Settlement Reached in North Carolina Soup Burn Lawsuit

A settlement has been reached in a federal lawsuit filed by a North Carolina woman who claims a poorly-designed Maruchan instant noodle soup cup caused her daughter to suffer second-degree burns.

Free Confidential Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one was severely burned by a cup of hot instant soup, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the manufacturer and our lawyers can help.

What’s the Problem?

April 28, 2016 – According to the lawsuit, Kimberly Buffkin purchased a Maruchan Instant Lunch on May 27, 2011. Jason A. Powell, the father of their 1-year-old daughter “OP,” prepared the noodles by boiling water and pouring it in the cup, according to the complaint.

However, Maruchan said in motion filed earlier this month that Powell actually placed the soup cup in the microwave. The company said instructions on the product’s labeling clearly indicated that the soup is not to be heated in the microwave.

Buffkin alleged that OP’s nephew tipped over the Instant Lunch, which had been cooling on the kitchen counter, resulting in 2nd degree burns to her groin, chest, shoulder and back. Now 6-years-old, OP has been forced to undergo numerous corrective procedures including reconstructive surgery, according to the lawsuit. Plaintiff further claims that “numerous studies” have assessed the burn risks associated with instant soup products, citing one specific study which found that the Maruchan Instant Lunch was among the most prone to tip.

The lawsuit was originally filed in Forsyth Superior Court against Maruchan Inc. and its parent company, Toyo Suisan Kaisha, in November 2013. The complaint was later transferred to U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina. Plaintiff sought at least $10,000 in damages.

Do I Have a Hot Soup Burn Lawsuit?

The Product Liability Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in instant soup burn lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new injury cases in all 50 states.

Free Confidential Case Evaluation: Again, if you got a severe burn from an instant soup cup, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit and we can help.