Café Du Monde sued by customer over burns from spilled coffee and for being forcibly removed by police

GRETNA – A coffee shop is being sued by a woman who had to be removed from the premises by police after claiming she was severely burned when a cup of coffee spilled on her leg.

Sandra W. Hester filed suit against H.N. Fernandez Inc., Café Du Monde Coffee Stand, Officer Keith Seals, an unknown officer, the Kenner Police Department and Essex Insurance Company in the 24th Judicial District Court on March 7.

Hester claims she was a customer at Café Du Monde located at 3245 Williams Blvd. in Kenner on March 10, 2013 and was sitting down with a large mug of coffee when it fell over and burned her. The plaintiff asserts that she called 911 to seek medical attention when officer Seals and an unknown officer put her in handcuffs and that while they were walking her off the premises she fell to the ground at which time they allegedly threatened to shoot her with a taser. Hester alleges that she was refused medical care during the ordeal.

The defendant Café Du Monde is accused of failing to provide a safe environment, failing to correct the danger, creating an unreasonable risk, failing to hire qualified employees, failing to properly supervise employees, failing to comply with laws, failing to act as a reasonable administrator, failing to properly secure the coffee mug lid and having her falsely arrested.

Defendants, Officer Seals, the unknown officer and the Kenner Police Department are accused of false arrest, causing injury, failing to hire qualified officers, failing to properly train officers, failing to properly supervise officers, failing to comply with the law and failing to provide adequate medical treatment.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for medical expenses, physical pain and suffering, mental pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of society, false arrest, public humiliation and defamation of character.

Hester is represented by David I. Courcelle of the Law Office of David L. Courcelle LLC of Metairie.

The case has been assigned to Division K Judge Ellen Shirer Kovach.

Case no. 736-226.