Download Understanding Tort Reform's Impact on Personal Injury Lawsuits in Hot Coffee Documentary and more Exercises History in PDF only on Docsity! Name _ Period "Hot Coffee" Documentary Guide Directions: First, review the Terms to Know section to understand concepts this film will address. Then, answer the questions in each section as you view the film. Terms to Know • Punitive damages: damages exceeding simple compensation and awarded to punish the defendant; purpose is to change behavior of the wrongdoer. • Tort Reform: refers to laws passed on a state-by-state basis which place limits or caps on the type or amount of damages that may be awarded in personal injury lawsuits. • Caps on damages: refers to a law that limits the amount a jury can award for damages regardless of the facts of the case. • Mandatory arbitration: a process by which parties "agree " to have a third party arbitrator (single arbitrator or a panel), instead of a jury or judge, resolve a dispute. • Arbitration clause: clause in a contract that requires the parties to resolve their disputes through an arbitration process. Answer the following questions as you view the documentary. Exhibit 1: The Public Relations Campaign l . The family of Stella Liebeck explains that there are many people with a "distorted view" of this case. Identify at least one major misconception the public has had about what !hey think they know about "hot coffee" lawsuit with Stella Liebeck vs. McDonalds. 2. Summarize the coffee burn incident that occurred with Stella Liebeck. 3. McDonald's first offered $ on what was initially a $ medical problem. 4. According to their manual, what was the holding temperature supposed to be for the McDonald's water?: degrees 5. The Stella Liebeck vs. McDonald's trial revealed that McDonald's had over __ _ previous complaints about burns from hot beverages. 6. In what percentages did the jury assign blame in the hot coffee lawsuit against Mc Donalds? Liebeck: ___ % McDonalds: % 7. The jury awarded Mrs. Liebeck $160,000 in compensatory damages and $ __ _ million in punitive damages. 8. The punitive damage award was reduced to $ _ 9. According to the documentary, tort reform is intended to t he likelihood that you can bring a lawsuit. 10. Briefly explain some of the lawsuits mentioned which were distorted when reported/spoken about by the media. 11. How does the documentary portray former President Bush? Exhibit 2: Caps on Damages 12. One of the most common types of tort reform is called caps on _ 13. Why did Colin suffer severe brain damage? 14. After a three week trial, the jury found that Dr. Knolla's negligence caused Colin's brain injury and awarded the Gourley's $ million in damages. < 15. The jury did not know that the law in Nebraska capped all damages. The verdict was reduced to $ million. 16. What is the difference between economic and non-economic damages? 17. . What state is used as an example to show the 'myth' of health care costs? Exhibit 3: Judicial Elections 18. The 2010 U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission grants corporations the right to give campaign contributions, allowing for even greater corporate influence in electing judges. 19. Oliver Diaz was a judge on the Mississippi Court of Appeals for 5 years before he was appointed to the Mississippi Supreme Court in March 2000. In November 2000, he was up for _
