A San Francisco McDonald's franchise is facing a lawsuit after an elderly woman suffered severe burns from a scalding cup of coffee and was allegedly refused help by store employees. Mabel Childress, a woman in her 80s, filed the lawsuit with the San Francisco Superior Court on September 14. Childress claims that the employees at a McDonald's located on Fillmore Street failed to secure the lid on her coffee cup, resulting in the hot contents spilling onto her lap and causing severe burns, scarring, and emotional distress.

The incident reportedly occurred on June 13 when Childress visited the drive-thru of the McDonald's restaurant. According to the complaint filed by Childress's lawyer, Dylan Hackett, the coffee cup lid opened when she attempted to drink from it, causing scalding coffee to pour out and burn her groin. Childress tried to report the incident to three employees, including managers, but they allegedly ignored and refused to help her. As a result, she had to seek treatment for her injuries on her own.

Peter Ou, the franchisee who owns and operates the McDonald's on Fillmore Street, responded to the allegations, stating that his restaurant follows strict food safety protocols and trains employees to ensure the lids on hot beverages are secure. He also mentioned that his team spoke to Childress and offered assistance when she reported the incident later that day. Ou expressed that they take customer complaints seriously and are reviewing the legal claim in detail.

Childress's attorney, Hackett, emphasized the importance of the lawsuit, stating that his client hopes it will lead to improvements in the way coffee is served, with proper temperature and securely placed lids. The lawsuit, classified as an "unlimited civil case," seeks monetary remedies for hospital and medical expenses, general damages, and aims to hold McDonald's accountable for their alleged negligence.

This incident brings to mind the famous McDonald's coffee lawsuit that occurred in 1992. Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman from New Mexico, suffered third-degree burns when hot coffee from a McDonald's drive-thru spilled into her lap. Liebeck initially requested $20,000 from McDonald's to cover her hospital expenses, but the case went to trial when the company refused to settle. The jury awarded Liebeck $2.7 million in punitive damages, determining that McDonald's served coffee at a temperature much higher than other restaurants. The punitive damages were later reduced to $480,000, and the final settlement amount remains confidential.

McDonald's has also faced legal trouble regarding hot food items. In July, a South Florida jury awarded $800,000 in damages to the family of a 4-year-old girl who suffered second-degree burns from a hot Chicken McNugget. The nugget fell in her lap and became lodged between the seat belt and her thigh, causing severe burns. McDonald's and the franchise owner denied responsibility for the incident.

Childress's lawsuit is set to be an important case in determining accountability for the fast-food chain and ensuring the safety of customers. A case management conference has been scheduled for February 14, 2024, and McDonald's has 30 calendar days to respond to the court.