what was the name of kramer's lawyer in the hot coffee incident

by Janie Cronin PhD 10 min read

The episode debuted recurring character Jackie Chiles, a lawyer who represents Kramer in the hot coffee case introduced in the previous episode. The title character is played by Mark Metcalf.

What happened in the hot coffee case?

Mar 18, 2021 ¡ After getting burnt by his too-hot coffee Kramer hires a lawyer named Jackie Chiles to help him sue the company Java World. While his lawyer is confident that he's going to make Kramer "a rich man" things end up taking a turn for the worst. First, Kramer uses a balm given to him by Elaine's boyfriend that heals his burn.

What happened to the woman who spilled a cup of coffee?

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.

What was the settlement in the McDonald's hot coffee case?

In 2011, trial lawyer Susan Saladoff made a documentary, “Hot Coffee,” that exposed the true story and corrected some of the public perception of the case. (“Hot Coffee” is available in the museum’s gift shop.) But even after that, the myth of “the woman who got rich after abusing the court system over spilled coffee” persisted.

Did McDonald's reduce the temperature of its coffee after the lawsuit?

Kramer asks his favorite attorney, Jackie Chiles, if the fact that he tried to sneak the coffee into the theater is going to be a problem in their lawsuit. Jackie responds, “Yeah, that’s going to be a problem. It’s gonna be a problem for them. This is a clear violation of your rights as a consumer. It’s an infringement on your constitutional rights.

What was Kramers lawyers name?

Jackie ChilesJackie Chiles is a fictional character portrayed by American actor Phil Morris in the NBC sitcom Seinfeld. He appears in the series' seventh through ninth seasons as Cosmo Kramer's lawyer....Jackie ChilesOccupationAttorney at law8 more rows

Who played Jackie the attorney on Seinfeld?

Phil MorrisPhil Morris (I) Phillip Morris is an African-American actor from Ohio who is known for playing Jackie Chiles from ...

Who plays the black attorney on Seinfeld?

Jackie Chiles, the fast-talking attorney whose civil lawsuits were dependably foiled by Kramer, is starring in his own series on the comedy video website Funny or Die. Chiles is played by Phil Morris, a 41-year-old Los Angeles actor who never wanted to fully relinquish the role.Dec 1, 2010

Who told you put the balm on episode?

If you're gonna put a balm on, let a doctor put a balm on." – Jackie Chiles. What is this? 6.Aug 11, 2021

What happened to Greg Morris?

LAS VEGAS (AP) _ Actor Greg Morris, who played quiet, efficient electronics expert Barney Collier in the ``Mission: Impossible″ television series, has died at age 61 after a recent battle with brain cancer. Morris was found dead at home Tuesday.Aug 28, 1996

Was Teri Hatcher on Seinfeld?

Teri Hatcher is an American actress who portrayed Sidra Holland on Seinfeld; she appeared in "The Implant", "The Pilot" and "The Finale".

How much is Seinfeld worth?

Jerry Seinfeld is the richest comedian in the world, being worth almost a billion dollars as things currently stand. What is this? As of 2022, Jerry Seinfeld's net worth is estimated to be $950 million....Net Worth:$950 MillionSource of Wealth:Professional ComedianLast Updated:20213 more rows•Jan 30, 2022

Was George Steinbrenner ever on Seinfeld?

George Steinbrenner appeared as a character in the situation comedy Seinfeld, when George Costanza worked for the Yankees for several seasons. Mitch Mitchell and Lee Bear portrayed the character, and Larry David provided voice-over performances whenever the character spoke.

Does Phil Morris have children?

Rachel MorrisJordan MorrisPhil Morris/Children

What is the funniest episode of Seinfeld?

The 20 Best 'Seinfeld' Episodes, RankedThe Strike. ... The Outing. (Season 4, Episode 17) ... The Contest. (Season 4, Episode 11) ... The Parking Garage. (Season 3, Episode 6) ... The Chinese Restaurant. (Season 2, Episode 11) ... The Library. (Season 3, Episode 5) ... The Soup Nazi. (Season 7, Episode 6) ... The Comeback. (Season 8, Episode 13)More items...•Nov 26, 2021

Do you know how big Tuscany is?

