Starbucks hit with $50 million fine for spilled drink injury

A California jury Friday imposed a $50 million fine on Starbucks in the case of a delivery driver burned by a scalding cup of hot tea at a company location in Los Angeles.

Michael Garcia was picking up three drinks in 2020 but one, he claimed, was "negligently" unsecured and spilled in his lap. He claimed that he consequently "suffered severe burns, disfigurement, and debilitating nerve damage to his genitals" and he was taken to an emergency room by paramedics.

"Michael Garcia’s life has been forever changed," his attorney, Nick Rowley, said.

"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," he added.

Starbucks said it planned to appeal the verdict.

"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," company spokesperson Jaci Anderson said in a statement.

"We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks," she added.

Source : https://www.voanews.com/a/8011572.html

Comprehension

How much did the jury fine Starbucks in this case?
What happened to Michael Garcia at the Starbucks location in Los Angeles?
What injuries did Garcia suffer as a result of the incident?
What year did the incident occur?
What type of drink caused the injury?
Why did Garcia claim the injury happened?
How was Garcia taken to the hospital?
What did his attorney say about the impact on Garcia’s life?
How did Starbucks respond to the verdict?
What does Starbucks plan to do next regarding the case?

Discussion

Do you think Starbucks should be held responsible for this kind of accident? Why or why not?
What safety measures should companies take when handling hot drinks?
How can delivery services improve safety for their drivers?
Do you think $50 million is a fair amount for the injuries described? Why or why not?
How do you think incidents like this affect a company’s public image?
What should a customer do if they are injured due to a business’s negligence?
Have you ever had a similar experience or seen someone get hurt in a public place?
How would you feel if you were on the jury for this case?
Should there be a limit to how much a company can be fined in such cases?
What can other companies learn from this incident?

Vocabulary

Jury – A group of people chosen to decide the result of a legal case.
Fine – A sum of money paid as a punishment for a mistake or crime.
Negligent – Failing to take proper care or responsibility.
Scalding – Very hot; hot enough to burn.
Disfigurement – Damage to a person’s appearance.
Debilitating – Weakening or making someone very ill.
Genitals – Private reproductive organs of a person.
Catastrophic – Extremely harmful or disastrous.
Verdict – A final decision made by a jury in a court.
Appeal – To ask a higher court to review and change a decision.