LOS ANGELES — A California jury has ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million in damages to Michael Garcia, a delivery driver who suffered severe burns after a hot tea spill incident. The legal battle, which culminated in a recent verdict, began after Garcia claimed he was injured by a poorly secured beverage handed to him at a Starbucks drive-thru in 2020.
Garcia, who was working as a Postmates driver at the time of the incident, visited a Starbucks location in February 2020, where he ordered three venti-sized hot teas. According to Garcia’s legal team from Trial Lawyers for Justice, the barista handling the transaction negligently placed one of the hot tea cups in a manner that caused it to tumble into Garcia’s lap shortly after he received it. The lid dislodged upon impact, leading to the tea scalding his groin, penis, and inner thighs with third-degree burns, necessitating emergency medical attention.
The incident marked the beginning of a lengthy legal dispute between Garcia and the coffeehouse giant, drawing attention to the safety measures implemented by food and beverage establishments regarding the handling of hot beverages. Four years after the original complaint was filed, a Los Angeles County jury ruled in favor of Garcia on March 14, finding Starbucks liable for negligence.
The jury’s decision to award such substantial damages underscores the seriousness of Garcia’s injuries and the impact on his quality of life. Nick Rowley, Garcia’s attorney, emphasized that no financial compensation could truly compensate for the “permanent catastrophic harm” suffered by his client. However, Rowley stated that the outcome represents an important moment of accountability for the multinational coffee corporation.
Despite the jury’s verdict, Starbucks announced plans to challenge the outcome. A company spokesperson expressed sympathy towards Garcia but disagreed with the jury’s findings, deeming the damages “excessive” and defending the company’s commitment to high safety standards.
This case adds to the ongoing dialogue about consumer safety and corporate responsibility in service industries, particularly related to how food and beverage companies manage the risk associated with hot products.
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