A woman in Southern California is suing Starbucks, alleging that a spill of boiling coffee from a drive-thru order resulted in second-degree burns requiring surgery. The incident occurred last month at a Starbucks location in Wildomar, Riverside County.
Leota Walker stated that the lid on her coffee dislodged after she received it, causing the hot liquid to spill across her stomach, inner thighs, and pelvic area. She reported spending several weeks in the hospital undergoing treatment and recovery from surgery related to the burns.
Her attorney, Daniel DeSantis, told ABC7 that Starbucks has been aware for many years that they serve beverages at excessively high temperatures. He further claimed that such incidents continue to occur because the company refuses to update its safety protocols. The lawsuit seeks compensation for Walker's lost wages, as well as for her physical and emotional suffering.
The legal filing also references other customer complaints found online concerning Starbucks' coffee cup lids. In a separate case last year, a man in Los Angeles County was awarded $50 million in a similar lawsuit against the coffee giant.