Introduction

Starbucks Corporation is confronting renewed legal challenges as two new lawsuits have been filed in California alleging injuries from spilled hot beverages at the company's drive-through locations. These developments come shortly after a Los Angeles jury awarded $50 million to a delivery driver burned by a Starbucks beverage.​ 

Recent Lawsuits Filed

In the first case, filed last week, plaintiff Sabrina Michelle Hermes claims she sustained severe burns when a hot drink spilled onto her lap at a Starbucks in Norwalk, California, in 2023. The lawsuit alleges that the cup was improperly secured, leading to injuries on her legs, hip, knee, and feet. Hermes is seeking compensation for medical expenses and lost earnings. 

The second lawsuit, filed in Alhambra Superior Court, involves Ernesto Vladimir Sanchez Avendano. Avendano asserts that he suffered severe burns, disfigurement, and nerve damage to his genitals and buttocks after a hot beverage with a loose lid spilled on him at a North Hollywood drive-through. 

 

Starbucks' Response

A Starbucks spokesperson stated that the company maintains high safety standards in beverage handling and intends to contest these claims, asserting they are without merit. 

 

Preceding $50 Million Verdict

These lawsuits follow a March 2025 verdict where a Los Angeles jury ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million to delivery driver Michael Garcia. Garcia suffered burns when a Venti-sized hot tea spilled in his lap at a drive-through in 2020. The jury found that the beverage was not properly secured in the cupholder, leading to the spill. 

 

Historical Context

The current legal challenges echo the 1994 case of Stella Liebeck v. McDonald's, where a jury awarded Liebeck over $2.8 million after she suffered third-degree burns from spilled coffee. Such cases highlight ongoing concerns regarding the serving temperatures of hot beverages and the duty of care owed by establishments to their customers.​ 

 

Implications for Starbucks

These successive lawsuits may prompt Starbucks to reevaluate its protocols for serving hot beverages, particularly in drive-through settings, to mitigate potential liabilities and ensure customer safety. Legal experts suggest that consistent issues of this nature could lead to increased scrutiny and necessitate operational changes within the company.

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Conclusion

As Starbucks addresses these legal challenges, the outcomes may influence industry standards for handling hot beverages and underscore the importance of stringent safety measures to prevent customer injuries and associated liabilities.​

 

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