Products Liability Law Reporter

Lon Enwright, 38, visited Barley’s Casino & Brewing Company to watch a football game. After a Barley’s bartender purportedly served Enwright a two- to three-ounce sample of Honey Blonde Ale, Enwright experienced a sudden and intense burning in his mouth, tongue, esophagus, and stomach. He soon began convulsing, hyperventilating, and vomiting violently. Doctors later told Enwright that he had suffered permanent nerve and tissue damage to his mouth, tongue, and gastrointestinal system by ingesting a dangerous amount of a beer line cleaning solution containing potassium hydroxide and nonylphenol polyethylene glycol ether. Enwright now experiences reflux, permanent ulcers, a burning sensation on his tongue, and a distorted sense of taste.

Enwright sued Town Center Amusements, Inc., Barley’s operator and the wholly owned subsidiary of Station Casinos, alleging its bartender had negligently served him a dangerous chemical cleaning solution. The plaintiff claimed that although the defendant’s staff knew the lines were out of service for cleaning, the bartender still offered him the sample. The plaintiff did not claim lost income. The defendant denied liability until stipulating as to liability two days before trial.

The jury awarded $8 million in noneconomic damages.

Citation: Enwright v. Town Ctr. Amusements, Inc., No. A-20-818364-C (Nev. Dist. Ct. Clark Cty. Mar. 2022).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ members Rahul Ravipudi and Ian Samson, both of Los Angeles; AAJ member Adam Ellis, Las Vegas; and Andre M. Lagomarsino, Henderson, Nev.

Plaintiff expert: Frank Nemec, gastroenterology, Las Vegas.