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On March 14, a jury delivered a substantial verdict, awarding $50 million in damages to a Los Angeles delivery driver who sustained severe burns after hot tea was spilled on him in February 2020, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times. The incident took place at a Starbucks located at the intersection of Western Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard in West Adams.
As detailed by the Los Angeles Times, court documents reveal that a Starbucks employee handed two cups of hot tea to Michael Garcia, a delivery driver, which subsequently tipped over and scalded him. During his testimony, Garcia indicated that the barista failed to securely fasten the lids on the beverages, leading to “horrific burn injuries that necessitated multiple surgeries” and resulted in “permanent disfigurement” to his groin area. The narrative also highlights that Garcia underwent several skin grafts and surgical procedures, enduring prolonged pain, additional medical interventions, and complications related to sexual dysfunction.
CBS News reported that prior to the trial, Starbucks made an initial settlement offer of $3 million, later raising it to $30 million. Garcia agreed to this amount on the condition that Starbucks would issue an apology and revise their store policies to ensure hot drinks are securely handed to customers. However, the two parties could not reach an agreement, leading to the trial.
In response to the jury’s ruling, Starbucks has announced plans to appeal the decision. A statement from the company, shared with the New York Times, expressed their disagreement with the jury’s findings, asserting, “We disagree with the jury’s decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive.”
The scenario bears resemblance to a notorious 1992 case where an elderly woman was severely burned after spilling hot coffee on herself at a McDonald’s drive-through in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In that case, Stella Liebeck sought damages and was awarded $200,000 in compensatory damages, although this amount was subsequently reduced to $160,000.
Source
la.eater.com