Woman Sues Starbucks For Spilled Coffee Says Cups Defective, Causing Serious And Permanent Injuries

A woman has sued Starbucks Coffee, alleging that “unsafe” lids on two cups of coffee she purchased came off, spilling hot liquid on her and causing serious injury.

Darby L. Bullivant filed the suit against the Seattle-based coffee retailer in San Mateo County Superior Court on Friday.

In her suit, Bullivant alleges that on Jan. 27, 1994 she bought coffee at the Starbucks Redwood City outlet located in Sequoia Station. Because the paper cups the coffee came in were “defective and unsafe,” the lids came off, spilling hot coffee on her, the suit alleges.

This caused Bullivant to suffer “serous and permanent injuries to her health, strength and activity, severe shock to her nervous system, extreme physical and mental pain, and permanent disfigurement,” according to court papers.

The suit further alleges that the unidentified manufacturer and distributor of the paper cups and lids, as well as Starbucks, were negligent because of their failure to adequately instruct consumers on how to use the products.