Hot Coffee: A Documentary Film about the McDonald's Hot Coffee Lawsuit

On June 27, 2011, HBO aired a documentary called Hot Coffee about the media storm surrounding Stella Liebeck, the elderly woman who suffered severe burns when a cup of McDonald’s coffee spilled in her lap. The injury occurred in 1992, but the effect the media had on popular opinion about the U.S. court system and personal injury law lingers today.

The film premiered at Sundance in January 2011, and it will soon be available on DVD. Watch the trailer and learn how horrible Ms. Liebeck’s injuries really were and how the civil justice system worked in her favor.

Koonz, McKenney, Johnson & DePaolis L.L.P.

Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia Injury Attorneys

About the Author

Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.