Shani Duvall, a customer at a popular coffee chain, has filed a lawsuit against the company after suffering severe injuries from a hot beverage. The complaint was lodged by Duvall in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida on January 28, 2026, targeting Starbucks Corporation for negligence.
The incident occurred on December 17, 2025, when Duvall visited a Starbucks location at 2186 Tyrone Blvd N in St. Petersburg, Florida. As she navigated through the drive-thru as a business invitee, an employee handed her a cup of hot green tea with what is alleged to be a loose or faulty lid. This resulted in the tea spilling onto Duvall and causing her significant injuries. The plaintiff accuses Starbucks of failing to ensure that beverages were served safely and claims that the company did not adequately warn customers about potential hazards.
According to the complaint, Starbucks had several responsibilities it failed to uphold. These included ensuring that beverages were served at safe temperatures and maintaining lids securely on cups to prevent spills. The lawsuit argues that Starbucks breached its duty by allowing excessively hot tea to be served with an insecure lid, leading directly to Duvall’s injuries. “Defendant’s employee spilled or allowed tea with a loose and/or faulty lid,” reads part of the document, emphasizing how this oversight caused “severe and permanent burns and injuries.”
Duvall’s legal team highlights multiple areas where they believe Starbucks was negligent: serving tea at dangerous temperatures capable of inflicting severe harm and neglecting to properly alert patrons about these risks. As a result of these alleged failures, Duvall has suffered from bodily injury accompanied by pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses, lost earnings capacity, and possibly aggravated pre-existing conditions.
In response to these grievances, Shani Duvall seeks damages exceeding $50,000 from Starbucks Corporation along with coverage for costs and interest associated with the case. She also demands a jury trial for all issues eligible for such proceedings.
Representing Shani Duvall is Justin W. Pimenta from Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Car Accident & Injury Lawyers based in Tampa, Florida. The case is identified under Case Number: 26-000539-CI.
Source: 26000539CI_Shani_Duvall_v_Starbucks_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
