Starbucks customer gets $50m payout from chain after suing over drink order mishap that was caught on camera
A MAN has won $50 million after a scalding hot Starbucks drink spilled all over his lap and disfigured his penis.
Postmates driver Michael Garcia suffered severe burn injuries when the 180-degree, venti-sized Medicine Ball tea tipped over when a barista handed him a tray of drinks through the drive-thru in 2020.
A Los Angeles County jury found Starbucks fully liable for the spilled drinks after Garcia’s negligence lawsuit blamed his injuries on the coffee shop chain.
The lawsuit said the Starbucks employee didn’t push the hot tea firmly enough onto the takeout tray, causing it to tip over.
Garcia sued the chain after he suffered third-degree burns to his penis, groin, and inner thighs in the accident.
Video footage from inside the drive-thru shows the intense moment Garcia was handed the drinks in February 2020.
Seconds after he takes them, one of the large teas tips over and dumps all over Garcia, leaving him screaming in agony.
The barista at the drive-thru in Jefferson Park, Los Angeles, looked shocked as Garcia drove away in pain.
Garcia’s lawyers argued the video showed one of the drinks was loosely placed in the tray when it was handed to him.
The iconic coffee shop chain requires workers to fully secure hot drinks in their trays before handing them to customers, according to their policies.
“Despite being repeatedly warned about the dangers of improperly secured drinks, [Starbucks] chose to ignore safety,” said one of Garcia’s attorneys, Nick Rowley, according to NBC affiliate KNBC.
Garcia suffers severe PTSD from the incident, according to evidence submitted during the trial.
The trial also revealed the incident left Garcia with permanent disfigurement and discoloration on his penis.
He had to undergo skin grafts and undergo other procedures on his genitals, but still reportedly has less length and girth and struggles to maintain an erection.
“Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed,” Rowley said.
“No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered.”
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
Starbucks initially made a $3 million pre-trial offer and then later offered Garcia $30 million to settle the case.
Garcia said yes, but only if Starbucks apologized and changed its policies.
He also asked that Starbucks issue a memo to all of their employees to double-check hot drinks before giving them to customers.
Starbucks declined the terms – and now has to pay even more.
The company still insists they weren’t to blame.
“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 said in a statement.
“We plan to appeal. We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks.”
Starbucks hasn’t returned The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.
Another California man sued Starbucks for a similar incident in 2020.
Tommy Piluyev suffered lasting damage to his hands, genitals, stomach, and thighs after Starbucks’ burning hot tea spilled on him in 2018.
The 22-year-old also sued the manufacturing company that made the chain’s cups and lids.