A California delivery driver was awarded $50 million in damages after a Los Angeles County jury found Starbucks negligent for its handling of a scalding hot tea.
Michael Garcia, the plaintiff, suffered severe burns when two venti-sized tea drinks spilled onto his lap at the drive-thru on February 8, 2020. The incident has left him with third-degree burns and required multiple skin grafts, according to court documents.
The jury reached its verdict on March 15, 2025, concluding Garcia’s negligence lawsuit, which argued Starbucks was at fault because one of its employees failed to securely wedge the drinks within the carry-out tray. This negligence led to the drinks falling during the handoff, causing severe injuries to Garcia's genitals.
"This jury verdict is acritical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility," said Nick Rowley, one of Garcia’s attorneys. He emphasized the permanent impact the incident has had on Garcia's life, reinforcing how the case serves as both personal justice for Garcia and as accountability for the coffee giant.
Starbucks expressed its sympathy for Garcia but stood firm on its disagreement with the jury’s findinings. “We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jury’s decisionthat we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive,” said Jaci Anderson, Starbucks’ Director of Corporate Communications.
Garcia's case brings back memories of similar high-profile lawsuits when customers suffered burns from hot beverages. Notably, Stella Liebeck, who sued McDonald's after being scalded by hot coffee, became the face of the infamous 1994 case where she was awarded $3 million, though this amount was later reduced. The similarities between the two cases underline the recurring issues of customer safety relating to hot fluids served by fast-food chains.
During the trial, evidence was presented showing security footage of the Starbucks drive-thru, which depicted the improper securing of the drinks during the transfer process. Garcia testified he noticed one of the drink lids was not fitted properly before the drinks were handed over.
After the jury's verdict, Starbucks made it clear they intend to appeal, claiming the awarded damages do not accurately reflect the situation. Prior to the trial, Starbucks had offered Garcia $3 million and later increased the offer to $30 million to settle the lawsuit outside of court. Garcia, seeking more than just financial compensation, requested changes to store policies, such as ensuring all drinks were double-checked for safety before being handed over to customers.
Garcia’s case does not stand alone; it sits within the broader narrative of consumer safety issues within the food industry. Earlier this year, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q was ordered to pay $2.8 million to another individual burned by hot barbecue sauce, and another complaint against Starbucks has surfaced from Muriel Evans, who is set for trial after similar injuries sustained from another scalding drink mishap.
The award granted to Garcia and the ensuing attention could have ripple effects across the foodservice industry, as companies reassess their protocols for handling hot beverages and potential liability. Starbucks, already undergoing significant changes including announced layoffs affecting 1,100 employees globally, may face mounting pressure to improve customer safety measures.
The outcome of Garcia's case stresses the importance of accountability and could set precedents for future claims against large establishments, especially as more consumers step forward with their own stories of incidents involving hot drinks.
With Starbucks planning to fight the verdict and appeals underway, the final resolution remains uncertain. Garcia's struggle, deeply personal and rooted in suffering, continues to resonate as it highlights the core issue of safety at fast-food establishments.