Woman sues Rouses Markets after allegedly finding a fingernail in a plate of hot prepared food

NEW ORLEANS – A Rouses Market patron allegedly found a fingernail in a plate of prepared food causing her to become nauseous.

Cynthia Small filed suit against Rouse’s Enterprises LLC and Rouse's Markets in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Sept. 22.

Small asserts that on June 26, 2014, she was a patron at a Rouses Market purchasing a plate of hot prepared food. She then proceeded to consume the purchased food, where she allegedly discovered a single human fingernail, which immediately gave the petitioner a nauseous reaction. The plaintiff contends she was unable to finish her meal and suffered food poisoning as a result of the incident.

The defendant is accused of designing, assembling and selling the defective prepared meal as well as failing to place warning signs or labels on the hot food items.

The plaintiff is seeking an unspecified amount in damages for uncontrollable nausea and vomiting, pain and suffering, mental agony and loss of enjoyment of life.

The plaintiff is represented by Nicholas J. Hite of The Hite Law Group LLC.

The case has been assigned to Div. I Judge Piper D. Griffin.

Case no. 2014-09286.