California Man Wins $50 Million Lawsuit Against Starbucks Over Burns

A California man has been awarded $50 million in a lawsuit against Starbucks after he was severely burned by a hot tea spill. The incident occurred in 2021 when the man, identified as Martin, ordered a tea at a Starbucks drive-thru. According to the lawsuit, the tea was served at an excessively high temperature, leading to the spill when Martin attempted to drink it while driving.

The jury in San Diego County awarded Martin $20 million in compensatory damages and an additional $30 million in punitive damages, finding Starbucks negligent in the preparation and serving of the beverage. The plaintiff's attorney argued that Starbucks failed to warn customers about the potential dangers of their hot beverages, a point that resonated with the jury.

Starbucks has expressed disappointment with the verdict and plans to appeal the decision. The company stated that they have strict guidelines for the preparation of hot beverages and that they take customer safety very seriously. This case adds to a growing list of lawsuits against large corporations over product safety, highlighting the ongoing debate over corporate responsibility and consumer protection.

• California
• Martin
• San Diego County
• Starbucks