Starbucks ordered to pay $50M to driver burned by tea
What's the story
Starbucks has been ordered to pay $50 million in damages to a delivery driver, who suffered severe burns after a hot drink got spilled on him.
The incident took place at a Los Angeles drive-through, when Michael Garcia was picking up an order.
The lawsuit claims Starbucks was negligent in its duty of care by not wedging the drink firmly enough into the takeout tray, leading to the accident.
Accident account
Incident details and injuries sustained
According to the lawsuit filed in California Superior Court in 2020, the hot beverage spilled onto Garcia's lap, causing "severe burns, disfigurement, and debilitating nerve damage to his genitals."
The incident happened when Garcia was collecting three drinks and one of them wasn't fully placed into its container. As the barista handed over the order, this drink slipped and spilled onto him.
Life-altering consequences
Garcia's injuries and their impact
The court awarded damages for Garcia's physical pain, mental distress, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, and emotional suffering.
His attorneys said that after hospitalization and multiple skin grafts, he has lived with disfigurement, pain, dysfunction as well as psychological harm caused by the burns for five years.
The injuries have had a permanent impact on his life, his legal representatives said.
Company statement
Starbucks's response and plans to appeal
Starbucks sympathized with Garcia but disagreed with the jury's decision.
The company plans to appeal the ruling, saying, "We disagree with the jury's decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded are excessive."
A Starbucks spokesperson added that they have always been committed to maintaining high safety standards in their stores, especially when handling hot drinks.