UPDATE, August 13, 2008: Ryan Kropp Sentenced to Six Months, Probation
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Kevin Hansen claims that he'll never be the same after West Bend Texas Roadhouse cook Ryan Kropp added something a little extra to Hansen's steak -- his hair.
According to the suit, this wasn't the first time Kropp tampered with patrons' food.
From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
The cook who pleaded guilty in June to putting hair in a steak he prepared at a West Bend restaurant had done so before on at least two occasions, and the incidents were reported to management, according to a lawsuit filed against the restaurant by the man who was served the steak.
Kevin J. Hansen and his wife, Marcia Hansen, filed the lawsuit last week against the Louisville, Ky.-based Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain, seeking unspecified damages for “severe and permanent injuries and extreme emotional distress” resulting from finding a “clump” of hair in a steak prepared by Ryan Kropp, 24.
Kropp, of West Bend, was charged with placing foreign objects in edibles. He pleaded guilty to the felony June 19. He could be sentenced to up to 3 1/2 years in prison Aug. 12.
...According to the lawsuit, Hansen has undergone extensive medical treatment, incurred expenses from purchasing medication and suffered “severe and permanent pain, suffering, inconvenience and disability” and “severe and permanent mental anguish and suffering, severe and permanent embarrassment and emotional distress.” He also seeks to recoup lost wages from missing work.
“This has really had a major effect on him,” Hetzel said. “It’s bothered the heck out of him.”
The lawsuit also alleges that Marcia Hansen suffered “loss of love and affection companionship and society” and will continue to do so.
The lawsuit claims that the restaurant should have known that Kropp had a history of “anti-social and criminal behavior,” saying that there were complaints of hair being found in food in December 2007 and January 2008.
The Hansens, of West Bend, are asking for a jury trial.
Wow.
The Hansens' lives have fallen apart!
If management at Texas Roadhouse knew that Kropp had implanted his hair in customers' food on other occasions and didn't fire the guy, that's inexcusable.
I don't know the cirsumstances of the two other incidents. Did customers complain after believing they found a stray hair on their food or were those also cases of obvious intentional tampering?
If there was reason to believe that Kropp purposely placed hair on food meant for customers and the manager didn't fire him, I think Texas Roadhouse is really in trouble.
The establishment was putting its patrons at risk by allowing Kropp to prepare food.
Even if Kropp didn't do it before, he admits that he put his hair in Hansen's steak. That's a felony.
I can see why Kropp wants to recoup the expenses of medical care, medications, and lost wages.
But isn't there some mental health professional who could help Hansen overcome the experience?
"Severe and permanent pain, suffering, inconvenience and disability" and "severe and permanent mental anguish and suffering, severe and permanent embarrassment and emotional distress" -- I question the "permanent" aspect.
4 comments:
Permanent damages - give me a break! These two are just looking to get as much money as they can.
I think Hansen has a legitimate beef, but the "permanent" claims are hard to swallow.
Kevin has been going around claiming he is the next million dollar guy. He also still eats meat and goes out to diner--two claims he makes which he cannot do anymore.
I can't verify your claims.
However, if true, Hansen's actions could impact his negotiations to arrive at a settlement with the restaurant.
If he can eat meat and dine out, the damages he suffered weren't permanent.
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