Starbucks faces a high-profile authorized problem after a California driver was awarded $50 million in a scorching tea spill lawsuit.
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Ned Snowman
A California supply driver has been awarded $50 million in damages following a life-altering harm he sustained at a Starbucks drive-through in 2020.
In line with courtroom data, Michael Garcia suffered intensive burns to his genitals when a venti-sized scorching tea allegedly tipped over resulting from improper dealing with by Starbucks employees.
Critical accidents spark $50M lawsuit towards Starbucks
Garcia’s authorized crew argued that the tea was scalding-hot and never wedged securely in a takeout tray, inflicting it to spill simply moments after he collected it from the drive-through window. The burns required pores and skin grafts and a number of medical procedures, and his legal professionals keep that he’ll face everlasting disfigurement because of this. “This verdict is a vital step in holding Starbucks accountable for placing clients in danger,” mentioned Garcia’s lawyer, Nick Rowley.
Starbucks to attraction ‘extreme’ $50M verdict in Tea spill case
The Seattle-based espresso big expressed sympathy for Garcia however referred to as the jury’s resolution ‘extreme’ and insists it’s dedicated to sustaining excessive security requirements. “We disagree with the jury’s conclusion that we had been at fault,” a Starbucks spokesperson mentioned in an announcement, including that the corporate plans to problem the decision in courtroom.
This high-profile case attracts parallels to the Nineties McDonald’s espresso lawsuit, by which a New Mexico jury awarded a lady practically $3 million after she was badly burned whereas eradicating a espresso cup lid. Though her award was later lowered, the case stays a benchmark for decent beverage litigation. Juries, nonetheless, haven’t all the time dominated in favour of plaintiffs: in one other Nineties incident, a toddler who spilt espresso on himself at a McDonald’s in Iowa didn’t obtain damages.
Garcia’s authorized crew says the $50 million judgement underscores the seriousness of serving extraordinarily scorching drinks with out enough security measures—a priority that continues to make headlines throughout the USA.