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Whoa - a jury decided that Starbucks must pay $301,000 for scalding a customer's feet with a hot coffee. East Village resident Alice Griffin had ordered a venti coffee at the 49th Street and 7th Avenue Starbucks when a barista "pushed it toward her, knocking the loose-lidded cup over," which then spilled onto her foot. Apparently, Starbucks coffees must be properly lidded! Griffin got a second degree burn from the 200 degree coffee and says she has permanent nerve damage from the incident ($1,000 is for medical services she had to receive). The Post also reports Griffin's claims that she can't wear certain kind of shoes, can't use the treadmill, and can't ballet dance anymore due to the injuries. While Judge Emily Jane Goodman thought the jury's settlement figure was high, she denied Starbucks' attempt to throw out the case for lack of evidence. And 200 degrees is really hot - we're surprised holes aren't burned through the garbage bags when we see people pouring their coffee out to make room for milk. Too bad you can't sue for burning your tongue on some good ol' Charbucks.
Remember the McDonald's case where a 79 year old woman sued over a hot coffee that spilled onto her lap?
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The McDonald's lady spilled it on herself, but the Starbucks lady had another person spill it on her.
It's interesting how both places coincidentally happen to be New York's public toilets.
Back in my college days I worked as a starbuckaroo for far too many years...and believe me, holes do burn through the bags when you pour hot coffee in them! And it's not fun to clean up.
According to a reliable source (Cook's Illustrated) 200 degrees is the optimal brewing temperature for coffee (although you're supposed to serve it a little cooler than that). I generally think Starbucks coffee is funky tasting, but at least they got the temp right.
Second degree burns suck. But nerve damage?
Why doesn't Starbuck's provide some sorta receptacle for the coffee people throw out? i always thought throwing it in the trash was a dumb idea....i was at the Brasil Coffee house, and they always ask whether or not to leave room for milk...maybe starbucks should start doing that as well?
Last time I was at Starbucks they overfilled my cup and the coffee spilled everywhere- even with the cap. Then, after cleaning up, the coffee was crap. They need to show more restraint and/or slow the process a little bit. To me they are just another fast-food joint (like McDonalds) where the quality suffers from spreading too thin.
I wouldn't expect anyone who reads this to actually be educated about dance (since Gothamist hardly ever writes about the lively dance scene in NYC), but you "do ballet"- not "ballet dance."
Poor thing- the article doesn't state if Alice is a dancer herself. The money doesn't replace the ability to dance.
Has anyone else noticed that the lids for Starbucks cups often don't fit properly? There always seems to be a dribble problem.
I'm with K. If I want to add milk to my regular coffee, I just ask that a "finger or two" be left for the milk. Just to make sure I let them see how wide that is by holding up my fingers. Incredibly I remember one time that I had a server who was so dense I had to explain it more than once and be very explicit. "Don't fill the cup to the top. Leave this much space at the top". That guy was just stupid.
I can't even believe I'm commenting on this, but if if I recall correctly, doesn't Starbucks give you regular coffee without the lid so you can hit the condiment bar (not that I go here, mind you)? If the drink in question was prepared with espresso and steamed milk, the temp should be 160. But yeah, the few times I have ordered regular coffee and requested "room for milk," they rarely do so.
A good trick for removing some liquid into the trash if your cup is too full: put a couple of napkins on top, and they will soak up the liquid.
This will enable the person to get out of there quickly, freeing up more time for when you want to ballet dance.
I never understood until now why people paid outlandish amounts of money for coffee at Starbucks, but apparetnly it is like playing the lottery. Stick to something better like water or juice and if you want coffee don't pay through the nose for it. Plus last night channel 11 had a report about bug and rodent problems in a few Starbucks in the city.
I wish I had the problem with my Chai Lattes being too full. Mine are usually a 1/4 foam until I complain.
Stupid Starbucks.
Fuck Starbucks. Everywhere I go, every country I visit, theres a Starbucks. Its getting just as bad as McDonalds. I can get a decent lunch for how much one of their Latte's cost.
I'm sticking to my Dunkin Donuts.
Good Coffee, cheap price, surly staff.
Perhaps they're being competitive, but I got a coffee at PUSH the other day (right next to a Starbucks on 2nd Ave., practically next door to a Starbucks). It was so hot, I had to ask for a second supposedly insulating sleave and then grab five napkins to keep my fingers from burning just to hold the cup. I still had to set it down a few times on the sidewalk to prevent second-degree burns.
Getting them to leave room for milk: Order a small in a medium cup. I do this all the time. I never understood why people order mediums only to pour most of the coffee out...
Did the woman who sued McDonald's actually get any money? I sure Starbucks will appeal the decision somehow and keep it in court until the person wants to settle for a lesser amount.
You know a neighborhood is liveable if you see a Dunkin Donuts - as in, the residents have jobs, but they aren't pretentious snotballs or wannabe sophisticates. Those who are by nature are fine, but those who overcompensate are the worst, and happen to be the majority.
ewwww Dunkin Donuts??? What's next, the Olive Garden is the best place for Italian Food?
Dunkin Donuts really does have good coffee though.
"Dunkin Donuts really does have good coffee though" -Sleepy speaks the truth and the blueberry donuts are delicious.
Did a cockroach and a dead mouse swim out of the coffee?
Does this mean Starbucks will have to raise their prices? Where else will I get such good coffee for so cheap?
Starbucks used to be good some ten years ago, or maybe even as recent as five. Problem is, their coffee and their attitudes have gotten too bitter over the years. And Dunkin's coffee is tasteless and thin, especially if you drink it black. Unfortunately there's no in between, except at your very random mom + pop coffee shops, and even then its a crap shoot, and if you're like me, you live in a small suburb where there's maybe one other coffee place, and it sucks there too, so you have to go to a 7-11. best to buy some good beans and a small coffee pot to keep at work and brew your own.
uh, i wonder if the barista got fired.
One of the morning news magazine shows did a "taste test" at Grand Central Station not too long ago. Basically, they stopped random commuters and ask them to taste two different cups of coffee and pick their favorites.
It came out even, 50/50. Some people like Starbucks, some people like Dunkin.
I'm partial to Dunkin myself. Starbucks is too strong and bitter. Tastes like mud!
Starbucks=McDonald's for yuppies
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