San Antonio Woman Receives $2.8 Million After Sauce Burn

News Summary

A Bexar County jury awarded Genesis Monita $2.8 million after she suffered severe burns from hot barbecue sauce at Bill Miller Bar-B-Q. The incident has sparked discussions about customer safety in fast food establishments. The jury deemed the restaurant grossly negligent for serving the sauce at 189 degrees, significantly above their stated safety policy. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding food safety in the industry and could lead to changes in how restaurants handle potentially hazardous foods.

San Antonio Woman Awarded $2.8 Million After Barbecue Sauce Burns

In an unsettling turn of events, a San Antonio woman named Genesis Monita is making headlines after being awarded over $2.8 million following a horrific incident involving hot barbecue sauce at Bill Miller Bar-B-Q. The incident ramps up the ongoing conversation about customer safety in fast-food establishments and raises some serious eyebrows.

The Incident

The drama unfolded on May 19, 2023, when Monita and her sister decided to treat themselves to some delicious breakfast tacos from the popular fast-food joint through their drive-thru. After they got their order, they parked nearby to enjoy their meal when disaster struck. Monita accidentally spilled a container of barbecue sauce that was noted to be “dangerously hot,” leading to severe second-degree burns on her upper right thigh.

Temperature Troubles

What made this incident even more shocking was the fact that the barbecue sauce was served at a blistering 189 degrees. That’s significantly hotter than the restaurant’s stated safety policy of serving sauces at no more than 165 degrees. This unsettling detail certainly raises questions about the restaurant’s commitment to customer safety.

Jury’s Verdict

$900,000 to cover her past and future mental anguish, physical pain, and any impairment the injury may have caused. Additionally, medical expenses amounting to $25,225 and $700 in lost earnings added to the compensatory damages.

The jury didn’t stop there; they issued an additional $1.9 million in punitive damages, clearly indicating that the company’s negligence warranted further punishment. This decision has sparked a lot of discussions in the community about the responsibilities of restaurants in ensuring customer safety.

Legal Representatives’ Reactions

Monita’s attorney expressed satisfaction with the verdict, highlighting that customer safety should always come before profits. In contrast, legal representation from Bill Miller indicated that they would be exploring their options for an appeal, pointing to the ongoing battle between customer rights and corporate responsibilities.

A Pattern of Negligence?

The Defense’s Argument

The Bigger Picture

Monita’s lawsuit, filed in October 2023, has drawn parallels to the infamous McDonald’s coffee spill case from 1992, which brought attention to similar questions about the serving of dangerous hot food. As the community digests this latest verdict, it shines a light on the ever-important conversation surrounding consumer safety in the food industry.

This case may have concluded for now, but the implications are likely to be felt for some time, as customers and restaurant owners alike consider the balance between enjoying their meals and ensuring safety. Only time will tell how this will shape practices at Bill Miller and similar establishments in the future.