Woman Finds Finger in Salad, Sues IHOP

(CBS)  After biting into her fried chicken green salad at a Florida IHOP, Nadine Robinson felt something with a "rubbery texture" in her mouth. That rubbery object turned out to be the severed tip of a human finger, and now Robinson is suing the restaurant chain.

The episode, reported by The Smoking Gun, took place in Hallandale, Florida in November 2008. Ronald Neilly, a cook at the IHOP, accidentally cut off the tip of his finger as he prepared the food. After being rushed to the hospital, no one could find the severed digit.

It turned up on the plate of Robinson, 42, who was eating brunch with her family after Sunday church services. In her negligence suit against the International House of Pancakes and the 35-year-old Neilly, Robinson said the "freshly cut human flesh and blood" exposed her to possible health issues.

According to the report, the lawsuit cites damages in excess of $15,000, but a claim letter to the restaurant's insurance company asks for $18 million for Robinson and her husband, plus $2.5 million for their daughter, who also took a bite of the salad.

The IHOP was cited by the Occupational Safety Health Administration for a "serious" violation.

[wtcmedicdidntforget]

Nice, goes to church has a horrible experience and sues for 18 million. real christean example.

[formrusmcsgt]

It's "God's" will....

[Skruffy1]

Yeah, she deserves a settlement, all right. A free meal, maybe several free meals... and IF she became ill from actually EATING the finger, which she apparently did not, her medical expenses should have been paid. But 18 million dollars? No way!! I have much more sympathy for the IHOP employee who lost his finger. It's cases like this that make some folks salivate at the idea that tort reform is the answer to everything.

[jeffrico]

I have so many things to say.... I think I should start with - HOW COULD SOMEONE THINK SOMETHING LIKE THAT WAS WORTH $18 Million Dollars? I really hate to stereotype type BUT I went and asked a few of my friends what they would do, you know what I got from most of them? Free Ihop for life and 5k or 10k.

THAT SEEMS FAIR!

[formrusmcsgt]

After being rushed to the hospital, no one could find the severed digit.
---
But the food was served anyway.

Stupid.

NONE of the food that was in process should have been served as the finger was unaccounted for.

A similar thing happened to me at a casino buffet here in Vegas about a year ago.

I served myself some stir fry and there was a lens from a pair of eyeglasses in my portion which I FORTUNATELY did not bite down on.

I did not sue as I was not damaged, but I read the staff the riot act for shoveling the food out anyway KNOWING there was unaccounted for glass somewhere.

[bearjoint]

Since we know who the finger belonged to, it is easy enough to find out if the family was exposed to anything. It is gross, and unfortunate, but too much is still too much. Greedy people are part of the problem that this country faces. I'll bet the poor guy that lost his finger making that salad won't come close to 18 mil.

[winslowe1]

That's about the freshest thing you'll find at IHOP.

[makemyday2day]

Ridiculous! The same incident happened in my community a couple years ago. It never went to court and the (major chain) restaurant made an immediate settlement with the 'victim' without any fanfare. Both parties in this case showed some 'class'. In the case above, just goes to show how 'christian' values (it happened after church) really work! Shameful!!!

[jt92202]

And we wonder why Insurance Companies have to charge so much for policies! Ya she deserves to be compensated but that is excessive! Who's insurance policy is going up because of this law suit? Mine and yours!!

[Overruled1]

It can honestly be said it was finger licken good......

[displeased]

They can't find the finger so they serve the food anyway. Brilliant. And that's just gross. The tip of a finger being tossed around in a salad, probably contaminating much more than what was on her plate. A lawsuit is understandable. 20 mil? I think that's a little excessive.