Question

Scenario: Imagine you pull up the drive thru at the local Starbucks. You order a large coffee, pay for the coffee and pull up the next window to receive your coffee. As the employee of Starbucks hands you your coffee, they accidentally spill the coffee all over your lap. The hot coffee not only stains your clothes but burns your skin badly, especially since you are trapped in the car.

Questions: 1. Is accidentally spilling coffee on someone a criminal act? Why or why not?
2. What would you expect Starbucks to do in this situation?
3. What would you do if Starbucks did not take an action that met your satisfaction?

Answer 1

1. Accidentally spilling coffee on someone is not necessarily a criminal act. However, if the incident resulted in injury or harm to the person, it could be considered a civil matter and the person could seek compensation for damages. Whether or not the person responsible for spilling the coffee would be held liable would depend on the circumstances surrounding the incident, such as whether they were negligent or reckless in handling the coffee.

2. In this situation, it would be reasonable to expect Starbucks to take responsibility for the accident and offer to provide medical attention if necessary. They should also offer to compensate the person for any damages, such as the cost of replacing their stained clothing or any medical expenses incurred as a result of the burns.

3. If Starbucks did not take an action that met the person's satisfaction, they could consider filing a complaint with Starbucks' customer service or contacting a lawyer to explore their legal options. They could also consider reaching out to local news outlets or posting about their experience on social media to raise awareness about the incident and put pressure on Starbucks to take action.