The coffee giant Starbucks has been ordered to pay an astounding $50 million to a California drive-through customer following a serious incident involving an unsecured hot drink. The case revolves around Michael Garcia, who suffered severe burns after a venti-sized drink spilled on him while he was at a Starbucks drive-through on February 8, 2020.
According to court documents, Garcia underwent multiple medical procedures, including skin grafts, to treat injuries sustained during the incident. The spill occurred when a barista failed to secure one of the drinks in the takeout tray. As Garcia accepted the tray, the hot beverage tipped over, inflicting life-altering burns on his genitals.
Garcia's legal team successfully argued that Starbucks breached its duty of care, leading to the jury's decision to award the substantial payout. An attorney representing Garcia, Nick Rowley, stated that the verdict serves as a vital measure in holding Starbucks accountable for its blatant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility for the incident. The jury's decision came after deliberation, with three jurors advocating for an even larger payout of $125 million.
In response to the jury's decision, Starbucks announced plans to appeal, asserting that they disagree with the ruling that deemed them at fault for the incident. The company believes the damages awarded are excessive and maintains its commitment to the highest safety standards in the handling of hot drinks.
Starbucks argued that Garcia did not exercise ordinary care and that his own negligence contributed to the spill at their location on 1789 West Jefferson Blvd. Prior to the trial, the company offered $3 million as a settlement, later increasing the offer to $30 million. However, Garcia's legal team revealed that he initially agreed to the settlement on the condition that Starbucks would issue a formal apology and revise its safety protocols, which the company ultimately refused.
This high-profile case underscores the importance of customer safety in the food and beverage industry and raises questions about corporate accountability. For more updates on this case and other news related to Starbucks, stay tuned to our Lifestyle section. If you would like to receive more articles like this, consider signing up for our lifestyle newsletter.
