Sunita Somvanshi
A Los Angeles jury has awarded $50 million to Michael Garcia, a delivery driver who suffered severe burns when hot tea spilled on his lap at a Starbucks drive-through in February 2020.
The Incident
On February 8, 2020, Garcia was picking up three venti-sized hot teas at a Starbucks drive-through in Exposition Park, Los Angeles. According to the lawsuit, a barista failed to properly secure one of the drinks in the takeout tray. Within 1.4 seconds of Garcia receiving the drinks, the cup fell into his lap, with the lid popping off and scalding tea spilling out.
Security camera footage from inside the store captured Garcia’s immediate reaction to the spill. The incident resulted in third-degree burns, nerve damage, and permanent injuries to his genitals that required multiple surgeries, including skin grafts.
Legal Proceedings
Garcia filed a negligence lawsuit against Starbucks, accusing the company of failing to ensure customer safety. His attorney, Nicholas Rowley, argued that Starbucks should be held responsible regardless of when the spill occurred.
“Starbucks says if our hands are off the drink, then no matter what happens, we’re not responsible,” Rowley stated. “So, if I’m Starbucks and I hand you a drink that doesn’t have a lid that’s secured, and it’s a scalding hot drink, or if I hand you a drink that’s in a container and it’s loose and it’s not secured, and it falls right on you — the moment that I take my hands off of it, then you’re responsible and I, the corporation, am not.”
The Los Angeles County jury found Starbucks guilty of gross negligence and awarded Garcia $50 million in damages. According to Rowley, three jurors actually wanted to award $125 million.
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Starbucks’ Response
Starbucks expressed sympathy for Garcia but disagreed with the verdict. “We disagree with the jury’s decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive,” the company said in a statement. “We plan to appeal. We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks.”
The coffee giant had offered $3 million before the trial and later increased the offer to $30 million to settle the case. Garcia was willing to accept the $30 million on the condition that Starbucks apologize, change its policies, and issue a memo to all store locations about double-checking hot drinks before handing them to customers. When Starbucks declined these terms, the case proceeded to trial.
Similar Cases
This isn’t the first hot beverage lawsuit against a major food chain. The case draws parallels to the famous McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit from the 1990s, where a New Mexico jury awarded a woman nearly $3 million in damages for burns suffered at a drive-through. That award was later reduced, and the case was ultimately settled for an undisclosed amount under $600,000.
Starbucks has faced similar lawsuits before. In 2018, a 22-year-old Northern California man spent 11 days in a burn unit after hot tea spilled in his lap at a Starbucks drive-through. In 2017, a woman in Denver sued Starbucks over a drive-through spill that severely injured her and killed her dog.
Long-Term Impact
Garcia began receiving treatment at the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles six days after the incident. The burns were so severe that they required skin grafts, leaving him with some permanent loss of feeling. Evidence presented during the trial showed the life-long implications of his injuries.
Rowley emphasized that Garcia continues to experience pain every day and suffers from severe PTSD as a result of the incident. “Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed,” he said. “No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility.”
The case raises questions about corporate accountability and the responsibility food service establishments have to ensure customer safety, particularly when serving potentially dangerous hot beverages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Starbucks hot tea lawsuit?
Michael Garcia, a delivery driver, suffered severe third-degree burns when a hot tea spilled in his lap at a Starbucks drive-through in Los Angeles in February 2020. The lawsuit claimed a barista failed to properly secure the drink in a takeout tray, causing it to spill when handed to Garcia. A jury awarded him $50 million in damages.
How severe were Garcia’s injuries from the spill?
Garcia suffered third-degree burns, nerve damage, and permanent injuries to his genitals. He required multiple surgeries, including skin grafts, and continues to experience daily pain and PTSD. The injuries were described as “life-changing” and resulted in permanent disfigurement and loss of feeling in affected areas.
Why was the settlement amount so high?
The $50 million award reflects the jury’s finding of gross negligence by Starbucks and the permanent, life-altering nature of Garcia’s injuries. According to his attorney, three jurors actually wanted to award $125 million. The amount also considers Garcia’s ongoing pain, multiple surgeries, and long-term physical and psychological impacts.
How did Starbucks respond to the verdict?
Starbucks expressed sympathy for Garcia but disagreed with the verdict, calling the damages “excessive.” The company plans to appeal the decision while maintaining they are “committed to the highest safety standards” in handling hot drinks. Before the trial, Starbucks offered settlements of $3 million and later $30 million.
Is this case similar to the famous McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit?
Yes, the case has similarities to the well-known 1990s McDonald’s lawsuit where a woman was awarded nearly $3 million (later reduced) for burns from hot coffee. Both cases involved severe burns from hot beverages at drive-throughs and raised questions about appropriate safety standards for serving hot drinks to customers.
Has Starbucks faced similar lawsuits before?
Yes, Starbucks has faced similar lawsuits. In 2018, a Northern California man spent 11 days in a burn unit after hot tea spilled in his lap at a drive-through. In 2017, a Denver woman sued Starbucks after a drive-through spill that injured her and killed her dog. This pattern raises questions about drive-through safety protocols.
