There's much more to that case than most people realize. The fact is that McDonald's had repeatedly been told by product safety commissions and standards organizations that the coffee that was served was kept piping hot, in order to save money. This particular case was set up by a safety commission, in hopes of McDonald's reducing the temperature of served coffee. The result was that all McDonald's coffee containers now contain the warning "Caution: Hot."
Whilst I have absolutely no love for McDonalds, I do think it is completely and utterly ridulous for them to be sued in this case. OK, McDonalds do go out of their way to appeal to the stupid so you could argue that they should therefore take extra precautions to protect their customers (than would otherwise be necessary for a person of average intelligence) but, correct me if I'm wrong but isn't coffee supposed to be piping hot? That's exactly how I like my coffee and I don't know why people expect anything less.
If it was just freshly made then it would be hot so why shouldn't it be kept hot until it's sold?

It makes me wonder if, when Americans go abroard, they feel very insecure. If they come to Europe (or wherever) then they will not be mollycoddled and protected from themselves. They will have no recourse for suing a third party when they have not been protected from their own stupidity. I bet holiday insurance costs a bomb!