The woman who famously sued McDonald's was Stella Liebeck. Her landmark case, Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants, became a significant event in American legal history, particularly in discussions surrounding product liability and tort reform.
Stella Liebeck: The Plaintiff
Born in 1912, Stella Liebeck was a 79-year-old woman in 1992 when the incident occurred. She purchased hot coffee from a McDonald's drive-thru in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While stationary in the passenger seat of her grandson's car, she accidentally spilled the entire cup of coffee onto her lap. The coffee, served at an unusually high temperature, caused severe injuries.
The Incident and Injuries
The coffee Liebeck spilled was approximately 180-190°F (82-88°C), a temperature far hotter than typical home-brewed coffee and hot enough to cause third-degree burns in mere seconds. As a result, Stella Liebeck suffered third-degree burns in her pelvic region, requiring skin grafts and extensive medical treatment. She was hospitalized for eight days following the incident and endured a lengthy recovery period.
The Lawsuit: Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants
Initially, Liebeck sought to settle with McDonald's for medical expenses, but her requests were largely dismissed. This led her to file a lawsuit against the fast-food giant. The legal proceedings centered on the argument that McDonald's served coffee that was unreasonably dangerous due to its excessively high temperature, posing a significant burn risk.
The case gained widespread media attention, often trivialized as a frivolous lawsuit over spilled coffee. However, the severity of Liebeck's injuries, combined with evidence that McDonald's was aware of numerous prior burn complaints related to their hot coffee but had not lowered the temperature, played a crucial role in the jury's decision.
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Plaintiff | Stella Liebeck (1912–2004) |
| Defendant | McDonald's Restaurants |
| Incident Date | 1992 |
| Injury | Third-degree burns to the pelvic region, requiring skin grafts |
| Core Issue | Coffee served at an unreasonably high and dangerous temperature |
| Case Name | Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants |
Ultimately, a jury found McDonald's primarily responsible for Liebeck's injuries. The case highlighted the importance of product safety and consumers' rights, leading to discussions about product liability standards and the public perception of the legal system.
