A Los Angeles man has been awarded a staggering $50 million by a jury after sustaining severe burns from a cup of scalding hot tea that spilled onto his lap at a Starbucks drive-thru. Michael Garcia, a Postmates driver, experienced third-degree burns to his genitals and inner thighs due to the incident, which occurred at an Exposition Park location while he awaited a delivery, according to a CBS News Los Angeles report.
Security footage from inside the Starbucks showed that at least one cup was not properly secured on the tray when handed to Garcia. "Starbucks says if our hands are off the drink, then no matter what happens, we're not responsible," Garcia's trial attorney Nicholas Rowley said, in a statement obtained by CBS News Los Angeles. Rowley argued that despite Starbucks' corporate policy to fully secure hot drinks before customer handover, the company failed to do so in this instance.
Following a deliberation that lasted only about 40 minutes, the jury found in Garcia's favor and issued the multi-million-dollar award. Garcia has undergone multiple surgeries and still experiences daily pain along with severe PTSD as a result of the accident. “Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed. No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered,” said Rowley, as stated by NBC Los Angeles.
Starbucks, which has faced similar lawsuits in the past, expressed its intent 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 to be excessive," Starbucks commented in an email statement published by The Washington Post.
Starbucks initially made a $3 million pre-trial settlement offer. However, as the case progressed, the company increased its offer to $30 million. Garcia agreed to settle under the condition that Starbucks issue a public apology, implement policy changes, and mandate all locations to double-check hot drinks before serving them to customers. Starbucks declined these terms, and the case proceeded to trial, where a jury ultimately awarded Garcia $50 million, NBC Los Angeles reported.
