A California jury has ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million in damages to a customer who suffered severe burns after a hot coffee spill, CNN reports.
The verdict, delivered on Friday, stems from a lawsuit filed in 2020 in California Superior Court by Michael Garcia, who alleged that Starbucks failed in its duty of care by improperly securing a lid on a hot beverage.
According to digi24.ro, Garcia was picking up drinks at a Los Angeles drive-thru when one of the hot beverages spilled onto his lap, causing severe burns, nerve damage, and permanent disfigurement to his genitals. His attorney, Michael Parker, stated that Garcia had ordered three drinks, but one was not fully secured in its container. When a Starbucks employee handed over the order, the improperly placed drink fell, leading to the devastating injuries.
The court ruling detailed Garcia’s damages, which included physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disfigurement, and emotional distress. Despite the jury’s decision, Starbucks has announced its intention to appeal the verdict.
"We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jury's decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded are excessive," a Starbucks spokesperson said in a statement. "We have always been committed to maintaining the highest safety standards in our stores, including when it comes to handling hot beverages."
The case draws comparisons to the well-known 1994 lawsuit against McDonald’s, in which Stella Liebeck was awarded nearly $3 million after suffering third-degree burns from a scalding cup of coffee. That case became a landmark in consumer safety litigation, bringing attention to corporate responsibility in handling hot beverages.
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