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SOCIETY SoCal woman sues Starbucks after spilled coffee causes severe burns By Tim Pulliam Friday, July 31, 2026 5:57AM Stream Southern California's News Leader and Original Shows 24/7 WILDOMAR, Calif. (KABC) -- A Starbucks in Riverside County is facing a lawsuit after a woman says a simple trip through the drive through for a cup of coffee turned into a nightmare.
The victim says she suffered second-degree burns.
The incident happened last month in the city of Wildomar when Leota Walker says a lid popped off her coffee -- spilling scalding water on her stomach, inner thighs and her private parts.
She has since spent several weeks in the hospital undergoing surgery. Now Walker and and her attorneys are suing the national coffee chain for negligence.
The lawsuit points to documented incidents online where customers raised concerns over the company's coffee lids.
"Starbucks has known for many, many years that they serve their beverages way too hot," said the victim's lawyer Daniel DeSantis. "Incidents like these continue to happen over and over and over again and Starbucks refuses to change its safety policies and procedures."
The lawsuit seeks damages for Walker's loss in wages and physical and emotional pain.
Starbucks declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Last year, a jury in Los Angeles County awarded a man $50 million for a similar lawsuit against the company.
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