I’m a personal injury law lawyer who’s seen it all. I’ve also been the injured person trying to decide whether to sue. This guide that I put together combines what I’ve learned in the trenches and straight-up facts. Let’s debunk the biggest myths and set you up with real expectations.
I never thought I’d be in a lawsuit. Then, I got hit by a distracted driver. Overnight, I went from worrying about work to worrying about hospital bills. I felt angry, confused, and yes, a bit guilty about “suing someone.” It seemed very harsh, but I needed money to help pay my bills. As a lawyer, I knew the basics, but living it was different.
Myth #1: “It’s Easy Money, Fast”
Here’s a harsh reality. Personal injury law cases are not ATMs or lottery tickets. They take time and proof. It takes around a year (and sometimes many years) to settle a case [1]. You can see my sources at the end of this article.
My case took 14 months, and that’s without a trial. It can be quicker if it’s small or much longer if it’s complex. Patience is key. And those multi-million dollar payouts you see on TV are rare outliers. Yes, significant cases exist (usually with life-changing injuries), but most payouts are much more modest.
Roughly two-thirds of claimants get something, but often in the low five figures [2]. In one survey, over half of the people got between $3,000 and $25,000 [2]. That’s a nice chunk of $$$, but it’s usually covering medical bills, lost wages, and maybe a bit for pain. It’s not for retirement in Maui or Vancouver Canada. Average settlements hover around tens of thousands, not millions [2].
You might get nothing if you can’t prove the other party was at fault. No matter how badly you’re hurt, you need evidence that someone else caused it. It’s hardly easy money. You earn every dollar by sticking it out and backing up your injury law claim with facts.
Myth #2: “I’ll Have to Go to Court (and It’ll Take Years)”
Reality: You’ve seen the courtroom dramas, but here’s the truth. In most cases, you never see a courtroom. About 95% of personal injury claims settle out of court [2].
Only about 3-5% ever go to trial [2]. Odds are you’ll never have to testify before a judge and jury. I was dreading the idea of a trial for my case. I pictured aggressive cross-examinations and months (or years) of fighting. But my case, like most, settled in a conference room with an insurance adjuster’s check, not in court. This is the norm. Both sides usually want to avoid the risk and cost of a trial. Settlement doesn’t mean you get money the day after you file a claim, though.
There’s a whole process. There are often investigations, negotiations, maybe mediation. This can stretch out (remember that year timeline on average). But it’s generally a series of phone calls and paperwork exchanges, not Perry Mason moments. When a settlement is reached, the insurance company typically cuts a check (more on that soon). So don’t envision dramatic courtroom showdowns. Prepare for a negotiation, not a TV episode. And if you’re in that slim chance that you do go to trial, your lawyer will guide you through every step. But know that it’s far from glamorous.
Myth #3: “The Insurance Company Will Fairly Handle Everything”
You should know that the insurance adjuster is not your friend. Sure, they’ll be polite on the phone. They might even sound sympathetic and like they want to be your friend. But their job is to save the insurance company money, not to pay you what you truly deserve. Insurance companies are skilled at minimizing payouts and dragging things out for as long as possible. They have entire playbooks on it. Example from my experience: the day after my accident, the other driver’s insurer called me with a quick offer. It sounded decent at the moment (my car was wrecked, and I had hospital bills).
But I hadn’t even figured out the extent of my injuries yet. I almost took that first offer, but I’m so glad I paused. Studies show that people who accept the first offer have a lot less. One survey found that folks who held out for a better deal got settlements $30,000+ higher on average than those who grabbed the first check [3]. Remember that the initial offer is usually a lowball. When you file a claim or injury law lawsuit, you typically deal with an insurance company on the other side.
Auto insurer you’ll negotiate with
If someone hit you with their car, it’s their auto insurer you’ll negotiate with, not the person that you were engaged in an accident with. If you slipped in a store, the store’s liability insurer is paying up. The person or business at fault isn’t typically paying from their pocket (except maybe a deductible). That’s what insurance is for. So don’t feel guilty about “suing someone.” Most of the time, you’re seeking compensation from their insurer (and you’re often indirectly helping them follow the law since they have insurance for this exact reason). Insurance companies have lawyers ready to defend claims and strategies like delay and denial. If the other person doesn’t have insurance, then it’s a totally different story.
