Published by If you or a loved one experienced severe burns or scalding injuries following the use of a Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cup, you may be entitled to pursue compensation. At Schmidt & Clark, LLP, we are dedicated to helping individuals who have suffered due to these dangerous product designs. Our experienced legal team is here to guide you through the process and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact Schmidt & Clark, LLP today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Table Of Contents
- Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Burn Lawsuit Overview
- Latest Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Burn Lawsuit Updates
- Agency Reports and Statistics
- Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Injuries & Side Effects
- Do You Qualify for a Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Burn Lawsuit?
- Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Recall Information
- Statute of Limitations for Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Burn Lawsuits
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Soup Burn Injuries Could Be Avoided
- Take Action Now: Time-Sensitive Legal Claims
- References
Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Burn Lawsuit Overview
Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cup burn lawsuits allege that these products have a defective design that makes them prone to tipping over and causing severe scalding injuries. The primary allegations against Maruchan Inc. and its parent company, Toyo Suisan Kaisha, focus on the tall, narrow design that creates instability. Medical professionals have identified these instant soup cups as a significant source of scalding and burn wounds, particularly in children who often accidentally knock these cups over while consuming them.
Latest Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Burn Lawsuit Updates
February 2, 2018 – A court in Seoul, Korea, ordered Asiana Airlines and one of its employees to pay a passenger approximately 100 million won ($93,569) for severe burns caused by accidentally spilled instant noodle soup during a flight. The passenger suffered second and third-degree burns to her lower body.
See more: Instant Noodle Soup Burn Lawsuit
April 28, 2016 – A confidential settlement was reached in a federal lawsuit filed by North Carolina resident Kimberly Buffkin. The lawsuit claimed that a defectively designed Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup caused her one-year-old daughter to suffer second-degree burns requiring skin grafts and cosmetic surgery.
See more:
- North Carolina Soup Burn Lawsuit
- Nissin Noodles Soup Burn Lawsuits
November 2013
– Kimberly Buffkin filed a lawsuit in Forsyth Superior Court against Maruchan and its Japanese parent company Toyo Suisan Kaisha, alleging that the company’s Instant Lunch cup is designed in a way that makes it prone to tipping over and spilling.
Agency Reports and Statistics
NPR has reported that Maruchan Instant Lunch cups are dangerous because the soup is hot, sticky, and served in a container that is tall and narrow, which makes it prone to tipping over. When noodles spill out of these cups, they cling to the skin and can cause second-degree burns.
Related: Hot Soup Spill Burn Lawsuit
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) published a peer-reviewed study entitled “Instant cup of soup: design flaws increase risk of burns.” Researchers, including a team of physicians at the U.C. Davis Shriners Burn Hospitals for Children, measured the height and base of several different instant soups and found that the height of the cups makes them easy to tip over [1].
Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Injuries & Side Effects
Instant soup cup burns can cause severe and life-changing injuries, particularly in children whose skin is more sensitive and vulnerable to heat damage.
- Second-degree burns: These affect both the outer and underlying layers of skin, causing intense pain, redness, swelling, and blistering
- Third-degree burns: These penetrate all layers of skin and can damage nerve endings, causing numbness and requiring surgical intervention
- Permanent scarring: Many victims, especially children, are left with permanent, visible scars from these burns
- Limited mobility: Burns in areas like joints can result in reduced mobility and require extensive physical therapy
Do You Qualify for a Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Burn Lawsuit?
You may qualify for a Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup burn lawsuit if:
- You or your child suffered burns from a Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cup
- The burns required medical treatment or hospitalization
- The incident occurred within the applicable statute of limitations in your state
- You can provide medical documentation linking your injuries to the Maruchan Instant Lunch product
Evidence Required for a Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Burn Lawsuit
To strengthen your case, you will need to gather:
- Medical records documenting your burns and treatments
- Photographs of your injuries
- Product packaging or receipts (if available)
- Documentation of any lost wages or time off work
- Testimony from witnesses present during the incident
Damages You Can Recover
Victims of Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cup burns may be eligible to recover:
- Medical expenses, including emergency treatment, surgeries, and ongoing care
- Lost wages from time off work during recovery
- Pain and suffering compensation
- Costs of future medical treatments, including reconstructive surgeries
- Punitive damages against the manufacturer in cases of gross negligence
Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Recall Information
Currently, there are no nationwide recalls of Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cups specifically related to burn hazards. However, the documented lawsuits and medical studies have highlighted significant safety concerns about the product’s design that could potentially lead to future regulatory action.
