A Los Angeles county jury awarded $50 million to Michael Garcia, a delivery driver who was severely burned when a Starbucks drink spilled in his lap at a California drive-through. The incident occurred in February 2020 when a venti-sized hot tea drink spilled, causing Garcia to undergo skin grafts and other procedures due to burns on his genitals. His attorneys noted that Garcia has endured permanent disfigurement and psychological harm. The lawsuit claimed negligence on Starbucks’ part for not securing the drink properly in the takeout tray. Starbucks offered a $30 million settlement with confidentiality, which Garcia’s team rejected unless the company publicly apologized and changed its policy. Starbucks plans to appeal, disagreeing with the jury’s decision and deeming the damages excessive, while affirming their commitment to safety standards. This case echoes previous lawsuits against eateries over customer burns, such as a famous 1990s case involving McDonald’s. — news from The Guardian US
