Suing Starbucks

The New York Appellate Division for the First Judicial Department upheld an award of $50,000 in compensatory damages against Starbucks, but also affirmed the reduction of the $250,000 award for future suffering. The evidence:

Plaintiff was injured when, after ordering a cup of coffee, defendant’s employee slid the cup across the counter toward plaintiff causing it to fall over and spill on her left foot. The coffee was between 195 and 205 degrees and caused a second-degree burn, which resulted in permanent nerve damage, leading plaintiff to sometimes experience numbness and a burning sensation in her left foot.

(MIke Frisch)