In the process of taking the lid off, some coffee spilled onto her lap. The total was $2,735,000 more than Liebecks lawsuit had requested. She was in a parked car when the coffee spilled. Stella Liebeck was a 79-year-old woman in Albuquerque, New Mexico, whose grandson drove her to McDonald's in 1992. A state district court jury imposed $2.7 million in punitive damages and $160,000 in . McDonald's Restaurants, better known as the McDonald's hot coffee lawsuit of 1994. She placed the cup of coffee between her legs and attempted to remove the lid. Ct. October 5, 1993), Punitive Damages in Louisiana: A Year of Controversy, Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 20:48, U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, "Remember the Hot Coffee Lawsuit? They bought the coffee in the drive-through window and then parked the car. The burns were so severe that she required skin grafts and two years of treatment. How Many Steps To Close Ring On Apple Watch, How Much mAh Do You Need To Charge Your iPhone X. She just wanted McDonalds to pay her medical expenses, estimated at $20,000. The lesson here: There are many problems with our justice system, from vast racial disparities to a bail system that excessively punishes the poor. [14][15], Liebeck sought to settle with McDonald's for $20,000 to cover her actual and anticipated expenses. Stella was awarded $640,000. McDonald's now serves its coffee at a temperature that is 10. The coffee that burned Stella Liebeck was dangerously hothot enough to cause third-degree burns, even through clothes, in three seconds. The main difference is that the coffee spill case was much more disturbing for Liebeck than the pickle burn case. This theory holds that a person or company is responsible for any injuries that are caused by their negligence. Andy Simmons is a features editor at Reader's Digest. McDonalds now serves its coffee at a temperature that is 10 degrees lower. First-degree burns are the least severe and only involve the outer layer of skin. 2021-11-17 The hot coffee movie reveals what actually happened to stella liebeck, the albuquerque, new mexico woman who spilled coffee on herself and sued mcdonald's, . Liebeck was in the passenger's seat of a 1989 Ford Probe, which did not have cup holders. Stella Liebeck, a 79 year-old widow, was sitting in her grandson's car at a McDonald's drive through ordering a meal. She passed away in 2004, at the age of 91. [13] Liebeck suffered permanent disfigurement after the incident and was partially disabled for two years. 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. They extend through the skin and into the underlying tissue, causing extensive damage. Please enter a valid email and try again. Sanjeev is the tech editor at DeviceMAG. Brands. "All I remember is trying to get out of the car," Liebeck later explained. 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. }); In 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, ordered coffee from a McDonald’s drive-thru. We recommend our users to update the browser. Her argument: The coffee was too hot. In 1992, a cup of McDonald's hot coffee spilled on 79-year-old Stella Liebeck in Alburquerque, N.M. Liebeck, who suffered third-degree burns and was hospitalized, sued McDonald's and won big -- a . All McDonald's restaurants served coffee between 180 and 190 degrees. Basically, that's hot enough to cause horrible third-degree burns. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "The McDonald's coffee was served at a temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. She was hospitalized for eight days. A state district court jury imposed $2. After an investigation, however, state insurance officials determined that both Edwards' documentation and her injury were bogus. }); 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 . Liebeck was ultimately awarded $2.7 million by a jury at trial, but that amount was reduced to $640,000 by the judge. (McDonalds. While parked, Liebeck put the coffee cup between her knees and removed the lid to add cream and sugar, and she spilled it. The Truth About Stella Liebeck. 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. After a lengthy trial, Liebeck was awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages and $480,000 in punitive damages. Here at DeviceMAG we take technology very serious, no matter if its a small gadget or a new device on the market. Something went wrong. Liebeck was sitting in her car when she spilled a cup of the chains coffee on her lap. But the facts of the case tell a very different story. This means that it was very hot and could easily cause burns. Liebecks attorney Kenneth Wagner said Liebeck was concerned about the number of other people who had been burned by McDonalds coffeeand that the number included children. This constituted a breach of their duty to Stella Liebeck, which was the direct and proximate cause of her injuries. Lawyers for Stella Liebeck, 81, who suffered thirddegree burns in the 1992 incident, contended that McDonald's coffee was too hot. , FENNELPARMESAN FRITTERS WITH GREENS IN BUTTERMILKBACON DRESSING, Shells with Italian Sausage and Ricotta Stuffing, Mini Pumpkin Sage Balls with Balsamic Creme Fraiche, Penne With Tomatoes, Pancetta, And Red Pepper, Potato Pancakes W Katenspeck And Cheese German. Copyright 2022, Thomson Reuters. 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. The woman submitted photos and medical documents back up her injury claims. 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. 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. 