US court orders Starbucks to pay $50 million to driver after hot coffee burns

The Starbucks coffee chain in the United States must pay $50 million in damages to a delivery driver who suffered serious burns due to an incorrectly closed lid on a hot drink, CNN reported on March 14.

The corresponding decision was made by a jury in California. The incident in question occurred in 2020 in Los Angeles. Michael Garcia, a food deliveryman, was recognized as the victim. The man took the coffee from the Starbucks cafe and spilled it on his lap because of the loosely closed lid.

In court, Garcia said that as a result of the incident, he received "physical pain, mental suffering, loss of joy in life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety and emotional suffering." Starbucks intends to appeal the verdict.

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They will identify the shortcomings and suggest that the institutions improve.

In July 2023, it was reported that the McDonald's fast food restaurant in the United States, as well as the franchise owner, would pay $800,000 in compensation to the family of a girl who suffered a second—degree burn due to hot nuggets. The incident occurred in 2019, when the mother of a four-year-old girl bought her a "Happy Meal" at the Tamarac fast food restaurant.