Starbucks to Pay $50M in Burn Lawsuit

Michael Garcia, a delivery driver, was awarded $50 million by a Los Angeles jury after suffering severe burns when a Starbucks tea spilled on his lap in 2020. The lawsuit claimed the spill resulted from Starbucks' negligence in not securing the drink properly in the takeout tray. Garcia, who underwent skin grafts and suffered permanent disfigurement, alleged the incident caused severe physical and psychological harm. Starbucks, expressing sympathy but disagreeing with the verdict, plans to appeal the decision, arguing the damages are excessive. This case is reminiscent of past high-profile lawsuits involving hot beverage burns in the U.S., highlighting ongoing safety concerns in food service. Garcia's attorneys emphasized the verdict as a significant step in holding Starbucks accountable for customer safety lapses.