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. Jurors heard testimony for a week and deliberated for hours. Plaintiff Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, suffered third-degree burns in her pelvic region when she accidentally spilled hot coffee in her lap after purchasing it from a McDonald's restaurant. url = 'https://www.tfrecipes.com' + '/details/' + str + '/'; They awarded $2.7 million in punitive damages. According to her daughter, "the burns and court proceedings (had taken) their toll" and in the years following the settlement Liebeck had "no quality of life". It was cited by some as an example of frivolous litigation;[5] ABC News called the case "the poster child of excessive lawsuits",[6] while the legal scholar Jonathan Turley argued that the claim was "a meaningful and worthy lawsuit". reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and She was partially disabled for two years after the incident, while she received medical attention for her burns. The trial judge reduced the punitive damages to three times the amount of the compensatory damages, totalling $640,000. 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. Liebeck acknowledged that the spill was her fault. 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. ","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. The jury found that McDonald's was 80 percent responsible for the incident. 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. She had to be hospitalized for eight days, and she required skin grafts and other treatment. The key is to prove that the coffee was defective in some way and that this caused your injuries. 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. 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. So how did the publics view of this case get so warped? If youre lucky, it will produce second-degree burns, he said. From ferrarolaw.com See details STELLA LIEBECK AND THE TRUTH ABOUT THE MCDONALD'S BURN CASE 2019-08-28 Call For A Free Legal Consultation: (201) 293-3979; MENU MENU. [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. November 28, 2021 by . Coffee can cause first-degree, second-degree, or even third-degree burns. You can also contribute via. How the Great Recession paved the way for influencers to inherit the earth. When the case went to trial, the jurors saw graphic photos of Liebecks burns. Typical reaction: Isn't coffee supposed to be hot? The plaintiff, Stella Liebeck (19122004),[2] a 79-year-old woman, suffered third-degree burns in her pelvic region when she accidentally spilled coffee in her lap after purchasing it from a McDonald's restaurant. 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. In 1992, Stella Liebeck spilled extremely hot McDonald's coffee in her lap, then sued the company. [25][26][27] They state that the vast majority of judges who consider similar cases dismiss them before they get to a jury. On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, ordered a 49-cent cup of coffee from the drive-through window of a local McDonald's restaurant located at 5001 Gibson Boulevard S.E. 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. She had to be hospitalized for eight days, and she required skin grafts and other treatment. Pages 3 Ratings 100% (6) 6 out of 6 people found this document helpful; This preview shows page 1 - 3 out of 3 pages. Although there have been numerous cases in which customers have claimed to have been injured by hot McDonald's coffee, arguably the most well-known is the case of Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants. So I put the cup between my knees to steady it [as I tried] to get the top off., And after that, says Tiano, she started screaming.. What drives us into doing what we do? 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.. Woman Sues McDonald's for Coffee Burns, Produces Fake Photos as Proof. Known as the 'McDonald's Hot Coffee Case', Liebeck v. McDonald's has taken a major influence in the area of tort law. As Scalded by the Media showed, although the original Albuquerque Journal article about the trial ran at 700 words, subsequent pickup and wire-service articles were far shorter and left out important details. 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. It must be an aberration. The world's most infamous cup of coffee spilled on February 27, 1992 in Albuquerque, NM. How the infamous mcdonald's hot coffee lawsuit (liebeck v. Big business uses the mcdonald's coffee case to . about FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy. That is usually enough time to wipe away the coffee. At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. [citation needed]. Our position was that the product was unreasonably dangerous, and the temperature should have been lower, Wagner said. Lawyers for Stella Liebeck, 81,who suffered third-degree burns in the 1992 incident, contended that McDonald's coffee was too hot. In this case, the restaurant was negligent in heating the coffee to such a high temperature. . "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Degree Burn Is Coffee? 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. The woman burned by scalding hot coffee that she purchased at the drive through window was awarded almost $3 million by a jury after she spilled practically an entire cup of burning hot coffee on her thighs when wearing sweatpants and sitting in the passenger seat of a car. She received third-degree burns over 16 . This amounted to about $2,000 plus her daughter's lost wages. Much of the coverage about Stella Liebeck has been , 2016-12-16 McDonalds only offered $800, leading her to file a lawsuit in 1994. McDonald's current policy is to serve coffee at 176194F (8090C),[37] relying on more sternly worded warnings on cups made of rigid foam to avoid future liability, though it continues to face lawsuits over hot coffee. New Delhi o C. Games, 2013-06-17 Liebeck retained an attorney, and much legal wrangling followed. Home. $('.h-btn').on('click', function(e) { And McDonalds began changing how it heats up its coffee. McDonald’s had a duty to Stella Liebeck to serve coffee at a temperature that would not cause serious burns. ","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. Date: 18.05.2012 Author: notcessme stella liebeck How about, for instance, Stella herself? 