Summary
In Brown v. City Sam Restaurants, Inc., 666 N.Y.S.2d 409 (1st Dept. 1998), the First Department held that it was mere speculation to attribute plaintiff's flu-like symptoms to his consumption of unwholesome or contaminated lobster at defendant's restaurant, where it was undisputed that plaintiff had eaten other foods earlier that day, that he had a known food allergy to some shellfish, that no one else in his dinner party became sick, and where his own medical evidence was inconclusive as to the cause of his symptoms.
Summary of this case from Arencibia v. Joe's Place, Inc.Opinion
January 6, 1998
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Bronx County (Howard Silver, J.).
We agree with the motion court that it is mere speculation to attribute plaintiff's flu-like symptoms to his consumption of unwholesome or contaminated lobster at defendant's restaurant, where it is undisputed that plaintiff had eaten other foods earlier that day, that he had a known food allergy to some shellfish, that no one else in his dinner party became sick, and where his own medical evidence was inconclusive as to the cause of his symptoms ( see, Valenti v. Great Atl. Pac. Tea Co., 207 A.D.2d 340; Pendola v. M. S. Cafeteria, 206 Misc. 595). Leave to amend the complaint was properly denied on the same ground, namely, that plaintiff would not be able to prove that his symptoms were caused by his ingestion of contaminated lobster, such being an essential element to both proposed causes of action.
Concur — Sullivan, J.P., Rosenberger, Wallach, Rubin and Tom, JJ.