A man whose genitalia was ‘disfigured’ by hot coffee was awarded $50 million by a California jury on Friday after a five year court battle.Michael Garcia was picking up drinks at a Los Angeles Starbucks drive-through when he suffered “suffered severe burns, disfigurement, and debilitating nerve damage to his genitals when hot drinks ultimately spilled” onto his lap, according to the 2020 lawsuit filed in California Superior Court, which accused Starbucks of breaching its duty of care by failing to secure the lid.
Garcia’s lawyer, Michael Parker, said his client was picking up three beverages – one of which wasn’t fully pushed into the drink holder. When the barista handed Garcia the order, a hot drink fell out and spilled onto his lap – causing permanent and life-changing disfigurement.
According to a recording of the verdict, Garcia’s damages cover physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety and emotional distress.
Garcia underwent skin grafts and other procedures on his genitals after a venti-sized tea drink spilled on him on Feb. 8, 2020, causing ‘permanent and life-changing disfigurement,’ according to his attorneys.
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