McDonald’s Hot Coffee case, Liebeckv. McDonald’s , p. 102 Stella Liebeck has oft
ID: 353846 • Letter: M
Question
McDonald’s Hot Coffee case, Liebeckv. McDonald’s, p. 102
Stella Liebeck has often been maligned as a foolish and greedy plaintiff for suing because she was burned by the hot coffee from McDonalds. After all, doesn’teveryone know that hot coffee can burn you? But there are many facts in this case that you may not have heard.
Review the facts of this famous case. You are encouraged to use Google to search out more details, including images, before you comment on it. Post your answers to each of the three (3) ethics questions asked after the case.
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McDonald’s case details
Your answers to the questions should be based on the facts and evidence you find, including:
What were the circumstances of the accident? How did it occur?
In what way was either the plaintiff or defendant negligent?
How does the doctrine of comparative negligence apply?
What was the temperature of the coffee served? What is the industry standard temperature?
What were the nature and extent of the plaintiff’s injuries?
Was there any disfigurement? Any disabilities?
Did the jury award the plaintiff compensatory damages? How much?
Did the jury award the plaintiff punitive damages? How much?
After the appeal was filed, what was the final outcome?
Explanation / Answer
1. Circumstances of accident: The plaintiff had purchased hot coffee from McDonalds that she accidentally spilled on her lap. The temperature of coffee was higher than the standard causing burn injuries.
2. Plaintiff was negligent because she spilled coffee on her lap
While defendant was negligent because coffee was served at relatively higher temperature.
3. Doctrine of comparative negligence: Your individual degree of negligence is measured and compared. McDonald's was more negligent as it served coffee at temperature higher than the standard.
4, temperature of coffee served 180-190 fahrenheit
industry standard 175 -185 fahrenheit.
5. As entire cup of coffee at spiled on her lap scalding her thighs, buttocks and groin.
6. She suffered third degree burns on 6% of skin and underwent skin grafting which lead to permanent disfigurement and was partially disabled for two years.
7. compensation was $2.86 million
8. Punitive damage was given to her of dollar 2.7 million