A woman who was severely burned and otherwise permanently injured was recently awarded $3 million in a lawsuit against a Dunkin’ franchisee. When the lid of the coffee cup she was given popped off, hot coffee spilled all over her lap at a location in the Atlanta area. This incident makes one wonder how seriously Dunkin’ and other fast food chains take the health and safety of their customers.
What Happened and Who Was Hurt
She suffered second and third degree burns to her thighs, groin, and abdomen, and was 70 years old at the time. Her injuries were so severe that she needed weeks of care in a burn unit at a Georgia hospital. Because of her difficulty walking and the need to apply creams to her burns every day, she has had to make significant changes to her daily routine as a result of the incident. The medical costs were over $200,000 by themselves.
Representation by Counsel and Compromise
The woman retained the services of Morgan & Morgan, a prominent law firm known for its work in personal injury cases. The woman’s lawyer, Benjamin Welch, argued that the spill and her injuries could have been avoided if the drive-thru worker had properly secured the lid. In order to end the legal proceedings, the franchisee, Golden Donuts LLC, offered the woman $3 million. It’s worth noting that Dunkin’ Brands, the parent company, was not named in the lawsuit.
McDonald’s Hot Coffee Litigation
This case reminds me of the well-known McDonald’s hot coffee suit from the 1980s. A woman in that instance got third-degree burns from coffee spilled on her lap. The jury agreed with her, saying that the coffee was much hotter than coffee served by competing businesses. A lower settlement was reached following an appeal from the initial award of nearly $3 million. This incident highlights the importance of customer safety and the need for restaurants and franchisees to invest in employee training.
Failure to Reflect and Learn
John Morgan, founder of Morgan & Morgan, is dismayed that establishments have not learned from their mistakes and still put their customers at risk. It is hoped that the recent settlement will send a message to the restaurant industry as a whole and its franchisees about the importance of investing in employee training and putting the needs of their customers first. The fact that McDonald’s is facing a similar lawsuit at the moment is concerning, however, as it suggests that more work needs to be done in this area.
McDonald’s Is Being Sued Again
A similar incident occurred in San Francisco, where a woman claimed she was given a “scalding” cup of coffee with a loose lid from McDonald’s. According to the allegations, this caused the coffee to spill all over her body, severely burning her. Mable Childress asserted that the restaurant staff had refused to help her. Peter Ou, the owner of a McDonald’s franchise, has denied these claims, saying instead that the company takes all customer complaints seriously and that they offered Childress help as soon as they heard from her.
See first source: CNN
FAQ
1. What happened in the recent lawsuit against a Dunkin’ franchisee?
In this lawsuit, a woman suffered severe burns when the lid of her coffee cup at a Dunkin’ location in the Atlanta area popped off, causing hot coffee to spill on her lap. The incident resulted in second and third-degree burns to her thighs, groin, and abdomen. She needed weeks of care in a burn unit at a Georgia hospital, incurring medical costs exceeding $200,000.
2. Who represented the injured woman in this lawsuit?
The woman was represented by Morgan & Morgan, a prominent law firm specializing in personal injury cases. Benjamin Welch, her lawyer, argued that the injuries could have been prevented if the drive-thru worker had properly secured the coffee cup’s lid.
3. What was the outcome of the lawsuit, and what compensation was awarded?
To resolve the legal proceedings, the franchisee, Golden Donuts LLC, offered the injured woman $3 million in compensation. It’s important to note that Dunkin’ Brands, the parent company, was not named in the lawsuit.
4. How does this case relate to the famous McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit from the 1980s?
This case is reminiscent of the McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit from the 1980s, where a woman suffered third-degree burns from spilled coffee. The jury in that case found that McDonald’s served coffee at a temperature significantly higher than its competitors. After an initial award of nearly $3 million, a lower settlement was reached following an appeal. Both cases highlight the importance of customer safety and the need for restaurants and franchisees to invest in employee training.
5. What message does the recent settlement send to the restaurant industry and its franchisees?
The recent settlement serves as a message to the restaurant industry and its franchisees about the importance of prioritizing customer safety and investing in employee training. John Morgan, the founder of Morgan & Morgan, expressed his hope that this case will encourage establishments to learn from their mistakes and put their customers’ needs first.
6. Are there other ongoing lawsuits related to similar incidents in the restaurant industry?
Yes, there is another ongoing lawsuit against McDonald’s in San Francisco. In this case, a woman claims she received a “scalding” cup of coffee with a loose lid from McDonald’s, resulting in severe burns. The owner of the McDonald’s franchise has denied the claims, stating that they take all customer complaints seriously and offered assistance as soon as they were informed.
7. What lessons can be drawn from these lawsuits for the restaurant industry?
These lawsuits emphasize the importance of maintaining strict safety standards, ensuring proper beverage preparation and lid securement, and promptly addressing customer concerns. They underscore the need for continuous training and vigilance to prevent accidents and injuries in the foodservice industry.
Featured Image Credit: Aldrin Rachman Pradana; Unsplash – Thank you!
