A jury in California has ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million in damages to a delivery driver who suffered severe burns from an improperly secured lid on hot beverages. Michael Garcia, 45, was severely burned while picking up drinks at a Los Angeles drive-through in 2020.
According to the lawsuit, Garcia received three hot drinks and one that wasn’t fully secured. When the barista handed him the order, the drink fell out of the container and spilled onto his lap. The incident caused severe burns, disfigurement, and nerve damage to Garcia’s genitals.
The verdict includes damages for physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety, and emotional distress. Starbucks plans to appeal the decision, stating that they sympathize with Garcia but disagree with the jury’s conclusion and believe the award is excessive.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/14/business/starbucks-hot-coffee-driver-verdict/index.html