Hot beverages are a part of everyday life. When customers order tea or coffee, they expect it to be hot  but not dangerously hot, and certainly not served in packaging that can fail without warning. Unfortunately, our firm is currently representing a client who suffered severe burn injuries after a cup of hot tea from Starbucks fell apart, causing the scalding liquid to spill onto their hands and legs.

This incident highlights a serious safety issue that goes beyond a simple accident.

What Happened?

Our client ordered a hot tea from Starbucks, trusting that the drink would be served in a cup designed to safely contain extremely hot liquid. Instead, the cup failed due to the excessive heat, causing it to come apart and spill the tea directly onto our client’s body.

As a result, our client suffered painful burn injuries to their hands and legs injuries that required medical attention and have had a lasting physical and emotional impact.

Why This Is More Than an Accident

Businesses that sell hot beverages have a legal responsibility to ensure their products are reasonably safe for consumers. That includes:

• Serving beverages at safe temperatures
• Using cups and lids designed to withstand extreme heat
• Properly assembling and inspecting containers before handing them to customers

When a cup fails under normal use, it raises serious concerns about product defects, inadequate quality control, or negligence. Customers should not be placed at risk simply by holding a drink they purchased.

Understanding Burn Injuries

Burn injuries can be far more serious than they initially appear. Depending on the temperature of the liquid and the duration of contact, burns can cause:

• Blistering and open wounds
• Permanent scarring
• Nerve damage
• Loss of mobility or sensation
• Emotional trauma and anxiety

Burns to the hands and legs are particularly devastating, as they can interfere with everyday tasks, work, and overall quality of life.

Legal Responsibility in Hot Beverage Burn Cases

Cases involving burns from hot beverages often fall under product liability and premises liability law. In situations like this, liability may extend to:

• The corporation serving the beverage
• Manufacturers of defective cups or lids
• Suppliers responsible for unsafe materials

Large corporations are expected to anticipate foreseeable risks — including the danger posed by extremely hot liquids and take reasonable steps to prevent harm.

Why These Cases Matter

Holding corporations accountable isn’t just about compensation for one injured person. These cases help push companies to improve safety standards, update materials, and protect future customers from suffering similar injuries.

No one should leave a coffee shop with burn injuries simply because a cup couldn’t withstand the heat it was meant to hold.

Our Commitment to Injured Clients

Our firm is committed to advocating for individuals who are harmed due to unsafe products and corporate negligence. We fight to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Long-term effects of burn injuries

If you or someone you love has suffered burns or other injuries due to a defective product or unsafe conditions, it’s important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

Burn injuries can change lives in an instant. If you’ve been injured because a business failed to prioritize safety, you deserve answers and accountability.

Contact our office today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.