California (Thechieftainspear) – A California man has been awarded $50 million after suffering catastrophic burns when a scalding hot tea spilled onto his lap at a Starbucks drive-thru.
Michael Garcia, a delivery driver, sustained life-altering injuries on February 8, 2020, after purchasing a venti-sized hot tea. According to his legal team, the drink was not properly secured in the takeout tray, causing it to spill onto his groin area as soon as he received it. The burns were so severe that Garcia required multiple skin grafts and other medical procedures.
Garcia sued Starbucks, arguing that the company was responsible for the mishap due to its failure to ensure the drink was safely placed in the carrier. On Friday, a Los Angeles County jury sided with him, determining that Starbucks was negligent and should compensate him for the extensive harm he suffered.
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Following the verdict, Garcia’s attorney, Nick Rowley, emphasized the importance of the ruling, stating, “This decision is a necessary step in holding Starbucks accountable for its disregard of customer safety.”
Starbucks, however, disagreed with the jury’s ruling. In a statement, the company said, “We do not believe we were at fault in this incident and find the damages awarded to be excessive. Our commitment to the highest safety standards in our stores remains unchanged.”
The case draws comparisons to the well-known 1990s lawsuit against McDonald’s, in which a New Mexico woman, Stella Liebeck, suffered third-degree burns from hot coffee and was initially awarded nearly $3 million. That amount was later reduced significantly by the court.
Whether Starbucks will appeal the decision remains uncertain, but the ruling serves as a reminder of the legal and financial consequences companies may face when customer safety is at risk .
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