Human Resource Selection 9th Edition by Marianne Jennings

Exercise 8

Review the following hypotheticals as well as the cited case and develop a policy for your chain of restaurants on serving coffee, including coffee temperatures, types of cups, and any related issues. Write a memo discussing your new policies and explain why you are implementing them.
Stella Liebeck, 81, suffered third-degree burns when coffee spilled on her lap inside her car after she went through a McDonald's drive-through in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The temperature of the coffee, according to corporate guidelines, is 180 to 190 degrees Fahrenheit. Ms. Liebeck has sued McDonald's to recover for her injuries resulting from the coffee spill. Should Ms. Liebeck be allowed to recover? What theories could she use to recover?
George Morgan, 58, purchased coffee at a Burger King drive-through. He suffered third-degree burns when the bottom of his coffee cup collapsed, spilling hot coffee over his legs and groin. What about Mr. Morgan's accident is different from Ms. Liebeck's accident? Are there different liability issues?
For some insight, read Austin v W. H. Braum, Inc., 249 F.3d 805 (8th Cir. 2001).