A woman is suing a Los Angeles restaurant after allegedly suffering severe second-degree burns to her legs when cooking oil caught fire during a hibachi dinner.
Angela Ciccone was dining with friends at Maison Kasai in Downtown LA on September 5 when a chef holding a container of cooking oil at her open-flame table reportedly lost control of the flames, engulfing the chef's arm and neck and spreading to Ciccone's legs and the floor.
According to a lawsuit filed in LA Superior Court, Ciccone claims that after noticing the fire, she attempted to extinguish it by rolling on the floor and patting her legs, with a friend assisting her. Emergency responders were called, and Ciccone was transported to a hospital as a trauma activation.
Physicians diagnosed Ciccone with second-degree burns on both lower extremities. She received intravenous fluids, pain medication, and burn dressings. The lawsuit states that while the chef was attended to by restaurant staff, no one approached Ciccone to offer aid.
The following day, Ciccone was transferred to a specialized burn center, where she remained until September 17. She underwent surgery for tissue removal and received skin grafts, describing her recovery as excruciatingly painful due to the frequent dressing changes. The suit claims she will be left with lifelong scarring.
A photograph submitted with the lawsuit reportedly shows extensive burns on her legs.
Maison Kasai, described as an "elevated teppanyaki restaurant blending culinary virtuosity with performance art," is located on the eighth floor of the Moxy Hotel in Downtown LA. The lawsuit names Lightstone Parent LLC, identified as the restaurant's owner, as a defendant.
Ciccone is seeking damages for alleged physical pain, mental suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, physical impairment, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life. Lightstone Parent LLC and Maison Kasai have been contacted for comment.