Customer allegedly punched in face by Boot Bar & Grill employee after speaking to female patron

NEW ORLEANS – A lawsuit has been filed by a man who claims he had to undergo surgery after being punched in the face by am employee of The Boot Bar & Grill.

Gregory Jones Jr. filed suit against The Boot Bar & Grill, C. Napco Inc., Craig Napoli, Nancy Napoli, Aline Napoli, Robert Harris and John Doe in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Nov. 20.

The Boot Bar & Grill (herein known as “The Boot”) is a bar and restaurant owned and operated by C. Napco Inc. located adjacent to Tulane University's campus at 1039 Broadway Street in New Orleans.

Robert Harris was believed to be an employee of The Boot during the alleged incident.

On Nov. 22, 2013, the plaintiff, a college sophomore at Loyola University New Orleans, was fraternizing at The Boot and conversing with a friend at the outdoor patio located on Zimpel Street. Jones then proceeded to strike up a conversation with a new acquaintance or “a young lady whom he did not previously know” when he was approached by the defendant, Harris.

Harris allegedly approached the plaintiff with hostility demanding, “What are you doing talking to her?” Jones claims the defendant then insisted he leave. The plaintiff refused and retorted, “I’ll talk to whoever I want.”

The plaintiff claims that an unidentified male, believed to be assisting Harris and working for The Boot, approached from the rear and subdued the plaintiff’s hands behind his back. Harris then allegedly violently struck Jones’s left eye causing acute personal injuries.

The plaintiff contends he sustained a severe injury to his left eye including a prolonged state of blindness requiring him to undergo surgery to fix his left eye.

The petitioner is seeking an unspecified amount in damages for pain and suffering, mental agony, emotional turmoil, loss of enjoyment of life, medical care, permanent vision loss, medical expenses, postponed academic progress and loss of opportunity.

The plaintiff is represented by G. Karl Bernard of G. Karl Bernard & Associates LLC.

The case has been assigned to Div. H Judge Monique Barial.

Case no. 2014-11174.