When a New Jersey man drank beer laced with a caustic chemical that caused internal burns, he sued McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant, and was awarded $750,000 Friday.
A jury awarded Richard Washar $650,000 for pain and suffering and $100,000 for emotional distress after he drank tainted beer at a McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant which left him hospitalized for six days, 5News reported.
Washart’s draft beer contained traces of caustic chemicals used to clean beer taps, causing him to have severe pain and sickness after only one gulp. He experienced projectile vomiting and severe pain in his mouth and throat before going to the hospital.
Paul D’Amato, Washart’s lawyer, argued that the restaurant violated New Jersey’s Adulterated Food Act by serving tainted beer, and primarily faulted the company that cleaned the beer lines for failing to use pH testing strips.
However, the company denies the allegations, saying that it was not even at the restaurant on the day in question.
“The first question right off the bat: Did Kramer Beverage clean a line on Nov. 6, 2012? The answer is no. That’s the end of the case,” a lawyer for the company said.
Both defendants, Kramer Beverage Co. and McCormick & Schmick’s, must each pay half of Washart’s awarded damages.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.