Starbucks Ordered to Pay $50M After Delivery Driver's Hot Tea Burns

A California jury has awarded $50 million to delivery driver Michael Garcia after he suffered severe burns from a hot tea spill at a Starbucks drive-thru in February 2020. The jury found that a barista had improperly secured the cup, leading to the scalding liquid spilling into Garcia's lap, resulting in permanent damage requiring multiple surgeries. Garcia's attorney emphasized the ruling as a crucial step in holding Starbucks accountable for negligence regarding customer safety. While Starbucks expressed sympathy for Garcia, they disagreed with the verdict, labeling the damages as excessive and announcing plans to appeal the decision, insisting they uphold strict safety protocols. The case echoes previous high-profile lawsuits over hot beverages, including the infamous McDonald's coffee case. Garcia had previously rejected settlement offers from Starbucks, seeking accountability and policy changes within the company.