subject: High-profile Product Liability Lawsuits - Legal Cases You May Have Heard About [print this page] There are many high-profile product liability lawsuits that have changed the world we live in. Even some seemingly frivolous lawsuits have affected change, such as a woman who sued McDonald's for not warning her that the cup of coffee they served her was hot. She was awarded $2.9 million because the jury felt that McDonald's had shown a blatant disregard for public safety. (This after the company had settled numerous scalding cases out of court and had made no changes to either the serving temperature of their coffee or the warnings they offered.) These days the coffee cups at McDonald's contain a warning label that the coffee is served extremely hot.
Other high-profile and highly publicized product liability lawsuits against the fast food chain were unsuccessful. In one such case, a couple of teenagers attempted to blame McDonald's for the problem with obesity. This did get media attention and may have encouraged the hamburger chain to add some of the healthier menu options that they offer today. It also led to the printing of all nutrition information right on the packaging of the food to help consumers make more educated eating choices.
Other high-profile product liability lawsuits saw individuals and groups suing tobacco companies for illnesses and deaths related to cigarette smoking--some have been successful and some have not. Either way, tobacco companies have had to change the way they do business including not gearing their advertising towards young people and including the Surgeon General's warning on their labels.
Still many other product liability lawsuits regarding baby products, children's toys, prescription drugs, and medical devices have made headlines through the years and caused companies to change the way they do business. A company who does not consider the health and safety of the people it sells its products and services to can end up paying big for it in the end. Consumers can take comfort in knowing that a company may have to compensate them if they sell a dangerous product.
If you feel that you have been harmed in some way by a product, service, or food item, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.
