Delran, NJ woman sues Dunkin' for scalding hot coffee spill

DELRAN - A woman suffered third-degree burns and drove into traffic after a Dunkin' employee spilled three hot cups of coffee on her at the drive-thru, according to a recent lawsuit.

The lawsuit filed by D'Amato Law Firm claims Samantha Picklo still has scars on her legs from the August 2021 incident. It's the third coffee-related lawsuit against Dunkin' within the last six weeks.

Picklo ordered breakfast and three coffees, including an extra-large, a large, and a medium, according to the lawsuit. It stated she was told to wait in her pick-up truck while an employee brought the coffees out to her.

An employee came out carrying the three coffees in a cardboard tray holder, the lawsuit said. But the suit says as he handed the tray to her, the extra-large cup fell forward into Picklo's lap, followed by the other two cups.

The lawsuit says that with a total of 58 ounces of scalding coffee in her lap, Picklo accidentally hit her vehicle's accelerator. After her pick-up came to a stop in the middle of Route 130, Picklo jumped out of the vehicle and "tore off her pants," according to the suit.

The lawsuit includes a portion of an August 2021 Delran Fire Department report detailing the incident.

"A female was on her hands and knees with a shirt and her undergarments on screaming for help," it states.

NJ Advance Media reported that police body camera footage from the incident showed Picklo's legs had red marks and peeling skin.

The lawsuit, filed in mid-March, is notably different than two other lawsuits filed against Dunkin' in April.

A Lyndhurst couple and a Totowa couple each separately accused their local Dunkin' locations of serving coffee that was too hot. But Picklo's lawsuit specifically states she is not accusing the Delran franchise of serving unsafe coffee.

Instead, Picklo's suit places blame on the tray holders Dunkin' uses to hold coffee cups and the employee. It states the tray holder could not safely secure her order and that the employee was negligent.

"The devices in the tray holder which were intended to secure the bottom of the containers of hot coffee were not long enough or high enough to safely secure the tall containers of coffee," the lawsuit claimed

Dunkin' denied Picklo's claims in a court filing earlier this month.

Inside Betty White's Gorgeous Carmel-by-the-Sea Home

Take a look inside the late Betty White's peacefully gorgeous Carmel-by-the-Sea home.

These are the best hiking spots in New Jersey

A trip to New Jersey doesn't have to be all about the beach. Our state has some incredible trails, waterfalls, and lakes to enjoy.

From the Pine Barrens to the Appalachian Trail to the hidden gems of New Jersey, you have plenty of options for a great hike. Hiking is such a great way to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature, plus it's a great workout.

Before you go out on the trails and explore some of our listeners' suggestions, I have some tips on hiking etiquette from the American Hiking Society.

If you are going downhill and run into an uphill hiker, step to the side and give the uphill hiker space. A hiker going uphill has the right of way unless they stop to catch their breath.

Always stay on the trail, you may see side paths, unless they are marked as an official trail, steer clear of them. By going off-trail you may cause damage to the ecosystems around the trail, the plants, and wildlife that live there.

You also do not want to disturb the wildlife you encounter, just keep your distance from the wildlife and continue hiking.

Bicyclists should yield to hikers and horses. Hikers should also yield to horses, but I’m not sure how many horses you will encounter on the trails in New Jersey.

If you are thinking of bringing your dog on your hike, they should be leashed, and make sure to clean up all pet waste.

Lastly, be mindful of the weather, if the trail is too muddy, it's probably best to save your hike for another day.

I asked our listeners for their suggestions of the best hiking spots in New Jersey, check out their suggestions:

NJ county fairs make a comeback: Check out the schedule for 2022

UPDATED 4/10: A current list of county fairs happening across the Garden State for 2022. From rides, food, animals, and hot air balloons, each county fair has something unique to offer.

(Fairs are listed in geographical order from South NJ to North NJ)