Man Suffered 3rd Degree Burns From Starbucks Hot Tea Awarded $50 Million

A California delivery driver was awarded $50 million in damages after a jury agreed a Starbucks location was negligent in its handling of a scalding hot tea. Michael Garcia sued the cafe chain after a tea spilled in his lap at a drive-thru and caused permanent disfigurement to his penis. His attorney Nick Rowley said in a press release that Garcia’s “life has been forever changed” by the accident. Garcia was working as a Postmates delivery driver on Feb. 8, 2020, when he arrived at the Los Angeles Starbucks to pick up three venti “medicine ball” teas, according to his attorneys. He was handed a cardboard carrier with the drinks at the drive-thru when a cup fell directly into his lap and the top popped off one of the drinks. Video provided by Rowley’s firm shows the Starbucks employees preparing the drinks and the moment the tea spills into Garcia’s lap. Garcia’s attorneys argued in court that the employee at the window failed to properly secure that drink in the carrier. Garcia suffered third-degree burns to his penis, groin and inner thighs.

Source: NBC News