A Los Angeles jury awarded $50 million in damages to Michael Garcia, a Postmates driver who suffered life-altering burns from a spilled cup of hot tea at a Starbucks drive-thru. The verdict, delivered on Friday, holds the coffee giant accountable for what the court determined to be negligence in handling hot beverages.
Incident at Starbucks Drive-Thru
The accident occurred on February 8, 2020, at the Starbucks drive-thru in Exposition Park. Garcia was picking up an order that included three venti-sized “medicine ball” hot teas when a barista handed him a drink carrier. Within seconds, one of the teas overturned, spilling onto his lap and causing third-degree burns. Security footage captured Garcia’s reaction inside his vehicle after the drink made contact with his skin.
Court records indicate that the barista failed to secure the tea properly in the drink tray. When Garcia received the tray, the unsecured cup fell almost immediately, and the lid popped off, exposing him to the scalding 180-degree liquid. The injuries he sustained resulted in multiple surgeries, permanent nerve damage, and lasting harm to his genitals.
Legal Battle and Jury Decision
Garcia’s legal team argued that Starbucks had a duty to ensure that its drinks were securely placed in carriers before handing them to customers. His attorney, Nicholas Rowley, criticized the company’s stance on liability.
“Starbucks claims that once their employees release the drink, they bear no responsibility, even if the drink was not properly secured,” Rowley stated. “If they hand you a scalding beverage in a defective or loose container, they believe the liability transfers to you the moment it leaves their hands.”
The jury deliberated for only 40 minutes before ruling in Garcia’s favor, awarding him $50 million. Rowley emphasized that this decision was about more than just financial compensation—it was about holding Starbucks accountable.
“Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed,” Rowley said. “No sum of money can undo the catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this verdict is a step toward justice.”
Impact of the Injury
Since the incident, Garcia has undergone multiple surgeries at the Grossman Burn Center in Los Angeles. His treatment began six days after the spill, on Valentine’s Day 2020, and included skin grafts. According to his attorneys, he still experiences daily pain, has lost some sensation permanently, and suffers from severe PTSD.
Despite his ongoing medical struggles, Garcia attempted to settle with Starbucks before the trial. Initially, the company offered him $3 million, later increasing the amount to $30 million. However, Garcia’s attorneys stated that he was willing to accept the settlement only if Starbucks issued a public apology, changed its safety policies, and required all locations to double-check hot drinks before handing them to customers. When Starbucks declined to meet these conditions, the case proceeded to trial, culminating in Friday’s $50 million verdict.
Starbucks’ Response and Future Implications
Starbucks disagreed with the jury’s decision, stating that they sympathize with Garcia but do not believe they were at fault.
“We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jury’s decision that we were responsible for this incident,” a Starbucks spokesperson said. “We believe the damages awarded are excessive and plan to appeal. Starbucks remains committed to the highest safety standards in handling hot drinks.”
This is not the first time Starbucks has faced legal action over burns caused by spilled drinks. In 2018, a Northern California man suffered life-changing injuries from a hot tea spill at a drive-thru, requiring an 11-day hospital stay. In 2017, a woman in Denver sued the company after a spilled drink severely injured her and resulted in the death of her dog.
A Precedent for Future Cases?
The verdict in Garcia’s case could set a precedent for how corporations handle customer safety and product liability. While Starbucks maintains that it adheres to strict safety protocols, this case has highlighted concerns over the handling of hot beverages at drive-thru locations.
For now, Garcia continues his recovery, with his legal team hoping that this ruling pushes Starbucks and other businesses to adopt stricter policies for the safety of their customers.
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