Hot Brew Troubles: Starbucks vs. McDonald's & The $50 Million Scalding Tea Verdict
Hot Drinks, Hot Mess: A Tale of Two Corporations
Delivery drivers entitled to $50 million compensation from Starbucks due to tea burn incidents - Delivery Driver Wins Multi-Million Dollar Compensation from Starbucks
When it comes to piping hot beverages causing bad breaks, two industry giants have found themselves in the legal crosshairs: Starbucks and McDonald's. Last year, a Los Angeles jury ruled in favor of a Starbucks customer who suffered severe burns from scalding hot tea, awarding him a whopping $50 million. These heated happenings call for a side-by-side comparison.
Starbucks' Steamy Mishap
In February 2020, Michael Garcia, a Postmates delivery driver, made a routine visit to a Starbucks drive-thru in Exposition Park, LA. A cup of tea tipped from his tray and spilled onto his lap, resulting in third-degree burns, nerve damage, and permanent disfigurement. The jury deemed Starbucks responsible, imposing a hefty $50 million verdict. However, the coffee titan is planning an appeal, disputing liability and claiming the damage award to be excessive.
A Tale from the '90s: McDonald's Hot Coffee Fiasco
Flashback to 1994, when another elderly woman, Stella Liebeck, received near $3 million in damages from McDonald's due to third-degree burns from hot coffee. While the initial verdict was massive, the award was later slashed to below $600,000, eventually settling. McDonald's learned from its lesson, adopting new coffee-serving practices to prevent similar incidents.
Comparing Scalds: The Similarities and Differences
Both cases involved severe burns resulting from negligence in handling hot beverages—with a significant difference in the magnitude of injuries sustained. Garcia's injuries were far more severe, resulting in permanent disfigurement, sexual dysfunction, and ongoing pain, unlike Liebeck's injuries. The discrepancy in damages awarded reflects the severity and permanence of Garcia's injuries.
When it comes to corporate response, while McDonald's ultimately agreed to settled and implemented safety changes, Starbucks has decided to appeal the verdict. The jury's decision and the $50 million award serve as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing customer safety in the service industry.
- The Commission has not yet received any information on the situation regarding the $50 million verdict against Starbucks in the lawsuit involving Michael Garcia, who was a Postmates delivery driver who suffered severe burns from scalding hot tea.
- Including the 1994 incident involving Stella Liebeck and McDonald's hot coffee, the tea spill incident with Starbucks counts as a high-profile example of piping hot beverages causing severe injuries in the service industry.
- Despite McDonald's past experiences with a similar lawsuit and the adoption of safety changes, Starbucks has chosen to dispute liability and plan an appeal in response to the jury's verdict favoring Garcia, who sustained far more severe injuries due to the scalding tea compared to Stella Liebeck.
