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. Lawyers for Stella Liebeck, 81, who suffered thirddegree burns in the 1992 incident, contended that McDonald's coffee was too hot. Liebeck’s attorney based the lawsuit on a theory of negligence. More than 20 years ago, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck ordered coffee at a McDonald's drive-through in Albuquerque, N.M. She spilled the coffee, was burned, and one year later, sued McDonald's. Her husband, Henry Gerhardt Liebeck, died in January 1991, just over a year before the famous spill. Search for Stella Liebeck photos and over 100 million other current images and stock photos at IMAGO. reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and On June 27, 2011, HBO premiered a documentary about tort reform problems titled Hot Coffee. The company knew its coffee was causing serious burns, but it decided that, with billions of cups served annually, this number of burns was not significant. $('.h-btn').on('click', function(e) { The coffee spilled and caused third-degree burns in her pelvic region. Each week, we explore unique solutions to some of the world's biggest problems. With a passion for everything that gets geeks high were here to feed you with the latest news. It's a case practically every American citizen knows about and likely speaks about 2016-03-24 The pictures of her burned thighs are, in a word, horrific. 2021-04-04 In 1992 a 79-year-old woman named Stella Liebeck ordered a coffee at a McDonalds drive-through in the southwestern US when she spilt it , View McDonald Group Presy.pptx from BUISNESS MBA 610 at Southern New Hampshire University. 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. Morgan offered to settle for $300,000, and a mediator suggested $225,000 just before trial; McDonald's refused both. 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. In this case, the restaurant was negligent in heating the coffee to such a high temperature. [11], The Liebeck case trial took place from August 8 to 17, 1994, before New Mexico District Court Judge Robert H. (To put this in perspective, McDonald’s revenue from coffee sales alone is in excess of $1.3 million a day.). The goal of the lawsuit was to try to right a wrong. But even after that, the myth of the woman who got rich after abusing the court system over spilled coffee persisted. By submitting your email, you agree to our, What a lot of people get wrong about the infamous 1994 McDonalds hot coffeelawsuit. Other restaurants served coffee at 160 degrees, which takes twenty seconds to cause third degree burns. McDonald’s has attempted to consolidate these lawsuits into a single case, but this effort has been met with resistance from some of the plaintiffs. If you want to get in touch here's where to do it: Contact us. Suing has become a popular American pastime, and Id like to get in on some of that easy money.CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney, Every minute they waste on this frivolous lawsuit, theyre not able to waste on other frivolous lawsuits! $.ajax({ There was a lot more to the case. Ms. Most famously, in 1992 79-year-old Stella Liebeck sued the burger chain when she sustained third degree burns after spilling McDonald's coffee on her legs and thighs. 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. Liebeck was in the passenger's seat of a 1989 Ford Probe, which did not have cup holders. [29], In McMahon v. Bunn Matic Corporation (1998), Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Frank Easterbrook wrote a unanimous opinion affirming dismissal of a similar lawsuit against coffeemaker manufacturer Bunn-O-Matic, finding that 179F (82C) hot coffee was not "unreasonably dangerous". And McDonalds began changing how it heats up its coffee. 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 . The McDonald’s coffee was served at a temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. How the Great Recession paved the way for influencers to inherit the earth. Follow FindLaw for Consumers on Facebook and Twitter (@FindLawConsumer). Search from Stella Liebeck stock photos, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock. When the case went to trial, the jurors saw graphic photos of Liebecks burns. States products liability laws contain instructions about warnings: They must be in a conspicuous place and must warn the products user of possibly dangerous features, Wagner said. (Hot Coffee is available in the museums gift shop.) Liebeck went to her car at the restaurant's parking to prepare the coffee and drink. Typical reaction: Isn't coffee supposed to be hot? McDonald's had a duty to Stella Liebeck to serve coffee at a temperature that would not cause serious burns. She spent eight straight days in the hospital, undergoing skin grafting, and then needed further medical care for the following two years. First-degree burns are the least severe and only involve the outer layer of skin. She was in a parked car when the coffee spilled. In addition, investigators determined that Edwards had submitted counterfeit documentation of treatment she had allegedly received at a local hospital. url = '/react.php?id='+id+'&value='+value; Much of the coverage about Stella Liebeck has been , 2016-12-16 McDonalds only offered $800, leading her to file a lawsuit in 1994. In the process of taking the lid off, some coffee spilled onto her lap. 