Most Notable Personal Injury Court Cases
Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants
The most well-known personal injury case always seems to be the infamous McDonald’s coffee case. In New Mexico in 1992, Stella Liebeckaccidentally spilled her entire cup of McDonalds drive-thru coffee on her lap, which resulted hospitalization with burns on 22% of her body. After not coming at an agreement on a settlement out of court, Ms. Liebeck took McDonalds to court. During the trial, it was discovered that McDonalds served their coffee between 180-190 degrees, a temperature that will even burn the mouth in seconds. Further documents produced the fact that McDonalds had gotten over 700 reports of customers burned by their coffee, but no modification in serving temperature was made. After a jury ruled in Ms. Liebecksfavor, bothLiebeck (based on her punitive and compensatory damages) and McDonalds appealed the ruling. The parties later settled out of court for less than $600,000.
Kihl v Nassau County, Pfeffer
In a case taking over 13 years to reach a ruling, Ms. Kihl was a passanger in Mr. Pfeffer’s vehicle when it hydroplaned and struck a tree. Ms. Kihl suffered serious injuries that included a fractured neck. The stretch of road was recognized to be dangerous, getting the nickname ‘Dead Man’s Curve’. Nassau County was found liable in two previous cases involving that section of road. Her pain was so severe that doctors had implanted a morphine pump into her stomach. The death blow of the case was the testimony of a private investigator hired by Nassau County to uncover discrepancies in Ms. Kihl’s stated injuries and suffering. The investigators report supported Ms. Kihl’s testimony. The ruling found the county at 87% fault and Pfeffer the other 13%. Kihl was awarded a total of between $12-13 million of what amounts to essentially lifetime care.
Eichhorn v Cosmillo
In 2007, the one year old son of the Cosmillo’s wandered into the family’s pool while unattended. Even though still breathing, the child suffered permanent brain damage which now requires around the clock care. After the child was found, 911 along with a team responded to the home. A member of that team, Sgt. Andrea Eichhorn claimed to have a suffered a severe knee injury while at the home after slipping a puddle of water. Eichhorn claimed the family neither warned her of the danger nor had childproofed the home. After a community outrage and the chief of police stating he disagreed with the lawsuit, the case was dropped.
There are many more personal injury cases, some more landmark than others. If you feel you have been victim to a personal injury, it may be in your best interests to contact Personal injury lawyers in your area.
Originally published here.
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