Starbucks Ordered to Pay $50M in Hot Tea Burn Case

Starbucks Ordered to Pay $50M in Hot Tea Burn Case

Introduction

A California jury has awarded $50 million in damages to a delivery driver who was severely burned when a Starbucks drink spilled in his lap at a Los Angeles County drive-through, according to court documents.

Incident Resulted in Permanent Injury

The incident occurred on February 8, 2020, when the plaintiff received a venti-sized hot tea. Moments after taking the beverage, it tipped over, spilling scalding liquid onto his lap. The man required extensive medical treatment, including skin grafts on his genitals, and continues to experience permanent and life-altering disfigurement, his attorneys said.

Allegations of Negligence Against Starbucks

The lawsuit accused Starbucks of negligence, asserting that the employee failed to properly secure the hot drink in a takeout tray, which directly led to the injury. The jury agreed with the plaintiff’s claim and returned a verdict in his favor. One of his attorneys described the outcome as a significant step toward holding Starbucks accountable for what they termed a disregard for customer safety.

Starbucks Plans to Appeal Verdict

In a statement, Starbucks expressed sympathy for the plaintiff but disagreed with the jury’s decision. The company stated the damages were excessive and announced its intention to appeal. Starbucks reiterated its commitment to upholding high safety standards when serving hot beverages.

Previous Burn Lawsuits Against Restaurants

This case recalls similar lawsuits involving hot drink burns. Notably, in the 1990s, a New Mexico jury awarded nearly $3 million to a woman injured by a McDonald's coffee spill, though the amount was later reduced. In contrast, other juries, such as in a separate McDonald’s case in Iowa, have sided with the defense.