A Quick Overview of the Most Infamous Personal Injury Case of All Time
The world of law is anything but black and white; that’s why lawyers exist, after all! Lawyers are the mediators between opposing parties who are unable to come to a decision on their own. More often than not, lawyers are necessary in order to aid individuals who are going up against large entities. Whether it be going up against the local government or a multinational corporation, your lawyer will be able to represent your best interests in court so you’ll find the most successful outcome possible. Some of the most contentious lawsuits tend to be personal injury cases. We’ve all heard of Liebeck v. McDonalds, the famous case from 1994 wherein a woman received third-degree burns after she spilled McDonald’s coffee on her lap. What followed was a contentious legal battle, Ms. Leibeck’s name was dragged through the mud, and now every coffee drink cup has warnings displayed.
The Tale of How a Scalding Hot Cup of Coffee Changed the World
Very few personal injury cases reach the national stage, even fewer become a worldwide phenomenon but the ramifications of Liebeck v. McDonald’s continue to be felt to this day. When the case first came to light, many people erroneously thought the defendant was just suing for her own mistakes when, in reality, Ms. Liebeck received third-degree burns over 16 percent of her body. She had to spend eight days in the hospital where she endured multiple skin grafts as well as scarring. It wasn’t just a simple case of accidental cup spillage, it was a much deeper issue that needed to be resolved before things got worse. In fact, Ms. Liebeck wanted to settle the matter for $20,000 but McDonald’s declined.
You Have Rights That Deserve to Be Protected
As the trial went on, it was discovered that McDonalds served coffee at 180 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is hot enough to result in third-degree burns within a few seconds. By serving these scalding hot liquids in cups without any warning signs, McDonalds customers could quickly and easily burn themselves and in the unfortunate case of Ms. Liebeck, could lead to a long and painful hospital stay. Eventually, Ms. Liebeck won $200,000 in damages (although this was lowered to $160,000 because the jury found her 20 percent at fault). And so, the book was closed on one of the most famous personal injury cases.
The Aranda Law Firm is Ready to Help
It can be incredibly scary to decide to go up against a faceless entity such as McDonald’s but it’s necessary to stand your ground and hire a personal injury lawyer who can represent your best interests in court. If you require legal aid, contact the Aranda Law Firm today.
