Personal injury lawsuits aren’t just about money. They’re about fighting back when someone else’s negligence turns your life upside down. Insurance companies, corporations, and big businesses will do everything in their power to dodge responsibility. You don’t let them. You hold them accountable. You make them pay.

At RUDIN LAW, we don’t play nice when it comes to personal injury cases. The other side doesn’t care about your pain, your lost income, or how your life has been flipped upside down. We do. When corporations and insurance companies think they can get away with negligence, the following five personal injury lawsuit cases prove otherwise.

1. The McDonald’s Hot Coffee Case – The Truth They Don’t Want You to Know

You’ve heard the jokes. “A woman sued McDonald’s because her coffee was hot.” But let’s get one thing straight: this was not a frivolous lawsuit. It was about corporate negligence.

In 1992, 79-year-old Stella Liebeck spilled a cup of McDonald’s coffee on her lap. What no one tells you? That coffee was served at 190°F—hot enough to cause third-degree burns in seconds. Liebeck suffered severe burns, required skin grafts, and was hospitalized for eight days.

McDonald’s knew its coffee was dangerously hot. They had over 700 prior complaints but refused to lower the temperature. Liebeck originally asked for just $20,000 to cover medical bills. McDonald’s insulted her with an $800 offer.

The jury wasn’t having it. They hit McDonald’s with $2.7 million in punitive damages. The judge later reduced it, but the message was clear: if you put profits over people, you’ll pay.

2. Grimshaw v. Ford – The Deadly Cost of Cutting Corners

Ford knew their Pinto was a death trap. They sold it anyway.

The design flaw? A rear-mounted gas tank that exploded on impact. Engineers knew about it, but Ford decided paying for lawsuits was cheaper than fixing the problem. They had the nerve to put a dollar value on human lives.

Then came Richard Grimshaw. He was just 13 when a Pinto he was riding in got rear-ended. The car burst into flames, leaving him with severe burns and lifelong injuries. His family took Ford to court.

The jury made an example out of Ford: $125 million in punitive damages. (Later reduced, but the damage was done.) This case forced automakers to stop treating safety like an option.

3. The O’Hare Airport Shelter Collapse – A $148 Million Warning

In August 2015, 24-year-old Tierney Darden was standing outside Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport when a pedestrian shelter collapsed on her, leaving her permanently paralyzed from the waist down.

Darden sued the City of Chicago, arguing that the shelter had not been properly maintained. The jury sent a message loud and clear—awarding her $148 million in damages, one of the largest personal injury verdicts in Illinois history.

4. The $100 Million Wake-Up Call – When Insurance Companies Get Burned

Insurance companies love to take your money and run when it’s time to pay up. USAA learned that the hard way.

Timothy Kuhn got rear-ended on a Las Vegas freeway. Instead of doing the right thing, USAA lowballed him, stalled, and played games with his claim. Kuhn wasn’t about to let them get away with it.

The jury hit USAA where it hurts: $100 million in compensatory damages. This case sent a clear warning to insurance companies: if you play dirty, you’ll pay up.

5. Comedian’s Nightmare: Tracy Morgan v. Walmart

Late-night drives can be dangerous—especially when a Walmart truck driver has been awake for more than 24 hours straight.

In 2014, comedian Tracy Morgan was riding in a limousine on the New Jersey Turnpike when a Walmart tractor-trailer slammed into the vehicle at high speed. The crash killed fellow comedian James McNair and left Morgan with a traumatic brain injury, broken ribs, and a shattered leg.

The lawsuit revealed that the Walmart driver hadn’t slept in over a day before getting behind the wheel. Walmart tried to downplay its liability, but in 2015, they settled with Morgan for an undisclosed amount, rumored to be around $90 million.

This case exposed the dangers of driver fatigue and put a spotlight on corporate responsibility in trucking accidents.

What These Cases Teach Us

These lawsuits weren’t just about winning money. They were about exposing lies, forcing change, and holding the powerful accountable. Corporations will cut corners and insurance companies will deny claims—until someone fights back. When they refuse to do the right thing, you make them. That’s what personal injury law is about.

Why You Need a New Orleans Accident Attorney Who’s Ready to GET RUDE

When insurance companies think you don’t know how pure comparative negligence works, they’ll try to take advantage of you. At RUDIN LAW, we follow the R-U-D-E Method. We don’t let insurance companies call the shots. We’re here to make sure they know you mean business.

Don’t Let Insurance Companies and Corporations Walk All Over You

Personal injury cases aren’t just about compensation—they’re about holding the powerful accountable. Whether it’s a reckless driver, a negligent business, or an insurance company looking for loopholes, you push back and fight for what’s right.

At RUDIN LAW, we don’t believe in passive representation. We take action, get aggressive, expose their tactics, and demand real results. The insurance companies and big businesses don’t care about your pain, but we do—and we make sure they pay for it.

You found this page because you’re looking for a New Orleans personal injury attorney or New Orleans injury attorney who fights back. You found the right team. With over a decade of experience taking on insurance companies and corporations, we know exactly how to make them pay attention.

It’s time to GET RUDE and take action. Call RUDIN LAW at (504) 500-5504(504) 500-5504 for a FREE case review. Or fill out our confidential online form to get started today.

We fight for injury victims across Louisiana and Texas—because you shouldn’t be left to deal with this alone.

GET HURT? GET HELP. GET RUDE.

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