Delivery Driver Awarded $50M Over Starbucks Burn

NBC News reports:

A California delivery driver was awarded $50 million in damages after a jury agreed a Starbucks location was negligent in its handling of a scalding hot tea.

Michael Garcia sued the cafe chain after a tea spilled in his lap at a drive-thru and caused permanent disfigurement to his penis. His attorney Nick Rowley said in a press release that Garcia’s “life has been forever changed” by the accident.

Garcia was working as a Postmates delivery driver on Feb. 8, 2020, when he arrived at the Los Angeles Starbucks to pick up three venti “medicine ball” teas, according to his attorneys. He was handed a cardboard carrier with the drinks at the drive-thru when a cup fell directly into his lap and the top popped off one of the drinks.

Read the full article. Hit the link for much more. Starbucks says it will appeal. Garcia has reportedly undergone several skin grafts.

Los Angeles man awarded $50 million in case against Starbucks after suffering permanent injury from spilled tea https://t.co/2iusrIrJmv

— KCAL News (@kcalnews) March 15, 2025