Understanding the $50M Starbucks Verdict and the Famous McDonald’s Coffee Case

Personal injury lawsuits sometimes get labeled as “frivolous,” especially when they involve everyday items like hot coffee or tea. But two of the most widely discussed cases—Michael Garcia v. Starbucks and Liebeck v. McDonald’s—prove that there’s often much more to the story than meets the eye. These cases involve serious injuries, ignored safety concerns, and in both instances, defendants who declined to take early opportunities to resolve the matter fairly. Let’s unpack the facts and the legal reasoning behind the large jury awards in these high-profile cases.

The Michael Garcia v. Starbucks Case (2025)

In early 2025, a California jury awarded $50 million to Michael Garcia, a delivery driver who suffered life-altering burns when a Starbucks employee handed him a cup of hot tea with a loose lid. Garcia was in his vehicle at the time, and as he tried to take the cup, the scalding liquid spilled onto his lap, causing severe burns to his lower body.
Garcia filed suit, alleging that Starbucks employees failed to follow safety protocols in securing the lid and properly handing off the beverage. His injuries were extensive, requiring multiple skin grafts and leading to permanent disfigurement and chronic pain.

While $50 million may sound excessive at first glance, it’s important to understand that Starbucks was warned multiple times by employees and customers about hot drinks being handed over unsafely. In fact, there were internal complaints about inadequate training on how to safely serve beverages in drive-thru and handoff windows. This wasn’t a one-off accident—it was part of a pattern.

Starbucks initially offered $3 million to settle, later raising that to $30 million. Garcia was open to settling, but requested two additional things: a public apology and a policy change to prevent similar injuries in the future. Starbucks declined, and the case went to trial.

The jury deliberated for just 40 minutes before returning the $50 million verdict, which included compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and likely a significant amount of punitive damages meant to hold Starbucks accountable for systemic negligence.

The Liebeck v. McDonald’s Case (1994)

One of the most misunderstood personal injury cases in American history is Liebeck v. McDonald’s, often mocked in pop culture as the “hot coffee lawsuit.”

Stella Liebeck, a 79-year-old woman, bought a cup of McDonald’s coffee and accidentally spilled it in her lap while trying to add cream and sugar. What many don’t realize is that the coffee was served at a dangerously high temperature—between 180°F and 190°F. Industry standards suggest coffee should be served around 130°F–160°F for safe consumption.

The result? Liebeck suffered third-degree burns over her thighs, groin, and buttocks. She required skin grafts, an eight-day hospital stay, and two years of follow-up treatment. Her initial request for compensation was modest: she asked McDonald’s to cover her $20,000 in medical bills. McDonald’s offered only $800.

The case went to trial, and the jury awarded Liebeck $200,000 in compensatory damages, reduced to $160,000 due to comparative fault, plus $2.7 million in punitive damages—roughly two days of McDonald’s coffee sales at the time. The judge later reduced the punitive damages to $480,000, and the case eventually settled for an undisclosed amount.
What’s notable is that McDonald’s had received over 700 prior complaints about burns from hot coffee, and had refused to change its practices. The jury’s decision was based not just on Liebeck’s injuries, but on the company’s willful disregard for consumer safety.

Why Are These Verdicts So High?

• Understanding how personal injury awards work helps make sense of the verdicts in these cases. In general, plaintiffs may be awarded:
  • Medical Expenses: To reimburse the cost of hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and future medical needs.
  • Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain, emotional trauma, and diminished quality of life.
  • Punitive Damages: Not meant to compensate the plaintiff, but to punish the defendant and deter similar future conduct, especially when there is gross negligence or willful misconduct

In both the Garcia and Liebeck cases, the corporations had multiple opportunities to prevent injury and chose not to act. These weren’t simple accidents—they were foreseeable and avoidable incidents tied to a lack of corporate responsibility. Both cases involved a common practice of willful disregard for industry standards and the company’s own safety protocols.

The Takeaway: Corporate Accountability Matters

Cases like these serve as a reminder that what some call “frivolous” lawsuits often involve real people who suffer real harm due to a company’s failure to put safety first. At Big River Trial Attorneys, we believe in fighting for the injured—whether their injuries come from a car crash, a defective product, or a preventable mistake by a major corporation.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t assume you have to face it alone. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’re here to stand up for your rights and make sure justice is served.