



Of course, when this happens it is because people are not recalling the complete details of the case-the coffee’s lid was not secured properly and this act of negligence on the part of the McDonald’s employee was very important. Not everyone agreed with the verdict and now this case is sometimes cited by the layperson as an example of a ridiculous personal injury lawsuit. For example, a hot coffee injury immediately reminds many people of an infamous case in which a woman won an extremely high settlement from McDonald’s after being burned by coffee that was too hot. In some cases, popular opinion can add to this pressure. Liable parties may try to downplay the injuries suffered by a victim in an effort to avoid paying out a large settlement amount. This case brings out two important points:ġ. Marsala’s suit targeted Dunkin Donuts, the operators of the Highland Park franchise, and the owner of the property, alleging that their inadequate property management in failing to fix the curb stop caused her injuries. As she fell, she cut her hand and knee and suffered serious burn injuries on her face and neck from the spilled coffees.

The victim, Maria Marsala, had purchased several coffees at a Dunkin Donuts in Highland Park NJ and was taking them back to her car when she tripped over an exposed spike in a broken curb stop. The accident took place in January of 2012. The surprise settlement comes just days before the case was scheduled to go to court. Dunkin Donuts Settles Burn Injury Lawsuit Woman received over half a million dollars for hot coffee burns and other injuries.ĭunkin Donuts has agreed to pay a New Jersey woman $522,000 in damages for burns and other injuries suffered when she fell in a store parking lot and spilled coffee on herself.
