Okay; just on this ONE issue:
Did the woman exercise due diligence and application of common sense when placing hot coffee (regardless of temperature) between her thighs while driving? In days of old, "would a reasonably prudent man have acted similarly in similar circumstances"?
The RPM (Reasonably Prudent Man) old tried-and-true measure of Common Sense has gone by the wayside, with the proliferation of ambulance-chasers and accomodating Judiciary. That's my point.
In today's parlance; it's ALWAYS somebody elses' fault, so long as they have deep pockets.
"Only McDonalds knew the coffee was super-heated" is no excuse for the absolute stupidity of placing a hot beverage between your thighs and driving away.....your argument is made of whole cloth, and, in actuality, lacks addressing the common sense of the situation.
I don't drink McDonalds coffee, but if you have enough "common sense" to wait for it to cool, then why don't you just drink it hot, then sue for "permanent taste bud damage"....it's "The American Way" in today's litigation lottery.
i think a reasonably prudent person might act differently when faced with the prospect of possibly spilling something on himself that might make him wince and say ouch, versus a situation where the result would be multiple surgeries.