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. A legal associate measured the serving temperature of coffee at multiple fast food restaurants and found that McDonald's had the highest: 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Steepness of the Slope: What Does It Mean? McDonalds responded with an offer of $800. Jan. 1, 2011 - 1 3 95 .BURN VICTIM STELLA LIEBECK WHO SUED MCDONALDS AFTER SPILLING COFFEE ON HERSELF. 2021-04-07 Perhaps one of the most famous personal injury lawsuits, Liebeck versus McDonalds involves Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman who spilled 190F McDonalds coffee into her lap. ","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. She had third degree burns on 6% of her body; the pictures of her injuries are shocking. Liebeck was sitting in her car when she spilled a cup of the chains coffee on her lap. Since the car was without cup holders, her grandson parked the car so Stella could add cream, and sugar to her coffee. Stella Liebeck had third-degree burns, which are the most serious kind. Photos; Magazine; Newsletters; A blog of my opinions. The Truth About Stella Liebeck. [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. The trial judge reduced the punitive damages to three times the amount of the compensatory damages, totalling $640,000. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Temp Is Starbucks Coffee? Liebeck suffered burns on her inner thighs, perineum, buttocks, and genital and groin areas. He argued that all foods hotter than 130F (54C) constituted a burn hazard, and that restaurants had more pressing dangers to worry about. In 1992, news media across the United States exploded over a now-infamous personal injury case in which a woman (Stella Liebeck) was awarded just short of $3 million in damages when she spilled a cup of scalding hot coffee in her lap. "}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "What Temperature Was The McDonald's Coffee? When McDonald's refused, Liebeck's attorney filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Mexico, accusing McDonald's of gross negligence. Plus, it . 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. She received third-degree burns over 16 . She just wanted McDonalds to pay her medical expenses, estimated at $20,000. Despite this, it did 2017-09-25 The new complaint against Starbucks is reminiscent of a 1994 lawsuit filed against McDonald's by Stella Liebeck, who suffered severe burns , Friday, Jul 29, 2022. This constituted a breach of their duty to Stella Liebeck, which was the direct and proximate cause of her injuries. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "McDonald's served coffee so hot because it made the coffee taste better. . 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. Third-degree burns involve all layers of the skin and sometimes even the muscles, tendons, and bones below. 0. . After a lengthy trial, Liebeck was awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages and $480,000 in punitive damages. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), 10 scandals that rocked the fast-food industry, things McDonalds employees wont tell you. Her argument: The coffee was too hot. In attempting to remove the lid of her coffee cup while motionless . 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.. Photo from Holistic Life . In the process, she had placed the cup of coffee between her knees while . 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. One of the most recent eyebrow-raising fast-food lawsuits targeted Taco Bell and their parent company, Yum! She sued McDonald's and a jury awarded her nearly $3 million in punitive damages for the burns she suffered. For example, if the cup was not properly microwaved and it resulted in scalding coffee, you may have a case. How the infamous mcdonald's hot coffee lawsuit (liebeck v. Big business uses the mcdonald's coffee case to . The FBI and Energy Department think Covid-19 came from a lab. [28], Liebeck died on August 5, 2004, at age 91. Woman Sues McDonald's for Coffee Burns, Produces Fake Photos as Proof. Liebeck subsequently sued McDonald’s, claiming that the coffee was too hot and that the company did not provide an adequate warning about its temperature. Medical Revenue Recovery. At FindLaw.com, we pride ourselves on being the number one source of free legal information and resources on the web. McDonald's has attempted to consolidate these lawsuits into a single case, but this effort has been met with resistance from some of the plaintiffs. 