Woman Burned by McDonald's Hot Coffee, Then the News Media | Retro Report | The New York Times

Summary

In 1992, Stella Liebeck sued McDonald's after suffering severe burns from spilled coffee. The case awarded her $2.9 million, sparking media frenzy and public outcry. The true story, however, was more complex; McDonald's served coffee at 180-190°F, causing third-degree burns. Despite the jury's punitive damages to prompt temperature reduction, the case was misreported, portraying Liebeck as greedy. The actual settlement was significantly less, and McDonald's later lowered their coffee temperature.

Takeaways

• 👵 Stella Liebeck, an 81-year-old woman, sued McDonald's after suffering severe burns from their coffee, which was served at an unusually high temperature.
• 💺 The incident occurred while she was a passenger in a parked car, not driving, which is a common misconception about the case.
• 🔥 McDonald's coffee was served at 180-190°F, which is significantly hotter than the temperature of most home-brewed coffee.
• 🚑 Stella suffered third-degree burns over 16% of her body and had to undergo extensive medical treatment, incurring $10,000 in medical bills.
• 📝 Initially, Stella only asked McDonald's to cover her medical expenses, but they offered just $800, leading to her decision to sue.
• 📉 McDonald's had prior knowledge of the issue, with nearly 700 burn claims between 1983 and 1992, yet they did not change their coffee-serving practices.
• 🏆 The jury awarded Stella $2.9 million, which included $200,000 in compensatory damages and $2.7 million in punitive damages, later reduced by the judge.
• 📉 The media's portrayal of the case was often sensationalized and misleading, focusing on the large sum awarded rather than the facts of the case.
• 🗣️ The case became a rallying point for those advocating for tort reform, with Stella being unfairly depicted as a greedy individual exploiting the legal system.
• 📉 The actual settlement amount was significantly less than the initial jury award, and was settled for less than $500,000.
• 🔍 The case is now used as a litmus test for potential jurors to gauge their openness to the facts presented in a case, rather than preconceived notions.

Q & A

What incident led to Stella Liebeck suing McDonald's?

Stella Liebeck, an 81-year-old woman, sued McDonald's after she spilled a cup of their coffee in her lap, resulting in severe burns.

How much was Stella Liebeck awarded after suing McDonald's?

Stella Liebeck was initially awarded $2.9 million, but the amount was later reduced to about $650,000 by the judge.

What was the public's perception of Stella Liebeck's lawsuit?

The public generally perceived Stella Liebeck's lawsuit as frivolous and believed she won a lottery by spilling coffee on herself and becoming a millionaire.

Why was Stella Liebeck's case taken to court?

Stella Liebeck's case went to court because McDonald's refused to settle out of court and she wanted to ensure that McDonald's would lower the temperature of their coffee to prevent similar incidents.

What was the temperature of the coffee that caused Stella Liebeck's burns?

The coffee that caused Stella Liebeck's burns was served at a temperature between 180 to 190° Fahrenheit, which is about 30° warmer than most home coffee brewing machines.

How many similar incidents were there before Stella Liebeck's case?

Between 1983 and 1992, nearly 700 people claimed they had been burned by hot coffee at McDonald's.

What was the jury's rationale for awarding punitive damages in Stella Liebeck's case?

The jury awarded punitive damages to send a message to McDonald's to turn down the temperature of their coffee, as they believed the company was callous and indifferent to the danger their product posed.

What was the final outcome of the case after the verdict?

The case was settled for less than $500,000, and McDonald's reportedly lowered the serving temperature of their coffee in their franchisee handbooks.

How did the media's portrayal of the case affect Stella Liebeck and her family?

The media's portrayal of the case as a frivolous lawsuit turned Stella Liebeck into a villain and caused her and her family emotional distress, as they felt misunderstood and bullied.

What impact did Stella Liebeck's case have on the legal system and public discourse?

Stella Liebeck's case became a rallying cry for those advocating for tort reform and is often cited as an example of a jury being out of control. It also became a litmus test for screening potential jurors.

How did the temperature of the coffee and the design of the car contribute to Stella Liebeck's injuries?

The high temperature of the coffee and the slanted surfaces in the car, which provided no place to safely put the coffee, contributed to the severity of Stella Liebeck's burns when the coffee spilled into her sweatsuit.