Not Lovin' It: Lawsuit Alleges McDonald's Spilled Coffee So Hot It Caused “Horrific” Burns – CoffeeTalk

A South Mississippi retiree, Joseph Gentry, has filed a lawsuit alleging that McDonald’s coffee was so hot it caused “horrific” burns on his legs. The lawsuit claims that the lid popped off his coffee as an employee handed it to him at the drive-thru in January 2023. The coffee soaked through his pants, leaving second- and third-degree burns on his legs. Gentry’s attorney, Seth Thompson of TNT Law in Jackson, said Gentry drove himself home and wound up at an urgent care center.

Gentry is suing McDonald’s Corp., Ten D Enterprises based in Ocean Springs, and the Long Beach McDonald’s where he bought the coffee. Ten D is headed by members of the Descher family, which operates the Mississippi Coast McDonald’s franchises. McDonald’s and its franchisees have not had time to respond to the lawsuit, which represents only one side of the case. The lawsuit accuses McDonald’s and Ten D of gross negligence and reckless disregard for the safety of customers. It says they need to adequately train employees and provide safer products.

Gentry’s wife Beth Gentry, also a plaintiff in the lawsuit, later went to the McDonald’s to report what happened to her husband. The lawsuit says an employee told her “that they needed better cups, acknowledging the propensity of the cups to become easily dislodged from the lids.” Gentry and his wife are asking for an unspecified amount in compensation, plus punitive damages.

Back in the 90s, the temperature of McDonald’s coffee was supposed to be at 180-190 degrees. Thompson said that he doesn’t know the temperature of the coffee that spilled on Gentry, but he hopes to find out as the case progresses. He also developed a painful skin infection, cellulitis, and experiences pain from “drawn and tight skin” where his legs scarred.

In conclusion, Joseph Gentry, an 82-year-old retiree from Long Beach, is facing a lawsuit alleging that McDonald’s coffee was so hot that it caused “horrific” burns on his legs. His injuries have been ongoing for over two years and have led to numerous medical procedures. The lawsuit accuses McDonald’s Corp., Ten D Enterprises, and the Long Beach McDonald’s where he bought the coffee, alleging gross negligence and reckless disregard for customer safety.

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