News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Freelance Isn't Free Act Passes in NYC by fucking_tragedy on Wednesday November 23, 2016 @06:19PM (#13026598)
I don't know. Corporations have been able to paint individuals as leeches trying to take advantage of businesses pretty successfully with their frivolous lawsuits are ruining America narrative. For example, the McDonald's coffee case involved an elderly woman with 3rd degree burns inflicted on her genitalia. I can't think of a more sympathetic victim, yet her case is the poster child for supposed frivolous lawsuits hurting businesses.
Re:Freelance Isn't Free Act Passes in NYC by leephillips on Wednesday November 23, 2016 @06:32PM (#13026679)
Even if the coffee were at the boiling temperature, how could it have caused 3rd degree burns?
Re:Freelance Isn't Free Act Passes in NYC by DanBC on Wednesday November 23, 2016 @06:45PM (#13026744)
"3rd degree" just means full thickness burns. She was an older woman, thus had thinner skin; the spill was onto clothing; the spill was into a seat where she had limited mobility.

But ignoring all of that: hot water is dangerous and can cause full thickness burns in seconds.

http://www.accuratebuilding.com/services/legal/charts/hot_wa...

At 60 C you'd have full thickness burns in 5 seconds.

Re:Freelance Isn't Free Act Passes in NYC by leephillips on Wednesday November 23, 2016 @08:56PM (#13027402)
Thanks for the explanation. I had some misconceptions about this stuff, clearly.
Re:Freelance Isn't Free Act Passes in NYC by nommm-nommm on Wednesday November 23, 2016 @10:40PM (#13027839)
Spill an entire cup of boiling water in your lap while sitting in the passengers seat of a car while wearing cotton sweatpants and find out.

Don't actually do this, you'll likely end up with serious disfiguring injuries such as:

>Liebeck was taken to the hospital, where it was determined that she had suffered third-degree burns on six percent of her skin and lesser burns over sixteen percent.[11] She remained in the hospital for eight days while she underwent skin grafting. During this period, Liebeck lost 20 pounds (9 kg, nearly 20% of her body weight), reducing her to 83 pounds (38 kg). After the hospital stay, Liebeck needed care for 3 weeks, provided by her daughter.[12] Liebeck suffered permanent disfigurement after the incident and was partially disabled for two years.[13][14]

Basically very hot water is dangerous and it's much easier to get a serious injury from it than you'd think.

Re:Freelance Isn't Free Act Passes in NYC by Mz on Wednesday November 23, 2016 @06:47PM (#13026752)
This has graphic photos of the victim's wounds (they are quite unpleasant): https://www.quora.com/How-did-McDonalds-lose-the-hot-coffee-...

As someone who used to process accident claims for a large insurance company, I will suggest that if you spill hot water in your lap in a public place, you are probably not going to whip the clothing off right then and there to protect yourself from the burns. She is also elderly and elderly people have slower reflexes and can be more vulnerable to all kinds of health issues.

Re:Freelance Isn't Free Act Passes in NYC by bertiewhykovich on Wednesday November 23, 2016 @06:47PM (#13026750)
Re:Freelance Isn't Free Act Passes in NYC by flycaliguy on Thursday November 24, 2016 @01:07AM (#13028529)
If you haven't seen the documentary Hot Coffee, I highly recommend it. Very interesting look at that case.