Florida Diner Claims Restaurant’s Negligence Led to Artichoke-Induced Injury

A Florida man has sued a Houston’s restaurant and its manager for failing to
train servers to explain to patrons how to eat grilled artichokes, contending
that their negligence led to his hospitalization and exploratory bowel surgery.
Carvajal v. Hillstone Restaurant Group, Inc., No. 10-57757 CA 03 (Fla. Cir. Ct., Miami Dade Cty., filed October 27, 2010). He alleges ordering a
special item offered by a server, “which Plaintiff advised he had never seen
or heard of previously.” According to the complaint, plaintiff Arturo Carvajal
was not instructed that the outside portion of the leaf should not be eaten,
although the restaurant “had a duty to use reasonable care with respect to the
serving and explanation of items not described on the menu; which by their
appearance as served appeared wholly consumable.” He is seeking damages
in excess of $15,000.