The actual “justice” in the civil justice system is found in the opportunity for average people to have a fighting chance when they go up against wealthy and powerful corporations and industries. Unfortunately, for the last 25 years, the civil justice system has been under attack by the rich and powerful, claiming that frivolous lawsuits abound and the system needs reformation. This campaign convinced many people that those claims were true. But now, with documentary films like HOT COFFEE, the public is finally realizing who the real “bad guys” are.
McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case
One of the most publicized and notorious U.S. personal injury cases was the McDonald’s hot coffee case of 1994. Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants was blasted by the media and stigmatized as a frivolous lawsuit from the start, but was it truly frivolous or is that what McDonald’s, a multi-billion-dollar company, wanted the public to believe?
What Happened?
Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, was a passenger in her nephew’s car when she ordered coffee from a McDonald’s drive-thru window in February 1992. Her nephew parked the car so that she could prepare her coffee. To do so, Liebeck held the coffee cup between her knees, but when she tried to remove the lid, every last drop of coffee spilled into her lap and caused burn injuries to her thighs, groin, and buttocks. Liebeck was admitted to a hospital where she remained for eight days for skin grafting procedures. Her injuries required two more years of medical treatment afterwards.
Attempts to Settle
Liebeck attempted to settle with McDonald’s for $20,000 to cover past and future medical expenses, and lost wages, but McDonald’s refused. After Liebeck retained an attorney, they offered a settlement of $90,000, which McDonald’s also refused. When the case went to trial in August 1994, Liebeck’s attorney claimed that McDonald’s coffee was heated to unsafe temperatures, supported by more than 700 previously reported burn injuries. The jury ruled in favor of Liebeck and she was awarded $2.86 million, which the judge decreased to $640,000. An appeal was filed but Liebeck and McDonald’s settled out of court.
When to Contact an Experienced Massachusetts Personal Injury Lawyer
The frivolity of this case was not in Liebeck’s pursuit of rightful compensation, but for McDonald’s stubborn and misguided refusal to settle. If you or a loved one has been injured as the result of negligence, be it by an individual or a corporation, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact the experienced Boston personal injury attorneys with Kiley Law group to learn more about obtaining the justice you deserve.
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DISCLAIMER: The Kiley Law Group is not representing any of the parties mentioned in this article at the time the article was posted. Our information source is cited within the article. If you were involved in this accident or a similar incident and have questions about your rights and legal options, call us or another reputable law firm. Do not act solely upon the information provided herein. Get a legal evaluation. We provide a free, confidential consultation to all not-at-fault persons named in this article and to their family members as well.