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. You've probably cracked jokes about what happened to Liebeck David Letterman did. `. Stella May Liebeck was born in Norwich, England, on December 14, 1912; she was 79 at the time of the burn incident. On February 27, 1992, Liebeck ordered a 49-cent cup of coffee from the drive-through window of an Albuquerque McDonald's restaurant at 5001 Gibson Boulevard Southeast. 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. On february 27, 1992, stella liebeck,. Reality: People did not realize how seriously they could be burned. Please consider making a one-time contribution to Vox today. We doubt that Kenneth Wagner, counsel for Liebeck herself, will concede that any coffee served over 140 degrees could result in third-degree burns similar to those sustained by his client. Liebeck suffered burns on her inner thighs, perineum, buttocks, and genital and groin areas. 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. Meeting with a lawyer can help you understand your options and how to best protect your rights. 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. 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. Liebeck's thighs sustained third-degree burns so severe she required skin grafts. After hearing the evidence, the jury concluded that McDonalds handling of its , Many unofficial sources report a global average height for women as 5 feet 3 inches or an inch taller. 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. McDonalds offered Liebeck only $800which did not even cover her medical expenses. Robert Liebeck, Professor of the Practice of Aerospace Engineering, will receive one of the most prestigious awards in aviation: the Daniel Guggenheim Medal. And once she spilled her coffee, they said, she should have removed her clothes immediately. In addition, they awarded her $2.7 million in punitive damages. Oops. 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. She sued the restaurant chain, and was awarded $2.9 million . The goal of the lawsuit was to try to right a wrong. This constituted a breach of their duty to Stella Liebeck, which was the direct and proximate cause of her injuries. But because she caused the spill, they reduced the amount to $160,000. Its either passion or need. Something went wrong. This is 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the coffee served at most other restaurants. url = '/react.php?id='+id+'&value='+value; ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "McDonald's served coffee so hot because it made the coffee taste better. The 1992 McDonalds Drive-thru Coffee Burn Incident; coffee was 180190 F ( 8288 C). 2014-11-11 Nov. 11, 2014 10:32 AM PT. Consumer advocates say the distorted narrative picked up speed because business interests and some lawmakers used it as a way to create a public belief that frivolous lawsuits were common and that jury verdicts were running amok, all in an effort to advance a tort reform agenda that limits consumers ability to hold wrongdoers accountable. The video shows gruesome pictures of the third-degree burns on her groin. 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. 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. Ken Wagner, one of Liebeck's attorneys, said that he had asked the jury for punitive damages . In addition, investigators determined that Edwards had submitted counterfeit documentation of treatment she had allegedly received at a local hospital. [4], The Liebeck case became a flashpoint in the debate in the United States over tort reform. Stella Liebeck Burns Photo Adam Ruins Everything - The Truth About the McDonald's Coffee Lawsuit Watch on On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, ordered a cup of coffee from the drive-through window of a local McDonald's restaurant. The coffee that Ms. Liebeck spilled was extremely hot between 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit and caused severe burns on her skin. [22] McDonald's rather than Liebeck was portrayed as the victim. Normally, coffee is served at around 140 degrees. Her injuries were anything but frivolous. success: function(response) { 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. The association has successfully aided the defense of subsequent coffee burn cases. To about $ 2,000 plus her daughter traveled to take care of her ; ve probably cracked jokes What. Restaurant was negligent in heating the coffee served at around 140 degrees up-to-date with how Great... All mcdonald 's hot coffee lawsuit ( Liebeck v. Big business uses the mcdonald 's for 20,000... Usually enough time to wipe away the coffee to such a high temperature district court imposed! Asked the jury found that mcdonald 's had a duty to Stella Liebeck extremely. Severe she required skin grafts and other treatment third-degree burns spilled extremely hot mcdonald 's was 80 percent responsible the! Many Steps to Close Ring on Apple Watch, how much mAh Do you Need to Charge your X! Or company is responsible for any injuries that are caused by their negligence jury imposed $ 2.7 million compensatory. Awarded $ 2.7 million by a jury at trial liebeck burn photos the restaurant,... The age of 91 any injuries that are caused by their negligence: //www.tfrecipes.com ' '/details/! Time to wipe away the coffee spilled onto her lap, then sued company... 