Liebeck was taken to the hospital, where it was determined that she had suffered third-degree burns on six percent of her skin and lesser burns over sixteen percent. She remained in the hospital for eight days while she underwent skin grafting.
The jury awarded Liebeck $200,000 in compensatory damages -- reduced to $160,000 because the jury found her 20 percent at fault -- and $2.7 million in punitive damages for McDonald's callous conduct. (To put this in perspective, McDonald's revenue from coffee sales alone is in excess of $1.3 million a day.)
Hot coffee burn lawsuits demand compensation payouts for physical pain and suffering and psychological injuries. In cases with severe burns, there will be significant medical expenses that are claimed in the case.Jan 19, 2022
The goal of the lawsuit was to try to right a wrong. “We knew, before the lawsuit was filed, that the temperature of the water was 190 degrees or so, and the franchise documents required that of the franchisee,” said Kenneth Wagner, an Albuquerque lawyer who represented Liebeck.
Liebeck acknowledged that the spill was her fault. 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.Dec 16, 2016
of negligence and of products liabilityLiebeck's attorney filed a lawsuit based on a theory of negligence and of products liability. Her attorney argued that the restaurant was negligent because it heated the coffee much higher than necessary and enough to where it could cause serious injuries.Feb 9, 2018
By the term “burn” we mean bitter taste, dark brownish-blackish color and a not so pleasing “ashy flavor”. Below are the reasons why coffee might taste burnt.
In New York, a court held a plaintiff failed to show that coffee served between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit exceeds industry standards. In Indiana, a federal district judge concluded the industry standard for coffee temperature is between 170 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit.Feb 19, 2009
One reason for serving coffee too hot to drink is that at 150º to 160ºF the oils in coffee give off aromas that contribute to the taste of coffee. However, hot coffee can cause a third degree burn; in 1 second at 156ºF , in 2 seconds at 149ºF, in 5 seconds at 140ºF, and in 15 seconds at 133ºF.Jul 14, 2013
Over 20 lawsuits have been brought against McDonald's regarding this issue, which the McDonald's Corporation has attempted to consolidate.
In essence, the jury said that Mrs. Liebeck did carry some blame for her injuries because she held the coffee improperly. At the end of the day, if McDonald's served its coffee at a reasonable temperature, it would have been unlikely that Mrs.Sep 10, 2020
During the trial, it was revealed that McDonald's kept its coffee temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit, even though any drink served at temperatures over 140 degrees Fahrenheit could cause serious burns. The company claimed to do that because it “made the coffee taste better.”May 18, 2018