• A jury awarded $50 million to Michael Garcia after he suffered severe burns from a spilled Starbucks drink.
• Garcia's negligence lawsuit pointed to Starbucks' failure to secure a hot tea properly.
• The incident, which occurred in February 2020, resulted in lasting physical and psychological damage for Garcia.
• Starbucks plans to appeal the jury's decision, calling the damages excessive.

A Los Angeles County jury has ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million to delivery driver Michael Garcia after he suffered life-altering burns when a cup of hot tea spilled into his lap. The incident occurred at a drive-through window in February 2020, where Garcia was picking up three Venti-sized teas for delivery. According to court documents, the jury found Starbucks negligent, stating that the barista had failed to secure one of the drinks properly in the tray, leading it to topple onto Garcia's lap and cause severe burns to his genital area.

Garcia, who was then 25 years old, described the experience as “horrific,” requiring him to undergo multiple skin grafts and treatments. His legal team emphasized the permanent disfigurement and psychological trauma Garcia endured as a result of the burn. “This jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety,” said Nick Rowley, one of Garcia’s attorneys, in a statement intending to highlight the importance of customer safety regulations in food service establishments.

Starbucks has expressed its disappointment with the verdict, stating that they sympathize with Garcia but believe the jury's finding of fault and the resulting damages are unwarranted. “We disagree with the jury's decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive,” said Jaci Anderson, the company's Director of Corporate Communications. The company has announced plans to appeal the decision, drawing on historical cases involving customer burns in the food industry, eg the infamous McDonald's coffee spill case that attracted national attention in the 1990s.

Before the trial, Starbucks reportedly offered Garcia a settlement of $30 million, which he declined unless the company agreed to policy changes aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future. Garcia's legal team has been vocal about the need for accountability in service practices when handling hot beverages, to ensure customer safety. Similar recent lawsuits against Starbucks indicate a growing scrutiny of the company’s practices regarding the handling of hot drinks, with other incidents prompting legal challenges.

The total damages awarded to Garcia could exceed $60 million once interest and legal fees are factored in, as his case reveals critical discussions around customer safety protocols within major corporations. For more information, visit the SCMP, LA Times, Newsweek, and NY Times.