John A. Venezia
NEW ORLEANS – An internationally known New Orleans restaurant has been sued by a woman who claims she was injured in a fall while leaving the establishment.
Stefanie A. Freeman filed suit against Emeril's Homebase, LLC, Lagasse Land and Property and their insurer in the New Orleans Civil District Court on June 18. Freeman claims she was a patron at Emeril's Restaurant at 800 Tchoupitoulas Street in New Orleans when she attempted to exit the building around midnight following her dinner.
The plaintiff claims the front door was locked as the restaurant was closed and she was told to instead exit through the kitchen area in the back. Freeman asserts that as she was walking through the kitchen she slipped in grease and fell to the floor injuring herself severely, especially to her left wrist.
The defendant is accused of failing to use reasonable care, failing to keep the premises free of hazards, failing to warn about the danger, inviting the plaintiff into an unsafe area, failing to properly inspect the premises, failing to establish proper procedures for cleaning and inspection and allowing a foreign substance to remain on the floor of the restaurant.
An unspecified amount in damages is sought for pain, inconvenience, inability to perform usual functions, lost wages and medical expenses.
Freeman is represented by John A. Venezia New Orleans-based Venezia & Associates.
The case has been assigned to Division I Judge Piper D. Griffin.
Case number 2012-05986.