1. Did the real facts of the case surprise you? Had you heard of this case before you saw the video, and if so, what was your impression of the case? Did the facts differ from your impressions? If so, why do you think that is?
I haven’t heard this case before, however as I saw the headline about a woman getting money for spilling a hot coffee on her lap, I was quite confused how on earth would someone sue a company for their own alleged negligence? That’s because I did spill a cup of hot water on my lap, (the exact temperature is unknown, though) and I only suffered from my skin getting some red spots around the affected area. However, after seeing the picture of the burns, I do think it was not such a trivial litigation considering the harm …show more content…
McDonald’s case, it does make me have more consideration regarding this scenario. Usually, when it comes to his, in the point of view of a company, I’d try to fulfill customers’ satisfaction, thus I probably would’ve served the coffee at a temperature the customers wanted which in this case is 180 degree. However, that got me thinking do customers actually know the exact temperature a coffee is served? Probably not, so reducing the temperature maybe for 5 to 10 degree at least (I don’t know what the safe temperature is) will be more preferable to anticipate future litigation over product liability. I don’t think it’ll be such a major drawback for the company to play it safe by serving it lower than 180 since the other coffee providers are doing just fine with such temperature. Customers still want to order a coffee that hot. Despite the fact that I prefer to turn down the temperature, I’d still need to make sure that the cup material is proper enough to hold a hot water within. Meaning, it does not become defective as hot water are poured and kept in it. I’d try to design the lid so there’s no need for them to open the whole lid, just a small hole as an openable hole to put sugar/cream in it. Not to forget, putting warning which says how hot it is and what’s the worst-scenario could have happened with the coffee that hot in your hand. If somehow someone still sues me for that, well at least I might’ve been able to minimize the risk of danger as
I haven’t heard this case before, however as I saw the headline about a woman getting money for spilling a hot coffee on her lap, I was quite confused how on earth would someone sue a company for their own alleged negligence? That’s because I did spill a cup of hot water on my lap, (the exact temperature is unknown, though) and I only suffered from my skin getting some red spots around the affected area. However, after seeing the picture of the burns, I do think it was not such a trivial litigation considering the harm …show more content…
McDonald’s case, it does make me have more consideration regarding this scenario. Usually, when it comes to his, in the point of view of a company, I’d try to fulfill customers’ satisfaction, thus I probably would’ve served the coffee at a temperature the customers wanted which in this case is 180 degree. However, that got me thinking do customers actually know the exact temperature a coffee is served? Probably not, so reducing the temperature maybe for 5 to 10 degree at least (I don’t know what the safe temperature is) will be more preferable to anticipate future litigation over product liability. I don’t think it’ll be such a major drawback for the company to play it safe by serving it lower than 180 since the other coffee providers are doing just fine with such temperature. Customers still want to order a coffee that hot. Despite the fact that I prefer to turn down the temperature, I’d still need to make sure that the cup material is proper enough to hold a hot water within. Meaning, it does not become defective as hot water are poured and kept in it. I’d try to design the lid so there’s no need for them to open the whole lid, just a small hole as an openable hole to put sugar/cream in it. Not to forget, putting warning which says how hot it is and what’s the worst-scenario could have happened with the coffee that hot in your hand. If somehow someone still sues me for that, well at least I might’ve been able to minimize the risk of danger as