Tuscany (/ˈtʌskəni/ TUSK-ə-nee; Italian: Toscana [tosˈkaːna]) is a region in central Italy with an area of about 23,000 square kilometres (8,900 square miles) and a population of about 3.8 million inhabitants.

Why did you put the balm on Seinfeld?

Why'd you put the balm on? You haven't even been to see the doctor. If you're gonna put a balm on, let a doctor put a balm on.”

What happened to Kramer in the bus?

After trying to rush Toby's (Elaine's co-worker) severed toe to the hospital, Kramer recounts his wild story of what happened after he jumped on the bus. He tells Jerry and George how he overpowered a gunman that entered the bus and took control of the vehicle after the driver passed out. Kramer also managed to get all the passengers to their stops since people "kept ringing the bell" as well as get Toby's toe to the hospital in time for it to be reattached. As one of the most loyal friends in the group, season one Kramer would absolutely be proud of helping out multiple people in such an extraordinary circumstance.

What is Jerry Kramer's most famous painting?

Out of all of Kramer's accomplishments throughout his series run, perhaps the most iconic is his famous painting, The Kramer. As a result of posing for Jerry's artist girlfriend Nina, The Kramer ends up being purchased by an elderly couple that later invites Kramer to have dinner with them. As Kramer recounts his life to the fascinated couple, the painting is seen displayed on the wall behind their dinner table. No doubt with all his wacky schemes and goals Kramer would certainly be pleased with the reception of his portrait.

What is Kramer Industries?

Kramer's self-created, single-employee-based corporation, Kramerica Industries was often used by him as an enterprise to implement his out-of-the-box business ideas. At one point Kramer manages to get an intern named Darren who helps him with his day-to-day life before he is pulled from the internship by NYU when they become aware that Kramerica Industries is just Kramer alone in his apartment.

Who invented the manssiere?

Though the idea for this male support undergarment was originally conceived by Frank Costanza, Kramer teamed up with him in hopes of marketing the invention. While things initially appeared to be running smoothly for the two, ultimately the idea fell flat when the two argued over the name for the support device in front of a potential company buyer, (Kramer wanting to call it the Bro and Frank saying it should be the manssiere). Though Kramer was constantly plotting various get-rich-quick schemes it's no doubt the loss of this one would have stung hard for season one Kramer.

Who played Steven Snell in Murphy Brown?

After leaving New York City and heading to Los Angeles to become an actor, Kramer manages to get a small role on 80's/90's sitcom Murphy Brown as a secretary named Steven Snell. Even though nothing further comes from his role due to Kramer getting arrested and accused of being a serial killer called the Smog Strangler, he'd still be proud of his minor success. With a slew of failed schemes, season one Kramer would definitely take pride in knowing one of them actually panned out.

What does Poppie argue about in the pizza test run?

Though everything seems to be running smoothly at first, during the pizza test run Poppie argues that people shouldn't be able to choose whatever they want as a pizza topping when Kramer wants to put cucumbers on his. The two end up getting into an argument and parting ways. Considering season one Kramer clearly wanted this idea to become a reality he would definitely be disappointed that this concept ultimately fell flat.

Who made the ocean cologne?

Though it's suggested that certain parts of Kramer are exposed in the ad, it's unlikely this would phase the eccentric individual as Kramer was never a man who was ashamed of his body. Surely season one Kramer would've felt the same way.

What is the hot coffee movie about?

On June 27, 2011, HBO premiered a documentary about tort reform problems titled Hot Coffee. A large portion of the film covered Liebeck's lawsuit. This included news clips, comments from celebrities and politicians about the case, as well as myths and misconceptions, including how many people thought she was driving when the incident occurred and thought that she suffered only minor superficial burns. The film also discussed in great depth how Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants is often used and misused to describe a frivolous lawsuit and referenced in conjunction with tort reform efforts. It contends that corporations have spent millions promoting misconceptions of tort cases in order to promote tort reform. In reality, the majority of damages in the case were punitive due to McDonald's' reckless disregard for the number of burn victims prior to Liebeck.

