You know, in 1987 (approx, I know I was in middle school which was from Fall of 1987- Spring 1990) I was one of those nameless victims, who got burned by McDonald's coffee.
My mom used to drop me off at school, and once a week, if we (my older brother and I) got up early, she'd get some McDonald's for us on the way (it really was a treat as McDonald's was in the opposite direction of me and my brother's schools).
I was about 12 and on this one morning she hands me the coffee ( I am in the backseat) to add her cream and sugar for her, as she was driving. So I hold the coffee between my legs and behind to add the extras when she hits a bump and the coffee spills on my thighs. I screamed, because it was REALLY hot, but we didn't think any damage had been done, other than some wet pants.
So I get to school and by lunch my thighs are killing me. I go to the school nurse and tell her what happened. She gets some ointment for me to apply and when I pulled down my pants (which were jeans -- see where this is going) I had peeled skin coming off as well. I had to call my mom and go home, as my thighs could not take the walking around.
My mom felt soooo bad and apologized profusely....it was a little after this that the McDonald's case came out. But, it never occurred to us to be litigatious, just put the coffee in the cup holder ( although upholders weren't as common in cars back then) and let it cool next time around. My mom still brings this up from time to time.
My mom used to drop me off at school, and once a week, if we (my older brother and I) got up early, she'd get some McDonald's for us on the way (it really was a treat as McDonald's was in the opposite direction of me and my brother's schools).
I was about 12 and on this one morning she hands me the coffee ( I am in the backseat) to add her cream and sugar for her, as she was driving. So I hold the coffee between my legs and behind to add the extras when she hits a bump and the coffee spills on my thighs. I screamed, because it was REALLY hot, but we didn't think any damage had been done, other than some wet pants.
So I get to school and by lunch my thighs are killing me. I go to the school nurse and tell her what happened. She gets some ointment for me to apply and when I pulled down my pants (which were jeans -- see where this is going) I had peeled skin coming off as well. I had to call my mom and go home, as my thighs could not take the walking around.
My mom felt soooo bad and apologized profusely....it was a little after this that the McDonald's case came out. But, it never occurred to us to be litigatious, just put the coffee in the cup holder ( although upholders weren't as common in cars back then) and let it cool next time around. My mom still brings this up from time to time.