Dunkin' Blamed For 3rd Degree Burns In 4th NJ Lawsuit

NEW JERSEY — A fourth lawsuit has been filed against coffee giant Dunkin' by New Jersey residents this time claiming a faulty cardboard drink holder caused severe burns from spilled hot coffee.

The lawsuit filed by Samantha Picklo claims she suffered burns so bad that she jumped out of her car, ripped off her pants in the parking lot, and fell to her hands and knees screaming.

In August 2021, Picklo visited the chain's Delran location where she ordered an extra-large, large and medium hot coffees and breakfast sandwiches.

While the tray was being passed through her car window "the extra-large container of coffee was apparently not secured in the cup holder and fell forward" and spilled on her lap causing her to "scream in horrible pain" and hyperventilate, according to the lawsuit filed in Superior Court in Burlington County.

The other two containers of coffee also fell over and spilled in her lap, according to the lawsuit.

This caused Picklo to partially drive onto U.S. Route 130, jump out of her car and take her pants off, the lawsuit said. In addition, Picklo "was on her hands and knees on the driver's side of the vehicle, begging for someone to give her medication for the pain she was in," the lawsuit added.

Picklo reportedly suffered second- and third-degree burns on her body. A report by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety stated Picklo had "very bad burns skin was peeling off her leg," according to the suit.

The incident caused Picklo "pain and suffering" and has "prevented from pursuing her usual activities and has permanent disabilities and disfigurement," according to the lawsuit.

A spokesperson with Dunkin' said they "can’t comment on current or pending legal matters involving our franchisees."

Three other separate lawsuits were also filed in April including one by Evan Arlington and his wife Stephanie Arlington-Macisa on April 4 in the Superior Court of Passaic County.

The lawsuit alleges that the store was "negligent in the preparation, sale and service of the coffee … in that it was too hot" by causing second- and third-degree burns on Arlington's skin.

"As a result of the injuries suffered by her husband, this plaintiff suffered a loss of her husband's aid, comfort, conjugal fellowship and consortium," the complaint says of Arlington's wife. Read more: NJ Man Sues Dunkin', Claims Coffee Was Too Hot, Caused Severe Burns

A separate lawsuit was filed on April 13, this time by a Bergen County couple alleging that ho coffee served in 2020 was "served excessively hot coffee in a negligent and dangerous fashion."

The lawsuit claims the lid and the cup were mismatched and did not fit "and as a result its excessively hot contents spilled" onto plaintiff Paul Haggerty.

Haggerty alleges he was "painfully and permanently injured" and in the future will "incur, medical and surgical expenses in an effort to cure" his injuries, court documents said. Read more: Bergen Co. Man 'Permanently Injured' From Dunkin' Hot Coffee: Lawsuit

On April 15 a Camden County resident filed a lawsuit claiming that she can no longer perform usual activities due to a fall in a Gloucester Township store.

The plaintiff alleges the fall stems from Dunkin', the Marketplace at Chews Landing and Paramount Chews Landing, as well as 10 individuals who are not named in the lawsuit, failing to "inspect the premises, maintain the premises" and warn of any potential hazards, according to the court documents. Read more: Woman Sues Dunkin' Donuts, Shopping Center In Gloucester Twp.

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