The insurance company might drag things out, hoping you’ll settle for less out of desperation. They might poke at gaps in your medical treatment or argue your injuries were pre-existing. It’s all part of the game. Don’t give a recorded statement without advice. You’re not legally required to give the other side’s insurer a recorded interview early on. Try and communicate via email so you have time to think about what you are going to send them. Otherwise they might (and likely will) record your phone calls.
They often ask for one, hoping you’ll say something that hurts your case. It’s usually best to politely decline or at least consult a lawyer first. In my case, once I lawyered up, the tone with the insurance adjuster changed. Negotiations got serious. And yes, the final check came from the insurance company. It usually does. So, while insurance will eventually handle things, it often takes a fight to make them hold it reasonably.
Myth #4: “All Personal Injury Lawyers Are Ambulance Chasers”
We’ve all heard the term “ambulance chaser.” It conjures an image of sleazy lawyers lurking at the ER, trying to sign up clients. And yes, there have been some who did shady stuff (especially decades ago.) But here’s the deal: true “ambulance chasing” is illegal and unethical [4]. The American Bar Association forbids it in their ethics rules, and many states have laws against it [4].
A good injury law lawyer isn’t out stalking accident victims; they’re busy working legal cases and building a reputation correctly. Let’s clarify the term. Ambulance chasing refers to a lawyer (or their employee) actively soliciting clients right after an accident or disaster. For example, someone is uninvited at your hospital bed and says, “I can get you money; sign up now.” In many places, it’s a crime [4]! Reputable lawyers do not operate that way. They rely on referrals, online presence, and yes, advertising. (Those cheesy late-night injury lawyer ads?
Ambulance chasers
Directly harassing victims in person is not legal. If a random lawyer (whom you didn’t contact first) presses you to hire them right after your accident, run the other way. That’s a huge red flag. Reasonable attorneys let you come to them. In my state, attorneys must wait several days before contacting an accident victim, even by mail. The law recognizes that victims need space and recovery time, not pressure. So, not all personal injury lawyers are vultures.
Most are professionals who truly want to help people who’ve been wronged. Many of us are in this field because we hate seeing regular folks bullied by big insurance companies. My clients joke that I’m more of a “guard dog” than a “chaser.”
I don’t chase ambulances; I stand between my clients and whoever hurt them. Legal ethics are a big deal. Lawyers can be disbarred (career over) for breaking solicitation rules. Don’t let the “ambulance chaser” stereotype scare you away from getting legal help. Find a injury law lawyer with a good reputation. Check reviews or ask friends. And know that any lawyer worth your time will never pressure you to sign on immediately or make big promises without hearing your story.
Myth #5: “I Can’t Afford a Lawyer, So I’m Out of Luck”
You can afford a lawyer because you usually pay nothing up front in personal injury cases. This is thanks to something called a contingency fee arrangement. Here’s how that works: your lawyer only gets paid if you get paid. Their fee is a percentage of the settlement or judgment you receive. The typical contingency fee is around one-third (about 33%) of your recovery [5]. It can vary a bit (some lawyers take 25%, some 40% if it goes to trial, etc.), but one-third is common [5].
If you settle your case for $90,000, a standard 33% fee means the lawyer gets $30,000, and you get the rest (minus any costs, which I’ll explain in a second). If you lose the case and recover nothing, you usually owe the lawyer nothing for their fee. It’s a risk-sharing setup: the injury law lawyer only gets paid by winning for you. This system allows everyday people to go up against big insurance companies without paying tens of thousands out of pocket for legal bills.
Injury law lawyers
Ask about expenses in your initial consultation. Even on a contingency, there might be costs for filing fees, medical record copies, expert witnesses, etc. Many injury law lawyers will face these costs and get reimbursed for the settlement. For example, if they had to pay $1,000 for an expert report, that $1,000 might come out of your settlement on top of the attorney’s fee. A good lawyer often eats those costs if you lose, but policies vary. The key is to have it spelled out in the written fee agreement (which is required by ethics rules [5]).
Read that contract! Know if you’d owe any case expenses if the worst-case scenario happens and you don’t win. In my case, I didn’t pay a dime until the case was done. My lawyer (yes, even as a lawyer myself, I hired a lawyer to represent me. It’s hard to handle your case when you’re the injured one) worked on a contingency. It’s also better if a lawyer makes statements for you, as it isn’t considered new evidence.
