July 2, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Scalding Hot Tea Leads to Million Dollar Jury Verdict Against Starbucks in West Adams

Jury Sides with Burn Victim, Orders Starbucks to Pay for “Horrific Injuries”

A Los Angeles jury has awarded $50 million in damages to a delivery driver who suffered severe burns after two cups of hot tea spilled onto his lap at a Starbucks in West Adams. The verdict, reached on March 14, stems from a February 2020 incident in which the driver, Michael Garcia, sustained life-altering injuries due to what he claimed was negligence by a Starbucks employee.

According to Los Angeles County Superior Court records reviewed by the Los Angeles Times, Garcia received two cups of hot tea from a Starbucks employee at the location on the corner of Western Avenue and Jefferson Boulevard. He testified that the barista failed to properly secure the lids on the drinks, causing them to spill from the beverage carrier and onto his lap.

Garcia’s legal team argued that the burns resulted in “horrific injuries” that required multiple surgeries and left him with “permanent disfigurement” to his groin area. The Times also reported that Garcia underwent multiple rounds of skin grafts, surgeries, and additional medical treatments. His attorneys claimed that he continues to suffer from significant pain, sexual dysfunction, and permanent scarring.

Before the case went to trial, Starbucks initially offered Garcia a $3 million settlement, which was later increased to $30 million, according to CBS News. Garcia was reportedly willing to accept the offer on the condition that Starbucks issue a formal apology and revise its policies to ensure that all hot beverages are securely sealed before being handed to customers. However, Starbucks refused to agree to those terms, leading to a jury trial.

After hearing testimony and reviewing evidence, the jury sided with Garcia, awarding him $50 million in damages—substantially more than the company’s highest settlement offer.

In response to the verdict, Starbucks announced its intention to appeal. In a statement provided to The New York Times, the coffee chain said, “We disagree with the jury’s decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive.”

Related Posts

(Video) Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp from celebrated cookbook author Kiano Moju Has Been Extended Until July 3 at Citizen Public Market

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Bold Flavors and Spice Merge with Crisp, Chewy Chapati. Delicious With a Caring Chef and Staff. Jikoni, the AfriCali PopUp...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...

(Video) Los Angeles County Supervisor from the 2nd district, Holly J. Mitchel, Gives a Powerful Speech

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Supervisor Mitchell Called on Residents to take action at the rally for Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano in Culver City.

Top Military Commander Urges Return of Troops Deployed to ICE Protest Response

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

General Requests 200 National Guard Soldiers Be Returned to California Wildfire Unit The senior U.S. military officer overseeing federal forces...

Second Victim Killed Alongside LAPD Sergeant in Brentwood 405 Crash Identified

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

Authorities Confirm Garcia, 34, Died at the Scene, GoFundMe Launched  Authorities have identified the civilian who was killed alongside a...

The Westside Lights Up for July 4: Fireworks, Drone Shows, and Parades Return Across West Los Angeles

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

From Marina Del Rey’s Fireworks to Culver City’s 1980s-Themed Drone Show, Get Ready to Celebrate From fireworks over Marina del...

California Judge Rules FAIR Plan’s Smoke Damage Policy Unlawful

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Court Says Wildfire Insurance Program Illegally Denied Claims Legal protections for California homeowners took a step forward this week after...

(Video) Culver City Residents and City and County Leaders Rally for Disappeared Ice Cream Man Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

US Representative for California’s 37th Congressional District, Sydney Kamlager-Dove Speaks About What is happening to the disappeared.

Historic Sawtelle Nursery Site Could Become 40-Unit Townhome Complex

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Sawtelle Continues to Change as Nursery Site Faces Redevelopment Plans have been submitted to redevelop a nursery site, F.K. Nursery,...

Drake Slashes Price on Beverly Hills Estate to $79 Million Amid Market Slowdown

June 29, 2025

June 29, 2025

Price Cut Adds to a Broader Retreat From His Los Angeles Real Estate Holdings. Musician Drake has reduced the price...

Iranian Pastor in West L.A. Speaks as Church Rocked by Immigration Raids 

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Five Detained as Fear Spreads Through Persian Christian Faith Community  Fear has spread through a West Los Angeles congregation after...

Overdose Deaths Drop 22% in Los Angeles County, Marking Largest Decline on Record

June 28, 2025

June 28, 2025

Fentanyl Fatalities Fell 37% as County Ramps up Funding for Prevention, Treatment Drug overdose deaths in Los Angeles County declined...

Cinespia Brings Fireworks and Fan Favorites to Hollywood Forever This July

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Watch Top Gun, La La Land, and More Under the Stars at Hollywood Forever Cinespia, Los Angeles’ iconic outdoor movie...