5 Famous U.S. Personal Injury Lawsuits

Personal injury lawsuits have shaped consumer safety, corporate accountability, and even pop culture in the United States. Some of these cases have led to groundbreaking legal precedents, while others became infamous due to massive verdicts or media attention.

Whether it’s a scalding cup of coffee, a multimillion-dollar tobacco settlement, or a lawsuit that made automakers rethink their safety policies, these cases prove that personal injury claims aren’t just about compensation—they often change industries and public awareness.

Here’s a look at five famous U.S. personal injury lawsuits and how they impacted the legal landscape.

1. Liebeck v. McDonald’s (1994) – The Hot Coffee Case

Few personal injury cases are as widely misunderstood as the McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit. Many believe it was frivolous, but the reality is much more shocking.

What Happened?

In 1992, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck ordered a cup of coffee from a McDonald’s drive-thru in Albuquerque, New Mexico. As she tried to remove the lid, the coffee spilled onto her lap, soaking her sweatpants and causing third-degree burns on her thighs, groin, and buttocks. She required skin grafts and was hospitalized for eight days.

The Lawsuit

Liebeck initially requested $20,000 to cover her medical expenses, but McDonald’s only offered $800. During the trial, it was revealed that:

• McDonald’s served its coffee at 180–190°F, far hotter than home-brewed coffee and significantly above industry standards.
• The company had received over 700 complaints about burns but never lowered the temperature.

The Verdict

A jury awarded Liebeck $200,000 in compensatory damages, which was reduced to $160,000 due to comparative negligence. But the big shock came from punitive damages—$2.7 million, equivalent to two days’ worth of McDonald’s coffee sales. The judge later reduced this to $480,000, and the case settled out of court.

The Impact

The case changed how companies handle product safety and sparked a national conversation about tort reform. McDonald’s and other fast food chains lowered the temperature of their coffee, and the case remains a prime example of corporate responsibility.

2. Tracy Morgan v. Walmart (2014) – Truck Accident Lawsuit

A high-profile truck accident in 2014 nearly cost comedian Tracy Morgan his life, leading to a major personal injury lawsuit that exposed dangerous trucking industry practices.

What Happened?

• On June 7, 2014, Tracy Morgan and several passengers were traveling in a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter limo on the New Jersey Turnpike.
• The Walmart truck driver had been awake for over 24 hours and exceeded federal trucking limits before rear-ending Morgan’s vehicle at high speed.
• The crash killed fellow comedian James McNair and left Morgan with multiple fractures, a traumatic brain injury (TBI), and months of rehabilitation.

The Lawsuit

• Morgan sued Walmart for negligence, arguing that the company:
  • Allowed its driver to exceed federally regulated driving limits.
  • Failed to enforce policies that prevented fatigued driving.
  • Created dangerous working conditions by pressuring drivers to meet tight deadlines.

The Verdict & Settlement

• Walmart settled the case for an undisclosed amount, but reports suggested Morgan received a multimillion-dollar payout.
• The company accepted responsibility and updated its safety policies to prevent similar accidents.

The Impact

• The case brought national attention to truck driver fatigue and the risks of long-haul commercial driving.
• It led to stricter federal enforcement of trucking industry regulations, particularly mandatory rest breaks and electronic logging of hours.
• Morgan eventually returned to comedy, but he continues to speak out about the dangers of drowsy driving.

3. MGM Resorts Shooting Settlement (2017) – Negligent Security & Mass Injury Lawsuit

Some personal injury cases don’t involve car crashes or defective products—sometimes, they expose security failures that allow preventable tragedies to occur. The Mandalay Bay mass shooting lawsuit became one of the largest personal injury settlements in U.S. history, holding a major hotel company accountable for inadequate security measures.

What Happened?

• On October 1, 2017, a gunman fired over 1,000 rounds from his Mandalay Bay suite onto the Route 91 Harvest music festival crowd in Las Vegas.
• The attack killed 60 people and injured over 850, making it the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
• Victims and their families sued MGM Resorts International, the owner of Mandalay Bay, claiming the company failed to prevent foreseeable harm by allowing the shooter to stockpile weapons in his hotel room without detection.

