In October of 2018 Timothy Piluyev, along with his family were in the drive-thru at a Roseville Starbucks. He and his grandchildren ordered drinks and that decision changed his life forever. Timothy explains that as the Starbucks associate reached into the window of the SUV to deliver the second of the sleeved and lidded cups the lid lost its seal with the cup and dislodged from the top of the cup. That resulted in hot tea spilling on Mr. Piluyevs left hand, the cup then overturned on the window sill of the SUV and the remaining hot liquid poured onto his hands, stomach and Pelvic area.
As a result of the spill he was covered in scalding tea. He was unable to open the door to escape since he was in the drive-thru so he pulled forward as quickly as possible, exited his SUV and stripped off his sweat pants. He then drove immediately to Sutter Roseville Emergency Room for care. According to records he suffered “partial-thickness burns with blistering across the lower abdomen, thighs, penis, scrotum, peritoneum and buttocks.” Mr. Piluyev has burns on nine fingers and can no longer play the piano or use his hands for anything including personal care.
His next stop was the U.C.Davis Medical Center’s burn unit for 11 days where the suit says “he required intravenous pain control along with intensive and invasive wound care.” The suit says he became entirely dependent on his medical staff for an extended period of time. Upon discharge his wife performed her husband’s wound and personal care and five months post discharge he went from IV narcotics to gabapentin, oxycodone, Tylenol and ibuprofen. He has regained the ability to walk, is now able to sense touch in some of his fingers and now has the ability to hold his child and use a computer keyboard. He remains unable to play the piano. His attorney alleges Starbucks was previously aware of the lid defect and the defendants get upwards of 80 complaints per day. Starbucks tea is served at 190 to 205 degrees according to the suit.
This lawsuit is similar in nature to other suits over the years involving coffee or other hot liquids spilling on to customers. The most famous of these was filed against McDonalds by 79 year-old Stella Liebeck. In our next blog we will separate fact from much of the fiction that exists in regards to this case and others.
We represent people who are injured because of the careless and reckless acts of others. At the end of the day your case can only be settled one time and you need to know all of the facts beforehand. The reason that insurance companies have paid our clients in excess of $157,000,000.00 is that we get the facts and are not intimidated at the prospect of going to trial when insurance companies fail to offer full compensation. We help with serious injuries that require serious representation. We are the Law Offices of Guenard & Bozarth, LLP. Our attorneys have more than 60 years of experience specializing in only representing injured people.. Call GB Legal 24/7/365 at 888-809-1075 or visit www.gblegal.com We would be honored to represent you!
