A Los Angeles man who suffered what his lawyers describe as “life-altering” burns when he spilled a piping hot tea in his lap at a Starbucks has been awarded a venti-sized judgment of $50 million.
Michael Garcia, a delivery driver, had claimed that Starbucks was negligent because the tea was not adequately secured in the tray when he accepted it into his vehicle during a visit back in 2020.
The injuries were pretty extensive. Upon pulling the tray into his car, the tea spilled, and Garcia suffered severe burns and permanent genital damage. Lawyers indicate that the brutal injuries included third-degree burns and PTSD.
Security camera footage of the handoff from the barista to Garcia in his car shows that the order was in his hands exclusively before the drink spilled. Shortly thereafter, the man was clearly in a lot of agony.
A California jury has awarded…
