Woman Burned On Dunkin’ Coffee Settles For Millions

The inclusion of "warning: hot" labels on coffee cups stems from a specific legal case involving McDonald's in the early 1990s. Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, sustained third-degree burns from a cup of hot coffee she purchased from a McDonald's drive-thru in 1992. She sued the company, claiming the coffee was unreasonably hot.

The case went to trial, and the jury found that McDonald's had served coffee at a temperature that was unreasonably dangerous. According to the American Museum of Tort Law, Liebeck was initially awarded $2.7 million in punitive damages, which was later reduced to $640,000. However, the case attracted considerable media attention, often with a focus on the large amount of damages awarded.

Guess what? The coffee's not the only thing sizzling at Dunkin' Donuts. They just dished out a whopping $3 million in a settlement over a cup of joe that was way too hot.

According to WSBTV, in Atlanta, an elderly lady went through a real ordeal at Dunkin'. While she was chilling in her car, waiting in the drive-thru line, her coffee decided to take a leap of freedom. It spilled all over her, leaving her with some serious burns.

Why did this happen? She says the coffee cup's lid was MIA (not on properly, you know), and that's what caused this hot mess. Her burns were so bad that she had to go through loads of skin treatments. To make matters even more intense, she even said she had to learn how to walk all over again.

The Dunkin' Donuts folks must've realized they brewed more trouble than they could handle. So, they decided to settle the lawsuit by paying the woman $3 million. It's one way to put out the fire, so to speak.

This story takes us back to that iconic McDonald's "hot coffee" we spoke about earlier. Seems like even decades later, the lesson of serving safe and not-scalding beverages is one that the fast-food world can't seem to shake.

I think it's safe to say that coffee is often a saving grace. And Las Vegas coffee shops have definitely helped us recover after a night out.

It's truly the perfect beverage that's available in multiple mediums. Hot, iced, sweet, bitter, frothy or blended; coffee can quench any type of caffeine craving.

Coffee is also a ritual for many of us, often signifying as the gong that starts our day. When we smell the brewing beans and hear the bubbling noise of the carburetor, memories are often pulled from the back of our minds about cornerstone moments in our lives.

Along with the memories and conversations that are associated with the amazing beverage, coffee is also symbol in many cultures. Whether it's the brewing method or the type of beans being used, coffee -- like most things -- vary across the world.

There are four types of coffee beans: Arabica, Robusta, Liberica, and Excelsa. And according to CoffeeAffection.com, Arabica and Robusta are the most common and popular type of beans.

Arabica is known for having a smooth and complex flavor with a distinct lack of bitterness. Robusta, often associated with Vietnamese coffee, has a stronger and bolder flavor with a higher hint of bitterness laced within the coffee's profile.

The other and less common coffee beans, Liberica and Excelsa, have different flavor notes and are grown in Africa and Asia.

According to CoffeeAffection, Liberica beans "has a controversial and polarizing reputation for wild inconsistency. Those who’ve tried this rare variety either love it or hate it."

Some have described the flavor as nutty, woody and "burnt," with a backbite.

Excelsa beans have qualities that are a mixture of light and dark roast traits. These beans have tart and fruity flavors with a lighter aroma. Yet, these beans still have a depth of flavor.

There's also a science to the coffee brewing process that emphasizes and brings out certain flavors of the beans, which you can read more about here.

To celebrate our love of coffee, here are some of the best shops in Vegas.

Although this establishment focuses on lemonade, Wow Wow Lemonade serves cold brew that's simply to die for. The Blue Hawaii Cold Brew is amazing.

5808 Spring Mountain Rd, STE 104, Las Vegas, NV 89146

8470 W Desert Inn Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89117

We recommend the sea salt coffee!

8520 S. Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89123 and 6350 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89146

7795 W Sahara Ave Suite 101, Las Vegas, NV 89117

5191 W Charleston Blvd Suite 185, Las Vegas, NV 89146

6850 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89146

https://www.yelp.com/biz/bbear-cafe-las-vegas

Here's a little option for those who still want caffeine with a matcha or tea latte twist.

3400 S Jones Blvd #3, Las Vegas, NV 89146

We recommend getting the death cream or the iced shaken almond milk latte. These two coffee drinks are subtly sweet, creamy and rich.

5590 Painted Mirage Rd suite 130, Las Vegas, NV 89149

400 S Rampart Blvd #10165, Las Vegas, NV 89145

9420 W Sahara Ave suite 107, Las Vegas, NV 89117

Multiple locations across Las Vegas.

Located inside of the Boulevard Mall, 3528 S Maryland Pkwy #314, Las Vegas, NV 89169.

We recommend the horchata-flavored coffee drinks!

Although this eatery specializes in Cuban food, the bakery serves amazing Cuban Cafecito that's the perfect accompaniment to any baked good.

2590 East Tropicana Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89121, United States

4520 S Hualapai Way Ste 109, Las Vegas, NV 89147

1028 E Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Multiple locations across Las Vegas.