The agreement I signed with the injury law attorney said 33% if we settled, plus reimbursement of costs like the court filing fee and some expert X-ray analysis. It was worth every penny. She got me roughly three times what the insurance company’s final “no lawyer” offer had been. Data backs that up. People with attorneys often receive settlements several times higher than those without [3].
So, don’t let cost stop you from seeking legal justice. Almost all personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation. You can talk to them, explain your case, and discuss their fee terms without paying anything. Only hire someone if you’re comfortable with the arrangement. The contingency system levels the playing field, so use it to your advantage.
Myth #6: “I’ll Get Millions for Every Little Thing I Suffered”
Compensation in personal injury cases is about making you “whole,” not giving you a windfall. You are entitled to recover a broad range of damages (not just your medical bills); the amount must tie to reality. Let’s break down the types of damages you can recover in a lawsuit:
Medical Bills: All your treatment costs caused by the accident. This should include hospital stays, surgeries, meds, rehab, future treatment anticipated. All of those are typically covered. Keep those receipts and records.
Lost Income: If you missed work or can’t work like before, you can claim lost wages and potential loss in future earnings. For example, if your injury limits your career options or you had to take a lower-paying job, that’s a loss to include.
Pain and Suffering: This is compensation for the physical pain and the emotional distress you’ve endured. It’s harder to put a dollar figure on, but it’s often calculated based on severity and length of recovery. This includes things like chronic pain, scarring, or even just the overall decrease in quality of life. Don’t let anyone tell you “pain and suffering isn’t real damage.” It is, and the law recognizes it. Ever heard of someone getting compensation for PTSD after an accident? That falls here. I once settled a $1 million PTSD case with the Army (for a veteran.)
Emotional Distress
Related to pain and suffering, this covers psychological impacts like anxiety, depression, or trauma from the incident. For example, if you now panic every time you drive because of a car crash, that mental anguish is a damage.
Property Damage: If any property was damaged (car, phone, etc.), you can recover repair or replacement costs. Often, this is handled separately (like car repair through auto insurance), but it’s part of the claim.
Other Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Maybe you had to hire a nurse or even pay for Uber rides to medical appointments because you couldn’t drive. Make sure that you keep track, and you can claim it.
Punitive Damages In Injury Law
These are rare and only come into play if the person who caused your injury did something genuinely egregious or reckless. Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer, not specifically to compensate you. Many states cap these or don’t award them for simple negligence. Please don’t count on getting punitive damages; they’re a bonus in the uncommon case where, say, a company willfully ignored safety with full knowledge someone could get hurt.
Now, about those millions: Yes, some cases yield huge payouts. These are typically for catastrophic injuries (think brain injury, paralysis) or blatantly negligent corporate behavior that a jury feels needs punishing. But those make headlines because they’re not the norm.
The reality is, your compensation is primarily based on the tangible and intangible losses you can document. If you broke your arm and went through some pain but recovered fully after a few months, you’re likely looking at maybe five figures, not seven. If you have a permanent disability, then high six or seven figures could be justified to cover a lifetime of lost earnings and care. I mentioned earlier that the average personal injury settlement is around $50,000-ish [2].
Be careful of lawyer promises
But the average is just math, a few significant multimillion cases can skew it. The majority of cases are well below that. So set your expectations accordingly. A good injury law lawyer will often avoid giving you a firm number early on, because they need to see how you heal, your bills, and how strong the evidence is.
Be wary of any attorney who promises you “millions” at the start . They’re likely selling you a fantasy just so you sign the retainer agreement. And once you are signed on, they will tell you the truth about your legal case.
On the flip side, don’t undervalue things like your pain or emotional suffering. These are real, and you deserve compensation for them. A client said, “I just want my medical bills paid.” After talking, it was clear the injury had wrecked her sleep for years and made her miss her kid’s graduation due to pain.
We ensured the settlement reflected those real losses, not just the hospital invoices. You can recover many types of damages, but they must be grounded in what happened to you. It’s not a payday for imagined grievances; it’s repayment for real harms. A fair settlement or verdict should feel like it helps restore balance. It won’t erase what happened, but it should ease the financial and personal burden caused by your injury.
