A Los Angeles County jury has ruled against Starbucks, awarding $50 million to Michael Garcia, a California delivery driver who suffered severe burns after a Starbucks employee allegedly mishandled a scalding hot tea order. The ruling marks one of the largest settlements against the coffee chain and has reignited debates over corporate responsibility and customer safety.
A Routine Order Turns Catastrophic
On February 8, 2020, Garcia visited a Starbucks drive-through in Los Angeles, ordering a venti-sized hot tea. A Starbucks employee placed the tea into a takeout tray, but within moments, the tea spilled onto his lap, causing severe burns to his thighs and genital area. The injuries required extensive medical treatment, including painful skin graft procedures, and left Garcia with permanent disfigurement and nerve damage.
Negligence Claims Against Starbucks
Garcia filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, arguing that the spill was a direct result of the employee's negligence in handling the takeout tray. His legal team claimed:
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The tea was excessively hot beyond safe serving temperatures.
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The cup was not properly secured in the tray, leading to an unstable placement.
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Starbucks failed to train employees adequately on handling dangerously hot beverages.
The jury sided with Garcia, determining that Starbucks bore responsibility for the preventable accident and ordering the company to pay $50 million in damages for his injuries, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
Starbucks' Response & Plans to Appeal
Starbucks issued a statement expressing sympathy for Garcia but strongly disagreed with the verdict. The company maintains that its employees followed standard procedure and that the amount awarded by the jury is excessive. Starbucks has indicated that it intends to appeal the ruling and seek a reduction in damages.
Echoes of the McDonald's Coffee Case
This case draws parallels to the infamous 1994 McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit, in which an elderly woman was awarded $2.9 million after suffering third-degree burns from spilled coffee. That case led to significant changes in the way fast-food and coffee chains handle hot beverages. The Starbucks ruling could similarly set new legal precedents for food and beverage industry safety standards.
A Wake-Up Call for Corporate Responsibility?
The $50 million judgment against Starbucks serves as a warning to corporations about customer safety and the handling of hot beverages. While the company is fighting the verdict, the case has already ignited broader discussions about liability, employee training, and consumer protection. Whether Starbucks' appeal succeeds or not, this lawsuit will likely influence how businesses nationwide handle similar situations in the future.