A California jury awarded $50 million to a delivery driver, Michael Garcia, after a Starbucks tea spill caused severe burns and permanent disfigurement to his groin. Garcia’s lawyers argued the accident was due to negligence, while Starbucks denied responsibility and vowed to appeal the ruling.
A California jury has awarded $50 million in damages to Michael Garcia, a delivery driver who suffered severe burns after a scalding Starbucks tea spilled in his lap. The incident, which occurred at a Los Angeles drive-thru in 2020, left Garcia with permanent disfigurement to his groin area, leading to extensive medical treatment, including two skin grafts.
Garcia's attorneys argued that the Starbucks employee failed to secure the cup properly, causing the accident. His lawyer, Nick Rowley, emphasized the severe and lasting impact on Garcia’s life, stating that the verdict holds Starbucks accountable for negligence. Starbucks, however, denied liability and announced plans to appeal, calling the compensation excessive.
