In 2020, an incident in Los Angeles drew attention to safety issues in the service sector and the accountability of major companies. Courier Michael Garcia, who arrived to pick up an order at a Starbucks auto service location, suffered severe burns after one of the cups of hot tea turned out to be defective and the liquid spilled onto his body. The incident resulted in a court case, which ended with Starbucks being ordered to pay the victim $50 million in compensation.
Causes and consequences
The court proceedings revealed that one of the cups Garcia received with his order had a poorly secured lid. When the courier picked up the drinks, some of the hot tea spilled onto his thighs and groin area, causing third-degree burns. The victim required urgent hospitalization and subsequent treatment at a specialized center, where he underwent several skin graft surgeries.
Garcia’s attorney noted that the consequences of the injury were irreversible and had significantly changed his client’s life. According to the defense, surveillance video from the scene confirmed that the courier acted carefully and made no mistakes when receiving the order.
Starbucks’ position
Starbucks, in turn, expressed sympathy for the victim but disagreed with the court’s decision. Company representatives stated that they do not consider themselves responsible for what happened and believe the compensation amount is excessive. Starbucks also emphasized that it always pays special attention to safety standards, including when handling hot beverages.
The company has already announced its intention to file an appeal to contest both the very finding of liability and the amount of compensation awarded.
Other cases and context
This case has become one of the most notable among a series of legal proceedings involving Starbucks in recent years. As Talent24h notes, the company has previously faced large fines and compensations. In 2023, Starbucks was ordered to pay $25.6 million to a former employee who was dismissed after an incident at one of its venues. In 2021, the chain was also fined 12,000 euros following a complaint from a customer from Thailand over a discriminatory drawing on a cup.
With the latest ruling, Starbucks once again found itself at the center of discussions regarding corporate responsibility and safety standards. The compensation amount set by the California court is among the largest in the company’s history and may influence future practices in handling hot drinks and customer service.
