Starbucks barista made ‘life threatening’ mistake, Arkansas man says. He’s suing

An Arkansas man is suing Starbucks after a “life threatening” mistake with his order sent him to the emergency room, according to a recently filed lawsuit.

On Sept. 12, the Little Rock man ordered two beverages from a local Starbucks location, including an Apple Crisp Oatmilk Frappucino. He started to drink the frappucino and after getting home, he quickly realized something was wrong, the lawsuit filed April 5 says.

Whoever made the drink used milk instead of oat milk, sending the man into anaphylactic shock — a potentially fatal allergic reaction, according to the suit.

He was in “respiratory distress” and jabbed himself with an EpiPen and called 911, documents read.

“The emergency medical responders reported he was hypotensive, stridorous, and hypoxic,” the suit said, meaning his blood pressure had dropped significantly, his airways were restricted and too little oxygen was in his blood. “He was diagnosed with anaphylaxis at the emergency room.”

“Plaintiff has a severe allergy to milk,” the lawsuit said. “This negligent mistake is life threatening to a person with severe allergies.”

In a response to McClatchy News, a Starbucks spokesperson said the company has “not yet been served with this suit and cannot comment on (the man’s) claims.”

“Our baristas take great care in crafting beverages and maintaining a safe experience for our customers,” the spokesperson said in an email. “This is an obligation we take very seriously and move quickly to thoroughly investigate any allegations otherwise.”

The lawsuit accuses Starbucks of “negligent and careless acts” and is seeking damages, as the man “has endured pain and suffering in the past and will experience pain and suffering in the future,” in addition to medical fees and lost wages.

This story was originally published April 10, 2024 at 9:36 AM with the headline "Starbucks barista made ‘life threatening’ mistake, Arkansas man says. He’s suing."