HBO has recently released a documentary entitled Hot Coffee which explores the infamous McDonald’s lawsuit in which Ms. Stella Liebeck spilled McDonald’s coffee on herself, suffering severe burns to the high temperature of the coffee, who funded the media blitz, and why.

Watch the trailer below or click here to see it on Youtube:  Hot Coffee Trailer

Click here to visit the Hot Coffee Movie Homepage

Certain financial interests in the US have used this lawsuit as an example of a frivolous lawsuit in order to demonize and vilify people who bring lawsuits against others.  The propaganda has been very effective and currently people believe that frivolous lawsuits are ruining our country.

The problem with the propaganda is that it only told part of the story.

Stella Liebeck was in the passenger seat of her grandson’s vehicle when she got a coffee from a McDonald’s drive through in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1992.  Her grandson pulled over for her to put sugar and cream in her coffee so she put the cup between her knees and when she tried to open the top the coffee spilled on her.  Ms. Liebeck suffered both internal and external third degree burns over 6% of her body.  She was hospitalized for eight days and required skin grafts to treat her burns.

A McDonald’s document showed that coffee was to be kept between 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas coffee made elsewhere is typically between 134-140 degrees.  McDonald’s qualify assurance manager testified that any food above 140 degrees was considered to be a burn hazard, but that they no intention of reducing the coffee temperature.  In fact, there had been over 700 claims of people burned by their coffee in the prior 10 years.

We hope that you watch the documentary to get the full story.

Last Sunday, Dan completed the 101st Annual Dipsea Race in Marin County.  For those who don’t know, the Dipsea is a cross country foot race that runs 7.5 miles from Mill Valley to Stinson Beach over substantial hills and trails.  For example, the highest peak the runners must conquer is the southern shoulder of Mount Tam, affectionately known as Cardiac Hill.

The Dipsea is known as the oldest trail race in the United States and Dan finished 83rd out of 1328 runners.

For more information about this grueling race, click here: Dipsea Race

Congratulations, Dan!

Everyone knows that California requires all drivers to carry auto insurance.  The legally required minimum insurance is a policy that provides coverage after an accident in the amount of $15,000 per person, not to exceed $30,000 per accident.  This is commonly referred to as a 15/30 policy.  It means that if you are the victim of an accident that is no fault of your own and the other driver has this policy, the most their insurance would pay to you, regardless of the injuries suffered, would be $15,000.  If you had multiple people in your car, and all were injured, the most the insurance would pay would be $30,000 for all of the occupants to split among themselves.

In today’s economy and with the exceedingly high cost of health car, a 15/30 policy is rarely sufficient to make someone whole after they have been injured in an automobile accident.  A trip to the Emergency Room with and MRI alone will come close to $10,000.  While there certainly are higher value automobile policies available, the majority of Californians have 15/30 policies and there obviously is no way to ensure that the person that injures you or a loved one has sufficient insurance.

There is one way Californians can protect themselves and ensure that if they are a victim in an accident (even if hit by a car while on a bicycle).  There is a type of insurance called Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM/UIM for short).  Put simply, this insurance coverage protects you in the event that you are injured by someone with insufficient insurance to compensate you for your injuries.  Uninsured Motorist applies when the person has no insurance, and Underinsured Motorist applies when their insurance limits aren’t enough to cover your injuries.  Your insurance company basically steps into the shoes of the negligent driver and provides reasonable compensation up to the UM/UIM coverage limit.

Too many times have we seen people who were significantly injured by another’s actions who later to find out the other driver has little or no insurance.  At that point, they have no remedy under the law to help with medical bills, time off of work, or the pain, suffering and discomfort that accompanies injuries.  It is incredibly unfair, but at least there is a way for people to protect themselves.

Please call your automobile insurance company and discuss your coverage in the UM/UIM area so that you and your family are protected in the unfortunate event you are injured in an automobile accident.

If you have questions or need to speak to an attorney, click here to view the Brandi Law Firm website.