A $522,000 settlement was recently reached resolving a personal injury lawsuit filed against Dunkin’ Donuts in Highland Park, New Jersey. On January 19, 2012, the plaintiff left the shop and was bound for the parking lot, toting a tray of freshly brewed coffee. According to the lawsuit, as the plaintiff approached her vehicle, she stumbled over a metal spike that jutted out from the curb. The plaintiff incurred several injuries during the slip-and-fall accident. Her face and neck were burned by splattered hot coffee, and her right hand and knee were cut. The plaintiff also underwent surgery to treat back and shoulder injuries.

In accordance with premises liability law, the property owners were held liable for failing to upkeep the parking lot and thereby exposing the public to hazardous conditions. In her lawsuit, the plaintiff contended that she would not have experienced a slip-and-fall accident and consequently sustained a slew of injuries if the property owners had sufficiently maintained the parking lot and fixed the protruding spike.

Food chains, such as Starbucks and McDonald’s, have historically faced personal injury lawsuits involving burns from scalding coffee, tea and other warm beverages that spilled on customers. However, the Dunkin’ Donuts lawsuit explores a new dimension of personal injury cases by shedding light on the importance of regulating property maintenance. Not only should restaurant owners ensure the quality of their products for safe consumption, but they should also secure a safe environment for their customers as a top priority.

The law firm of O’Connor, Parsons, Lane & Noble has significant experience handling personal injury cases. If you or a loved one has suffered from a slip-and-fall accident or another incident that caused serious physical harm, you are entitled to obtain a just settlement to compensate your pain and suffering.