Liebeck vs Mcdonalds
Introduction
This assignment is regarding the Liebeck vs McDonalds case back in 1992. The issues involved are discussed thoroughly as well as the difference between consumer protection laws in Malaysia and also the United States where the case took place. This assignment will also discuss the implications of the case and also businesses/consumers responsibility when handling accident prone products.
Question 1
Major issues
1. The 180 degrees coffee caused full thickness or third degree burns to Liebeck’s skin. 6 percent of her body suffered the third degree burns and 16 percent suffered lesser. The incident caused her to be hospitalized for eight days followed by two years of medical treatment. She lost almost 20% of her bodyweight due to the incident. After having to go through skin grafting and debridement, it would not be entirely wrong to assume that Liebeck also suffered tremendous emotional trauma especially since accident happened at the age of 79.
2. Carelessness of Liebeck in handling the coffee cup also plays a major role in the accident. It would be totally understandable if the incident happened to a kid below 5 years of age. Liebeck who has lived for 79 years at the point of accident should have known better than to rush into putting cream and sugar into the hot coffee in the car right after she bought it. The cotton sweat pants that Liebeck was wearing could indicate that she was in no hurry to go anywhere.
3. Prior to Liebeck’s lawsuit against McDonalds, there were more than 700 claims by people who have been burnt by the coffee and some reportedly suffered similar third degree burns. The documented complaints show that McDonalds chose to turn a blind eye and continued to serve their coffee at 180 degrees as they claim that it is the temperature to maintain optimum taste. Later in the case, McDonalds also argued that people generally buy the coffee on the way to work or on the way home. Hence, the coffee would have cooled to a
This assignment is regarding the Liebeck vs McDonalds case back in 1992. The issues involved are discussed thoroughly as well as the difference between consumer protection laws in Malaysia and also the United States where the case took place. This assignment will also discuss the implications of the case and also businesses/consumers responsibility when handling accident prone products.
Question 1
Major issues
1. The 180 degrees coffee caused full thickness or third degree burns to Liebeck’s skin. 6 percent of her body suffered the third degree burns and 16 percent suffered lesser. The incident caused her to be hospitalized for eight days followed by two years of medical treatment. She lost almost 20% of her bodyweight due to the incident. After having to go through skin grafting and debridement, it would not be entirely wrong to assume that Liebeck also suffered tremendous emotional trauma especially since accident happened at the age of 79.
2. Carelessness of Liebeck in handling the coffee cup also plays a major role in the accident. It would be totally understandable if the incident happened to a kid below 5 years of age. Liebeck who has lived for 79 years at the point of accident should have known better than to rush into putting cream and sugar into the hot coffee in the car right after she bought it. The cotton sweat pants that Liebeck was wearing could indicate that she was in no hurry to go anywhere.
3. Prior to Liebeck’s lawsuit against McDonalds, there were more than 700 claims by people who have been burnt by the coffee and some reportedly suffered similar third degree burns. The documented complaints show that McDonalds chose to turn a blind eye and continued to serve their coffee at 180 degrees as they claim that it is the temperature to maintain optimum taste. Later in the case, McDonalds also argued that people generally buy the coffee on the way to work or on the way home. Hence, the coffee would have cooled to a