UPDATE: Wis. Court Nixes $150K Award in Hair-in-Steak Case

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UPDATE: Wis. Court Nixes $150K Award in Hair-in-Steak Case

UPDATED Wednesday, December 5, 2012 --- 6:39 p.m.
Posted Wednesday, December 5, 2012 --- 1:29 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- A state appeals court says a Texas Roadhouse customer who found human hair in his steak can't collect $147,500 in damages.

Kevin Hansen visited the restaurant in West Bend in February 2008. A manager offered Hansen a new steak after Hansen complained his was overcooked. Believing Hansen wanted free food, cook Ryan Kropp stuffed some of his hair into a slit he cut in the new steak.

Hansen sued Texas Roadhouse. A jury found the restaurant wasn't negligent and Kropp acted on his own but still said the restaurant owed Hansen $147,500 in punitive, compensatory damages and court costs.

The 2nd District Court of Appeals ruled the damage award was improper. The court said the blame lies with Kropp and the restaurant didn't cause his conduct.

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by WIBadger on Dec 7, 2012 at 11:08 AM

No, the restaurant is NOT responsible for every action of its employees. The restaurant did a proper background check and hired the cook; then it provided him with its company policy. The cook -- on his own -- decided to taint the food. All that any employer can do is to take reasonable steps to ensure that it hires people who will conduct themselves according to company policy and perform the job. Look at it this way -- assume that I have a grudge against company/restaurant X. I go to work for them, and on my own, I decide harm the public via the job, maybe even causing serious bodily harm or death. Naturally, I ain't got a dime to my name, so I ain't gonna be held financially liable. But, according to your logic, the company would be held liable for lots of $$$, thereby accomplishing my goal of "taking-out" the company/restaurant. The company/restaurant should not be held liable in "some way" for the $125K, and fortunately, the appeals court got it right. People need to realize that they are responsible for their actions.

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by Name Location: Location on Dec 5, 2012 at 02:37 PM

Isn't the restaurant responsible for the people it employs and the action those employees choose to take??? $125K is a lot of money and a high price, but they should be held liable in some way.

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