That was a legitimate case because McDonald was brewing coffee at crazy temperatures. They did it because they used very cheap coffee beans and the only way to get enough flavor from them was to brew them at something like 180f+. And by the way the lady sustained third degree burns from the coffee. Did you get that? Third degree is the highest possible burn, and from what a cup of coffee, who would have imagined. It's just that the media made a frenzy about it and painted the victim as a villain.
A bit of an off topic but I have to reply.
Sorry, but no.
Unless coffee is instant (which I don't consider to classify as a coffee) you can't brew it without using boiling water and boiling water is 100 degree Celsius or whatever crazy unit you're using in US.
This cause only shows how absurd US law system has become with all those insurance and patent claims.
It looks like common sense is long forgotten in this country.
Obviously that's not the case and what we can see here is smart people exploiting the system and the lack of adjustment from jurisdiction or government.
Also third degree burn are caused by temperature much higher than that of boiling water, and for obvious reasons water can't go higher than 100 C. Third degree burns involves changes to the tissue structure and its carbonization (charring) mostly caused by open flame.