When it comes to restaurant managing and operations, things are always at a much faster pace than most businesses. There are several risks involved with cooks constantly moving from the fridge to the grill and waiters running from table to table and back to the kitchen to pick up orders. The chance of an accident is amplified in a busy restaurant, and if a small business isn’t protected against potential lawsuits, it could mean a huge financial burden that most small restaurants typically can’t afford.
While most restaurant owners enforce safety practices and try to prevent any incidents, sometimes there’s no way to stop it. According to The Pennsylvania Record, a local Philadelphia man is suing Triumph Brewing Co., for $150,000 from injuries sustained when one of the restaurant’s severs allegedly dropped a tray of heavy dishes on him.
A lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court in Philadelphia on Jan. 8 by Robert Goodwin of Langhorne, Bucks County against Triumph Brewing Co. of Princeton Inc. over a Feb. 11, 2012 incident at the defendant’s business located in Princeton, N.J., reported The Pennsylvania Record.
Nearly a year ago, Goodwin was eating at the local brewery and was seated with his wife and friends while he watched his friends’ son play in a band at the restaurant. According to The Pennsylvania Record, without any sort of warning, an employee dropped several large dishes on Goodwin, which hit him in the neck, back and right foot, the complaint stated.
Goodwin claims to have suffered multiple emotional and physical damages
The lawsuit alleges that Goodwin sustained injuries such as a cervical neck sprain, back sprain, ankle sprain, severe occipital headaches and spinal stenosis of the cervical spine from the dishes hitting him. The claim also said that Goodwin experienced mental stress such as anxiety, apprehension, humiliation, frustration and a general loss of pleasure and enjoyment of life, reported The Pennsylvania Record.
Goodwin reported that he was forced to spend a large sum on money on medical treatments and his wife, according to The Pennsylvania Record, Margaret Goodwin claimed that she has been deprived of the companionship of her husband after the injury.
Small businesses should always assess their risks when buying business insurance, reported U.S. Small Business Administration. Obtaining general liability insurance can help protect a restaurant when an accident occurs and can cover business interruption periods if the restaurant is forced to shut its doors during a lawsuit.
