A California jury has ordered Starbucks to pay $50 million to Michael Garcia, a delivery driver who suffered severe burns due to an improperly secured lid on a hot beverage.

Garcia filed a lawsuit in 2020, stating that he was picking up drinks from a Los Angeles drive-through when a hot drink spilled onto his lap, causing serious burns, nerve damage, and disfigurement. His lawyer argued that the lid was not properly secured, leading to the accident.

The court ruled in Garcia’s favor, citing physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress as key damages. Starbucks, however, disagrees with the verdict and plans to appeal, stating that the damages are excessive and that the company maintains high safety standards for handling hot drinks.

This case draws comparisons to the famous 1994 McDonald’s lawsuit, where a woman suffered third-degree burns from spilled coffee and was initially awarded nearly $3 million.