Michael Garcia was waiting for his tea at a Starbucks drive-thru when it spilled on his lap after an employee handed it over
Starbucks has been ordered to pay a staggering $50 million to Michael Garcia, a California delivery driver who suffered life-altering injuries after hot tea severely burned his genitals.
The incident occurred on February 8, 2020, when Garcia was waiting in the drive-thru to receive his drink. According to a lawsuit filed in California Superior Court, the tea spilled onto his lap, causing horrific burns.
Since the incident, Garcia has undergone numerous procedures to address the severe disfigurement, including skin grafts and other medical treatments, in an effort to correct the damage caused by the scalding beverage.
Michael Garcia’s attorneys argue that a venti-sized Starbucks drink spilled directly onto his lap, causing permanent, life-changing injuries. The incident occurred after Garcia received the drink from a drive-thru, and the coffee chain’s employee allegedly failed to properly secure the drink in the takeout tray before handing it to him in his vehicle.
A Los Angeles County jury sided with Garcia, finding that Starbucks was at fault for the incident, which led to severe burns. The jury’s decision resulted in a $50 million payout to Garcia. In response, Garcia’s attorney, Nick Rowley, stated: “This jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility.”
Starbucks, however, disagrees with the verdict and intends to appeal. A company spokesperson released a statement asserting that the chain “disagrees with the jury’s decision” and believes the damages awarded are excessive. They also emphasized their commitment to the highest safety standards in handling hot beverages.
This case follows a long history of lawsuits involving scalding beverages, including the infamous 1990s McDonald’s case. In that instance, Stella Liebeck was awarded nearly $3 million after suffering third-degree burns from a spilled coffee, though the amount was later reduced. Similarly, in 2019, Olivia Caraballo was awarded $800,000 after a hot Chicken McNugget fell into her lap, and in May 2023, Genesis Monita sued Bill Miller BAR-B-Q after suffering second-degree burns from spilled sauce.
Genesis Monita filed a lawsuit against Bill Miller BAR-B-Q, accusing the restaurant of serving bar-b-que sauce at dangerously high temperatures. She claimed that the sauce, served at a scalding 189 degrees, was far hotter than the state’s recommended temperature of 135 degrees. Monita alleged that when she picked up the container, it was so hot that she dropped it, spilling the sauce onto her right thigh and causing a second-degree burn. The lawsuit argued that the restaurant failed to adequately warn her about the extreme temperature of the sauce, contributing to the injury.
At this point, I might just eat at home.