The Lawsuit

• More than 4,400 victims and families sued MGM Resorts, alleging:
  • Negligent security—hotel staff failed to detect suspicious activity, even after the shooter brought over 20 weapons into his room.
  • Failure to intervene—security was unaware that the shooter barricaded himself in his suite for days before the attack.
  • Lack of preventive measures—MGM allegedly ignored security red flags that could have stopped or minimized the attack.

The Verdict & Settlement

• In October 2019, MGM Resorts agreed to pay a $800 million settlement to victims and their families.
• While MGM did not admit liability, the $800 million settlement remains one of the largest for a mass injury claim related to negligent security.

The Impact

• Stronger hotel security protocols—many hotels have since adopted stricter security screenings, including enhanced guest monitoring and baggage checks for large items.
• Legal precedent for mass shooting victims—this case set an example for holding property owners accountable when they fail to provide reasonable security protections.
• Greater awareness of security risks at major venues—event organizers, hotels, and law enforcement agencies reevaluated emergency preparedness plans to prevent similar tragedies.

4. Grimshaw v. Ford Motor Co. (1978) – The Exploding Pinto Case

In the 1970s, Ford rushed the Pinto into production despite knowing its rear gas tank had a dangerous flaw: even a low-speed rear-end collision could cause the car to burst into flames.

What Happened?

• In 1972, Lilly Gray and 13-year-old Richard Grimshaw were driving a Pinto when another car rear-ended them.
• The Pinto exploded on impact, killing Gray and leaving Grimshaw with severe burns over 90% of his body.
• Internal Ford memos later revealed that the company knew about the defect but decided it would be cheaper to pay lawsuits than fix the problem.

The Lawsuit

Grimshaw sued Ford for gross negligence. The jury awarded:

• $2.5 million in compensatory damages for Grimshaw’s injuries.
• $125 million in punitive damages, later reduced to $3.5 million.

The Impact

The case exposed corporate negligence and set a precedent for holding automakers accountable. Ford recalled the Pinto in 1978, and the lawsuit became a landmark case in product liability law.

5. The Ford Explorer & Firestone Tire Lawsuits (1990s-2000s) – Deadly Defects on the Road

Some personal injury cases don’t just involve one person—they impact thousands. That’s exactly what happened when defective Firestone tires caused deadly accidents involving Ford Explorers in the 1990s and early 2000s.

What Happened?

• In the 1990s, multiple drivers reported catastrophic tire failures on Ford Explorers, leading to rollover crashes.
• Firestone tires installed on these SUVs were prone to tread separation, causing sudden blowouts at high speeds.
• Hundreds of people were killed, and over 3,000 injuries were linked to the defect.

The Lawsuit

Lawsuits were filed across the country against Firestone and Ford, alleging:

• Firestone manufactured defective tires that failed under normal driving conditions.
• Ford knew about the risk but failed to recall the vehicles sooner.
• The combination of a high center of gravity (Ford Explorer) and faulty tires made rollovers more likely.

The Verdict & Settlement

• In 2000, Firestone issued a massive recall of 6.5 million tires—one of the largest in U.S. history.
• Multiple lawsuits resulted in multi-million-dollar settlements for victims.
• Ford eventually cut ties with Firestone, blaming the company for the defect.

The Impact

• This case led to stricter vehicle safety standards, particularly regarding tire manufacturing and SUV stability testing.
• The TREAD Act (2000) was passed, requiring tire manufacturers to report safety issues sooner to prevent future tragedies.

From reckless corporations to negligent security, these personal injury cases changed industries, laws, and public awareness. Whether it was a car accident, lack of safety protocols, or a defective product, these lawsuits prove that when negligence causes harm, victims have the right to seek justice.

Your Personal Injury Might Not Make the News – But It’s Important to Us

Some personal injury cases make headlines, changing laws and corporate policies. But when you suffer an injury because of someone else’s negligence, the impact is personal—affecting your health, finances, and future. You have a right to be heard, and The Harrison Law Group is here to listen and fight for you.

Our Long Island injury lawyers know how to push back against insurance companies and corporations that try to minimize claims, pursuing the full compensation available to you under the law.  If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t wait to take action. Your online search for a “Long Island personal injury attorney” or “Long Island personal injury lawyer” brought you to this blog. Take the next step and call us today at (631) 465-9797 or fill out our confidential online form to schedule your FREE consultation. Your story matters, and we’re ready to fight for you.

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