Following the 9–3 jury verdict, Starbucks has announced its intent to appeal the ruling, aiming to reduce what it deems an “excessive” settlement amount in the negligence lawsuit.
Highlights
- Michael Garcia, a Postmates delivery driver, was awarded $50 million in damages after suffering severe burns from a Starbucks hot tea spill in 2020.
- Once a modest delivery driver with limited assets, he now boasts a net worth that positions him among the wealthier individuals in the country.
- There have been mixed reactions on social media regarding the case, with some claiming that the settlement is fair and others blaming Garcia of mishandling the drink, either out of carelessness or a deliberate attempt at fraud.
- Starbucks plans to appeal the verdict, arguing that the damages awarded are excessive and disputing their liability in the incident.
Michael Garcia, a California-based delivery driver, has recently become the focal point of national attention after being awarded $50 million in damages following a lawsuit against Starbucks.
This substantial verdict has not only transformed Garcia’s financial standing but has also sparked widespread discussions about corporate responsibility and customer safety.
The Scalding Hot Tea Gave Garcia Third Degree Burns On His Groin
On February 8, 2020, Michael Garcia, then working as a Postmates driver, arrived at a Starbucks drive-thru in Los Angeles to collect three venti-sized hot teas for a customer.
Among these was the popular “Medicine Ball” tea, known for its soothing properties.
According to court documents, as Garcia received the drinks, one of the cups was not securely placed in the drink carrier.
Within moments, the unsecured cup tipped over, causing the lid to dislodge and spilling scalding tea into Garcia’s lap.
This resulted in third-degree burns to his groin area, leading to permanent injuries and significant pain.
NEW: L.A. man wins $50 MILLION after suffering severe burns from spilled Starbucks tea
— Unlimited L's (@unlimited_ls) March 16, 2025
Delivery driver Michael Garcia suffered severe burns after a venti-sized Starbucks tea spilled on his lap on Feb. 8, 2020
His attorneys said the injuries were permanent and life-changing
The… pic.twitter.com/Xvj3xMzlr9
The Lawsuit Alleged “Life Altering Injuries”
In March 2020, Garcia filed a lawsuit against Starbucks, alleging negligence on the company’s part for failing to ensure the beverages were safely secured.
His legal team, led by attorney Nick Rowley, argued that the incident had caused life-altering injuries, including permanent disfigurement and nerve damage.
Despite Starbucks’ internal guidelines emphasizing the importance of securely packaging hot beverages, the jury found that these protocols were not adequately followed in this instance.
After deliberations, a Los Angeles County jury awarded Garcia $50 million in damages.
According to jurytriallawyer, the settlement “will be over $60+ Million with Pre Judgment Interest, Costs, and Attorneys fees.“
They added,
Starbucks offered $30 Million to settle but wanted confidentiality. We said we would settle for $30 Million without confidentiality and only if Starbucks agreed to publicly apologize and promise to change policy to prevent this from happening again.
Instagram
This verdict is among the highest in cases involving hot beverage injuries, drawing parallels to the infamous McDonald’s hot coffee lawsuit from the 1990s.
Starbucks has expressed its intention to appeal the decision, stating,
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.
AP News
History Repeats itself, this time with inflation included. A California man successfully scammed Starbucks for $50 million. I bet he planned it based on the McDonald's hot coffee lawsuit. pic.twitter.com/8Xk4lSbnn0
— Jere_Memez (@Jere_Memez) March 16, 2025
If It Stands, The Settlement Will Be One Of The Largest In History
Prior to the incident, Michael Garcia led a modest life as a delivery driver in Los Angeles.
Details about his early life, family background, and personal interests remain largely private, as Garcia has chosen to maintain a low public profile.
At the time of the accident, his earnings were reflective of the average income for gig economy workers, indicating a modest financial standing.
A man in California won $50 million in a lawsuit against Starbucks after he suffered severe burns when a venti tea spilled in his lap.#Lawsuit #Starbucks #Tea #DriveThru #StarbucksLawsuit #Coffee #Jury #Verdict pic.twitter.com/H4bYiYFB8i
— Brut America (@brutamerica) March 16, 2025
The $50 million award, which is one of the largest settlements in history of similar lawsuits, has dramatically altered Garcia’s financial landscape.
Before the lawsuit, his net worth was likely typical of a delivery driver’s income, with limited assets and savings.
Post-verdict, Garcia’s net worth has skyrocketed, positioning him among the wealthier individuals in the country.
While sudden wealth can lead to significant lifestyle changes, there is currently no public information regarding how Garcia plans to manage or utilize his newfound fortune.
The High-Profile Case Has Garnered Mixed Reactions
The public’s response to the verdict has been mixed.
Many sympathize with Garcia’s ordeal, emphasizing the severity of his injuries and the impact on his quality of life.
Others question the size of the award, debating the balance between fair compensation and excessive punitive damages.
One user said,
Damn I got hit by a car, broke my hip and shoulder and I’ll be lucky to get 6 figures out of it. I’m in the wrong victim racket.
Twitter
Some have even shifted the blame to Garcia himself, accusing him of being careless and negligent while receiving the drinks.
https://t.co/4iFgIlzSlf
— Deforester Kelly (@MalRageFFXIV) March 16, 2025
Dude required multiple surgeries and skin grafts. Doesn't sound like an over reach from the jury or a scam from the dude. pic.twitter.com/1fLMfglzY0
Similar to the 1990s McDonald’s case, a vocal minority of social media users have even accused him of deliberately spilling the drink on himself for a “cashout.”
A Facebook user commented,
Should have been thrown out of court. These frivolous lawsuits are not only ridiculous. But costing us thousands of dollars in insurance premiums. That same person that got burned by a hot cup of coffee. Would have wanted to sue if that cup of coffee would have been cold.
Facebook
This case has reignited discussions about corporate accountability and the responsibilities companies have in ensuring customer safety.
In addition, reactions from Starbucks executives have also brought up conversations about their ethically grey area regarding their treatment of employees and unfair compensation.
This is what we mean when we talk about corporate greed: Starbucks gave its CEO $96 million for just 4 months of work. Meanwhile, Starbucks is refusing to offer a raise of more than 50 cents an hour to 12,000 union workers.
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) January 25, 2025
That's unacceptable. Starbucks must end their greed.
Starbucks maintains that it adheres to stringent safety protocols in its stores.
In a statement following the verdict, the company asserted,
We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks.
businessinsider.com
The planned appeal indicates Starbucks’ intent to challenge the jury’s decision, potentially leading to further legal proceedings.
Whether the $50 million award will stand or be adjusted upon appeal remains to be seen, but the conversations it has sparked about safety, responsibility, and justice are likely to persist.
Additional Information
- Starbucks has faced other lawsuits involving hot beverages, including a 2017 case where a Florida woman was awarded $100,000 after suffering burns from spilled coffee.
- The infamous McDonald’s hot coffee case in 1992, Liebeck v. McDonald’s Restaurants, initially resulted in a $2.7 million punitive damages award, though it was later reduced to roughly $600,000.
- Starbucks’ market capitalization as of March 2025 is approximately $120.95 billion, making it one of the most valuable companies in the food and beverage sector.
