Woman sues Starbucks for £85,000 after being burnt by drink which was 'too hot for a person'

'Too hot': Court papers claim the drink which scalded Julie A Garcia was too hot for a person to drink
Laura Proto19 November 2015

A Starbucks customer is suing the coffee giant for more than £85,000 ($132,000) after being burnt by a drink that was “far too hot for a person to drink”.

Julie A Garcia, from Multnomah County, Oregon, said she was left injured after the plastic lid of a Starbucks takeaway cup popped off, causing liquid to spill onto her lap.

Court documents filed on Monday, November 16, state Ms Garcia went to the drive-through lane at the coffee outlet in Wood Village, Oregon, on April 4 last year and ordered food, hot tea and hot water.

But it is claimed as the employee handed her a cup of hot water, the cup collapsed and half its contents scalded her.

The lawsuit states that the Starbucks employees involved in serving Ms Garcia were negligent in failing to properly secure the lid on the cup, in failing to verify the lid was properly secured before handing the water too her and in failing to warn her of the risk of severe burns associated with handling or grasping the cup.

The court papers go on to state that Ms Garcia sustained multiple injuries including second degree burns to her upper right anterior and lateral thigh, first degree burns to her lower abdomen and scarring.

Lawyers acting on behalf of Ms Garcia added the beverage handed to Ms Garcia was “at a temperature far too hot for a person to drink” and that the design of the container was “defective in its design and/or manufacture”.

The papers state Ms Garcia should receive noneconomic damages not to exceed $125,000 as compensation as well as $7,235.17 to pay for medical costs.

A Starbucks spokesman said: "The safety of our customers is our highest priority and we take this obligation seriously.

"We were concerned to learn of this incident and are investigating Ms Garcia's claims."

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