Driver wins US$50m after spilled Starbucks tea disfigures genitals

A delivery driver has won US$50 million (HK$390 million) in a lawsuit after being seriously burned when a Starbucks drink spilled in his lap at a California drive-through, court records show.

A Los Angeles County jury found for Michael Garcia, who underwent skin grafts and other procedures on his genitals after a venti-sized tea drink spilled after he collected it on February 8, 2020. He has suffered permanent and life-changing disfigurement, according to his attorneys.

Garcia's negligence lawsuit blamed his injuries on Starbucks, saying that an employee did not wedge the scalding-hot tea firmly enough into a takeout tray.

Starbucks said it sympathized with Garcia but planned to appeal.

"We disagree with the jury's decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive," the Seattle-based coffee giant said.

US eateries have faced lawsuits before over customer burns.

In one famous 1990s case, a New Mexico jury awarded a woman nearly US$3 million in damages for burns she suffered while trying to pry the lid off a cup of coffee at a McDonald's drive-through. A judge later reduced the award, and the case ultimately was settled for an undisclosed sum under US$600,000.

ASSOCIATED PRESS