Starbucks ordered to pay $79 million to delivery driver burned by hot drink

A U.S. court ruled on Friday (local time) that Starbucks must pay a delivery driver $50 million (approximately AUD 79 million) in damages after a hot drink cup lid was improperly secured, causing severe burns to the driver. This incident has once again raised concerns about corporate safety responsibilities and discussions about consumer rights protection.

According to a lawsuit filed in California Superior Court in 2020, Michael Garcia was picking up an order at a Starbucks drive-thru in Los Angeles when "hot drinks ended up spilling on his lap, causing severe burns, disfigurement, and nerve damage to his genitals." The lawsuit alleged that Starbucks failed to properly secure the lid, breaching its duty of care. Garcia's lawyer, Michael Parker, stated that his client was picking up three drinks at the time, and one of the hot drinks was not fully inserted into the container.

Parker stated that when the barista handed the order to Garcia, one of the drinks fell out of the container and spilled on Garcia. According to trial recordings from Courtroom View Network, Garcia's damages included physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety, and emotional distress. These losses have not only caused Garcia tremendous physical and mental trauma but have also had a long-term impact on his life.

Starbucks has stated that it plans to appeal the verdict. A company spokesperson said in a statement: "We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jury's finding that we are responsible for the incident and believe that the damages awarded are excessive." Starbucks also emphasized that the company is always committed to implementing the highest safety standards in its stores, including the handling of hot drinks.

This lawsuit is reminiscent of a famous 1994 lawsuit against McDonald's, in which a woman spilled hot coffee on her lap, resulting in third-degree burns. The plaintiff in that case, Stella Liebeck, was initially awarded nearly $4.7 million. Both cases highlight the safety responsibilities that companies must bear when providing hot drinks, as well as the rights of consumers to seek compensation after suffering damages.