Oil and gas exec sues Starbucks over debilitating nerve damage to genitals from hot tea spill

An oil and gas executive suffered “debilitating nerve damage” to his genitals after a cup of hot tea tumbled onto his lap from a wobbly table in Starbucks, according to a lawsuit.Vladimir Podlipskiy, 63, was inside a Starbucks in San Diego for a meeting with his colleagues when he ordered the hot beverage on August 28, 2024, according to a lawsuit filed in San Diego federal court last week.During the meeting, an employee allegedly asked the oil and gas executive to move closer to a “wobbly” table while his scorching beverage was resting on it, the filing, first reported by The Independent, said.The hot tea then spilled from the allegedly shaky table onto Podlipskiy’s lap, groin area, and genitals — causing “catastrophic burns and injuries,” the lawsuit charged.“[The employee] knew or… should have known that directing customers to move closer to an unstable table while a hot beverage was present created a foreseeable risk that the hot beverage would spill onto and burn a customer,” the suit says.

Podlipskiy’s attorneys claim he did not cause the painful spill, alleging the Seattle-based coffee chain failed to “exercise reasonable care” in handling and securing the hot tea and inspecting or maintaining the stability of the tables in the store’s seating area.Starbucks was also negligent by “directing, requesting, and/or requiring [Podlipskiy] to move closer to the unstable table while a hot drink was present,” the complaint detailed.

The fateful spill has left Podlipskiy with severe burns, disfigurement, and debilitating nerve damage to his genitals, the suit said.The executive also continues to suffer from physical pain, emotional distress, and is shelling out money for medical expenses.

Podlipsky is now seeking unspecified general and special damages to be determined at trial, as well as legal fees and court costs.Starbucks responded to the federal suit by filing an answer to the complaint denying the allegations and stating th...