What is the true story of the McDonald’s coffee lawsuit?
In 1992, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck bought a cup of takeout coffee at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Albuquerque and spilled it on her lap. She sued McDonald’s and a jury awarded her nearly $3 million in punitive damages for the burns she suffered. Typical reaction: Isn’t coffee supposed to be hot? According to a CNN Business article, a California jury ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million to a delivery driver severely burned by a hot beverage. Similar to the famous McDonald’s coffee lawsuit, this case highlights corporate responsibility, consumer safety, and personal injury law.In 1992, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck bought a cup of takeout coffee at a McDonald’s drive-thru in Albuquerque and spilled it on her lap. She sued McDonald’s and a jury awarded her nearly $3 million in punitive damages for the burns she suffered. Typical reaction: Isn’t coffee supposed to be hot?