When most people venture to restaurants, they do so with the intention of enjoying a delicious meal without the muss and fuss of cooking and cleaning up. However, sometimes a diner might leave a restaurant with more than a satisfied appetite and a doggie bag. If a restaurant lacks proper sanitary practices or has employees working sick, this can be a recipe for disaster.
A woman from Tigard, Oregon, can attest to this. She and her husband has filed a suit against Olive Garden, accusing the restaurant of unsanitary practices that led to the woman becoming ill. The woman, who was pregnant, dined at the restaurant with her husband and other family members. Within 36 hours, six of the dining party became ill.
When the woman went into labor, she was diagnosed with the norovirus. The illness caused her to become dehydrated, and because of this, she was unable to have a natural birth and instead underwent an emergency C-Section. Her husband was also stricken with the virus, and the suit alleges that it prevented him from helping his wife during the labor and delivery process.
According to the suit, the woman is seeking damages from the restaurant on the grounds that they allowed a sick employee to work and handle food, did not require employees to properly wash their hands, did not properly prepare food in a sanitary manner and other issues. The suit seeks just under $50,000 in compensation.
Restaurant patrons have the right to dine without worrying about becoming ill. For those who believe an illness was caused by unsanitary practices of an eating establishment, seeking compensation for their personal injury and losses is an option. A legal professional with experience in handling such cases can best detail what rights a patron might have who feels they were wronged because of the actions of another person or entity.
Source: The Oregonian, “Tigard woman sues Olive Garden over norovirus, C-section” Lynne Terry, Jan. 28, 2014
