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Liebeck V Mcdonald's Restaurants Case Summary

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Stella Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants McDonald's has been involved in a number of lawsuits and other legal cases in the course of the fast food chain's 70-year history. Although one of the most known ones is the “Hot Coffee Lawsuit”. The individuals involved with the case include 79-year-old Stella Liebeck, and McDonald’s. Stella Liebeck of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was in the passenger seat of her grandson's car when she was severely burned by McDonalds' coffee in February 1992. The trial took place from August 8–17, 1994, before New Mexico District Court Judge Robert H. Scott. During the case, her attorney argued that the temperature of the coffee should never be hotter than 140 degrees. The attorney discovered that the coffee served to Liebeck was to be served at 180-190 degrees. Although coffee between those temperatures could easily burn someone pretty quickly. Liebeck’s lawyers presented the jury with evidence, showing that as you lower the temperature you can increase the time it will take for a burn to take place. McDonald's argued that the reason for serving such hot coffee was that those who …show more content…

Because everyone knows when you order coffee, that its going to be hot. Unless you order ice coffee of course. Although now that I`ve looked more into it and heard the arguments from both sides. I believe that both parties are responsible. Although I believe it should’ve of been 60% McDonald’s and 40% Liebeck. For one the argument talking about the temperature being too hot to begin with. Is something I would have never thought of bringing to the table. As well as the caution hot warning being larger. I think Liebeck is 40% in the wrong because, she should’ve known the coffee was hot, and should’ve been more careful. In the end I wouldn’t of paid Liebeck as much as she got, but I agree that she should get some kind of compensatory damage pay, and punitive damage

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