There are many things in life that blossomed over a cup of coffee, be it new connections, meeting your life companion or even a business deal. Now it is shocking to learn that many court cases too started because of a cup of coffee particularly a sizzling HOT cup of coffee whether in your cup holder or not. This infamous hot coffee cup also finds a mention in the latest flick “Hot Coffee” produced by Susan Saladoff.
“Hot Coffee” is a documentary film that probes into the civil justice system existing in US. Saladoff says that after 1992 McDonalds coffee case, companies have not left any effort in slandering and tagging civil lawsuits as “useless”. No only have they fused together facts with nasty lies but have also altered the laws such that individuals (who suffered due to company’s negligence) would find it tough to sue them.
The original McDonalds case was settled at last, behind closed doors. However, it is believed that the jury penalized McDonalds by charging above $2 million on the evidence related to the coffee temperature. This is something which every coffee consumer should know particularly those folks who order hot coffee from drive-through and steer off speedily on to the roads, having the hot beverage slosh around in their car’s drink holder.
McDonalds had asserted that they keep their coffee warm at 185 degree F, when it is known that liquids at 180 degrees will lead to a full depth third degree burn to human skin in just two to seven seconds! (Not to mention those who use wheelchair accessories, and have no feeling in their legs, leading to burns they aren’t even aware of.) Coffee sold at most of the coffee shops are below this temperature. Coffee made at home is heated at much lesser temperature between 135 and 140 F.
McDonalds also disclosed that it received around 700 complaints about burns for 10 years before the 1992 case. After that case, two other coffee joints too were sued in similar burn cases.
All these cases could have been avoided if people were a bit more cautious and tolerant to allow the coffee to cool down and used cup holders in their cars while traveling. Also, nowadays if you move inside the joints to place your order, some joints also allow using your own spill-proof travel mug. Starbucks is one among these food and beverage companies. They have a strong reason as they were one of the coffee joints that were sued.
But whatever it is, take care. It is OK to take a few additional minutes to stay safe. Enjoy your coffee, blossom new connections in life, but most importantly DRIVE SAFE too!
