In that case, the McDonald's lawyers blatantly harrassed the woman in court. McDonald's deserved to lose money over the issue for that alone, irregardless of who was "at fault" for the hot coffee. Also, I am fairly certain that the woman was in a parked car in the passenger seat, not driving, when it occured. It really is a terrible example of excessive litigous suits...
Here is a web site you should read:
http://www.centerjd.org/free/mythbus..._mcdonalds.htm