HOUSTON – A Los Angeles woman is suing a fast casual restaurant for what she alleges was false imprisonment.
In her lawsuit against Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., doing business as Taco Cabana, Danielle Champion says the defendant’s franchisee located at 8905 Richmond Ave. in Houston prevented her from leaving last Feb. 8.
Court papers filed on Nov. 6 in the Harris County 165th District Court state that Champion and her co-worker purchased food from the respondent prior to the subject incident. Upon leaving the restaurant, the plaintiff realized she forgot her purse and went back inside to retrieve it to no avail.
The suit further explains that Champion tried to leave, but discovered the doors were locked, adding she unsuccessfully requested for the eatery’s employees to unlock them.
“The plaintiff was frightened and became visibly upset that she was not allowed to leave so much so that she suffered a panic attack, dropping on the ground and hyperventilating,” the original petition says.
Champion’s co-worker reportedly called 9-1-1 prompting the restaurant manager to finally open the door.
Per the complaint, the plaintiff suffered severe emotional trauma and stress.
She consequently seeks unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial.
Attorney Farrah Martinez of the law firm Farrah Martinez, PLLC in Houston is representing Champion.
Harris County 165th District Court Case No. 2017-74578