Event: An 81-year-old woman, Stella Liebeck, was awarded $2.9 million after suing McDonald's.
Public Perception: The case was perceived as frivolous, akin to winning a lottery, without understanding the complexities.
Incident Details
Date: February 27, 1992.
Circumstances: Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old widow, was in a parked car when she spilled McDonald's coffee on herself.
Injury: Suffered severe burns covering 16% of her body, with 6% being third-degree burns.
Immediate Response: Hospitalized for a week; medical expenses amounted to $10,000.
Initial Actions
McDonald's Response: Offered only $800 for expenses despite Liebeck's request for compensation.
Legal Action: Liebeck had never sued before; her attorney, Ken Wagner, took the case after McDonald's refusal to settle out of court.
Case Arguments
Plaintiff: Claimed coffee was unreasonably hot and dangerous; intended use led to injury.
Defendant (McDonald's): Asserted coffee was not hotter than other restaurants, and that high temperature was a customer preference.
Evidence: Coffee was served at 180-190 degrees; expert testimony indicated potential for severe burns in seconds. Nearly 700 previous claims of burns from McDonald's coffee were presented.
Trial and Verdict
Jury Decision: Awarded $200,000 in compensatory damages (reduced to $160,000 due to personal responsibility) and $2.7 million in punitive damages based on two days of McDonald’s coffee sales.
Rationale: Jury intended to send a message to McDonald's to lower the coffee temperature.
Media Impact: The large punitive award drew widespread attention, but often omitted key trial facts, favoring a simplified narrative.
Media Distortion and Public Perception
Coverage: Misleading narratives emerged, suggesting Liebeck's negligence and frivolous nature of the lawsuit.
Cultural Impact: Became a symbol in debates on tort reform, often cited as an example of excessive damages.
Aftermath
Settlement: Judge reduced punitive damages; case settled for less than $500,000.
Legacy: Continues to be referenced in legal and public discussions. Misunderstandings persist, impacting public and legal discourse.
Changes: McDonald's adjusted coffee temperature standards in response.
Conclusion
Stella Liebeck's Death: Passed away in 2004 at the age of 91.
Ongoing Reflection: Her case remains a touchstone in discussions on liability, consumer safety, and media influence.