McDonald’s hot coffee burn lawsuit

Q: Can I sue McDonald’s for a hot coffee or tea burn?

Yes. If you suffered serious burns from a McDonald’s hot beverage due to loose lids, unsafe hand-offs, or excessively high temperatures , you may have legal grounds to pursue compensation.

Q: How hot is McDonald’s coffee or tea?

McDonald’s typically serves coffee and tea at 170°F–190°F . At these temperatures, skin contact for just 1–3 seconds can cause second- or third-degree burns .

Q: What types of injuries can result from a McDonald’s hot beverage spill?

Injuries can include: • Severe burns on hands, lap, legs, or groin • Deep tissue damage • Permanent scarring or disfigurement • Nerve damage and long-term pain • Complications requiring surgery or skin grafts

Q: How can I start a claim for a McDonald’s hot coffee burn?

You can start by contacting a burn injury attorney or legal service for a free case review . Evidence like medical records, photos of injuries, and details of the incident will help determine liability and potential compensation .

The McDonald’s hot coffee burn lawsuit exposed the dangers of excessively hot beverages and changed consumer safety forever. Learn the real facts behind the case and what legal options may be available if you suffered a serious hot coffee or tea burn.

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When a McDonald’s Hot Coffee or Tea Spill Turns Into a Burn Injury Lawsuit

If a hot beverage from McDonald’s causes a serious burn, the company may be legally responsible when the injury involves:

• Coffee or tea served at dangerously high temperatures
• Loose, defective, or poorly secured lids
• Unsafe drive-thru hand-offs at McDonald’s locations
• Cups that collapse, tip, or spill immediately after delivery
• Failure to warn customers about extreme burn risks

These incidents occur at McDonald’s restaurants nationwide, and injured customers may have legal options under local and state injury laws.

McDonald’s Hot Coffee & Tea Lawsuit Case Study

Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants (Hot Coffee Burn Lawsuit)

Compensation Awarded:
💰 $600,000 (confidential settlement)

1. Background of the Incident

Date & Location: February 27, 1992 — McDonald’s drive-through in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Wikipedia
Plaintiff: 79-year-old Stella Liebeck. Wikipedia
What Happened: Liebeck was a passenger in a stopped car (not driving) and placed a McDonald’s coffee cup between her knees to add cream and sugar. The cup tipped, and the entire 180–190°F coffee spilled into her lap. FindLaw

Why temperature mattered: McDonald’s served coffee at 180–190 °F (82–88 °C) — significantly hotter than home coffee and hotter than most competitors. At that heat, third-degree burns can occur within 2–7 seconds of skin contact.

2. Severity of the Injuries

Liebeck suffered third-degree burns — the most severe degree — on her inner thighs, genital area, and buttocks. The American Museum of Tort Law
She was hospitalized for 8 days, underwent skin grafts, and required follow-up treatment for nearly two years, including therapy and wound care. Flavor365
The burns were worsened because her sweatpants were soaked and held the hot coffee against her skin. Flavor365

👉 This was not a minor spill or surface burn — the injuries were medically documented as severe and life-altering.

3. Legal Proceedings and Verdict

Initial Settlement Attempts

Liebeck offered to settle for $20,000 to cover medical costs; McDonald’s refused. The American Museum of Tort Law
McDonald’s offered only $800 — less than her medical bills. The American Museum of Tort Law

Trial Outcome (1994)

A Bernalillo County, New Mexico jury found:

McDonald’s 80% liable and Liebeck 20% at fault (comparative negligence). Wikipedia
Compensatory damages: $200,000 (reduced to $160,000 after comparative negligence). Wikipedia
Punitive damages: $2.7 million (later reduced by the judge to $480,000). Center for Justice

Final Resolution

After appeals, the parties reached a confidential settlement for less than $600,000. Wikipedia

📌 Key point: Media exaggeration of the award (e.g., “she got millions for spilling coffee”) overshadowed the actual facts of the injuries and legal reasoning.

4. Safety, Corporate Knowledge & Prior Incidents

McDonald’s internal documents showed that over the decade prior to the lawsuit, the company had received 700+ reports of coffee burns — including serious injuries and burns on children. Center for Justice
Despite this, McDonald’s continued to sell coffee at temperatures capable of causing severe burns. FindLaw

👨‍⚖️ Expert testimony indicated that coffee at lower temperatures (e.g., 155°F) markedly reduces the likelihood of serious burns.

McDonald’s Lid Failure Burn

Reported Settlement (Six Figures)

What Happened:
A McDonald’s customer suffered second-degree burns when a hot coffee cup lid failed, causing the beverage to spill immediately after being handed over.
Key Issue:
Evidence showed prior complaints and known issues with loose or defective lids, supporting claims that the risk was foreseeable and preventable.
Outcome:
The claim was resolved through a confidential settlement before trial, reportedly reaching six figures.

McDonald’s Coffee Spill

Settlement Range: Mid to high six figures (reported)

What Happened:
A customer received hot coffee through a McDonald’s drive-thru window. The cup tipped or spilled immediately, causing severe burns to the legs and feet. Emergency medical treatment was required, followed by months of recovery.
Liability Factors Identified:
• Unsafe drive-thru hand-off
• No tray or stabilizing support
• Excessively hot beverage temperature
• Failure to provide adequate burn warnings

⚠️ Important: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Compensation depends on injury severity, evidence, and jurisdiction.

How The Hackett Law Firm Helps McDonald’s Injury Victims

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Why McDonald’s Hot Coffee and Tea Spills Can Cause Severe Burns

McDonald’s serves coffee and tea at very high temperatures, often between 170°F and 190°F. At these temperatures, even 1–3 seconds of skin contact can cause serious burns, especially during sudden spills at drive-thru windows or counters.

Medical and burn safety experts note that liquids this hot can result in:
• Severe second- and third-degree burns in seconds
• Deep tissue damage beneath the skin’s surface
• Permanent scarring or disfigurement, especially on legs, lap, hands, and groin
• Nerve damage, which may lead to long-term pain, numbness, or loss of sensation
• Infections and complications, sometimes requiring extended medical treatment or skin grafts

While both coffee and tea are extremely dangerous, tea is often perceived as “safer”, which can make customers less cautious when handling the drink, checking lids, or receiving it at a fast-paced McDonald’s location.

Additionally, McDonald’s coffee is frequently served at near-scalding temperatures, increasing the risk of serious injury when combined with:
• Loose, warped, or defective cup lids
• Thin cups or inadequate cup sleeves
• Rushed drive-thru service or hand-offs
• Improper drink placement on trays or surfaces

When extremely hot coffee or tea is served without proper safety measures, even a brief spill can cause life-altering injuries. Many of these accidents are preventable, highlighting the responsibility of McDonald’s to ensure safe beverage handling.

Burned by Hot Coffee or Tea?