Hot Coffee (film)

Hot Coffee is a 2011 American documentary film directed by Susan Saladoff. The film examines the highly publicized 1994 Liebeck v. McDonald's Restaurants, P.T.S., Inc. case, commonly known as the "McDonald's coffee case," and argues that it was misrepresented in the media to promote tort reform.

The documentary explores several aspects of the legal system and the public perception of lawsuits. It contrasts the actual facts of the Liebeck case with the widely circulated, often inaccurate, accounts presented by media outlets and proponents of tort reform. Hot Coffee argues that the case was far more complex than commonly portrayed, involving not a frivolous lawsuit over spilled coffee, but rather severe burns suffered by Stella Liebeck due to McDonald's serving coffee at an excessively high temperature and a history of similar incidents.

Beyond the Liebeck case, Hot Coffee delves into other examples of tort reform legislation, including caps on damages in medical malpractice cases and mandatory arbitration clauses in consumer contracts. The film argues that such measures often shield corporations from liability and limit individuals' access to justice. The documentary features interviews with legal experts, plaintiffs, and ordinary citizens affected by these legal reforms.

The film's title, Hot Coffee, is intentionally ironic, referring to the superficial understanding of the Liebeck case and highlighting the documentary's aim to expose the deeper issues at play within the legal system and public discourse surrounding lawsuits. Hot Coffee aims to challenge popular misconceptions about litigation and advocate for greater accountability and transparency in the legal process.