Burned by Hot Coffee in Florida? Your Legal Rights Explained

Hot coffee is a part of most people’s daily routine, but when it is served at an unsafe temperature, spilled by an employee, or packaged in a defective cup, it can cause serious burn injuries. Florida residents and tourists experience these incidents far more often than many realize. From major chains like Starbucks, Dunkin’, and McDonald’s to small local cafés, any business that serves dangerously hot beverages owes customers a duty to keep them safe.

If you or a loved one were burned by hot coffee anywhere in Florida, you may have the right to pursue a personal injury claim. At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, our attorneys have handled burn and scald injury cases and understand how devastating these injuries can be. Florida law may allow injured customers to seek compensation when negligence leads to preventable harm — and hot-liquid injuries are no exception.

This guide breaks down how these cases work, evidence that could strengthen a claim, the responsibilities businesses may have, and how our team can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Why Hot Coffee Burns Happen More Often Than You Think

Many people associate hot-coffee lawsuits with one famous case, but burn injuries from overheated or mishandled beverages remain common. Restaurants and cafés often struggle to balance customer expectations for “piping hot” drinks with safe handling and temperature guidelines.

Hot coffee burn incidents often involve:

• Overheated beverages exceeding safe serving temperatures

• Improperly secured lids that pop off or leak

• Thin, defective, or overly flexible cups

• Employee spills while handing a drink to a customer or carrying beverages

• Unstable cup trays

• Drive-thru handoffs where shifting or jerking occurs

• Condensation creating slippery surfaces

  
  

Coffee served at or above 180 degrees Fahrenheit can cause severe second- or third-degree burns within seconds. While temperatures vary by business, many chains still brew above recommended guidelines unless proper safety controls are in place.

Common Injuries After a Hot Coffee Spill

Hot-liquid burns can be far more serious than people assume. Victims may experience:

• First-degree burns: Redness and pain

• Second-degree burns: Blistering, peeling, long-term scarring

• Third-degree burns: Deep tissue damage requiring medical treatment

• Infections

• Permanent discoloration or scarring

• Nerve damage

  
  

Burns on sensitive areas — such as the thighs, abdomen, chest, or hands — can be especially painful and may require ongoing care.

Children and older adults may be at an even higher risk because of thinner skin and reduced ability to react quickly.

When a Florida Business Can Be Held Liable for Hot Coffee Burns

Florida premises liability law may require businesses to keep customers safe from foreseeable hazards. That responsibility could include serving beverages in a reasonably safe manner.

A company may be liable if your burn injury occurred because of:

1. Excessively Hot Coffee

If coffee is served hotter than industry-accepted ranges, the business may be negligent. Some companies ignore temperature policies or fail to check equipment, leading to dangerously overheated beverages.

2. Employee Negligence

Many burn injuries happen because an employee:

• Spilled the beverage on a customer

• Improperly secured the lid

• Handed the drink out through a drive-thru window unsafely

• Carried several drinks without proper trays

• Failed to warn customers about risks

  
  

Under Florida law, businesses may be responsible for their employees’ actions while working.

3. Defective Cups, Lids, or Sleeves

A claim may exist if:

• A lid popped off

• The cup collapsed

• A seam or material defect caused leaking

• The sleeve provided insufficient insulation

  
  

These claims can involve negligent businesses and product manufacturers.

4. Unsafe Store Conditions

Even if the beverage itself was not overheated, the business may still be at fault if:

• A cup tipped on an uneven or wet counter

• Self-service machines malfunctioned

• Cup carriers were unstable

• Tables or ordering stations were poorly designed

  
  

The key question could be whether the danger was foreseeable and preventable.

How to Prove a Hot Coffee Burn Case in Florida

Successful claims may require strong evidence. After a burn injury, try to gather:

1. Photos and Videos

Take pictures immediately of:

• The spill area

• The cup, lid, and sleeve

• Visible burns

• Your clothing or belongings affected

  
  

If there are security cameras, request that the business preserve the footage.

2. Witness Statements

Anyone who saw the spill, overheard employees talking, or noticed unsafe conditions may be important.

3. Incident Report

Most restaurants must document customer injuries. Ask for a copy if possible.

4. Medical Records

Seek medical attention even for seemingly mild burns. Documentation can help establish the severity of the injury.

5. The Cup and Lid

If safe, keep the items. Defective containers often serve as evidence in product liability claims.

Compensation You May Be Able to Recover

Florida law may allow burn victims to pursue compensation for a variety of losses, including:

• Medical expenses (past and future)

• Scar and disfigurement damages

• Pain and suffering

• Lost wages

• Future earning limitations

• Psychological trauma (common in burn cases)

  
  

Severe burns may require long-term dermatological care, wound treatment, or surgery — all of which should be factored into any settlement.

How The Law Offices of Jason Turchin Can Help Hot Coffee Burn Victims

Our firm has handled more than 6,500 injury and product liability cases, including many Florida burn incidents involving overheated coffee, defective drink containers, and negligent service practices.

What our team can do for clients:

• Investigate the store’s safety records and temperature policies

• Try to obtain surveillance footage when available

• Preserve the defective cup or lid and works with experts if needed

• Negotiate with insurance companies who often try to minimize burn injuries

• Build a detailed damages claim including medical care, scarring, and emotional trauma

• Pursue litigation if the business refuses to accept responsibility

  
  

We handle every case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no fees and no costs unless we recover money for you. If there is no recovery, we waive all fees and costs.

Florida Cities Where These Cases Could Occur

Burn incidents could happen statewide, but our firm can handle cases from:

• Miami

• Fort Lauderdale

• Orlando

• Tampa

• West Palm Beach

• Jacksonville

• Hialeah

• Pembroke Pines

• Key West (tourists especially)

  
  

If a business operates in Florida and its negligence caused your burns, you may qualify to file a claim.

What to Do Immediately After a Hot Coffee Burn in Florida

To protect your health and strengthen your claim consider the following:

1. Cool the burn with clean, cool water (avoid ice).

2. Seek medical care — urgent care or ER if needed.

3. Keep the cup, lid, and clothing.

4. Take photos of the injuries and accident scene.

5. Report the incident to the business.

6. Call a Florida burn injury lawyer who handles hot-liquid cases.

   
   

The sooner you get legal help, the easier it could be to preserve key evidence.

When to Contact a Lawyer

Not every hot coffee spill leads to a lawsuit, but you should speak with an attorney if:

• The burns blistered or required medical care

• The lid popped off or cup collapsed

• The drink was spilled by an employee

• The coffee seemed excessively hot

• A child was injured

• The business denied responsibility

• Scarring or long-term effects remain

  
  

A free consultation can help you understand whether your injury qualifies for compensation.

Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin for Help Today

If you were burned by hot coffee anywhere in Florida — whether at a restaurant, hotel, airport, drive-thru, or cruise ship café — you don’t have to handle the aftermath alone. You may be entitled to significant financial compensation, and our team is here to guide you through every step.

Call the Law Offices of Jason Turchin at 800-337-7755 for a free consultation. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis, and you pay no fees or costs unless we win.