NYPD cop suing McDonald’s over coffee burn that caused his skin to ‘peel off’
An NYPD supervisor has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s, claiming he suffered a serious burn when a cup of coffee allegedly spilled onto his leg at a drive-through in Melville last October.
Gerard Salvia says a worker handed him a cup of coffee with the lid not properly secured, causing the hot liquid to splash onto his lower leg. According to the complaint filed this week in Suffolk County civil court, the spill left him with a painful second-degree burn roughly the size of a handprint.
Salvia, who was off duty at the time, sought medical treatment and later developed scarring, court papers state. The lawsuit describes the beverage as “unreasonably dangerous” and alleges the incident left him with ongoing physical pain and emotional distress.
The complaint also names his wife as a plaintiff, asserting that the injury affected their marriage and required medical expenses for treatment and recovery.
Months after the incident, Salvia said he continues to experience discomfort, including spasms and nerve sensations in the affected area. He said he must wear a special sock, avoid sun exposure on the scar, and has limited his physical activity since the injury. He added that he has not had coffee since the event.
The case recalls the widely discussed lawsuit filed by Stella Liebeck, a New Mexico woman who sued McDonald’s in 1992 after suffering severe burns when hot coffee spilled into her lap while she was parked in Albuquerque. Liebeck required extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts, and initially sought compensation for her medical bills before the case went to trial.
A jury awarded her $2.7 million in punitive damages, though the amount was later reduced in a confidential settlement widely reported to be far lower.
Coffee is typically brewed at temperatures between 170 and 195 degrees Fahrenheit. Medical experts note that liquids at or above 140 degrees can cause second-degree burns. The temperature of the coffee involved in Salvia’s case has not been publicly disclosed.
About Post Author