The Emotional Rollercoaster (It’s More Than Money)
Let’s get honest about something people rarely discuss: the emotional and mental toll of the injury and the lawsuit. Getting hurt is traumatic. One day you’re fine; the next, you’re in pain, dealing with doctors, and unable to do things you usually do. It’s common to experience fear, anxiety, anger, and even depression after a serious accident [6]. I’ve had nights where I couldn’t sleep because I kept re-playing the moment of impact in my head. That’s normal for a lot of folks.
Now, add a legal case to the mix. The process can be stressful. You might feel frustrated with delays. It’s tough reading the defendant (or their insurer) essentially imply that you’re exaggerating or that it’s not their fault. It can feel like a second injury, an insult to your integrity or a minimization of your suffering. I’ve seen clients break down in tears reading the other side’s court filings. Heck, I’ve felt rage on behalf of clients when a defense lawyer tried to blame them for getting hurt.
A long case can also be a mental marathon. It’s like a cloud hanging over your life until it’s resolved. Some people find it hard to move on emotionally while the case is open. I often tell my clients to focus on healing and daily life and let me handle the case, but I know that’s easier said than done. The uncertainty of “What will I get?” or “Will I win?” can cause anxiety.
Coping strategies
Don’t go it alone. Talk to friends or family about what you’re feeling. Consider seeing a therapist if you’re struggling. Mental health is often just as important as physical health, and therapy costs can usually be included in your claim if they’re related to the accident. Some find support groups (even online forums or subreddits for injury recovery) helpful. Talking to others in the same boat can give comfort and tips.
Also, understand that feeling emotional doesn’t make you weak or make your case less valid. If anything, it underscores why you deserve compensation. This is because this incident impacted every aspect of your life, not just your wallet. I had a client, a tough guy, who admitted he started having panic attacks whenever he drove past the crash intersection.
We brought it up in his case and got compensation earmarked for counseling. More importantly, he eventually did counseling, which helped him get his confidence back behind the wheel. There’s the question of closure. Many people think winning a injury law lawsuit will give them instant emotional closure. Sometimes, it does bring relief; other times, the check arrives, and you still have scars (literally and figuratively). Lawsuits can provide justice and financial help, but they’re not therapy. Emotional healing is a separate journey. Don’t be afraid to seek help for it. There’s no shame in saying, “This shook me up.” It happened because you’re human.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Stepping into the personal injury claim process can feel like walking through a minefield of potential mistakes. Here are some common pitfalls that can hurt your case (and how to dodge them):
Waiting Too Long to Act: Every state has a statute of limitations (a deadline to file a lawsuit). It might be two years, three years, or another timeframe from the date of injury. If you miss that window, your case is dead on arrival. Don’t procrastinate. Even before that deadline, evidence can fade. What ends up happening is that memories fog up and videos get overwritten. Start the process early, or consult a lawyer to know your timeline.
Not Getting Medical Attention ASAP: If you’re hurt, see a doctor immediately or as soon as possible for your health (top priority) and documentation. If you wait weeks to seek treatment, the insurance will argue that you weren’t that hurt or that something else happened in between. Follow all medical advice and don’t skip appointments. Gaps in treatment are red flags for insurers.
Downplaying Your Injuries to Doctors
This is not the time for a tough-it-out attitude. Be honest about every ache and pain with your healthcare providers. If you feel pain, say so. If you’re having nightmares or anxiety, mention it. Those notes end up in medical records, which are evidence. I’ve seen cases where a client underplayed their pain (“it’s not too bad today”), and those exact words were used against them later (“patient reported pain is not too bad”). Be truthful and don’t exaggerate, but also don’t omit.
Posting on Social Media: This is a big one now. Assume the insurance company’s detectives are watching everything you post. A seemingly innocent photo of you at a friend’s BBQ can be twisted (“Look, they claim their back hurts, but here they are smiling at a party!”). Even posts unrelated to your injury can be misinterpreted. The safest move is to avoid posting about your injury, case, or physical activities while your claim is ongoing. Also, check your privacy settings and don’t accept friend requests from people you don’t know (the insurance company might try to snoop).
I once had a case where the defense pulled my client’s gym check-in records from Facebook to argue he was well enough to work out (he was doing light therapy exercises, but it became a hassle to explain). Please don’t give them ammo.
Giving a Recorded Statement Without Advice
As mentioned, the insurance adjuster will likely ask for a recorded statement early on. Politely decline until you talk to a lawyer. If you do end up giving one, prepare carefully. They’ll ask tricky questions, and any off-the-cuff answer can be used to minimize your claim later.
