At a Glance
- A New Jersey customer claims he suffered severe burns after McDonald’s served tea with an unsecured lid
- The December 2023 incident allegedly caused permanent injuries and mounting medical bills
- Why it matters: The lawsuit highlights ongoing safety concerns over how restaurants serve hot beverages
A New Jersey man has filed a lawsuit against McDonald’s after he says scalding hot tea spilled on him when an employee failed to secure the cup’s lid, causing severe and potentially permanent burns across his body.
The Incident
Clarence G. Jenkins alleges he was visiting the Garfield, N.J., McDonald’s on December 21, 2023, when an employee handed him a cup of “scalding hot tea” without properly attaching the lid. The complaint, filed December 15, 2025, in Bergen County Superior Court, states the unsecured lid gave way immediately, dumping the steaming liquid onto Jenkins’s lap, chest and arms.
Jenkins, who uses a motorized wheelchair, was lawfully on the premises as a customer, according to the filing obtained by News Of Los Angeles.
Injuries and Damages
The spilled tea resulted in “severe bodily injuries,” some of which the lawsuit claims are permanent. Jenkins reports he has faced:
- Significant medical expenses
- Considerable pain and suffering
- An inability to perform his usual daily activities or continue his occupation
The complaint does not specify the exact degree of burns or the total cost of treatment, but Jenkins is seeking unspecified monetary damages to cover his losses.
Defendants Named
The lawsuit names multiple defendants:
| Defendant | Alleged Role |
|---|---|
| JMA Unit Inc. | Operates the Garfield McDonald’s location |
| McDonald’s Corporation | Parent company |
| McDonald’s USA LLC | Subsidiary |
| UE New Bridgeland Warehouses LLC | Property owner |
| John & Jane Doe defendants | Currently unknown identities |
Sophia A. Reynolds reached out to McDonald’s for comment; the company did not provide an immediate response.
Allegations of Negligence
Jenkins’s legal team alleges the defendants were negligent in several key areas:
- Improper preparation and service of the hot beverage
- Failure to provide adequate warnings about the risks
- Not ensuring the drink was “served safely”
- Inadequate inspection of the cup and lid prior to handing it to the customer
The complaint describes these failures as creating a “dangerous condition” for patrons.
Hiring and Training Claims
Beyond the immediate serving error, the lawsuit broadens its scope to accuse the franchise and corporate entities of:
- Negligent hiring practices
- Inadequate training protocols for handling hot liquids
- Poor supervision of employees
Jenkins alleges the defendants knew-or should have known-that improperly secured beverage containers pose a foreseeable risk to customers, yet failed to implement sufficient safeguards.
Relief Sought
Jenkins is requesting a jury trial and seeking compensation for:
- Medical costs already incurred and anticipated future expenses
- Lost income due to inability to work
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Interest, legal costs and attorneys’ fees
The filing does not list a specific dollar amount, leaving that determination to the jury.
Key Takeaways
- A single unsecured lid on a hot beverage led to what the plaintiff calls life-altering injuries
- The case targets both the local franchise operator and McDonald’s corporate entities
- Allegations span from the moment of service to broader corporate policies on training and safety
- The outcome could influence how restaurants chain-wide secure lids on hot drinks
