New Jersey man sues McDonald’s after scalding tea causes disabling burns

A New Jersey man filed suit alleging he suffered severe, permanently disabling burns after a cup of hot tea spilled onto him at a McDonald’s while he was using a motorized wheelchair. The complaint, filed Dec. 15, 2025, says the Dec. 21, 2023 incident occurred at a Garfield, N.J., restaurant and that the drink had an unsecured lid when it was handed to the plaintiff.

The complaint names the local operator JMA Unit Inc., McDonald’s Corporation, McDonald’s USA LLC, the property owner UE New Bridgeland Warehouses LLC and unnamed individuals. It accuses the defendants of negligence in preparation and service, including failure to secure the lid, failure to warn, and negligent hiring, training and supervision. The plaintiff is seeking damages to cover medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering and attorneys’ fees, and requests a jury trial.

According to the filing, the tea spilled onto the man’s lap, chest and arms while he was using a motorized wheelchair, causing burns the complaint describes as severe and permanently disabling. The suit asserts the restaurant and its operators failed to follow safe service procedures and neglected to provide adequate warnings or properly train and supervise staff who handled and served hot beverages.

The case puts spotlight on a familiar workplace risk in quick-serve restaurants: hot beverages and the protocols that surround them. For crew members and franchise operators, the complaint raises potential liability exposure tied to routine service tasks — from securing lids to assisting customers with mobility devices. Lawsuits like this can prompt franchisees and corporate operators to reassess training checklists, managerial oversight and written procedures for handing off hot items, especially to customers who use wheelchairs or other assistive devices.

Beyond immediate legal exposure, the suit may affect on-site practices that employees are expected to follow. Crew training, supervisor sign-offs and hiring practices could face scrutiny if the court finds failures in supervision or instruction. For workers, heightened attention to these incidents often leads to stricter enforcement of service protocols and additional documentation requirements, which can change daily workflow and shift responsibilities.

The complaint does not include statements from the defendants. McDonald’s had not responded to requests for comment. As the case proceeds, it will test how franchise liability is allocated and whether current safety measures around hot beverages and accessibility assistance are adequate. For employees and managers, the outcome could prompt new or clarified policies on serving hot drinks and helping customers who use wheelchairs, with implications for training, supervision and on-the-job accountability.