When most kids visit their cafeteria for their lunch break, they do so with the expectation that they will be able to eat their lunch in peace, without fear of getting hurt. However, one kindergartener in Tennessee found out that the unexpected can even happen in the lunch room. According to a lawsuit recently filed in Shelby County, a kindergarten student was “burned so badly by food at a Tennessee school that she had to be treated at a local hospital.” The suit itself was filed by the girl’s mother and names “Shelby County Schools as the defendant.”
When most kids visit their cafeteria for their lunch break, they do so with the expectation that they will be able to eat their lunch in peace, without fear of getting hurt. However, one kindergartner in Tennessee found out that the unexpected can even happen in the lunch room. According to a lawsuit recently filed in Shelby County, a kindergarten student was “burned so badly by food at a Tennessee school that she had to be treated at a local hospital.” The suit itself was filed by the girl’s mother and names “Shelby County Schools as the defendant.”
The accident occurred back on October 23, 2018, in Memphis at Double Tree Elementary School. Prior to the incident, the young girl was “getting lunch – mashed potatoes, at the on-site cafeteria.” After she got her food, she began “walking toward a table when she slipped on a wet spot on the cafeteria floor.” As a result, she dropped her tray and the “hot food landed on her arm, resulting in severe burns.” In fact, according to the lawsuit, the burns were so severe that the young girl required medical treatment.
In the lawsuit, the girl’s mother and legal team argue that the child wasn’t aware that the mashed potatoes were so hot that they would cause such severe burns. Additionally, the suit claims the young girl “did not see the wet spot on the floor.” As a result, the lawsuit argues that “Shelby County Schools is liable for the incident and that every aspect could have been prevented.”
According to the suit, the family is seeking damages to cover the following:
- Permanent disfigurement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Medical bills and expenses
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Statutory and discretionary costs
- Post-judgment interest
- And all such further relief to which she may be entitled
While officials with the Shelby County Schools have declined to comment on the pending litigation, Thomas Greer of Bailey and Greer Law Firm, the attorney representing the young girl and her family said:
“A child should not suffer second-degree burns at a school. I don’t think anybody would expect a burn like to happen. It’s just something that should not happen…Our kids should not be burned with the food that has been served.”
Greer also noted that the child has since returned to school. However, she prefers to bring her own lunch from home and is hesitant to join the hot-lunch line in the cafeteria.
Sources:
Girl severely burned by food after fall in Memphis school cafeteria, lawsuit claims
This Student Had To Go To The Hospital Because Of Her School Cafeteria Lunch
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