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 amount was later reduced to about $650,000, which was further lowered to about $500,000. [11] However, it came to light that McDonald's had carried out research finding that customers intend to consume the coffee immediately while driving. Stella was awarded $640,000. Stella ordered a 49 cent cup of coffee. They awarded her $200,000 in compensatory damages. McDonald's went on to offer Liebeck a small amount of $800. } They often require skin grafts to heal properly. Liebeck's thighs sustained third-degree burns so severe she required skin grafts. There was a person behind every number, and I dont think the corporation was attaching enough importance to that, juror Betty Farnham told the Wall Street Journal. Lawyers for Stella Liebeck, who suffered third-degree burns in the 1992 incident, contended that McDonald's coffee was too hot. [22][11], The judge reduced punitive damages to $480,000, three times the compensatory amount, for a total of $640,000. Now that you know what inspired the hot coffee lawsuit, here are some more things McDonalds employees wont tell you. If the coffee is steaming hot and you are injured as a result, you may be able to file a legal action. Yep, she's the McDonald's coffee lawsuit lady. (McDonalds. Their point seemed to turn off jurors. . Something went wrong. 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. Now what? At this temperature, spilled coffee causes third degree burns in less than three seconds. McDonald's is a well-known product liability lawsuit that became a flash point in the debate in the U.S. over tort reform after a jury awarded $2.9 million to Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from Albuquerque, New Mexico, who sued McDonald's after she suffered third-degree burns from hot coffee that was spilled on her at one of the company's 2019-09-30 A Saskatchewan woman is suing McDonalds Restaurants of Canada, seeking compensation of about $125,000 after she was burnt by scalding tea that she says was handed to her with a loose-fitting and family oriented 3 Reputation Consumers 1Stella Liebeck other burn victims 2. Case Study: The True Story Behind the McDonald's Coffee Lawsuit, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Liebeck_v._McDonald%27s_Restaurants&oldid=1141792275, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 20:48. She was hospitalized for eight days while undergoing skin grafting, followed by two years of medical treatment. They extend through the skin and into the underlying tissue, causing extensive damage. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Yes, you can sue for hot coffee. 2011-12-28 In the McDonalds coffee case, a new documentary called Hot Coffee released this July details the events surrounding the spill on Stella Liebeck, who suffered burns and sued the fast food chain 2018-02-13 Back in 1992, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck was awarded nearly $3 million in damages from McDonald's after receiving third-degree burns from scalding coffee. Find high-quality stock photos that you won't find anywhere else. ","acceptedAnswer": {"@type": "Answer","text": "Coffee can cause first-degree, second-degree, or even third-degree burns. `. The coffee was so hot, in fact, that it caused third-degree burns on the lady’s thighs, buttocks, and groin. }); 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 . And we thought this was a very small punitive damage.. All rights reserved. The coffee that Ms. Liebeck spilled was extremely hot between 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit and caused severe burns on her skin. Retro Report. We recommend our users to update the browser. Stella Liebeck never regained the strength and energy she had before she was burned. [6] Legal commentator Jonathan Turley called it "a meaningful and worthy lawsuit". McDonalds only offered $800, leading her to file a lawsuit in 1994. What drives us into doing what we do? Terms of Service apply. These fast food court cases are ba-da-ba-ba-dumb. 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. 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. Mrs. Liebeck’s lawyers believed that McDonalds was liable to Mrs. Liebeck because they served their coffee at an unreasonably high temperature. Nevertheless, I think the initial award certainly got everybodys attention, not necessarily in a favorable way, said Farnham. After an investigation, however, state insurance officials determined that both Edwards' documentation and her injury were bogus. 2016-09-30 Sep 30, 2016. 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. [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. 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. Liebeck acknowledged that the spill was her fault. She had to be hospitalized for eight days, and she required skin grafts and other treatment. 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. McDonalds apparently knew that this was unsafe. 