New Coffee Case Has Only Just Begun

A lawsuit over spilled coffee in Madison County, Illinois? That's right, only this time it involves Starbuck's, according to today's Belleville News-Democrat: "Lawyer: McDonald's coffee case different," by Brian Brueggeman.

You can hardly blame overlawyered for commenting on this one. But it would be fallacious to say this case--or any case that's just been filed--proves much about anything. You have to wait to see how the case proceeds, then how it ends.

Even proponents of tort reform must admit, as one does in the News-Democrat article, that all citizens "are entitled to appropriate recovery when they're injured by defective products." Right now, it's too soon to pass judgment on the coffee case. The plaintiff hasn't been awarded anything yet, may ultimately receive nothing, and will have to visit the Alton Belle Casino if she's hoping for a jackpot.

Comments

[James A. Martin]

Could you e-mail me more information about the specifics of this case because I am doing a presentation in a law related class about the Mcdonalds coffee spill and other related cases from Tort law that have taken place since then.

Sincerely yours,

James A. Martin