Burned by Hot Coffee at Starbucks, McDonald’s, or a Drive-Thru?
Hot beverage burns at restaurants and drive-throughs can cause serious injuries.We educate victims about coffee burn lawsuits, settlements, and how experienced lawyers can help you pursue justice.
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Legal Insight. Real Cases. Informed Justice.
HotCoffeeSpill.com was created to educate and guide individuals who have suffered burn injuries caused by excessively hot coffee served at restaurants, cafés, and drive-throughs. These incidents are often dismissed as “accidents,” but in many cases, they involve preventable safety failures and legal responsibility.
This platform exists to bring clarity to complex legal questions surrounding hot beverage burn injuries — including liability, negligence, lawsuits, and settlements — using real case law and legal principles.
Founded by Dylan Hackett
This initiative was founded by Mr. Dylan Hackett, an attorney dedicated to holding businesses accountable when negligence causes serious harm. Recognizing that many burn victims never receive accurate legal information, Mr. Hackett created this platform to close that gap.
Provide clear, honest legal education so victims can make informed decisions — before it’s too late.
Backed by Hackett Firm
HotCoffeeSpill.com is an educational legal resource developed by HackettFirm.com, a law firm committed to consumer safety, accountability, and justice. Our legal team focuses on helping injured individuals understand their rights and pursue fair outcomes when corporations fail to follow reasonable safety standards.
This website does not rely on speculation or headlines — it is built on legal analysis, courtroom experience, and precedent-based education.
This platform exists to bring clarity to complex legal questions surrounding hot beverage burn injuries — including liability, negligence, lawsuits, and settlements — using real case law and legal principles.
How We Can Help You
Clear Legal Guidance When You Need It Most
After a hot coffee or hot tea burn injury, many people are left with questions — not answers. Was the beverage served at an unsafe temperature? Was the cup or lid properly secured? Was this negligence, or was it a preventable incident? We help you understand the legal reality behind your situation and clearly explain the options available to you under the law.
Guidance Backed by Legal Experience
After a hot coffee or hot tea burn injury, many people are left with questions — not answers. Was the beverage served at an unsafe temperature? Was the cup or lid properly secured? Was this negligence, or was it a preventable incident? We help you understand the legal reality behind your situation and clearly explain the options available to you under the law.
Understand Your Legal Rights
We explain how consumer safety laws, negligence standards, and liability apply to hot coffee burn injuries — in plain, understandable language.
Learn If Your Case May Qualify
By reviewing the circumstances of your injury, we help determine whether your situation may meet the legal criteria for a lawsuit or settlement.
Case-Specific Legal Insight
Every burn injury is different. We look at factors such as temperature, handling, warnings, and injuries to help assess potential legal responsibility.
Proven Legal Cases Show Hot Drink Burns Can Lead to Justice
High-profile lawsuits involving hot coffee and tea spills have resulted in significant verdicts and settlements for burn victims. These cases highlight an important truth: when safety is ignored, the law provides a path for accountability and recovery
Starbucks ordered to pay $50 million to a delivery driver burned by hot beverage
- $50 Millon
- In February 2020, Michael Garcia, a delivery driver, was picking up three "Venti" sized teas from a Starbucks drive-thru in Los Angeles. As the barista handed him the drink carrier, the lid of one tea popped off, spilling scalding liquid directly into his lap.
- * Severe Injury : Garcia suffered third-degree burns and permanent disfigurement to his genitals, which the jury deemed "life-altering.
- Surveillance footage showed the barista handed over the carrier with the lid clearly unsecured and askew.
Dunkin' Donuts pays $3 million in drive-thru coffee burn incident
- $3 Million
- In 2021, 70-year-old Alpana Joshi purchased coffee at a Dunkin’ drive-thru in Georgia. As the employee handed her the cup, the lid detached, spilling the coffee onto her thighs, groin, and abdomen.
- * Relearning to Walk : The burns were so severe that Joshi spent weeks in a burn unit and literally had to relearn how to walk. Her medical bills alone were over $200,000
- The franchisee agreed to a $3 million settlement in 2023 to avoid a potentially larger jury verdict, acknowledging the life-altering nature of the injury for a retired woman of her age.
McDonald’s: The Famous "Hot Coffee" Case (1992)
- $480,000 (Confidential Settlement)
- 79-year-old Stella Liebeck spilled a cup of McDonald's coffee in her lap while parked. She suffered third-degree burns over 16% of her body, requiring skin grafts.
- McDonald's served coffee at 180–190°F, which causes third-degree burns in 3 to 7 seconds.
- It was revealed that McDonald's had received over 700 reports of burns previously but refused to lower the temperature.
- A jury originally awarded her $2.9 million (mostly as a "punishment" to the company), but the judge reduced it, and the parties eventually settled for an undisclosed amount, widely reported to be around $480,000.
Woman Sues Airline for $10 Million Hot Coffee Spill
- $11,000,000 (Total demand: $10M for the victim, $1M for the spouse)
- Aymara Corbo, a 78-year-old retired bookkeeper from Queens, NY, was traveling with her husband for a "dream cruise" around the British Isles. During the mid-morning beverage service, a flight attendant allegedly spilled "excessively hot" coffee directly onto Mrs. Corbo’s lap.
- The lawsuit alleges the airline served coffee at an unreasonably dangerous temperature, mishandled the beverage in a confined cabin space, and failed to provide adequate medical assistance after the spill, worsening the victim’s injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Can I file a lawsuit for a hot coffee or tea spill injury?
Yes. If hot coffee or tea caused burns due to excessive temperature, improper handling, unsecured cups, or staff negligence, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim.
How hot is considered “too hot” for coffee or tea?
While there is no single legal limit, beverages served well above safe consumption temperatures can cause severe burns within seconds and may be considered unreasonably dangerous under the law.
Who can be held responsible for a hot beverage spill injury?
Liability may fall on restaurants, coffee shops, airlines, delivery services, or event staff if negligence, poor safety practices, or inadequate training contributed to the injury.
What kind of compensation can I recover?
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, scarring, and long-term treatment depending on the severity of your burns.
What should I do immediately after a hot coffee or tea burn?
Seek medical attention right away, document the injury with photos, save receipts or packaging if possible, and consult a personal injury attorney before speaking with the business or insurance company.
Burned by Hot Coffee or Tea?
You may be entitled to compensation. Speak with an experienced injury attorney today — your consultation is free.