Who’s At Fault? Inside The Benihana Tori Spelling Is Suing Over Grill Burns
Sept. 11 2015, Published 6:59 a.m. ET
RadarOnline.com has an inside look at the Encino, Calif. Benihana branch Tori Spelling is suing over an April incident in which she claims she was burned.
*EXCLUSIVE* Tori Spelling is on the mend after suffering a severe burn **USA ONLY**
As RadarOnline.com previously reported, the 42-year-old Spelling claims she suffered "deep second- and third-degree burn injuries" in the springtime incident, leading to financial losses in the form of lost work and hospital bills.
Tori Spelling Spends Mother’s Day With Her Family
Spelling, seen with husband Dean McDermott and their children, claims the injury occurred after she fell on a hibachi grill at the popular chain restaurant.
The daughter of TV pioneer Aaron Spelling and her family posed outside of the restaurant prior to her incident. McDermott later told the NY Daily News that the 90210 star "had to get skin grafts" at West Hills Hospital as result of the "unfortunate accident."
*EXCLUSIVE* Tori Spelling Burn–Go inside Benihana restaurant in Encino, Calif
This specific location, as snapped by blink-news.com, has been in business for 51 years, and caters to celebrity clientele, including members of the Jacksons.
*EXCLUSIVE* Tori Spelling Burn–Go inside Benihana restaurant in Encino, Calif
Here is the typical grill area Spelling claims to have collided with; sources who visited the establishment recently said that they heard warnings that the grill was hot every 15 minutes during their hour-and-a-half visit.
*EXCLUSIVE* Tori Spelling Burn–Go inside Benihana restaurant in Encino, Calif
With the grill an estimated 17.5 inches from the diner's end of the table, sources said that it's a pretty safe set-up, as even the "clumsiest of patrons would likely fall on the table portion of the seating area, not the grill."
*EXCLUSIVE* Tori Spelling Burn–Go inside Benihana restaurant in Encino, Calif
"The only place where the grill is less than 5 inches from where a person could be is, specifically, where the chef prepares the food," our source said.
*EXCLUSIVE* Tori Spelling Burn–Go inside Benihana restaurant in Encino, Calif
Designated areas of the restaurant in tile "are reserved for only for the cooks, their carts, and wait staff," our source said, adding that "restaurant patrons are notified of this straight away when seated. You are told not to walk in this specific area -- guests walk on the carpeted areas."
*EXCLUSIVE* Tori Spelling Burn–Go inside Benihana restaurant in Encino, Calif
Said our insider: "From the moment you check in with the hostess, to the very end of your meal, you are reminded about the 'hot zone' where food is being prepared."