Black mother awarded $880,000 after her daughter was burned by McDonald’s—refers instead to a similar but distinct case. That involved a four-year-old girl who sustained burns from a hot McNugget (not coffee) and whose family received $800,000. Here’s the verified breakdown:
Confirmed Case: McNugget Burns – $800,000 Award
- In 2023, a 4-year-old girl named Olivia Caraballo suffered second-degree burns on her thigh when a hot McNugget from a Happy Meal fell into her lap and became stuck between her leg and the car seatbelt.
- The girl’s mother, Philana Holmes, filed a lawsuit alleging negligence and inadequate warning from McDonald’s.
- A South Florida jury awarded $800,000 to the family.
Famous Precedent: Loveck v. McDonald’s (Hot Coffee Case)
It’s likely the case you’re thinking of is the well-known 1994 Liebeck v. McDonald’s lawsuit:
- Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, suffered third-degree burns after hot McDonald’s coffee spilled in her lap.
- A jury initially awarded her $200,000 in compensatory damages (reduced to $160,000 after a 20% reduction) and $2.7 million in punitive damages.
- A judge later reduced the total award to $640,000. The case eventually settled for a confidential amount.
Despite this, there’s no record of a separate case involving a Black mother who received $880,000 for her daughter’s burn from McDonald’s.
Summary Table
| Incident | Recipient | Award Amount | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| McNugget burn (Olivia Caraballo, 2023) | Family/Parents | $800,000 | Second-degree burns from hot McNugget |
| Coffee burn (Stella Liebeck, 1994) | Stella Liebeck | $640,000 (post-reduction) | Third-degree burns from hot coffee |
| Mentioned case ($880,000) | — | — | No verifiable evidence found |
