Restaurant employee sues meat provider after biting into alligator that allegedly contained shotgun pellets

GRETNA – An employee of a local restaurant is suing a food service company that allegedly provided a piece of alligator meat she ate that had shotgun pellets in it.

Darilyn Smith filed suit against Harlon’s LA. Fish LLC, Indemnity Insurance and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in the 24th Judicial District Court on Jan. 23.

Smith alleges that she was under the employment of Zea’s Restaurant located at the Clearview Mall on Veterans Boulevard in Metairie when she and other employees were trying a new dish made of alligator meat supplied by Harlon’s LA. Fish. The plaintiff asserts that as she bit into the fried alligator, she encountered several hard pieces of metal she believed to be shotgun shells. Smith claims that she chipped a tooth and became nauseated and physically ill due to the incident.

The defendant is accused of selling an adulterated food substance, failing to warn of an adulterated food substance, failing to properly monitor the harvesting of products and placing into commerce a dangerous product.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, fear of lead poisoning, medical expenses and lost wages.

Smith is represented by Mark W. Smith of Metairie-based Mark W. Smith & Associates.

The case has been assigned to Division D Judge Scott U. Schlegel.

Case no. 734-872.