A Port Arthur man has filed suit against La Hacienda, alleging he was required to have surgery on his left knee after he slipped and fell while working at the restaurant.
Jose Jiron was working in the kitchen at La Hacienda restaurant on April 26, 2007, and was exiting a cooler when he slipped and fell, injuring his left knee and lower back, according to the complaint filed Jan. 23 in Jefferson County District Court.
Because of his fall, Jiron was forced to undergo a left partial medial meniscectemy and chondroplasty, the suit states.
Jiron claims that before the fall he had to receive cortisone injections in his lower back, but the injections have not helped to ease the pain and he has continued to experience lower back weakness since the fall.
La Hacienda was negligent by failing to keep the floor in the kitchen clear of slippery substances, by failing to provide a non-skid surface and by failing to provide mats in the cooler area, the suit states.
Because La Hacienda did not carry worker's comp insurance, it waived its common law defenses, according to the complaint.
Jiron is seeking unspecified damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, general damages and other relief to which he may be entitled.
He is represented by Steven C. Barkley of Beaumont.
The case has been assigned to Judge Donald Floyd of the 172nd District Court.
Case No. E183-102