In a significant legal ruling, Starbucks has been ordered to pay approximately $50 million in damages to Michael Garcia, a former delivery driver. This decision stems from a severe incident where a hot beverage spilled from its carrier onto Garcia’s lap while he was collecting an order at a drive-thru window.
On February 8, 2020, Garcia, who was working for Postmates, picked up three hot drinks from the drive-thru at Exposition Park. Due to improper securing of the drinks in the carrier, at least one cup, containing hot tea, tipped over and poured into his lap.
CCTV footage captured the incident, revealing the severity of the spill, which resulted in third-degree burns, nerve damage, and lasting injuries to Garcia’s genital area. As a consequence of these injuries, he underwent multiple surgeries and subsequently filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, citing the company’s negligence.
Starbucks’ Attempt to Negotiate a Pre-Trial Settlement
Following the lawsuit, Starbucks proposed a settlement of $3 million to Garcia before the trial commenced. This offer was later increased to $30 million, still before entering the courtroom.
Garcia expressed willingness to accept the latter amount under specific conditions. He requested a formal apology, a commitment to change safety policies, and the implementation of a memo across their outlets emphasizing the need for double-checking hot drinks before handover to customers or delivery personnel.
Garcia’s attorney, Nicholas Rowley, criticized Starbucks’ stance on liability. He said:
“Starbucks says if our hands are off the drink, then no matter what happens, we’re not responsible. So, if I’m Starbucks and I hand you a drink that doesn’t have a lid that’s secured, and it’s a scalding hot, 180-degree drink, or if I hand you a drink that’s in a container and it’s loose and it’s not secured, and it falls right on you — the moment that I take my hands off of it, then you’re responsible and I, the corporation, am not.”
Starbucks rejected Garcia’s terms, leading to the case proceeding to trial.
Court Awards $50 Million to Garcia
On March 14, 2025, the court ruled in favor of Garcia, awarding him $50 million in damages due to the injuries sustained and Starbucks’ negligence. Rowley remarked on the verdict:
“Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed. 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.”
In response, Starbucks expressed dissatisfaction with the verdict and plans to appeal, stating to CBS News:
“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.”
Garcia’s injuries necessitated skin grafts, resulting in lifelong consequences.
Previous Legal Challenges for Starbucks
Starbucks has faced similar lawsuits before, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety of their hot beverages. For instance, in 2017, a delivery driver in Denver reported an incident where a lid malfunction and the absence of a heat sleeve led to a severe spill, resulting in injuries not only to her but also to her dog, which later died from burn injuries.
In another case from 2018, a man endured 11 days in a burn unit after being burned by a hot drink while picking up an order at a California drive-thru.
These precedents underscore the critical need for stringent safety measures in the handling of hot beverages, particularly as more consumers opt for convenient delivery options.