What was the name of the lawsuit that was a flashpoint in the debate in the United States over tort reform?

Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants, also known as the McDonald's coffee case and the hot coffee lawsuit, was a 1994 product liability lawsuit that became a flashpoint in the debate in the United States over tort reform. Although a New Mexico civil jury awarded $2.86 million to plaintiff Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman who suffered third-degree ...

How much did Liebeck settle for McDonald's?

Liebeck sought to settle with McDonald's for $20,000 to cover her actual and anticipated expenses. Her past medical expenses were $10,500; her anticipated future medical expenses were approximately $2,500; and her daughter's loss of income was approximately $5,000 for a total of approximately $18,000.

Where did Stella Liebeck get her coffee?

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 Southeast . Liebeck was in the passenger's seat of a 1989 Ford Probe which did not have cup holders. Her grandson parked the car so that Liebeck could add cream and sugar to her coffee. Liebeck placed the coffee cup between her knees and pulled the far side of the lid toward her to remove it. In the process, she spilled the entire cup of coffee on her lap. Liebeck was wearing cotton sweatpants; they absorbed the coffee and held it against her skin, scalding her thighs, buttocks, and groin.

Who was responsible for the McDonald's coffee cup accident?

Applying the principles of comparative negligence, the jury found that McDonald's was 80% responsible for the incident and Liebeck was 20% at fault. Though there was a warning on the coffee cup, the jury decided that the warning was neither large enough nor sufficient.

What temperature should coffee be served at?

Scott. During the case, Liebeck's attorneys discovered that McDonald's required franchisees to hold coffee at 180–190 °F (82–88 °C). Liebeck's attorney argued that coffee should never be served hotter than 140 °F (60 °C), and that a number of other establishments served coffee at a substantially lower temperature than McDonald's. They presented evidence that coffee they had tested all over the city was all served at a temperature at least 20°F (11°C) lower than what McDonald's served. Liebeck's lawyers also presented the jury with expert testimony that 190 °F (88 °C) coffee may produce third-degree burns (where skin grafting is necessary) in about 3 seconds and 180 °F (82 °C) coffee may produce such burns in about 12 to 15 seconds. Lowering the temperature to 160 °F (71 °C) would increase the time for the coffee to produce such a burn to 20 seconds. Liebeck's attorneys argued that these extra seconds could provide adequate time to remove the coffee from exposed skin, thereby preventing many burns. 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. However, it came to light that McDonald's had done research which indicated that customers intend to consume the coffee immediately while driving.

What is the temperature of McDonald's coffee?

Since Liebeck, McDonald's has not reduced the service temperature of its coffee. McDonald's current policy is to serve coffee at 176–194 °F (80–90 °C), 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.

How did Stella Liebeck get burned?

Stella Liebeck, the 79-year-old woman who was severely burned by McDonald’s coffee that she spilled in her lap in 1992, was unfairly held up as an example of frivolous litigation in the public eye. But the facts of the case tell a very different story. The coffee that burned Stella Liebeck was dangerously hot—hot enough to cause third-degree burns, even through clothes, in three seconds. Liebeck endured third-degree burns over 16 percent of her body, including her inner thighs and genitals—the skin was burned away to the layers of muscle and fatty tissue. She had to be hospitalized for eight days, and she required skin grafts and other treatment. Her recovery lasted two years.

How long does it take for coffee to burn?

At this temperature, spilled coffee causes third degree burns in less than three seconds. Other restaurants served coffee at 160 degrees, which takes twenty seconds to cause third degree burns. That is usually enough time to wipe away the coffee.

How long did the Liebeck case last?

Her recovery lasted two years. Liebeck offered to settle the case for $20,000, but the company refused. McDonald’s offered Liebeck only $800—which did not even cover her medical expenses. When the case went to trial, the jurors saw graphic photos of Liebeck’s burns.

What happened to the elderly woman who spilled coffee on her lap?

An elderly woman is burned when she spills a cup of hot coffee on her lap. She sues her way to a $2.7 million jury-awarded jackpot. The next burn comes from the media, and her life is changed forever.

Who was Stella Liebeck?

