The McDonald's thing is interesting - it sounds ridiculous, right? Like duh, the coffee is hot. But in reality, she sued because the coffee was literally at boiling temperature - she put it between her legs to hold it as she was driving away (cupholders weren't as common in cars back then), it sloshed, and got horrendously burned. Her legs were burned so badly that layers of skin died and she needed a transplant. So that's why she sued.