Guest Describes Dish Disaster at a P.F. Chang’s

CLAYTON, Mo. (CN) - A P.F. Chang's customer wants $25,000 from the Chinese restaurant chain, claiming in court that its waitress dropped a tray full of dishes on her.

Chenise Schaefer sued P.F. Chang's China Bistro and the waitress, known only as Jane Doe, in St. Louis County Court on Sept. 25. Schaefer says the incident happened on Sept. 11, 2009, at the popular Chinese restaurant chain's location in Richmond Heights, a suburb of St. Louis.

Schaefer claims the waitress failed to secure the items on the tray, stacked too many items on the tray, failed to comply with restaurant policies regarding tray weight and failed to keep a careful lookout.

"As a direct and proximate result of the negligence and carelessness of the defendant Jane Doe, the plaintiff suffered injuries to her back, neck, spine, and fibromyalgia affecting her entire body as a whole," the complaint states. "Plaintiff has been caused to suffer great pain and mental anguish, and all of plaintiff's injuries are permanent and progressive."

Schaefer claims P.F. Chang's failed to give the waitress proper assistance, failed to provide adequate training and failed to implement sufficient safety policies regarding tray weight.

Schaefer wants at least $25,000 in damages for negligence. She is represented by Shaun Falvey of Brown & Crouppen in St. Louis.

P.F. Chang's did not return a request for comment.

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