As a personal injury attorney specializing in cases involving children’s injuries, I often come across stories that highlight the dangers of corporate negligence and how the media can twist the narrative to protect big businesses at the expense of everyday people.

Recently, a post on X (formerly Twitter) resurfaced the infamous 1992 McDonald’s hot coffee case involving Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman who suffered horrific burns. While the headlines at the time painted it as a greedy lawsuit over a simple spill, the truth is far more sobering – and it has direct parallels to the child injury cases I handle every day. Let’s set the record straight on what really happened.

Stella was in the passenger seat of a parked car when she accidentally spilled a cup of McDonald’s coffee on her lap while trying to add cream and sugar. The coffee, served at a scorching 180-190°F (far hotter than typical home-brewed coffee), caused third-degree burns over 16% of her body, including sensitive areas like her thighs and groin. She needed extensive skin grafts, spent weeks in the hospital, and dealt with permanent scarring and mobility issues.

Initially, she only sought $20,000 to cover her medical bills, but McDonald’s refused, leading to a trial that ended in a verdict that delivered a resounding rebuke to McDonald’s.

During the proceedings, it emerged that McDonald’s had received over 700 complaints about burns from their coffee in the previous decade, yet they continued to serve it at dangerously high temperatures to cut costs on refills and extend shelf life.

The jury awarded Stella compensatory damages for her suffering and punitive damages equivalent to about two days of McDonald’s coffee profits – a total of around $2.9 million, which was later reduced. So in the end, after reductions and attorney fees, Stella didn’t receive anything close to a windfall.

The case wasn’t about a clumsy spill; it was about a company knowingly putting profits over safety.

Stella’s case resonates deeply with me because child burn injuries from hot liquids are alarmingly common. According to the American Burn Association, scalds from hot beverages account for a significant portion of burn injuries in children under 5, often requiring hospitalization and long-term care.

Just like in Stella’s case, these incidents aren’t always “accidents” – they can stem from negligence, such as restaurants serving overly hot drinks without proper warnings, or products designed without child safety in mind.

But here’s the bigger issue: the media dishonesty around the hot coffee lawsuit fueled a wave of “tort reform” propaganda, portraying personal injury claims as frivolous get-rich-quick schemes. This has made it harder for families to seek justice when their children are hurt due to someone else’s carelessness.

Parents are ridiculed for suing over playground defects, defective car seats, or unsafe toys, even when the evidence shows clear corporate shortcuts that endangered kids.

These lawsuits aren’t about windfalls; they’re about accountability, compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain, and preventing future harm.

Take, for example, cases involving hot beverage spills on children in fast-food drive-thrus or at home with poorly designed mugs. If companies aren’t held responsible, they have little incentive to change – just as McDonald’s resisted safer practices until Stella’s lawsuit forced their hand.

By debunking myths like the “hot coffee lady who became a millionaire,” we can shift the focus back to protecting the vulnerable, especially our children.

If your child has suffered an injury due to negligence – whether from a scalding drink, a faulty product, or an unsafe environment – don’t let misconceptions deter you from seeking help. At the Pearson Law Firm, LLC, we’re dedicated to fighting for families like yours.

Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.

What are your thoughts on how media shapes perceptions of lawsuits? Share in the comments below!

Attorney Pete Pearson has practiced personal injury law for nearly 30 years. He has a special interest in helping families of injured children. He is a father to ten children and lives with his wife and children in Newborn, Georgia. His office is located in Conyers, Georgia.