Scalded by hot tea, US delivery driver to get Rs 432 cr from Starbucks

Starbucks has been ordered by a California jury to pay $50 million in damages to a delivery driver who suffered third-degree burns after a hot tea spilt on him due to a loose cover.

The incident which took place in February 2020 resulted in the man suffering an enfeebling nerve damage to his genitals severe burns and permanent disfigurement.

According to a report by CNN which quoted the lawsuit filed in the California Superior Court, Michael Garcia was picking up three venti-sized hot teas at a drive-through in Los Angeles when the beverage spilt on his lap, burning his penis, groin, and inner thighs.

Garcia's lawyer Michael Parker said that his client was picking up the drinks and one of them which had a loose lid wasn't pushed inside the container properly.

The lawyer said that the hot drink fell from the container and on Garcia when the barista handed over the order.

After multiple skin grafts, Michael has been living for five years with the disfigurement, pain, dysfunction, and psychological harm caused by the incident.

According to the publication's report which quoted a recording of the verdict from Courtroom View Network, Garcia's damages include - physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety and emotional distress.

Over the appeal, Starbucks had said, "We sympathise 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. We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks."

Later Starbucks offered to pay $30 million requesting confidentiality but Garcia demanded an apology and strict safety measures which were allegedly refused by the company.