Starbucks hit with $50 million fine for spilled drink injury
Voice of America
15 Mar 2025, 15:17 GMT+10
A California jury Friday imposed a $50 million fine on Starbucks in the case of a delivery driver burned by a scalding cup of hot tea at a company location in Los Angeles.
Michael Garcia was picking up three drinks in 2020 but one, he claimed, was "negligently" unsecured and spilled in his lap. He claimed that he consequently "suffered severe burns, disfigurement, and debilitating nerve damage to his genitals" and he was taken to an emergency room by paramedics.
"Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed," his attorney, Nick Rowley, said.
"No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility," he added.
Starbucks said it planned 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," company spokesperson Jaci Anderson said in a statement.
"We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks," she added.
Share
Tweet
Share
Flip
Email
Subscribe and Follow
Get a daily dose of Illinois Intelligencer news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
News RELEASES
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Illinois Intelligencer.
More InformationChina hits Canadian agriculture with tariffs in trade retaliation
BEIJING, China: China has announced new tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products in retaliation for Canada's recent duties...
Trump says he ordered Washington DC clean up to keep PM Modi from seeing 'tents and graffiti'
Washington, DC (US), March 15 (ANI): US President Donald Trump has pledged to transform Washington, DC, into a 'crime-free capital,'...
CFU commends US for visa restrictions on officials involved in deporting Uyghurs to China
Washington, DC [US], March 15 (ANI): The Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU), a Uyghur advocacy group, has praised US Secretary of State Marco...
Update: "Ne Zha 2" storms into global box office top 5, cementing it as a cultural phenomenon
A man walks past a screen showing a poster of the Chinese animated film Ne Zha 2 before a preview screening at the BFI IMAX theater...
(SP)CHINA-BEIJING-SHORT TRACK SPEED SKATING-WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS-WOMEN'S 1000M(CN)
(250315) -- BEIJING, March 15, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Xandra Velzeboer (2nd L) of the Netherlands competes during the women's 1000m final...
Starbucks hit with $50 million fine for spilled drink injury
A California jury Friday imposed a $50 million fine on Starbucks in the case of a delivery driver burned by a scalding cup of hot tea...
NTSB urges FAA to restrict helicopters near Reagan National Airport
WASHINGTON, D.C.: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that helicopters will be permanently banned from flying near Washington...
Virginia governor warns US must fast-track fusion or fall behind China
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The U.S. must accelerate its efforts to develop fusion energy or risk losing its edge to China, Virginia Governor...
China now dominates shipbuilding; US faces security risks
WASHINGTON, D.C.: In the past 20 years, China has become the world's top shipbuilder, producing more than half of all commercial ships....
New York fires 2,000 prison guards after wildcat strike
ALBANY, New York: New York fired over 2,000 prison guards this week for not returning to work after a weeks-long strike that disrupted...
China hits Canadian agriculture with tariffs in trade retaliation
BEIJING, China: China has announced new tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products in retaliation for Canada's recent duties...
One dead, three injured as RV flips in Texas storm
ENNIS, Texas: A man died, and three of his family members were injured when their RV flipped several times during a strong storm at...
