The fast-food chain that lost a lawsuit for making their coffee too hot was McDonald's. This case, often referred to as the "McDonalds hot coffee case" or "Stella Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants," gained significant media attention in the 1990s.1
Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, was severely burned after accidentally spilling hot coffee from a McDonald's drive-thru onto her lap.2 The jury found that McDonald's was negligent for serving coffee at an excessively high temperature, which significantly increased the risk of severe burns.3 The case led to a public debate about product liability and personal injury lawsuits, but it also highlighted the importance of product safety and the potential risks associated with overly hot food and beverages.4