California delivery driver Michael Garcia was awarded $50 million in damages after a jury found Starbucks negligent in a scalding hot tea incident in 2020. Garcia suffered permanent disfigurement to his penis when a tea spilled in his lap at a drive-thru. His attorney stated that Garcia’s life has been forever changed by the accident, and the jury’s decision was a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for customer safety. Starbucks plans to appeal the decision, stating that they have always been committed to high safety standards.
Garcia was working as a Postmates delivery driver when the incident occurred, and he suffered third-degree burns to his penis, groin, and inner thighs. A video provided during the trial showed the moment the tea spilled into Garcia’s lap, with his attorneys arguing that the Starbucks employee failed to properly secure the drink in the carrier.
This case is reminiscent of the famous McDonald’s coffee lawsuit in 1992, where a 79-year-old woman suffered third-degree burns from hot coffee at a drive-thru. The evidence showed that McDonald’s coffee was significantly hotter than other restaurants, resulting in multiple burn incidents. Stella Liebeck initially asked for medical bills to be covered, but after McDonald’s refusal, she filed suit. Liebeck was initially awarded $2.7 million in punitive damages, but the amount was later reduced in a settlement with McDonald’s.
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