A California jury has ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million to a delivery driver who suffered severe burns from spilled hot drinks.
A California jury has ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million to a delivery driver who suffered severe burns from hot beverages.
The incident occurred when Michael Garcia, a driver for Postmates, picked up drinks from a Starbucks drive-through in Los Angeles.
Starbucks barista accidentally poured hot beverages on a delivery driver
On February 8, 2020, Garcia went to the drive-through to collect three venti-sized “medicine ball” hot teas.
According to the lawsuit, one of the drinks was not properly secured in the tray, and the lid was loose.
When the barista handed the drinks to Garcia, the hot tea spilled onto his lap, causing severe burns.
The lawsuit claims that Garcia experienced third-degree burns to his genitals and inner thighs.
He also suffered from debilitating nerve damage and disfigurement as a result of the incident.
Garcia’s reaction was captured on security footage, showing him screaming in pain and driving away immediately after the spill.
Experts testified about the negligence during legal proceedings.
During the trial, experts testified that there was nothing Garcia could have done to prevent his injuries.
The temperatures of the drinks were reported to be around 180 degrees, which is hot enough to cause serious burns.
Garcia’s attorneys argued that Starbucks was negligent in handling the drinks and that the company failed to ensure customer safety.
Nicholas Rowley, one of Garcia’s attorneys, criticized Starbucks for attempting to shift the blame onto the customer.
He pointed out that if the company handed over a drink without a secure lid, it should be held accountable.
“Starbucks says if our hands are off the drink, then no matter what happens, we’re not responsible,” Rowley said.
“So, if I’m Starbucks and I hand you a drink that doesn’t have a lid that’s secured, and it’s a scalding hot, 180-degree drink, or if I hand you a drink that’s in a container and it’s loose and it’s not secured, and it falls right on you — the moment that I take my hands off of it, then you’re responsible and I, the corporation, am not,” he added.
Rowley stated, “No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered.”
Man wins $50 million in lawsuit against Starbucks after being scalded by hot beverages.
After about 40 minutes of deliberation, the jury sided with Garcia and awarded him $50 million.
This amount was intended to cover various damages, including physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress.
The jury found Starbucks liable for its negligence in this case.
Starbucks has expressed disagreement with the jury’s verdict and plans to appeal the decision.
A spokesperson for the company stated, “We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we believe the damages awarded to be excessive.”
The company claims it maintains high store safety standards, particularly regarding hot beverages.
This case echoes previous high-profile lawsuits.
This case is reminiscent of a famous lawsuit against McDonald’s in 1994, where a woman suffered third-degree burns from hot coffee.
That case sparked widespread debate about personal injury lawsuits in the United States.
While the woman initially received a large sum, the final settlement was considerably less after appeals.
Critics of the legal system argue that there should be caps on damages awarded in personal injury cases.
Proponents, however, believe that victims should receive fair compensation for their suffering.
The Starbucks case adds to the ongoing discussion about accountability and customer safety in the food and beverage industry.