Statute of Limitations for Maruchan Instant Lunch Soup Cup Burn Lawsuits
The time you have to file a Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cup burn lawsuit varies by state. Generally, product liability claims must be filed within 1-3 years from the date of injury. Some states allow for the “discovery rule,” which means the statute of limitations begins when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered that your injury was caused by the product.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of injuries are associated with Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cup burns?
Injuries associated with Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cup burns typically include second- and third-degree burns, particularly to the hands, arms, torso, and legs. These burns can cause severe pain, permanent scarring, and may require extensive medical treatment, including surgeries and long-term rehabilitation.
What are the common allegations in Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cup burn lawsuits?
Common allegations in these lawsuits include defective design, failure to warn consumers about the risks, and negligence in ensuring the safety of the product. Plaintiffs may argue that the manufacturer did not adequately test the cups or failed to redesign them despite knowing about the risks of tipping and scalding.
Can Maruchan be held liable for burns caused by their Instant Lunch soup cups?
Yes, Maruchan can be held liable if it is proven that their Instant Lunch soup cups are defectively designed or that the company failed to provide adequate warnings about the risks. A successful lawsuit could result in compensation for the injured party and potentially lead to changes in the product’s design or labeling.
How long does a Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cup burn lawsuit typically take?
The timeline for these lawsuits varies significantly depending on the complexity of the case, whether it settles early or goes to trial, and the court’s schedule. Some cases may settle within months, while others might take years to resolve.
What defenses might Maruchan use in a soup cup burn lawsuit?
Maruchan might defend itself by arguing that the burns were caused by improper use of the product, such as handling the cup carelessly or failing to follow the instructions. They might also claim that the risks are well-known and that consumers are responsible for taking precautions when handling hot liquids.
How are settlements determined in soup cup burn cases?
Settlement amounts are typically based on factors such as the severity of the burns, medical expenses incurred, permanent disfigurement or disability, lost wages, and the impact on quality of life. Each case is unique, and settlements vary widely.
Can I file a lawsuit if my child was burned by a Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cup?
Yes, parents or legal guardians can file lawsuits on behalf of children who have been injured by Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cups. In fact, many of these cases involve children who are particularly vulnerable to these types of injuries.
What design changes could make instant soup cups safer?
According to researchers, wider bases and shorter heights would make instant soup cups more stable and less likely to tip over. Additionally, more prominent burn warnings on the packaging would help consumers better understand the risks.
Is there a class action lawsuit against Maruchan for soup cup burns?
Currently, there is no nationwide class action lawsuit specifically against Maruchan for soup cup burns. Most cases have been individual lawsuits. However, this could change as more cases emerge and legal strategies evolve.
How can I prevent soup cup burns?
To prevent burns, always place instant soup cups on stable surfaces away from the edge, supervise children when they are eating instant soups, consider transferring the contents to a bowl with a wider base, and allow the soup to cool somewhat before serving.
Soup Burn Injuries Could Be Avoided
Your child shouldn’t have to suffer due to the poor design of a Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cup. If Maruchan would re-design their containers, making them shorter and wider, it would make the base more stable and less likely to tip over. Thus, soup burns would likely decrease significantly around the country. Additionally, the packaging of these instant soup cups should have more prominent warnings about burn risks, so that parents are aware of these very real dangers.
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Take Action Now: Time-Sensitive Legal Claims
Time is limited to pursue legal action for injuries caused by Maruchan Instant Lunch soup cups. Most states only allow 1-3 years from the date of injury to file a product liability claim, and the clock may already be ticking on your case.
At Schmidt & Clark, LLP, we offer:
- Free, confidential consultations to evaluate your case
- No upfront costs or fees to worry about
- Payment only if we win your case – we work on a contingency fee basis