LOS ANGELES (AP) — A significant legal victory for a delivery driver has emerged from a California jury's recent decision, awarding him $50 million in damages after he suffered severe burns from a spilled Starbucks drink. Michael Garcia filed a negligence lawsuit against the coffee giant following an incident on February 8, 2020, when a venti-sized tea drink overflowed into his lap just moments after he received it at a drive-through.
Court records related to the case indicate that Garcia endured multiple medical procedures, including skin grafts, to treat the injuries he sustained, which resulted in permanent and life-altering disfigurement, as indicated by his legal representatives. Garcia's lawsuit contended that Starbucks was negligent, asserting that the employee failed to properly secure the hot beverage within the takeout tray, leading to the unfortunate accident.
Attorney Nick Rowley, representing Garcia, expressed that the jury's verdict marked an important step towards holding Starbucks accountable for what he described as a "flagrant disregard for customer safety." This sentiment highlights a growing concern regarding the safety measures restaurants must implement to prevent such incidents from occurring.
In response to the jury's decision, Starbucks articulated its sympathy for Garcia but announced plans to appeal the ruling. The company disagrees with the findings that it bore responsibility for the incident and criticized the damages awarded as excessive. Starbucks emphasized its commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards when handling hot beverages, suggesting a continued defense against the claims made by Garcia.
Historically, the food service industry has faced numerous lawsuits regarding incidents of burns suffered by customers. A notable case from the 1990s involved a New Mexico jury awarding almost $3 million to a woman who was injured while attempting to remove a lid from a cup of hot coffee at a McDonald's drive-through. Although a judge later reduced that award and the case ultimately concluded with a settlement of less than $600,000, the incident underscores the complexities and challenges restaurants face in terms of liability for customer injuries.
Conversely, there have been instances where juries have ruled in favor of restaurants. For example, a case from the same decade involved a child in Iowa who accidentally tipped a cup of hot coffee onto himself while in a McDonald's establishment. Such cases illustrate the varied outcomes of legal disputes in the food service industry, often shaped by the details surrounding each incident.
The current case against Starbucks illustrates broader discussions surrounding customer safety and corporate accountability. As the appeal process unfolds, many will be watching closely to see how it impacts existing norms and practices within the industry related to hot beverage handling and customer protection.
