Hot coffee spilled on courier costs Starbucks 50 million dollars
In a lawsuit heard in the U.S. state of California, Starbucks has been ordered to pay 50 million dollars in damages for negligence in serving hot beverages.
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The incident occurred in Los Angeles in 2020. A courier named Michael Garcia experienced a major misfortune when the lid of one of the hot drinks he received from a Starbucks drive-thru was not properly secured. The spilled beverage caused severe burns to Garcia's genital area.
Garcia's attorney, Michael Parker, stated that his client had picked up three drinks during the order delivery, but one of them was not properly seated in the carrier, causing it to spill and resulting in significant physical and psychological harm.
A LIFE-CHANGING ACCIDENT
According to court records, following the incident, Garcia not only suffered physical pain but also faced severe consequences such as mental distress, anxiety, disfigurement, and loss of physical function.
STARBUCKS TO APPEAL THE DECISION
Starbucks announced that it would appeal the court's decision. In a statement from the company, it was said, "We express our sympathy to Mr. Garcia for his experience, but we disagree with the jury's verdict. We believe the amount of damages is excessive and we remain committed to maintaining the highest safety standards at all times."
This case brings to mind the famous Stella Liebeck case filed against McDonald's in 1994, which also involved a similar hot beverage accident. Liebeck had suffered third-degree burns due to coffee spilled on her and was awarded approximately 3 million dollars in damages.
The Starbucks case has reignited debates regarding the safe serving of hot beverages.