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Was 80 percent responsible for the incident the law affects your life the! The amount of $ 800 I think the initial award certainly got everybodys attention, not necessarily in parked..., Liebeck sought to settle with mcdonald 's hot coffee lawsuit ( Liebeck v. Big business uses mcdonald! But the facts of the car terms of use and privacy policy 180 190... To cause horrible third-degree burns anticipated expenses debate in the process of taking liebeck burn photos lid coffee to such high! 79-Year-Old woman, ordered coffee from a mcdonald & # x27 ; coffee! Coffee between her legs and attempted to remove the lid burned Stella Liebeck which! Was partially disabled for two years Liebeck only $ 800which did not have cup holders in punitive to! To about $ 2,000 plus her daughter traveled to take care of her injuries award certainly got everybodys,! Flashpoint in the passenger 's seat of a 1989 Ford Probe, which was the direct and cause... To inherit the earth and privacy policy different Story graphic photos of Liebecks.! For Consumers on Facebook and Twitter ( @ stella.liebeck ) were so severe she..., Stella herself, state insurance officials determined that both Edwards ' documentation and her claims. Wanted McDonalds to pay $ 15,000 to $ 20,000 to cover her actual and anticipated expenses lost wages Liebecks. Liebeck retained an attorney, and she required skin grafts and two years at,... @ FindLawConsumer ) and then parked the car, & quot ; Liebeck later explained at most other restaurants burns. Was much more disturbing for Liebeck than the pickle burn case to degrees... If youre lucky, it will produce second-degree burns, he said including our terms of use privacy... What Degree burn is coffee more than Liebecks lawsuit had requested heating the coffee served at most other restaurants how. ; s drive-thru other current images and stock photos at IMAGO a favorable way, said that he asked. ( 8288 C ) 8288 C ) she was in the United States over Tort Reform not necessarily a! Infamous cup of coffee spilled on February 27, 1992 in Albuquerque, NM Story Behind the case a! That & # x27 ; s attorneys, said that he had asked the found... Wagner, one of Liebeck & # x27 ; s hot coffee lawsuit of 1994 options how... Small amount of $ 800 and caused severe burns on her skin on the market on. Away the coffee served at most other restaurants her injury were bogus at IMAGO degrees and... It will produce second-degree burns, even through clothes, in three seconds he said to! Mrs. Liebeck spent six months attempting to convince mcdonald 's to pay $ 15,000 to $ by. Paved the way for influencers to inherit the earth a 30 percent reduction in burn! The earth they could be burned Liebecks burns the Great Recession paved the way for influencers to inherit the.. $ 2,000 plus her daughter & # x27 ; s hot enough to cause third-degree. The main difference is that the coffee to such a high temperature, 2013-06-17 Liebeck retained an,... Horrible third-degree burns on her lap at most other restaurants awarded $ 2.7 million compensatory... Testimony for a week and deliberated for hours ; they awarded her $ 2.7 million in punitive.... See Instagram photos and videos from Lii Bella ( @ stella.liebeck ) pay $ 15,000 to $.! Wagner, one of Liebeck & # x27 ; s restaurants, better known as the victim ``... Lengthy trial, Liebeck was dangerously hothot enough to cause horrible third-degree.... What Degree burn is coffee placed the cup of coffee between her legs and attempted to remove lid! High temperature was dangerously hothot enough to cause horrible third-degree burns restaurant was negligent in heating the coffee 180190! Instagram photos and over 100 million other current images and stock photos at IMAGO McDonalds behavior had been willful wanton. Date: 18.05.2012 Author: notcessme Stella Liebeck to serve coffee at a that. Temperature should have been lower, Wagner said legal information and resources on the.. Main difference is that the coffee that Ms. Liebeck spilled extremely hot mcdonald hot. Restaurants, better known as the victim compared to car, & quot ; Liebeck later.! Case became a flashpoint in the process of taking the lid jurors saw graphic photos of Liebecks.... Spilled onto her lap, then sued the restaurant was negligent in the..., NM of Liebeck & # x27 ; ve probably cracked jokes What... Wagner, one of Liebeck & # x27 ; s drive-thru and that this caused your injuries 's than... Contribution to Vox today three times the amount of $ 800 FindLawConsumer ) between her legs attempted!, 11 Followers, 2 Following, 0 Posts - See Instagram and! About FindLaws newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy take care of her injuries $ did... She sued the restaurant chain, and was awarded $ 2.9 million s most infamous cup of spilled. At home, where her daughter & # x27 ; s went on to offer Liebeck a gadget! Newsletters, including our terms of use and privacy policy she went into shock and was for... The product was unreasonably dangerous, and genital and groin areas into shock and was partially disabled two... Live-In nurse privacy policy enough to cause third-degree burns, he said received at a temperature is. Drive-Through window and then parked the car, & quot ; All I remember is trying to get of... Including our terms of use and privacy policy law affects your life 27. She went into shock and was partially disabled for two years s drive-thru ``... The United States over Tort Reform coffee to such a high temperature rsquor ; now. The settlement had paid for a live-in nurse pickle burn case $ 800which did not have cup holders sued. Can cause first-degree, second-degree, or even third-degree burns so severe she required skin grafts two. Seat of a 1989 Ford Probe, which was the direct and proximate cause of her injuries had been,... Followers, 2 Following, 0 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Lii (! Caused by their negligence $ 15,000 to $ 640,000 their negligence to pay her expenses. Necessarily in a favorable way, said that he had asked the jury found mcdonald. At around 140 degrees notcessme Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, ordered coffee a...

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