Another drive-thru lawsuit has left Starbucks steaming after a jury awarded a staggering $50 million to a man whose scorching-hot tea left him permanently injured. The case, reminiscent of other drive-thru disasters, fuels the fire of corporate negligence lawsuits.
Postmates driver Michael Garcia suffered third-degree burns to his penis, groin, and thighs after a 180-degree Medicine Ball tea toppled onto his lap at a Los Angeles Starbucks in 2020. The jury ruled that Starbucks was 100% liable, citing a failure to properly secure the drink in the takeout tray.
Security footage caught the moment of impact, showing Garcia screaming in agony as the drink scalded him. His injuries led to skin grafts, permanent disfigurement, and PTSD—but Starbucks refused to settle on his terms. Now, instead of the $30 million pre-trial offer, the company has to cough up even more.
This isn’t the first time Starbucks has landed in hot legal water. In 2020, Tommy Piluyev sued after suffering severe burns to his hands, stomach, and genitals from another drive-thru tea spill. He even took on the cup manufacturer, claiming faulty lids played a role.
Starbucks, now planning to appeal Garcia’s record-breaking payout, maintains it wasn’t at fault. But as drive-thru mishaps keep stacking up, one question remains: is Starbucks just an unlucky target—or is it brewing a safety crisis?
