HOUSTON – A lawsuit alleging a defectively designed piece of smoked chicken caused Veronica Pendleton to crack her tooth has been dismissed.
Seeking $50,000 in damages, Pendleton filed her suit against Pappas Bar-B-Q on April 30 in Harris County District Court.
Court records show that an agreed order of dismissal was entered on Nov. 12, stating that the parties represented to the court that as part of their settlement they agreed to entry of the order.
According to her petition, on May 1, 2019, Pendleton ordered some smoked chicken from Pappas Bar-B-Q and took the food home to eat. While eating at home, Pendleton heard a crack in her mouth and immediately spit out what she was chewing.
Upon further review, Pendleton allegedly discovered a piece of metal, which she took back to the restaurant. A Pappas’ employee allegedly took possession of the item and sent it to corporate for testing.
Pendleton went to her dentist and learned that her tooth was broken and could not be repaired. The tooth needed to be pulled and Pendleton is now in need of a dental implant, according to the suit.
Pendleton accused Pappas Bar-B-Q of defective design, alleging the restaurant should have known the smoked chicken “would cause serious, potentially life-threatening” injuries to its customers.
The case had been slated for trial on June 20, 2022, court records show.
Pendleton was suing for her pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages and medical expenses.
Houston attorney John Clark represented her.
Cause No. 2021-26182