Dunkin’ Donuts Franchisee Pays $3M to Settle Claim Related to a Coffee Burn Lawsuit

A Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee is paying a plaintiff $3 million to settle a claim related to a hot coffee burn injury. Such lawsuits are common for coffee shops and one of the most famous personal injury lawsuits in American history involved an elderly woman who was burned by McDonald’s coffee. In this case, the plaintiff alleged that she was burned when hot coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts spilled in her lap causing life-altering injuries. She contended that the lid of the coffee cup was not properly secured causing the spill.

According to the plaintiff’s attorney, the lid came off the cup after she was handed the drink and hot coffee spilled on her lap causing second- and third-degree burns to her groin, thighs, and abdomen. The plaintiff required extensive skin grafts and the injury resulted in her spending weeks at a burn unit in a Georgia hospital. The total expense of her medical bills was $200,000.

Her attorneys allege that their client had to “relearn how to walk” as a result of her injuries and that the injury would have never occurred had the employee properly secured the lid to the cup. The woman says that she had to “alter how she lives her life” as a result of her injuries and that walking is still painful for her. She says she still has to apply creams to the burn areas every single day and suffered significant scarring as a result of the burns to her most sensitive areas.

The famous McDonald’s coffee burn lawsuit

 One of the most famous personal injury lawsuits in American history involved an elderly woman who sustained significant burn injuries as a result of spilling coffee on her lap. Her attorneys argued that McDonald’s served their coffee at an unreasonably hot temperature which contributed to the extent of her injuries. She won her lawsuit, sparking debate and outrage at the state of the personal injury system in America. Many believed that she had caused her own injuries and therefore, should not be compensated by McDonald’s. To be fair, however, McDonald’s served their coffee at 180 degrees which is extremely hot and 40 degrees hotter than other restaurants served their coffee. The woman required skin grafts to repair the damage to her body. She was initially awarded $3 million in damages but settled the case for around $480,000.

Can I file a lawsuit over a coffee burn injury?

 Yes, but you have to establish some form of negligence. In the two examples cited above, the plaintiffs were able to allege that the proprietor did something to either cause the injuries or increase the extent of the injuries. In the first example, the plaintiff alleged that an employee failed to secure the lid to the cup causing the spillage. In the second example, the plaintiff was able to allege that the defendant served their coffee at an unreasonably hot temperature. You would not be able to sue a coffee house for an injury that you caused yourself.

Talk to a Champaign, IL Personal Injury Lawyer Today 

The Champaign personal injury attorneys at Patel Law, PC represent the interests of plaintiffs in negligence actions against culpable parties. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation, and we can begin discussing your case right away.

Source:

cnn.com/2023/10/25/business/dunkin-hot-coffee-settlement/index.html