Waffle House Aims to Limit Evidence in Mississippi Lawsuit

Attorneys for a south Mississippi Waffle House want to limit evidence about criminal activity at the restaurant in a $41 million lawsuit brought by a customer who says he was attacked there in 2010.

Charles Eric Hunt claims he was beaten twice at the Waffle House at 3109 U.S. Highway 49 in Hattiesburg and his jaw was broken on both sides in December 2010.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Jackson, alleges that employees and a security guard didn’t stop the attack. Hunt claims there was a pattern of criminal activity at the restaurant and it didn’t protect its customers.

An attorney for Mid South Waffles Inc. filed a motion last week asking to limit evidence of crimes, police reports and lawsuits related to the location. The lawyer didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Hunt claims in his lawsuit that metal plates were needed to fix his jaws and left his face disfigured. His argument that Waffle House is liable for his injuries is based on allegations that the restaurant was a “dangerous environment” at certain times and the law enforcement often responds to calls there. He says Waffle House hasn’t taken appropriate steps to make the location safer.

In asking to limit the information at trial, Waffle House attorneys say information on other incidents at the restaurant could improperly influence the jury.