A woman is suing an Ocala restaurant for over $50,000 for an explosion at a hibachi grill table that she claims left her “severely burned.”
In a complaint filed earlier this month in the Fifth Judicial Circuit of Marion County, attorneys argue that their client, Megan Peralta, sustained injuries during a visit to Edo Sushi and Japanese Steakhouse in March.
During that incident, which took place on March 9, Ocala Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to the restaurant, which is located at 4414 SW College Road, after reports of an explosion.
According to an incident report by Ocala Fire Rescue, crews arrived at the scene shortly after 5 p.m. on that day to find that staff had extinguished the fire.
At the time, witnesses told authorities that a chef had been performing acts with a spatula and fire over one of the hibachi grills at the restaurant.
While the chef was performing tricks and holding a container with flammable liquid, the container appeared to ignite and explode, causing injuries to the chef and Peralta.
Both individuals were transported as trauma alert victims to UF Health Shands Hospital.
In her complaint, Peralta accuses the restaurant of negligence and inadequately maintaining its hibachi grill, which lead to the creation of an “unreasonably dangerous condition.”
Peralta goes on to further indicate that the business failed to “warn or adequately warn” her of the “danger” of the grill, when the business “should have known” that said grill was “unreasonably dangerous.”
“As a result, Megan Peralta was sitting and dining at a cook table/hibachi grill/teppan griddle on Defendant’s premises as described above, said table exploded or otherwise caught fire due to the chef’s use of alcohol and/or oil on or near said table, causing severe burns and bodily injuries as set forth,” reads the complaint.
Peralta says she has suffered “severe bodily injury” that has resulted in loss of earnings and her ability to earn money.
Peralta is being represented by Orlando-based law firm Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys.