Miami Personal Injury Lawyer for McDonald's Slip and Fall Accidents

There have been several accidents at McDonald's restaurants over the years, ranging from minor incidents to more serious ones that resulted in injuries or even fatalities. One notable accident at McDonald's occurred in 1992, when a customer named Stella Liebeck spilled hot coffee on herself and suffered severe burns.

Liebeck had purchased a cup of hot coffee at a McDonald's drive-thru and was attempting to add cream and sugar to it when she accidentally spilled the coffee in her lap. The coffee was extremely hot, at a temperature of around 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit, and Liebeck suffered third-degree burns on her legs and groin area as a result.

Liebeck sued McDonald's for her injuries, arguing that the company had served coffee that was unreasonably hot and that it had failed to adequately warn customers about the risks. During the trial, it was revealed that McDonald's had received hundreds of complaints from customers who had been burned by their coffee, but had not taken any action to reduce the temperature or warn customers.

The case became a media sensation, with many people criticizing Liebeck for being careless and blaming her for the accident. However, it later emerged that she had initially only requested $20,000 from McDonald's to cover her medical expenses, but the company had refused to offer more than $800.

In the end, a jury awarded Liebeck $2.9 million in damages, although this amount was later reduced on appeal. The case had a significant impact on the fast food industry, with many restaurants reevaluating their safety policies and procedures in order to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.

Overall, the McDonald's hot coffee case is a stark reminder of the potential dangers that can arise in seemingly mundane situations, and the importance of companies taking responsibility for the safety of their customers.