Hot Docs

Everyone knows about the McDonald’s scalding coffee case—but what do we really know? Routinely cited as an example of the way citizens abuse America’s civil justice system, octogenarian Stella Liebeck’s spilled coffee suit reveals much more. It’s the tip of an iceberg that launches an examination into how, why and to what end big business has used the media to distort consumer complaints and promote civil justice reforms in recent years. The US civil courts, a forum in which everyday citizens seek justice and compensation from negligent corporations, are under attack. New court and tort reforms, mandatory arbitration and caps on damages have led to devastating effects for consumers. Hot Coffee provides a big-picture view of how an heroic act of civil service becomes a punch line on Seinfeld, and how the court of public opinion can replace the court of law. Angie Driscoll

Media Coverage

• Now Magazine 4-star review
• BlogTO review (top pick)
• Eye Weekly review