Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. // Reclaiming the Truth About the McDonald’s Coffee Case – And Why It Matters

For decades, Corporate America has waged a calculated campaign to vilify trial lawyers and delegitimize civil lawsuits. The now-infamous McDonald’s coffee spill case has been cynically exploited as the poster child for “frivolous lawsuits.” The case is cited endlessly in media soundbites, political speeches, and boardroom talking points to convince the public that the justice system is out of control.

And sadly, the public has swallowed this propaganda—hook, line, and sinker.

Why would Corporate America want to discredit civil lawsuits?
The answer is simple: profits over people. By undermining the right of individuals to seek justice through the courts, corporations reduce their accountability for negligent and harmful conduct. Civil lawsuits are one of the few tools that force powerful interests to take responsibility. Limit those lawsuits, and you limit consequences. It’s that straightforward.

How does the propaganda work?
By fueling a false narrative of a “lawsuit crisis,” the public is stirred into demanding reform. Politicians—particularly those who proudly wear the “conservative” label—are more than happy to oblige. But not without a price. The loudest voices for lawsuit restrictions also tend to receive the most generous campaign contributions from corporate donors.

In response, these lawmakers push so-called “tort reform” laws that make it increasingly difficult for everyday Americans to take on big business in court. These laws don’t just stack the deck—they lock the courtroom doors.

It’s been happening for years, and it’s not just concerning—it’s dangerous. This is big business run amok.

Let’s go back to the McDonald’s coffee case.

Here are the facts:

In 1994, a New Mexico jury awarded $2.9 million to Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman who suffered third-degree burns after spilling McDonald’s coffee on her lap. She was seated in a parked car, attempting to add cream and sugar when the coffee spilled. She sustained burns so severe that she was hospitalized for eight days, required skin grafts, and was left with permanent scarring and pain. Her medical bills exceeded $11,000.

Before filing suit, Ms. Liebeck simply asked McDonald’s to cover her medical expenses. The company offered $800.

Here’s what the public rarely hears:

• McDonald’s served its coffee at 195–205°F. Liquids at that temperature can cause third-degree burns in 3 seconds or less.
• Experts testified that coffee at 160°F (a much safer temperature) would take 20 seconds to cause the same damage—time enough to react and avoid serious injury.
• McDonald’s internal documents showed it had received over 700 burn complaints from hot coffee in the previous 10 years. The company had already paid out over $500,000 to settle similar claims.
• The jury awarded $200,000 in compensatory damages, reduced to $160,000 because Ms. Liebeck was found 20% at fault. They also awarded $2.7 million in punitive damages—roughly two days’ worth of McDonald’s coffee revenue—based on findings that McDonald’s acted with willful disregard for consumer safety.
• The judge later reduced the punitive award to $480,000. Both sides appealed and the case was ultimately settled for an undisclosed amount.
• The day after the verdict, the temperature of the coffee at that McDonald’s location was tested—reduced to 158°F.

Ms. Liebeck was not a serial litigant. She was a retired clerk, injured by a dangerously hot product. Her case was tried before a fair and impartial judge, with competent counsel on both sides, and a jury of everyday Americans. This wasn’t a rogue decision—it was the justice system working as designed.

The Bigger Picture

The Founding Fathers enshrined the civil jury system in the Constitution for a reason: it is the best safeguard a free society has against unchecked power. It’s not perfect, but it works remarkably well—if we let it. When mistakes occur, the system has mechanisms to correct them through judicial oversight and appellate review.

The smear campaign against the civil justice system isn’t about protecting the public from “greedy lawyers” or “runaway juries.” It’s about protecting corporate profits by weakening your right to hold wrongdoers accountable.

Believe in the civil jury system. It’s one of the last remaining ways for everyday people to stand on equal footing with the most powerful interests in our society.

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Contact us toll free at 866-785-GALE or by email (jgale@jeffgalelaw.com) for a free, confidential consultation to learn your legal rights.

Jeffrey P. Gale, P.A. is a South Florida based law firm committed to the judicial system and to representing and obtaining justice for individuals – the poor, the injured, the forgotten, the voiceless, the defenseless and the damned, and to protecting the rights of such people from corporate and government oppression. We do not represent government, corporations or large business interests.

While prompt resolution of your legal matter is our goal, our approach is fundamentally different. Our clients are “people” and not “cases” or “files.” We take the time to build a relationship with our clients, realizing that only through meaningful interaction can we best serve their needs. In this manner, we have been able to best help those requiring legal representation.