On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old widow, was in the passenger seat of her grandson’s Ford Probe ordering a Value Meal at the drive-through window of an Albuquerque, New Mexico, McDonald’s. Since there were no cup holders in the Probe and the interior surfaces were sloped, her grandson, Christopher Tiano, ...

How many complaints did McDonald's get?

McDonald’s had received more than 700 complaints about burns from hot beverages over the previous ten-year period. The defense countered that the number of complaints was statistically insignificant, given the billions of cups of McDonald’s coffee sold annually. Their point seemed to turn off jurors.

What happened to the woman who spilled coffee at McDonald's?

Other people have reported similar injuries after spilling McDonald's coffee. In September 1997, a seventy-three year old woman suffered first and second degree burns when a cup of McDonald's coffee spilled on her lap. At the time, McDonald's still kept its coffee at 180 degrees Fahrenheit.

What happened to Stella Liebeck?

Stella Liebeck was badly injured. All she remembered was the pain.

How hot is McDonald's coffee?

McDonald 's coffee was served at a temperature between 180 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. McDonald's had long known that this was 20 to 30 degrees hotter than the coffee served at most other restaurants; in fact, this temperature range was indicated in its operations manual. In the 10 years before the case, more than 700 people who were scalded by ...

Did McDonald's raise compensation offer?

McDonald's refused to raise its compensation offer above $800. Stella Liebeck filed suit. Her lawsuit asked for $100,000 in compensatory damages (including for her pain and suffering) and triple punitive damages. These punitive damages were sought in order to send a message to McDonald's that their coffee was dangerously hot.

Does McDonald's lower the temperature of coffee?

In the 10 years before the case, more than 700 people who were scalded by coffee burns made claims against the company. But McDonald's never lowered the temperature of its coffee.

What happened to Stella Liebeck?

Yet, what actually happened? On February 27, 1992, Stella Liebeck, 79 years old, pulled into the drive-through of a McDonald’s restaurant in Albuquerque, New Mexico and ordered a cup of coffee.

What was the significance of the Liebeck case?

The Liebeck case sparked a debate all across the country regarding frivolous lawsuits and excessive jury awards. Many saw this as a signal that tort reform was in dire need. However, far beneath the squawk and squabble of the media and other chattering classes, the real issues-legal issues-remained to be tussled over by both sides.

Who is the famous person who praised Kramer?

Kramer received love and support from a number of her famous friends — including Jessie James Decker who also recently "treated" herself to new breasts, which she said made her feel like a "brand new woman.". Tori Spelling also praised Kramer for being an inspiration.

How old is Jana Kramer?

The 37-year-old actress and country singer previously opened up about her decision to get a breast augmentation and lift in a post on International Women's Day, ...

The Facts of The Case

Why Liebeck Decided to Sue

  • When Liebeck’s medical bills topped $10,000, she contacted McDonald’s and asked to be reimbursed. “We couldn’t believe that this much damage could happen over spilled coffee,” Liebeck’s daughter, Judy Allen, said in Scalded by the Media, a 2013 documentary about the case. “We wrote a letter to McDonald’s asking them to check the temperature of the coffee and to giv…
See more on rd.com

What Came Out in Court

  • During the trial, Liebeck’s surgeon, David Arredondo, MD, told the jury that if liquid at that temperature makes contact with skin for more than a few seconds, it will cause very serious burns. “If you’re lucky, it will produce second-degree burns,” he said. “If you’re not as lucky, you will get third-degree or full-thickness burns requiring skin grafting and surgery.” Jurors were given a …
See more on rd.com

How The Public reacted to The Verdict

  • 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. In the end, all that most people knew about the case came from the headlines and late-night talk shows. These fast food court cases are ba-da-ba-ba-dumb. “When you read, ‘…
See more on rd.com

The Final Outcome

  • Her family, understandably, was appalled. “I am just astounded at how many people are aware of this case and how many people have a distorted view of the case,” said daughter Judy Allen. “I’ll say, ‘What if I told you she wasn’t driving?’ and they’ll say, ‘Oh, no, she was driving.’ ” “I’ve heard people say she was asking for $30 million or something equally ridiculous,” said Liebeck’s daugh…
See more on rd.com