A patron of a popular restaurant chain is seeking justice after a dining experience turned into a painful ordeal. Donna Kleiner-Lichtman filed a complaint against The Cheesecake Factory Restaurants, Inc. in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on July 15, 2024.

According to the court documents, Kleiner-Lichtman was enjoying dinner at The Cheesecake Factory located at 5530 Glades Road in Boca Raton on February 11, 2023. After finishing her meal around 9:15 PM, she got up to leave the restaurant when her foot became entangled in a chair that was protruding into the walkway. This caused her to trip and fall violently, resulting in serious injuries. The plaintiff alleges that poor lighting conditions contributed to the accident by creating a hazardous environment for patrons.

The complaint details several accusations against The Cheesecake Factory. It asserts that the restaurant had exclusive control over the premises and owed a duty of care to its patrons. Specifically, it claims that the defendant failed to ensure adequate lighting in the outdoor dining area and did not properly maintain seating arrangements to prevent tripping hazards. Furthermore, it accuses the restaurant of failing to warn patrons about known or hidden dangers and neglecting routine inspections of common areas.