Dunkin’ customer seriously burned by hot coffee, lawsuit says

Dunkin’ lawsuit overview: 

• Who: A Dunkin’ Donuts customer is suing one of the company’s franchise owners.
• Why: The plaintiff alleges he was burned by a hot coffee at a Dunkin’ Donuts drive-thru.
• Where: The lawsuit was filed in an Essex County court.

A Dunkin’ Donuts customer is suing one of the company’s franchise owners after he says he was seriously burned when the lid came off his coffee at the drive-thru.

Plaintiff Robert Rothberg filed the personal injury lawsuit against Newburyport Donuts Inc. on Aug. 15 in a Essex County Superior Court, alleging negligence.

According to Rothberg, he was going through the drive-thru at one of the Massachusetts Dunkin’ franchise’s locations in May when the lid came off his coffee as an employee handed it to him at the drive-thru window.

Plaintiff says Dunkin’ franchise was negligent

Rothberg alleges the employee negligently failed to make sure the lid was properly attached to the cup before handing it to him.

As a result, the lid fell off, causing the hot coffee to spill on Rothberg’s lap and burn him, he alleges.

Not only that, Rothberg says the franchise failed to take measures to prevent such incidents; he argues that adequately staffing the restaurant and training employees not to brew coffee too hot would have prevented his incident.

He said as a result, the business failed to check the lid, and served the coffee at a temperature high enough to create a burn hazard. 

Rothberg says the spilled coffee caused him “bodily injuries” and medical bills, including time off work and disfigurement. As a result, he’s seeking compensation for his “harms and losses.”

Newburyport Donuts operates four Dunkin’ locations in Newburyport, Massachusetts, including the one where the incident allegedly occurred. 

Meanwhile, Two Dunkin’ Donuts consumers have hit the coffee and donut chain with a class action lawsuit claiming it adds hidden charges onto customer orders when they dine in-store. 

And in February, Dunkin’ faced a class action lawsuit filed by ten consumers with milk allergies and/or lactose intolerance who allege the company imposes an illegal surcharge for all non-dairy milk alternatives.

What do you think of the allegations in this Dunkin’ Donuts lawsuit? Let us know in the comments. 

Rothberg is represented by Alexander L. Zodikoff of Morgan & Morgan PA. 

The Dunkin’ Donuts hot coffee case is Rothberg v. Newburyport Donuts Inc., Case No. 2477CV00847, in the Essex County Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

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