#Socialites, get a load of this scorching tea! A jury is ordering Starbucks to pay a Los Angeles delivery driver $50 million after hot tea spilled on him and severely burned his genitals.
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On Friday (March 14), a jury in California awarded $50 million in damages to a Los Angeles delivery driver whose genitals were severely burned by a cup of hot tea in a Starbucks drive-through in February 2020. According to a negligence lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, 30-year-old Michael Garcia, who was 25 at the time, was picking up a Postmates delivery order when a cup of hot tea spilled into his lap, resulting in disfiguration of his private parts.
Lawyers For LA Delivery Driver Severely Burned By Starbucks Hot Tea Blame Barista And Company’s Policies
The lawyers for Michael Garcia argued that he suffered severe burn injuries after one of three loosely placed 180-degree, venti-size Medicine Ball drinks fell onto his lap at a Jefferson Park drive-thru 5 years ago. In a statement, Nick Rowley, one of Mr. Garcia’s lawyers, said:
“This jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility.”
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Garcia’s lawyers claimed that the Starbucks barista stationed at the window “negligently failed to properly” secure one of the hot drinks into a drink carrier, which caused it to fall out of the tray and into Garcia’s lap. Supporting their argument is video from inside the store. The footage captured Mr. Garcia squirming in pain as he pulls away from the drive-thru window.
The complaint said Starbucks “did not securely fasten the lids of each hot beverage that were negligently, carelessly and recklessly served” to Garcia. His lawyers further said that Garcia ended up in the emergency room. They explained he suffered third-degree burns to his penis, groin, and inner thighs. While hospitalized, Garcia underwent multiple skin grafts and other medical treatments on his genitals. His lawyers also said:
“Mr. Garcia has lived for five years with the disfigurement, pain, dysfunction, and psychological harm caused by the burns.”
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Starbucks Disagrees With Jury Awarding $50 Million To LA Delivery Driver Whose Genitals Were Burned By Hot Tea
Starbucks initially made a $3 million pre-trial offer. Later, wanting to settle the case, the company offered Garcia $30 million. He agreed under the condition that Starbucks apologize, change its policies, and issue a memo to all of its restaurants to double-check hot drinks before handing them to customers. Starbucks declined the terms. Subsequently, the jury eventually landed on the final $50 million decision.
On Sunday (March 16), Starbucks said that although it sympathized with Garcia, the company plans to appeal the jury’s verdict. Jaci Anderson, Director of Corporate Communications, said in a statement:
“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. We plan to appeal. We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks.”
However, according to the jury’s $50 million award for Garcia, the damages cover the driver’s physical pain, mental suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, and anxiety. Furthermore, after interest, attorneys’ fees, and other costs, Garcia’s lawyers say the award will likely total more than $60 million.
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