Scalding Spotlight:
- Los Angeles jury awards $50 million to delivery driver burned by hot water at Starbucks drive-through
- Verdict holds Starbucks 100% liable for incident, finding zero negligence on plaintiff’s part
- Case highlights ongoing concerns about beverage temperature and safety practices in fast-food industry
By Samuel A. Lopez – USA Herald
Los Angeles, CA – In a blistering blow to the coffee giant, a Los Angeles state court jury has ordered Starbucks to shell out $50 million to a delivery driver whose life was forever altered by a scalding spill at a drive-through window.
The verdict, delivered on Friday, March 14, 2025, marks one of the largest payouts in a burn injury case against the coffee giant and underscores the ongoing debate over beverage safety in the fast-food sector.
The jury’s decision came after careful deliberation, with nine out of twelve jurors agreeing on the substantial damages award. This amount falls squarely between the $75 million to $125 million sought by Garcia’s legal team and the $7.5 million to $10 million proposed by Starbucks’ defense.
