Bonefish Grill sued by customer who claims disability after falling off bench

GRETNA – A Jefferson Parish woman is suing a local restaurant after she allegedly broke her wrist and a rib in a fall off a bench on their premises.

Cynthia Dewhirst filed suit against Bonefish Grill and Wells Fargo Insurance in the 24th Judicial District Court on April 1. Dewhirst claims she arrived at Bonefish Grill located at 484 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie on April 7, 2012 and that her date dropped her off in front of the restaurant as he parked the car. The plaintiff alleges that she sat down on a bench to wait for her date and as she began to rise from the bench it fell forward causing her to fall to the ground. Dewhirst asserts she received severe injuries in the fall, including a fractured wrist and a broken rib.

The defendant is accused of failing to take precautions to ensure the outdoor seating was properly bolted down, creating a hazard, failing to place cones or other warning objects around the hazardous seating area, failing to properly train its employees and failing to exercise reasonable care.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for severe injuries, physical pain and suffering, permanent disability and medical care and treatment.

Dewhirst is represented by Gerald P. Webre of Metarie-based Webre Law Firm.

The case has been assigned to Division P Judge Lee V. Faulkner Jr.

Case no. 725-498.