here are the quick facts: McDonald’s served its coffee 20 degrees hotter than anyone else in the business to discourage elderly customers from having a second cup. They had received over 700 complaints of people burned by their coffee and refused to lower the temperature. At trial, their risk manager acknowledged awareness of the number of burns and that McDonalds would not lower the temperature of their coffee. Had they followed the industry standard, it would have taken 30-40 seconds for the coffee to cause third degree burns. As it was, the coffee caused third degree burns in 2-3 seconds. The plaintiff in the case had third degree burns over her genitals. Before suing, the plaintiff sought compensation for her medical bills (and none for pain and suffering). It was in light of all of the above facts that the jury decided to award punitive damages equal to McDonald’s national profits from coffee sales for the three days the plaintiff was hospitalized. Contrary to what people believe, there was a logical rationale for the award. Even so, the trial court judge reduced the verdict immediately after the trial.
Not much use in reading beyond that. People that sell coffee do not discourage people from buying it. McDonalds brewed it HOT because people wanted it hot (including ME), and they could make more coffee with fewer grounds.
Should I get money from Honda because the motorcycle was too fast?