LOS ANGELES — A delivery driver received a $50 million court award after suffering severe burns from a spilled Starbucks beverage during a drive-thru transaction in California, according to court documents. Michael Garcia, the plaintiff, experienced significant injuries requiring skin grafts and surgeries primarily to his genital area after the incident with a venti-sized tea on Feb. 8, 2020. Garcia’s legal team stated he sustained permanent and altering injuries.
In the legal filing, Garcia accused Starbucks of negligence, asserting that the employee handling his order failed to secure the hot beverage adequately in the takeaway tray. His lawyer, Nick Rowley, remarked that the jury’s decision underscored the importance of holding the company responsible for what he described as a blatant oversight of customer safety and their refusal to acknowledge culpability.
Starbucks, in response, expressed sympathy toward Garcia but indicated plans to challenge the verdict. “We respectfully disagree with the jury’s findings regarding our responsibility and believe the compensation determined is disproportionately high,” a representative for the Seattle-based conglomerate mentioned, underscoring their commitment to upholding stringent safety measures in the management of hot beverages.
Historically, U.S. food service establishments have encountered legal disputes related to injuries caused by hot beverages. A notable case from the 1990s involved a New Mexico woman who received close to $3 million from a jury for burns incurred while attempting to remove the lid on a McDonald’s coffee; although, this amount was later adjusted by a judge. The case concluded with a settlement of less than $600,000.
Such lawsuits highlight the varying outcomes of litigation involving customer injuries at eateries, with some verdicts favoring the establishment. This was observed in another case during the 1990s, where a jury ruled in favor of McDonald’s after a young child accidentally spilled coffee on himself in Iowa.
As the debate over accountability in such incidents continues, this case against Starbucks adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about consumer safety and corporate responsibility in the food and beverage industry.
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