Trial Magazine

Steve Long, a 47-year-old long haul truck driver, went to a Waffle House restaurant at 1:30 a.m. After his meal, he was confronted by loiterers situated outside the restaurant’s door. They asked Long for his money and keys and then physically attacked him. Long suffered seven facial fractures and a traumatic brain injury. Additionally, he suffered gliosis to his right frontal lobe. As a result, he now experiences memory loss and headaches. His medical expenses were approximately $32,200.

Long sued East Coast Waffles, Inc., Waffle House’s wholly owned subsidiary, alleging negligent security. The plaintiff asserted that although the property had a history of criminal activity, the defendant failed to implement any security measures such as guards, outside cameras, or sufficient lighting at the restaurant or in the parking lot.

The jury awarded Long more than $907,200.

Citation: Long v. East Coast Waffles, Inc., No. 2:16-cv-00322-PAM-MRM (M.D. Fla. Mar. 30, 2018).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Todd Michaels and Steven Kassner, both of Coral Gables, Fla.; and David Mishael, Miami.

Plaintiff experts: Lance Foster, security, Clearwater, Fla.; Francis Conidi, neurology, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; and Richard Souviron, dentistry, Coral Gables.