Dunkin' Franchisee Settles for $3 Million over Hot Coffee Burns Lawsuit Filed by Georgia Woman

70-year-old Victim Relearns How to Walk After Severe Burns from Spilled Coffee Result in $200,000 Medical Expense and Lifestyle Changes; Lawsuit Claims Negligence in Improperly Securing Lid.

The 70-year-old Georgia woman suffered second- and third-degree burns when the lid of her coffee came off at a Dunkin’ drive-through in 2021, leading to extensive skin graft surgery and an alteration to her lifestyle.
The severity of the burns resulted in medical bills amounting to over $200,000, and the victim had to re-learn how to walk.
The lawsuit alleged negligence on the part of the employee in securing the lid of the coffee cup, which caused the spill.
The franchisee, Golden Donuts, LLC, agreed to settle the case by paying $3 million to the victim; Dunkin’ Brands has not yet responded to the verdict.
The case is reminiscent of the 1994 McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit, in which a woman was severely burned by hot coffee, leading to a $3 million jury award before settling for an unknown amount.