Stella Liebeck

Stella Liebeck

plaintiff United States

Stella Liebeck is best known for her infamous lawsuit against McDonald's in 1994, where she suffered third-degree burns from hot coffee that spilled in her lap. Her case became a pivotal moment in discussions about product liability and consumer safety, drawing widespread media attention and public debate over the legal system's handling of personal injury claims.

Born on Feb 05, 1916 (109 years old)

Global Media Ratings
Dominance
0.00%
Persistence
0 wks
Reach
9,475
Power
73$
Sentiment
5.90
Countries Mentioned
Country Mentions Sentiment Dominance + Persistence x Population = Reach x GDP (millions) = Power
Costa Rica 1 9.00 0.05% +0% 5,094,118 2,521 $62,000 31$
Ecuador 1 5.00 0.04% +0% 17,643,060 6,954 $108,000 43$
Totals 2 22,737,178 9,475 $170,000 74$
Interactive World Map

Each country's color is based on "Mentions" from the table above.

Recent Mentions

Costa Rica Costa Rica: Stella Liebeck was awarded over $2.8 million after spilling hot coffee on herself, setting a precedent for fast food liability cases. 9

La Nación – main Costa Rican daily, est. 1946: Starbucks se enfrenta a dos nuevas demandas por bebidas calientes derramadas

Malaysia Malaysia: Stella Liebeck was involved in a famous lawsuit against McDonald's after suffering burns from hot coffee. 7

Utusan Malaysia: Starbucks diperintah bayar pampasan RM234 juta kepada pemandu akibat melecur

Australia Australia: Stella Liebeck was awarded nearly $US3 million by a New Mexico jury in the 1990s after she suffered third-degree burns while trying to take the lid off a cup of coffee at a McDonald’s drive-through. 5

The Sydney Morning Herald: Man awarded $80 million after Starbucks tea spilt on his lap

New Zealand New Zealand: Stella Liebeck suffered severe burns at age 79 when she spilled hot coffee on herself in a McDonald's drive-through. 7

The New Zealand Herald – country’s largest newspaper, est. 1863: Starbucks ordered to pay $87 million to delivery driver burned by hot drink

Israel Israel: Stella Liebeck was mentioned in relation to a previous case where she suffered third-degree burns from hot coffee. 6

ידיעות אחרונות (Yedioth Ahronoth / ynet): סטארבקס תשלם 50 מיליון דולר לשליח שנכווה קשות מקפה

United States United States: The lawsuit is reminiscent of a famous 1994 lawsuit against McDonald’s involving Stella Liebeck, who suffered third-degree burns from hot coffee. 5

CNN: Starbucks ordered to pay $50 million to delivery driver burned by hot coffee