What fast-food chain lost a lawsuit for making their coffee too hot?
The McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit is one of the most well-known cases in American legal history, often cited in discussions about tort reform and consumer safety. The case revolves around Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman who suffered severe burns after spilling a cup of McDonald’s coffee in her lap. The incident occurred on February 27, 1992, when Liebeck purchased a cup of coffee from a drive-thru in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
After receiving her coffee, Liebeck attempted to add cream and sugar while seated in her grandson’s car. Without proper cup holders, she placed the coffee between her knees to stabilize it. As she removed the lid to pour in the cream, the entire cup spilled onto her lap. The coffee was served at a temperature between 180°F and 190°F (82°C to 88°C), which is significantly hotter than typical home-brewed coffee, usually served at around 135°F to 150°F (57°C to 66°C). The extreme heat caused third-degree burns over 16% of Liebeck’s body, including critical areas such as her thighs and groin.
Liebeck was hospitalized for eight days and underwent skin grafts and extensive medical treatment over the following two years. Her medical bills totaled approximately $10,500. Initially seeking $20,000 from McDonald’s to cover her expenses, she was met with an offer of only $800—a sum that did not even cover her medical costs.
Frustrated with McDonald’s response, Liebeck filed a lawsuit claiming gross negligence. During the trial, it was revealed that McDonald’s had received over 700 complaints regarding burns from their hot coffee prior to this incident and had been aware of the risks associated with serving coffee at such high temperatures. Expert testimony indicated that coffee at these temperatures could cause severe burns in just seconds.
The jury ultimately found McDonald’s 80% responsible for the incident, attributing 20% liability to Liebeck for her actions. They awarded her $200,000 in compensatory damages for her medical expenses and suffering, which was later reduced to $160,000 due to her partial fault. Additionally, they awarded $2.7 million in punitive damages as a penalty for McDonald’s negligence—an amount intended to reflect two days’ worth of revenue from coffee sales.
Sumber:
https://x.com/elbirtus/status/1864783373539201044
https://howinlinux.blogspot.com/2024/12/what-fast-food-chain-lost-lawsuit-for.html
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