Starbucks must pay customer $50M in burn injury case: jury
A Los Angeles jury has ruled that Starbucks must pay US$50 million in damages to a customer who suffered severe burns from a drive-through mishap, marking one of the largest personal injury awards against the coffee giant.
The case centred around Michael Garcia, a Postmates delivery driver who, in February 2020, visited a Starbucks drive-through in Exposition Park to collect three Venti-sized hot teas.
According to court records, as a barista passed Garcia a cardboard drink carrier, the tray collapsed, spilling two of the teas onto his lap. The lids popped off, and Garcia sustained serious burns, including injuries that required multiple surgeries and resulted in permanent disfigurement.
Garcia alleged that the Starbucks employee had not properly secured the drink lids and that one of the teas appeared unsteady in the tray before it was handed to him. A store security video appeared to support his claim.
Starbucks countered that Garcia’s injuries were not due to negligence on its part, suggesting he bore some responsibility for the incident. However, the jury sided with Garcia, concluding that the company failed in its duty of care.
The legal battle and Starbucks’ response
During the trial, Starbucks sought to limit its liability by arguing “contributory negligence” on Garcia’s part. The company initially offered to settle for $3 million, later increasing the offer to $30 million.
Garcia was open to a settlement but insisted Starbucks issue a public apology and introduce new safety measures requiring employees to double-check drink security. Starbucks declined, and the case proceeded to trial.
Following the verdict, Starbucks announced its intention 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,” said Jaci Anderson, the company’s director of corporate communications.
Anderson reiterated Starbucks’ commitment to safety in handling hot beverages.
Echoes of the McDonald’s coffee case
This high-profile verdict draws comparisons to the infamous 1994 case in which a jury awarded $3 million to 79-year-old Stella Liebeck, who suffered third-degree burns from a McDonald’s coffee spill.
The case sparked a widespread debate about corporate liability and led to calls for limits on large jury awards in personal injury cases.
Like McDonald’s at the time, Starbucks now finds itself in the hot seat, facing scrutiny over its handling of customer safety. The case could influence future discussions about product liability and operational standards in the fast-food and coffee industry.
More legal troubles ahead?
The Garcia verdict may not be the last of its kind for Starbucks. In 2024, another lawsuit was filed by Muriel Evans, a South Los Angeles resident who alleges she suffered severe nerve damage and disfigurement after a Starbucks barista spilled a hot drink on her lap.
Evans’ attorneys claim Starbucks has a pattern of “reckless disregard” for customer safety, citing “countless reports and warnings” about defective cups. Her trial is set for February 2026.
With Starbucks now facing heightened legal scrutiny, this case raises serious questions about how the company manages risk, customer safety, and reputational damage.
Whether Starbucks’ appeal succeeds or not, the lawsuit – and others like it – is expected to serve as a wake-up call for businesses that underestimate the consequences of a single mishandled transaction.