<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A California-based delivery driver on Friday was awarded $50 million from a lawsuit against Starbucks after he was burned by a hot beverage that spilled in his lap at a drive-thru.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Michael Garcia sued the popular coffee chain after having to undergo skin graft procedures on his legs and penis, which he says was caused by a scalding hot tea not being properly situated in the cardboard drink carrier. Garcia was burned from one of three venti-sized “Medicine Ball” beverages that he was picking up, per </span><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/16/delivery-driver-injury-lawsuit-california-starbucks"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Guardian</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. According to the outlet, a Medicine Ball is an off-menu item consisting of &#8220;steamed lemonade, hot water, Jade Citrus Mint green tea, Peach Tranquility tea and honey.&#8221; </span></p>
<p>Garcia’s attorney, Nick Rowley, said in a press release that Garcia’s “life has been forever changed” by the accident.</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“No amount of money can undo the permanent catastrophic harm he has suffered, but this jury verdict is a critical step in holding Starbucks accountable for flagrant disregard for customer safety and failure to accept responsibility,” Rowley said.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The attorney also </span><a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/man-awarded-50-million-starbucks-hot-tea-rcna196616"><span style="font-weight: 400;">noted</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that “Starbucks offered $30m to settle but wanted confidentiality. We said we would settle for $30m without confidentiality and only if Starbucks agreed to publicly apologize and promise to change policy to prevent this from happening again.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Starbucks also issued a statement, saying they were sympathetic to Garcia’s pain but also that they planned to appeal the decision. The company said they have “always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores.”</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We sympathize with Mr. Garcia, but we disagree with the jury’s decision that we were at fault for this incident and believe the damages awarded to be excessive,” Starbucks said in a statement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The case is reminiscent of the famous 1990s case of a New Mexico woman who burned her legs with a hot cup of McDonald’s coffee. The late Stella Liebeck, who was 79 years old at the time, sustained third-degree burns in her pelvic region and was hospitalized for eight days while undergoing skin grafting, plus endured two additional years of medical treatment. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Liebeck originally petitioned to settle with McDonald&#8217;s for $20,000 to cover her medical expenses, but the fast food chain declined, which led to her attorney suing for gross negligence. Liebeck was awarded $160,000 for medical expenses and $2.7 million in punitive damages, but that amount was later reduced by the judge. Liebeck and McDonald’s eventually settled for an undisclosed amount.</span></p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Delivery Driver Wins $50M In Lawsuit Against Starbucks After Hot Tea Spilled On His Genitals

CONTINUE READING

Hooters Says It Was Never Really About The Hooters

WATCH: Britney Spears Makes Strange ‘Stepford Wife’ Confession During DUI Arrest

Fan-Favorite Actress Details Harrowing And ‘Breathtakingly Glorious’ Taylor Sheridan TV Set

America Waves Goodbye To Stephen Colbert As Trump Lands A Final Parting Shot

Hollywood’s Latest Race-Swap Debate Centers On Iconic Cartoon Character

Shane Gillis Gives Savage Response After Chelsea Handler Calls Him ‘Racist’

News

California

Courts

Lawsuit

Restaurant

Starbucks

U.S.

United States

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

Delivery Driver Wins $50M In Lawsuit Against Starbucks After Hot Tea Spilled On His Genitals