Starbucks to Pay Around Rs 434 Crore ($50 million) in Damages After Hot Drink Burns Delivery Driver

Starbucks Drink Burns Delivery Driver: Starbucks expressed disagreement with the ruling and announced plans to appeal.

A California jury has ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million (approximately Rs 434.78 crore) in damages to a delivery driver who suffered severe burns after a hot beverage spilled on him due to an improperly secured lid.

The incident occurred on February 8, 2020, when Michael Garcia, a delivery driver, collected an order from a Starbucks drive-through in Los Angeles. According to court filings, the barista failed to properly secure one of the hot drinks in the beverage carrier, resulting in a serious accident.

Garcia’s attorney, Michael Parker, explained that his client was handed a drink carrier containing three beverages. However, one of the hot drinks had not been securely placed, causing it to fall and spill onto Garcia’s lap. As a result, Garcia sustained third-degree burns, nerve damage, and disfigurement. His injuries were described as both physically and emotionally devastating, significantly impacting his quality of life.

The jury ruled in Garcia’s favour, citing physical pain, mental distress, and long-term impairment as key reasons for awarding substantial compensation.

In response to the verdict, Starbucks expressed disagreement with the ruling and announced plans to appeal. “We sympathise with Mr Garcia, but we disagree with the jury’s decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive. We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks,” said Starbucks spokesperson Jaci Anderson, according to the Los Angeles Daily News.

Meanwhile, Garcia’s legal team maintained that their client’s life had been irrevocably altered due to Starbucks’ negligence. Nick Rowley, Garcia’s attorney and co-founder of Trial Lawyers for Justice, stated, “Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed. No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility.”

Before the trial, Starbucks had reportedly made settlement offers. Initially, the company proposed $3 million (around Rs 26 crore) and later increased the offer to $30 million (around Rs 261 crore). Garcia was willing to accept the offer if Starbucks apologised, revised its policies, and instructed its stores to double-check the security of hot drinks before handing them to customers. However, Starbucks reportedly refused to meet those conditions, leading the case to trial.

The incident has drawn comparisons to the famous 1994 McDonald’s lawsuit, in which Stella Liebeck suffered third-degree burns from spilled coffee and was initially awarded nearly $3 million in damages.

Also Read: Here’s How Lying Down for 10 Days Could Earn You Rs 4.7 Lakh

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