Starbucks Ordered to Pay $50 Million After Hot Tea Severely Burns Man’s Pen!s in Drive-Thru Incident

A California man has been awarded $50 million in damages after suffering severe injuries from a spilled hot tea at a Starbucks drive-thru, a jury determined.

Michael Garcia, a delivery driver for Postmates, filed a lawsuit against the coffee giant following a February 8, 2020 incident in Los Angeles. Garcia had arrived to pick up three venti “medicine ball” teas when one of the cups, allegedly not properly secured in the cardboard drink carrier, spilled directly into his lap. The top came off, and the scalding tea caused third-degree burns to his penis, groin, and inner thighs.

Garcia’s attorney, Nick Rowley, said the accident left his client permanently disfigured and in chronic pain. According to Rowley, Garcia underwent two skin graft procedures at the Grossman Burn Center and continues to experience pain from even slight friction in the affected areas.

“Michael’s life has been forever changed,” Rowley said in a statement. “No amount of money can undo the catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for their disregard of customer safety.”

The jury sided with Garcia’s legal team, which argued that the Starbucks employee failed to properly secure the drink in the carrier before handing it through the drive-thru window. Surveillance video released by Rowley’s firm shows the tea being prepared and the moment it spilled onto Garcia’s lap.

Starbucks, in response, said it plans to appeal the decision. “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,” the company said. “We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores.”