New Jersey Woman Suing McDonald’s After Suffering Burns

In 1994, a jury famously awarded $2.8 million to a 79-year-old woman who sued McDonald’s after sustaining serious burn injuries caused by hot coffee handed to her through a drive-thru window. The case made national headlines due to the amount that was awarded. It was even considered a frivolous lawsuit at the time.

This same situation played out once again in 2023 like deja vu. A New Jersey woman suffered serious burns and injuries after a cup of coffee was “negligently” handed to her through the drive-thru window of a Camden County McDonald’s.

The victim claims that on September 4, 2023, she was served “negligently overheated coffee to a temperature unsafe for handling and/or consumption by the public.” Her coffee order was also “negligently” handed to her in a fashion that caused the hot liquid to spill, according to her allegations. Not only did she suffer burns, but she also sustained further “serious injuries” when she reflexively pulled her hand away. This caused her to slam her hand against her car door.

The lawsuit against McDonald’s was filed August 29.  It holds McDonald’s negligent in its hiring practices, training, and employee supervision. It also alleges the plaintiff’s permanent injuries prevented her from working as medical costs accrued. It is unknown how much compensation she is seeking.

Dangers of Hot Coffee

Hot coffee may seem like a harmless part of everyday life, but it can cause severe injuries and dangerous situations when handled improperly. Hot liquids pose real risks that people often underestimate.

The most significant danger associated with hot coffee is serious burn injuries. Many commercial establishments serve coffee at temperatures between 170°F and 200°F, which is hot enough to cause third-degree burns in seconds if it spills on the skin. These injuries can be extremely painful and may require:

• Emergency medical care.
• Skin grafts.
• Long-term rehabilitation.
• Treatment for infection or scarring.

Young children, older adults, and people with reduced sensitivity to heat are at higher risk.

Drinking hot coffee while driving can distract a driver and create unsafe conditions. Even a small spill can:

• Cause a driver to jerk the wheel.
• Lead to abrupt braking.
• Distract attention from the road.
• Trigger panic or temporary shock.

These quick, involuntary reactions can immediately cause a crash. Hot drinks also make it harder to keep both hands on the wheel, increasing the chances of losing control.

Contact a New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Hot coffee can definitely cause burns and other serious injuries. Employees need to be careful when serving customers, and customers need to be careful when being served.

Catastrophic injuries can happen almost anytime, for any reason. Get the help you need from a Morristown catastrophic injury attorney from The Law Offices of Michael P. Burakoff can assist you if you or a loved one has been injured. We have the knowledge and experience, and will work hard to get you fair compensation. Schedule a consultation with our office by filling out the online form or calling (973) 455-1567.

Source:

nydailynews.com/2025/09/16/new-jersey-lawsuit-mcdonalds-hot-coffee-burn/