Accepting the First Settlement Offer Quickly: That offer is almost always a lowball. Insurers know you might be in a financial pinch, and they dangle fast cash. Unless it genuinely covers everything (which is rare early on), it’s usually wise to wait or negotiate. Once you settle, you typically sign away any future claims. This means that you can’t go back for more if you realize your injury was worse, or became worse later on. Make sure you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (fancy term for “as healed as you’re going to get”) before settling serious injury claims. You want to know the full scope of costs and impacts.
Not Keeping Evidence and Records
Treat your case like an important project. Keep a folder (physical or digital) with everything: police reports, medical records, bills, prescription receipts, pay stubs (to show lost wages), car repair estimates, and witness info, etc. Take photos of your injuries and the scene if possible. Writing down a journal of how you felt each day can help demonstrate pain and suffering. The more evidence that you have, the stronger your case. Don’t rely on memory; keep the paperwork.
Neglecting to Consider Future Damages: People often focus on the current bills and pain. Think long-term too. Will you need physical therapy next year? Will you have scars or limitations that affect your life down the road? A settlement should ideally cover future anticipated costs and suffering as well. Don’t sell yourself short by forgetting those.
Exaggerating or Lying
This should go without saying, but honesty is the best policy. If you lie about something, assume it will be discovered. One exaggerated claim can destroy your credibility and sink your case. Insurance investigators love to find discrepancies. Don’t say you “haven’t been able to lift anything” if you helped someone move a couch last week. It’s just not worth it. Juries and adjusters understand humans heal and have good days and bad day. Its fine to say “I have pain but I push through it sometimes.” Just don’t fabricate or inflate. Your integrity is your strongest asset in a claim.
Avoiding these pitfalls can make a huge difference. It keeps your case clean and strong. The goal is to take care of yourself (medically and mentally), document everything, and be cautious and truthful in all your actions following the injury. If you have a lawyer, they’ll also guide you on these issues. Make sure that you listen to their advice. They’ve seen the horror stories of mistakes and are motivated to help you avoid them (after all, your success is their success in a contingency setup).
Case Study: The McDonald’s Hot Coffee Lawsuit (Debunking the “Frivolous” Myth)
No guide like this would be complete without addressing the elephant in the room: the famous McDonald’s hot coffee case. It’s often held up as the poster child for “ridiculous lawsuits.” You know the case, “Lady spills coffee on herself, then sues and wins millions for being clumsy.”
Except that’s not what happened. Since this case is so well-known (and often misunderstood), let’s set the record straight. In 1992, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck ordered a coffee at McDonald’s drive-thru. She was in the passenger seat of a parked car, and as she tried to add cream and sugar, she accidentally spilled the coffee on her lap. The coffee was was scalding. It caused third-degree burns on her thighs and groin. We’re talking severe burns that required skin grafts and weeks of recovery [7].
The photos (which were shown in court) were gruesome, and I decided not to show them as part of this blog article. Stella’s medical bills were about $20,000. She didn’t sprint to a lawyer to demand millions. Initially, she asked McDonald’s to reimburse her medical costs and a little extra for the pain and permanent scarring. This came to roughly $20k total. McDonald’s offered a mere $800 [7].
Filing an injury law lawsuit
Yes, $800 for third-degree burn treatment and suffering. After getting nowhere with the company, she filed a lawsuit. During the case, it came out that McDonald’s kept its coffee dangerously hot, between 180°F and 190°F. This was far hotter than home coffee or other restaurants [7]. This happened because McDonalds corporate decided hotter coffee lasts longer (so they wouldn’t need to brew fresh as often). But at that temp, liquid can cause third-degree burns in seconds.
McDonald’s had received over 700 reports of people being burned by their coffee before Stella’s incident [7]. 700! They treated those burns as a cost of doing business. At trial, a jury was understandably outraged. They saw that McDonald’s had knowingly ignored a safety hazard. The court awarded Stella $200,000 in compensatory damages for her losses (reduced to $160,000 because the jury found her 20% at fault since she spilled it) [8]. They also tacked on $2.7 million in punitive damages to send McDonald’s a message. This amount equalled roughly two days’ worth of McDonald’s coffee sales at the time [8].
The judge later reduced the punitive award to about $480,000 [8].
