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I’ve always been a big fan and own a couple of his albums. I think I’ve watched "Beer For My Horses" too many times, probably. It’s because I like listening, that I pay attention to the lines of his song. Which surprised me a little when he threw, "Spill a cup of coffee, make a million dollars" into American Ride. I would guess a lot of people missed it or guess that they know what it is, but the reality is that it’s so untrue it deserves a comment.

It’s the McDonald’s case. Yes, that great place that loves to sue others and mistreat employees. It’s the case where so many tort reform lies sprung, but almost no one has ever seen the woman. The 79-year-old woman went to a McDonald’s in New Mexico with her son. She was sitting in the car, not driving as the story goes. She was attempting
to remove the lid when the coffee spilled and was burned by a liquid that was 180-190 degrees Fahrenheit when served and that it was between 165 and 170 degrees Fahrenheit when it was spilled. The coffee you make at home is 135-140 degrees Fahrenheit. She suffered horrific third degree burns to her inner thighs and buttocks. She went to McDonald’s and asked for her $10,000.00 in medical costs, including the cost for debridement and skin grafting. They said no.

A jury listened to all the evidence and found that the coffee was way too hot and that McDonald’s was well aware of that. But they also found the woman 20% at fault. The verdict was $200,000.00 in compensatory damages and $2,700,000.00 in punitive damages. Right off the bat, the court by rule reduced the compensatory amount by her negligence of 20%. The judge also reduced the punitive damages to $480,000.00 . The case was then appealed and reduced again. Following this the case was settled with a nondisclosure agreement. Both the woman and her lawyer have been forced to remain silent while the story has gotten bigger and bigger with each telling.

It was later disclosed that the jury came up with their number by using the amount McDonald’s made in coffee sales for a day. That they came into the case thinking this would be nothing and were surprised with the way McDonald’s didn’t seem to care and that they had over 800 similar incidents.

Why have McDonald’s and other tort reformers continued to tell the one sided story? Well, to get juries to make sure "that never happens again". To convince people that they need insurance, because it could happen to you. And to attack a good system of justice that allows ordinary people to get protection. The system worked as it should in this case, unfortunately people don’t often know what really happened.

I’ll continue to listen, Toby, but you missed the mark on this one. Or at the very least you are helping big business continue to take the consumer for a ride.

10 Comments

  1. Gravatar for Cathy
    Cathy

    Toby Keith didn't write this song. Maybe you should have checked also. Two wrongs don't make a right granted.

    Although this one lawsuit was justified many others are not. Do you like picking the music and the words apart?

  2. Gravatar for Mike Bryant
    Mike Bryant

    He's singing the words, which is why I wrote what I did. He is identified with the song. But you are correct it looks like it was written by : Songwriters: Pahanish, David Allan; West, Joseph Michael.

    As to picking the words apart, I do listen to the words in songs and they have meaning to me. I'm not musical myself, so the artists to fascinate me with what they can do. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment.

  3. Gravatar for Cathy
    Cathy

    Maybe you'll give 'Cryin' For Me' a good listen too. This is a great tribute to his good friend Wayman Tisdale. Toby also did a remake of 'Never Gonna Give You Up' (Barry White) on Wayman's Rebound cd. Give it a listen to in your leisure. It gives more insight into the man Toby Keith.

    I'm a member of Toby's fan-club. Have been for a number of years. It's all about the music and the voice...Have a great day! BTW....you should try to find time for a Toby concert. Front row it's the best!

  4. Gravatar for Mike Bryant
    Mike Bryant

    You must have jumped past the first couple of lines. I've always been a fan. I have watched a number of the specials on him and thus actually see him as someone that would understand the truth, for a case like this. Sure it may be a throw away line, but it has been used to taint juries for years. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.

  5. Gravatar for Cathy
    Cathy

    Nitpicking!! Anybody on the street can taunt juries.One word!! LOL

    Nite, Nite!

  6. Gravatar for Cathy
    Cathy

    make that taint not taunt. LOL Nite, Nite

  7. Gravatar for Mike Bryant
    Mike Bryant

    No, not everyone on the street has a platform. The case was used to taint juries, without a doubt. The line continues the falsehood. Nite to you also.

  8. Gravatar for Cathy
    Cathy

    A platform?

    Spill a cup of coffee. I'm not hearing spill a hot cup of coffee, just spill a cup of coffee make a million dollars.

  9. Gravatar for Joe Crumley
    Joe Crumley

    Cathy:

    I'm not sure I'm getting your point, other than being a big Toby fan. Mike is just trying to point out that insurers and corpoartions have used LIES about the Stella Liebeck v. McDonald's verdict to taint juries.

    Good artists like the songwriters and Toby Keith give free tort deform advertising when they mindlessly echo these lies and distortions. Don't repeat Urban Myths!

    I ain't as smart as I once was, but I know a dupe when I see one. I'm as smart once (on that) as I ever was!

    I'm not as smart as I once was, but I'm as smart

  10. Gravatar for Mike Bryant
    Mike Bryant

    Thanks for covering the comments Joe. Also nice lyrics.

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