A Dunkin’ Donuts franchise in Georgia has reached a $3 million settlement in a lawsuit involving a woman who suffered severe burns from a spilled cup of coffee. The elderly woman, who was sitting in her car in the drive-thru of a Dunkin’ Donuts in Sugar Hill, GA, claimed that the coffee spilled on her lap, causing third-degree burns.
Key Takeaway
An elderly woman has been awarded a $3 million settlement after suffering severe burns from a spilled cup of coffee at a Dunkin’ Donuts in Georgia. The incident highlights the importance of properly securing lids on hot beverage containers.
The Allegations and the Lawsuit
The woman, represented by attorney Benjamin Welch at Morgan & Morgan, alleged that the incident occurred due to the improperly secured lid on the coffee cup. As a result of the burns, she required extensive skin grafts and had to re-learn how to walk.
The incident took place in February 2021, and after months of legal proceedings, a settlement has now been reached. The Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee has agreed to pay the woman $3 million in compensation.
The Consequences and the Aftermath
According to Morgan & Morgan, the woman incurred more than $200,000 in medical bills as a result of the incident. Additionally, she continues to face challenges in her day-to-day life due to the ongoing burns, requiring her to apply creams and ointments multiple times daily.
This case draws parallels to a well-known lawsuit against McDonald’s in 1994, where another woman claimed she suffered burns from hot coffee. That lawsuit went to trial and had a significant impact on the push for tort reform in America. It even found its way into pop culture, being referenced in a “Seinfeld” episode and a song by Toby Keith.
