McDonald’s is facing yet another lawsuit alleging that its coffee is served at dangerously high temperatures. The latest case comes from a Woolwich, New Jersey man who claims he suffered “severe injury” and damage to his car after a hot cup of coffee spilled on his lap at a McDonald’s drive-thru.
The lawsuit alleges that the drive-thru worker was negligent, leading to the spill. The plaintiff claims he has lost time from work and incurred expenses to repair his vehicle.
This isn’t the first time McDonald’s has been sued over its coffee temperature. In fact, the fast-food chain has faced multiple similar lawsuits in recent months, including several in New Jersey alone. Just this year, a Morris County woman filed a claim after spilling hot tea, and a Newark resident filed a similar claim for a tea spill.
These cases echo the infamous 1990s lawsuit in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where a woman successfully sued McDonald’s for serving coffee at a temperature significantly higher than other restaurants.
While McDonald’s has not commented on these recent lawsuits, the company is likely aware of the potential for such claims. The company has previously implemented measures to reduce the temperature of its beverages, but these new lawsuits suggest that more needs to be done to ensure customer safety.
As a reminder, if you’re ordering a hot beverage at a drive-thru, it’s always a good idea to take extra precautions. Be sure to receive your drink outside of your car window, use both hands to carry it, and be careful when taking your first sip.