Utah woman files suit against Starbucks after claims of cleaning-solution drink

July 2024 ยท 2 minute read
CLINTON, Utah (KUTV) -- A woman in Davis County has filed a lawsuit against Starbucks for injuries she claims were caused when she was given a cleaning solution to drink when she ordered from the Clinton, Utah location of the national coffee chain.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for Cheryl Kingery. She claims the July 25, 2012 incident has caused her economic losses in excess of $186,000 while future economic damages will exceed $1.3 million.

Kingery was hurt, according to the suit, as a result of drinking the cleaning solution Urnex when it was given to her after she ordered a cup of coffee. The physical damages she claims includes nerve damage; esophagitis and other damage to her esophagus; Burning Mouth Syndrome; Ageusia (loss of taste); and erosion in her mouth as well as other problems. The suit claims Starbucks, through its employees or agents, failed to take adequate steps to prevent injury "to its invitees," or customers.

Past and future economic damages include medical expenses, household expenses, lost wages and "other economic damages to be proven at trial."

The suit also asks for non-economic damages including severe and permanent injuries, pain and suffering, emotional and mental distress.

The suit names Starbucks as a defendant but also five John Does, presumed to be the workers at the site on the day of the incident.

"The safety of our customers is our highest priority," Laurel Harper, a Starbucks spokeswoman, said Tuesday as reported in media partner The Salt Lake Tribune. "We take this obligation seriously and are investigating Ms. Kingery's claims."

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