Starbucks Hot Beverage Burn Injuries: Can You File a Lawsuit in West Palm Beach?
- stephanie26583
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
For many people in West Palm Beach, Florida, grabbing a morning coffee or afternoon tea from Starbucks is part of their daily routine. But what happens when a simple coffee run turns into a painful accident? Hot beverage burns at coffee shops like Starbucks can lead to serious injuries that may require medical care and time away from work.
If you’ve been burned by a hot coffee or tea spill at a Starbucks in West Palm Beach, you may be wondering what your legal options are. These types of cases can fall under premises liability or product liability, depending on the circumstances. Understanding how Florida law applies can help you take the right steps to protect your rights and explore whether you may have a potential claim.
How Coffee and Tea Burn Injuries Can Happen
Coffee and tea served at Starbucks are typically brewed at very high temperatures. While beverages are expected to be hot, the liquid or container can sometimes reach temperatures that are unsafe for customers to handle. A few of the most common ways these injuries happen include:
Overheated beverages: Coffee or tea that’s brewed or served too hot can cause second- or third-degree burns within seconds of contact with skin.
Defective or unstable cup lids: If the lid is not properly attached or is defective, hot liquid can spill onto a customer’s hands, lap, or torso.
Improperly secured drive-thru drinks: Spills often happen when employees hand drinks through a window or fail to double-cup extra-hot orders.
Faulty cup materials: Some cups or sleeves may not provide enough insulation, especially with boiling tea or espresso-based drinks.
Unsafe store conditions: Spills on counters or tables can cause burns if customers or children accidentally touch or bump them.
Burn injuries from Starbucks coffee or tea can happen in stores, drive-thru lanes, or even shortly after leaving the location if the drink was served at a dangerously high temperature.
Starbucks Burn Lawsuits and Product Liability
Starbucks and other coffee chains have faced numerous lawsuits nationwide for serving beverages at excessively high temperatures or failing to secure lids properly. While not every incident leads to a lawsuit, there are situations where Starbucks or another party may be legally responsible for a customer’s injuries.
Florida law often allows individuals to pursue claims under negligence or product liability if a dangerous product or unsafe condition causes harm. For example:
If the cup or lid was defective and caused the spill, a product liability claim against the manufacturer may apply.
If a Starbucks employee failed to properly secure the lid or cup, or served a drink that was unreasonably hot, a negligence claim against Starbucks may be appropriate.
Each case is different, and determining liability may include evidence such as surveillance footage, product testing, and employee records.
Common Burn Injuries From Coffee and Tea
Hot liquid burns are among the most painful injuries because they can damage multiple layers of skin and underlying tissue. Some common types of injuries reported in Starbucks burn cases include:
First-degree burns: Redness and mild swelling that generally heal within a week.
Second-degree burns: Blisters, pain, and potential scarring that may require medical treatment.
Third-degree burns: Severe tissue damage that can lead to permanent scarring, nerve injury, or infection.
Scarring and discoloration from burns can have lasting physical and emotional effects, particularly when they occur on visible areas such as the hands, chest, or face.
What To Do After a Coffee or Tea Burn at Starbucks
If you were burned by a Starbucks coffee or tea in Florida, the steps you take immediately after the incident may help protect your health and strengthen your potential claim:
Get medical attention immediately. Even minor burns can worsen quickly or lead to infection.
Report the incident to the store manager. Ask for an incident report to be completed and request a copy if possible.
Take photos. Document your injuries, the cup or lid, the beverage sleeve, and the scene where the spill happened.
Keep all evidence. Do not throw away the cup, lid, or any napkins used at the time of the spill — these may be important later.
Get witness information. If anyone saw what happened, ask for their contact details.
Consult a Florida burn injury lawyer. An attorney can help preserve evidence and determine whether you have a valid negligence or product liability claim.
How Compensation May Work in a Starbucks Burn Case
The compensation you may be entitled to in a coffee or tea burn case depends on the severity of your injury and how it has affected your life. Potential damages may include:
Medical expenses and hospital bills
Costs of future treatment or scar revision
Lost wages if you missed work
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Since Starbucks is a large corporation with its own insurance and legal team, having experienced representation can help ensure your side of the story is heard.
Florida’s Statute of Limitations for Burn Injury Claims
In Florida, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury. This means you generally have two years to file a lawsuit, though it is often best to act sooner since evidence like surveillance footage or employee records may be deleted or lost over time.
Why Legal Experience Can Matter
Starbucks injury cases can be complex because they may involve multiple factors — from employee negligence to defective packaging. An experienced injury lawyer can investigate the cause of the spill, identify who may be responsible, and negotiate directly with Starbucks or their insurance company.
At the Law Offices of Jason Turchin, we can handle all personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not owe any fees or costs unless there is a recovery. We represent clients throughout Florida who have suffered injuries from unsafe products or premises.
Contact the Law Offices of Jason Turchin
If you suffered a coffee or tea burn at a Starbucks anywhere in Florida, including cities like Miami, Orlando, Tampa, or Fort Lauderdale, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Our team can help you understand your options and pursue compensation if negligence or a defective product caused your injury. Call (800) 337-7755 today or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.