Our blogs this week shed light on the tort reform agenda and the Institute for Legal Reform’s (ILR) real motives for wanting to limit injured plaintiffs’ access to justice and a fair recovery. The ILR’s videos attempting to discredit Stella Liebeck and her landmark personal injury lawsuit against McDonald’s is just one ILR tactic filled with inaccuracies and half-truths.
In a harsh economic climate, it does not take much to fuel the fire surrounding the misperception of a plaintiff out for a quick payday from a corporate lawsuit. However, it is indeed a misperception. For example, in the Liebeck case, the media reports boiled it down to a woman receiving a $2.7 million verdict over a cup of spilled coffee. Ask most people about the “hot coffee” case and that is what they will likely remember.
However, Ms. Liebeck originally reached out to McDonald’s for a settlement that would cover her medical expenses from the severe coffee burns. She incurred over $10,000 in hospital and doctor’s bills. McDonald’s offered a mere $800.00, so Ms. Liebeck sought the help of a personal injury lawyer. A judge later reduced the jury’s $2.7 million punitive damage award to $480,000. The parties settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.
Tort reform advocates will only tell you half the story in order to advance their agenda. If you suffer harm and need a personal injury lawyer, contact our office for a free case review. We are happy to help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Harrell & Nowak, L.L.C. – New Orleans injury lawyers