A California jury has ruled that Starbucks must pay $50 million in damages to a delivery driver who suffered severe burns after a hot drink spilled on him at a Los Angeles drive-through. The incident, which occurred on 8 February 2020, left the driver, Michael Garcia, with third-degree burns, nerve damage, and permanent scarring.

The lawsuit claimed that a Starbucks employee failed to properly secure the lid on one of the beverages Garcia had ordered. When the drink spilled onto his lap, it caused significant physical injury and emotional trauma. Garcia’s attorney argued that the negligence in handling the drink directly led to his client’s long-term health complications.

The jury awarded Garcia the substantial settlement based on the extent of his physical and emotional suffering. They acknowledged the long-term impact of the injuries, including chronic pain and the loss of normal function. The decision highlights the responsibility of food service companies to ensure customer safety when handling hot beverages.

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Starbucks has announced plans to appeal the decision. A company spokesperson stated that while they sympathise with Garcia’s situation, they disagree with the jury’s finding that Starbucks was at fault. The company also argued that the $50 million settlement is excessive.

“We maintain that we follow strict safety protocols in handling hot drinks and will be seeking to challenge the ruling through the appropriate legal channels,” the spokesperson said.

This case has drawn comparisons to the high-profile 1994 McDonald’s lawsuit, in which a woman was awarded nearly $3 million after suffering third-degree burns from a hot coffee spill. The Starbucks case reinforces the ongoing importance of customer safety and product handling standards in the food and beverage industry.