Starbucks is under fresh legal fire as two new lawsuits have been filed in California over alleged injuries caused by spilled hot beverages, coming just weeks after the coffee giant was ordered to pay $50 million in damages to a Los Angeles delivery driver.
The latest cases, both filed in Southern California, accuse Starbucks of negligence in the handling of hot drinks at its drive-through locations.
One of the lawsuits, filed last week, claims that Sabrina Michelle Hermes suffered serious burns after a hot beverage spilled into her lap at a Starbucks outlet in Norwalk, near Los Angeles. According to the suit, a cup in her order was not properly secured when handed to her, causing the drink to spill on her legs, hip, knee, and feet. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for medical expenses and lost income.
“Starbucks owed a duty to exercise reasonable care concerning the preparation, handling, and service of hot beverages,” the filing states.
In a separate lawsuit filed Wednesday at the Alhambra Superior Court, Ernesto Vladimir Sanchez Avendano alleges that a hot drink with a poorly fastened lid spilled on his lap at a North Hollywood drive-through. The complaint details severe burns, disfigurement, and nerve damage to his genitals and buttocks. His attorneys are also seeking unspecified compensation for medical treatment and suffering.
Starbucks responded to the lawsuits, stating that it disputes the claims.
“We have always been committed to the highest safety standards in our stores, including the handling of hot drinks,” a Starbucks spokesperson said. “We are aware of Ms. Hermes’ claims and firmly believe they are without merit. We look forward to presenting our case in court.” The company added that it had not yet been served with Avendano’s suit but would carefully review the allegations.
These developments follow a high-profile verdict last month, in which a jury awarded $50 million to Michael Garcia, a delivery driver who sustained serious burns in 2020 when a hot tea spilled on him at a Starbucks drive-through. His attorneys argued that the server failed to properly secure the cup in a cardboard holder.
Starbucks has called the verdict “excessive” and intends to appeal.
The recent wave of lawsuits has drawn comparisons to the landmark 1994 McDonald’s case in which a New Mexico jury awarded $2.8 million to Stella Liebeck after she suffered third-degree burns from spilled coffee—a case that sparked nationwide debate on tort reform and corporate accountability.