Settling an injury law claim
Ultimately, Stella and McDonald’s settled privately for an amount rumored around that reduced figure (the exact number wasn’t disclosed) [8]. She didn’t walk away with a multi-million dollar jackpot for no reason. She suffered life-altering injuries and initially only sought a reasonable sum. The “hot coffee lady” became a punchline, but unfairly so. In truth, her injury law case made products safer (McDonald’s lowered their coffee temperature after the PR fallout) and highlighted how facts can get distorted. It’s a classic example of a legitimate case being mislabeled as “frivolous.”
So, you can kindly drop some knowledge the next time someone rolls their eyes about “frivolous lawsuits” citing that case. Many so-called crazy lawsuits have more to them than the headline. (Sure, some suits are frivolous, but those usually get tossed out and never earn a payout. Lawyers typically won’t waste time on a case with no merit, especially on contingency.)
Don’t be ashamed to assert your rights because of public perception. People might not know what happened to you, just like most didn’t see the truth of Stella’s case. What matters is that you and your support team (lawyer, family, etc.) know your case has merit. The rest of the world often only hears the punchline, not the pain behind it.
Empower Yourself with Injury Law Knowledge
Considering a personal injury claim can be intimidating. There are lots of myths and stigma out there. I hope this guide has given you clearer insight and maybe a bit of confidence. You’re not being greedy for wanting your medical bills paid and your life impacts acknowledged. That’s the basic principle of personal injury law. If someone’s negligence hurts you, you have the right to be made whole. A few parting pieces of advice: Do your homework (like you’re doing now).
Every legal case is different, so consult a professional for personalized guidance. Most lawyers will give you an initial consultation for free, and even if you don’t hire them, you’ll learn a lot about your options. Take care of your health first and foremost. Legal stuff can be sorted in time, but you get one body and one mind. Make sure that you take care of them. And tune out the naysayers who use words like “sue-happy” or “jackpot justice.”
Those folks usually haven’t been in your shoes, dealing with pain, trauma, and bills due to someone else’s mistake. A personal injury lawsuit helps seek justice and compensation so you can move forward. It’s not easy money or a quick fix, but it can make a huge difference in rebuilding your life after an injury. Armed with the truth and realistic expectations, you can make better decisions about your case. You’ve got this. Stay informed, stay honest, and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. And if you do go down this path, best of luck. And not just with the injury law case but with healing and getting life back on track.
Injury Law Article Sources
[1] Mighty, “Why is My Personal Injury Case Taking So Long to Settle?” (Feb 19, 2025) – Average timeline ~1.5 years from accident to payout (many cases take over a year).
[2] Nolo Legal Encyclopedia, “How Much Can I Get for My Personal Injury Case (and how long will it take)?” – Survey of readers: ~67% got settlements (only 4% went to trial), majority received $3k-$25k, average ~$52k, average case duration ~11.4 months.
[3] Nolo Survey Data – 70% of people who held out for a better offer got settlements ~$30,700 higher than those who took the first offer; claimants with attorneys received nearly 3x larger settlements on average compared to self-represented claimants.
More Sources
[4] Enjuris, “Ambulance Chasing: How to Identify and Avoid” – Explains that “ambulance chasing” (soliciting accident victims) is unethical per ABA Rule 7.3 and illegal in many states (with specific penalties in at least 21 states).
[5] Cornell Law School – Legal Information Institute, “Contingent Fee” – Notes that contingency fees are standard in personal injury cases and typically around 33% of the recovery; fee agreements must be in writing and clarify any expenses the client might owe.
[6] Fay Law Group, “The Emotional Toll of Personal Injury” (July 31, 2023) – Describes common emotional effects on injury victims (fear, anxiety, depression, PTSD) and emphasizes seeking support/therapy for emotional recovery.
[7] NPR News – “Woman sues McDonald’s after being burned by coffee, echoing 1994 case” (Sept 28, 2023) – Details of Stella Liebeck’s McDonald’s coffee case: third-degree burns, 700 prior burn complaints, McD’s coffee temperature ~180-190°F (far hotter than usual).
[8] NPR News – Follow-up on Liebeck v. McDonald’s (1994 case) – Jury awarded $200k compensatory (reduced to $160k) and $2.7 million punitive (later cut to $480k by a judge); case settled for an undisclosed amount, likely around the reduced total.”
Author: Jack Serrano Personal Injury Lawyer | Founder, Serrano Legal
