Woman Burned by McDonald's Hot Coffee, Then the News Media

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29. One...

the grandson didn't drive over a speed bump. He pulled into a parking spot so that they could organize their breakfast. The car was not in motion when the coffee spilled.

Two...Mrs. Liebeck put the cup between her legs because there was no cup holder in the car. She did so to take the top off to add cream and sugar which, by McDonald's policy, was served on the side. The jury found her to be 20% at fault for this act.

Three...McDonald's required their franchisees to serve coffee between 180-190 degrees. Liquids at 180 degrees can cause third degree burns within 2-7 seconds.

Four...The jury award of compensatory damages was $200,000. (At mediation a retired judge had warned McDonald's that in his estimation compensatory damages might exceed $250,000.) This was reduced to $160,000 due to the finding that Mrs. Liebeck was 20% at fault. Punitive damages were assessed at 2.7 million -- two days of coffee sales by McDonald's. This was reduced by the judge to an amount equal to treble compensatory damges, or $480,000, making the total judgment $640,00. It settled on appeal, presumably for a lesser amount.

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/07/truth-about-stella-liebeck