Cop Who Sued Starbucks After Spilling Free Coffee On Himself Went Home To Take Pics Of Injuries Before Going To ER

The Raleigh police officer suing Starbucks over a hot cup of coffee spilled in his lap drove home to have the injury photographed before seeking medical care, he testified Wednesday.

On the second day of the trial, in which he is seeking a minimum of $50,000, Matthew Kohr told jurors that he was frozen in pain after the spill in January 2012. He left the Peace Street Starbucks in his police car, drove to the police garage to get his truck, then went home, where his wife took pictures of the burns on his inner thigh.

It was nearly 2.5 hours later when he was treated at an urgent care center — a point emphasized by the attorney representing the coffee chain.

“You didn’t go the emergency room,” Tricia Derr said. “You didn’t go to urgent care. You went to get your truck.”

Kohr, an officer for more than 20 years, said he knew he would have to document his injury to show his employers.

“Lawsuit never crossed my mind that day,” he said. “Did it later? Yes.”