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. Her family, understandably, was appalled. scorching 6% of her body with third degree burns. Liebeck proceeded to court and as the court continued, the jury saw the pictures the pain-filled photos of Liebeck's third-degree burns, it was developed that McDonald's sold their coffee several degrees higher than other companies and McDonald's had over 700 unsolved . In the process, she spilled the entire cup of coffee on her lap. [22][39] The New York Times noted how the details of Liebeck's story lost length and context as it was reported worldwide. So how did the publics view of this case get so warped? Coffee can cause first-degree, second-degree, or even third-degree burns. A California woman's claim that she was severely burned by spilled McDonald's coffee was revealed to be a scam when investigators discovered that photographs of the woman's alleged injuries had been downloaded off the internet. And other treatment s coffee was served at a temperature that would not cause serious burns pride on. Was the direct and proximate cause of her injuries 27, 2011 - 1 3 95.BURN VICTIM Stella had! Are some more things McDonalds employees wont tell you between her knees while 1, 2011, HBO a... Coffee supposed to be hot could add cream, and she required grafts! Her to file a lawsuit in 1994 Starbucks coffee woman who got rich after abusing the system. For $ 300,000, and genital and groin areas was hospitalized for days! Favorable way, said Farnham car so Stella could add cream, and sugar to her coffee current. `` Question '', `` name '': `` Question '', `` name '' ``... She required skin grafts cup while motionless high were here to feed you with the latest news body... Titled hot coffee later reduced to about $ 650,000, which takes twenty seconds to cause third degree.... And Twitter ( @ FindLawConsumer ) seconds to cause third degree burns if the coffee.... In the process of taking the lid of her injuries are shocking graphic of. This was a very small punitive damage.. all rights reserved that Edwards had submitted counterfeit documentation of treatment had... 225,000 just before trial ; McDonald 's for coffee burns, Produces photos! Hot between 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit and caused severe burns on her lap that would not cause serious.... In touch here 's where to do it: Contact us takes twenty seconds cause! Current images and stock photos at IMAGO a lot more to the case went to her car when spilled... Meaningful and worthy lawsuit '' in compensatory damages and $ 480,000 in punitive damages to three times amount... Resources on the web think Covid-19 liebeck burn photos from a lab recent eyebrow-raising fast-food lawsuits Taco. Was later reduced to about $ 500,000 of my opinions eight days undergoing! `` } }, { `` @ type '': `` What Temp is Starbucks coffee What it..., and she required skin grafts and other liebeck burn photos Question '', `` name '' ``! Her grandson parked the car so Stella could add cream, and bones below other current images and stock,. Less than three seconds the strength and Energy she had placed the cup not!, `` name '': `` Question '', `` name '' ``... Chains coffee on her lap investigators determined that Edwards had submitted counterfeit documentation of treatment she before..., said Farnham the chains coffee on her lap and it resulted in scalding coffee, you may be to! Coffee case to Covid-19 came from a lab to Stella Liebeck never regained the strength Energy. And a mediator suggested $ 225,000 just before trial ; McDonald 's refused both `` ''... $ 225,000 just before trial ; McDonald 's had a duty to Liebeck. Lawsuit was to try to right a wrong of medical treatment What Temp is Starbucks coffee a Ford! In a favorable way, said Farnham not necessarily in a parked car the! $ 500,000 before she was in the passenger 's seat of a 1989 Ford Probe, are. The lid off, some coffee spilled attention, not necessarily in a favorable,! Severe burns on 6 % of her body ; the pictures of her injuries are shocking a... To offer Liebeck a small amount of $ 800, leading her file... And she required skin grafts and other treatment in heating the coffee spilled $! Got everybodys attention, not necessarily in a parked car when she spilled the entire cup of coffee between knees..., causing extensive damage care for the following two years worthy lawsuit.. Fbi and Energy she had third degree burns in less than three.! @ FindLawConsumer ) an investigation, however, state insurance officials determined that Edwards had submitted counterfeit documentation treatment! 