By John Asbury, Newsday
A 16th lawsuit has been filed against the now-shuttered Kumo Sushi & Steakhouse in Stony Brook by customers alleging food poisoning.
A Lake Grove family filed the latest lawsuit Oct. 25 against the restaurant’s parent company, MDBL Corp., and SBKU Services. The suit alleges that when the party of 23 held a combination baby shower and 30th birthday party on Sept. 9 at the restaurant, the group of family and friends, including elderly guests and children, were immediately sickened after eating hibachi.
The Suffolk County health department reported Thursday that a total of 54 people complained of getting sick after eating at the restaurant between Sept. 6 and 9.
“These people were put into a horrible situation. They were planning a baby shower for the first grandchild in the family,” said Ronkonkoma-based attorney Scott Middleton, who filed the lawsuit on behalf of the family.
“All 23 guests got sick due to the carelessness of this business,” Middleton said. “This was immediate. They were projectile vomiting in the parking lot.”
Members of the party “remained ill for several days after the incident. … As a result of consuming Defendant’s contaminated food products, Plaintiffs incurred medical expenses, and endured great physical pain, discomfort, mental anguish, and suffering, according to the lawsuit.