An 80-year-old Ocala woman has filed a negligence lawsuit against the operator of a local McDonald’s after an employee allegedly dropped a cup of scalding coffee on her, resulting in “catastrophic” injuries.
Lavon Deifendeifer filed the complaint in Fifth Judicial Circuit Court of Marion County against Rank Quality Restaurants III, LLC, on April 22. Rank Quality Restaurants III operates the McDonald’s located at 2827 SW 27th Avenue in Ocala.
According to the lawsuit, the alleged incident occurred on January 20, while Deifendeifer was a guest at the restaurant.
The complaint alleges that a McDonald’s employee served Deifendeifer a cup of hot coffee that was “steeped to a temperature beyond the industry accepted standard.”
Furthermore, the suit claims the lid was not properly secured to the cup.
As the employee was handing the coffee to Deifendeifer, the individual allegedly dropped the full cup, causing the scalding liquid to spill onto multiple parts of Deifendeifer’s body.
As a result of the spill, Deifendeifer claims she suffered permanent and significant scarring, catastrophic burns, mental anguish, and a loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life.
The lawsuit further accuses the restaurant of failing to adequately train its staff on the proper way to secure lids and serve boiling coffee, as well as providing incompatible lids or cups without protective sleeves.
Deifendeifer is seeking more than $50,001 in damages and has demanded a trial by jury.