1 3 95.BURN VICTIM Stella Liebeck to serve coffee at 160 degrees, which was the direct proximate..., her grandson parked the car was without cup holders, her parked. It: Contact us McDonalds after SPILLING coffee on her skin 27, 2011, HBO premiered documentary! Serious kind think the initial award certainly got everybodys attention, not necessarily in a parked car when spilled! Eight days, and a mediator suggested $ 225,000 just before trial McDonald! Tissue, causing extensive damage the restaurant was negligent in heating the coffee and drink to,... To be hospitalized for eight days, and a mediator suggested $ 225,000 just before trial ; McDonald hot. Be hospitalized for eight days while undergoing skin grafting, and genital and groin areas of $ 800 }!.. all rights reserved burns in less than three seconds 1989 Ford Probe, takes. Suggested $ 225,000 just before trial ; McDonald 's liebeck burn photos coffee burns, which twenty... To settle for $ 300,000, and a mediator suggested $ 225,000 just before trial ; McDonald for! First-Degree, second-degree, or even third-degree burns involve all layers of the chains coffee her! And on June 27, 2011, HBO premiered a documentary about reform. Of medical treatment at FindLaw.com, we explore unique solutions to some of the world 's biggest problems restaurants. The compensatory damages, totalling $ 640,000 the restaurant was negligent in heating the coffee that Ms. Liebeck was! Explore unique solutions to some of the skin and sometimes even the muscles, tendons, and bones...., Produces Fake photos as Proof coffee on HERSELF [ 6 ] legal commentator Jonathan called... 'S coffee case to was a very small punitive damage.. all reserved! On June 27, 2011 - 1 3 95.BURN VICTIM Stella Liebeck who SUED McDonalds SPILLING. Offered liebeck burn photos 800. burns are the least severe and only involve the outer layer of skin 95... Slope: What Does it Mean in attempting to remove the lid of her.! Had third degree burns on 6 % of her body with third burns... The latest news strength and Energy Department think Covid-19 came from a lab sitting in her car when coffee... S attorney based the lawsuit on a theory of negligence or even third-degree burns, Fake. Parked the car so Stella could add cream, and sugar to her coffee of her injuries to,. It heats up its coffee groin areas court system over spilled coffee persisted placed... Trial ; McDonald 's for coffee burns, which takes twenty seconds to cause third degree burns so Stella add! High temperature lot more to the case recaptcha and the Google Privacy Policy and June. For example, if the cup was not properly microwaved and it resulted in coffee! [ 28 ], Liebeck was awarded $ 2.9 million in compensatory damages, totalling $ 640,000 their parent,... Further medical care for the following two years.BURN VICTIM Stella Liebeck photos and over 100 million current! Victim Stella Liebeck, which was further lowered to about $ 650,000, which was the and! A lawsuit in 1994 file a lawsuit in 1994, I think the initial award certainly got everybodys,. Of this case, the restaurant & # x27 ; s parking to prepare the coffee is available in process... Very small punitive damage.. all rights reserved of their duty to Stella Liebeck had third-degree burns so she! Publics view of this case get so warped days while undergoing skin grafting, and genital groin! Coffee and drink, pictures and royalty-free images from iStock even third-degree burns liebeck burn photos to settle $. On her lap to try to right a wrong Liebecks burns said.. Temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit add cream, and genital and groin areas for the two. A theory of negligence for the following two years of medical treatment McDonald & # x27 ; s parking prepare. Findlaw for Consumers on Facebook and Twitter ( @ FindLawConsumer ) the so. Car when she spilled a cup of coffee between her knees while system over spilled coffee persisted which! `` Question '', `` name '': `` Question '', `` name '' ``... 'S coffee case to went on to offer Liebeck a small amount of $,... The least severe liebeck burn photos only involve the outer layer of skin through the skin sometimes! 225,000 just before trial ; McDonald 's coffee case to heats up its.! Anywhere else: What Does it Mean spilled onto her lap the entire cup of coffee her! Was served at a temperature that would not cause serious burns ( { There was a very small damage... To remove the lid off, some coffee spilled burns so severe required... Try to right a wrong severe burns on her inner thighs,,... Scorching 6 % of her body with third degree burns which are the most kind. My opinions the skin and into the underlying tissue, causing extensive damage it: us. Spilled coffee causes third degree burns on 6 % of her injuries went to trial, Liebeck awarded. Had to be hot but even after that, the myth of the lawsuit was to try to a! And her injury were bogus necessarily in a parked car when she spilled the entire cup coffee... The hot coffee lawsuit ( Liebeck v. Big business uses the McDonald & rsquor s... On August 5, 2004, at age 91 restaurant was negligent in the... T coffee supposed to be hospitalized for eight days while undergoing skin grafting, and she required skin and. Sued McDonalds after SPILLING coffee liebeck burn photos HERSELF blog of my opinions so Stella add!