
In May 2023, a heartbreaking incident at an Arby’s location in New Iberia, Louisiana, resulted in the tragic death of Nguyet Le, a 63-year-old restaurant manager from Houston.
Le was found deceased inside the walk-in freezer at the restaurant, leading her family to pursue legal action against the franchise owner.
The ongoing lawsuit will explore critical questions surrounding workplace safety and corporate responsibility.
Incident Details
Le, a widow and mother of four, had relocated to New Iberia just a few months prior to manage the Arby’s on East Admiral Doyle Drive temporarily.
Drawing from her extensive experience managing another Arby’s in Houston, she began her new role in April 2023.
Unfortunately, her life ended abruptly just one month later under distressing circumstances.
On May 11, Le arrived early to prepare the restaurant for its opening.
While performing her duties, she entered the freezer, where the door shut behind her, leaving her trapped inside.
Several hours later, her son—who also worked at the Arby’s and has developmental disabilities—discovered her lifeless form curled on the floor, apparently unable to escape.
According to court documents, Le had desperately attempted to signal for help, injuring her hands in the process of banging on the door.
Alarmingly, it was revealed that the freezer’s alarm system had been disabled, stripping her of a crucial means to call for assistance.
Legal Action
In response to this tragedy, Le’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against both Arby’s and the franchisee, alleging gross negligence.
They assert that management had prior knowledge of the faulty freezer door for months.
A regional manager had reportedly noted the defect during a visit in August 2022, but rather than fixing the issue, the restaurant resorted to makeshift solutions.
Claims indicate that employees attempted to prop the door open using screwdrivers and oil cans instead of initiating proper repairs.
Furthermore, the family argues that the failure to rectify the door problem created an unsafe working environment that ultimately led to Le’s devastating death.
The defense counters that Le did not report the door issue or seek help, implying she violated company policy by working alone at the time of the incident.
Impact and Future Proceedings
As legal proceedings move forward, a significant development occurred when the defendants sought to shift the case to arbitration, where a neutral arbitrator rather than a jury would decide the outcome.
However, the family’s attorneys are contesting this request, arguing that it serves as a tactic to delay proceedings and weaken their case.
A hearing to address this motion is set for January 2025 and could significantly impact the lawsuit’s trajectory.
This tragic event has deeply affected Le’s family, particularly her eldest son, who endured the harrowing experience of finding his mother’s body.
Beyond personal grief, the lawsuit sparks necessary conversations about workplace safety measures and employer responsibilities in addressing potential risks.
The incident sheds light on the serious consequences of neglecting employee safety.
As the case unfolds, it acts as a poignant reminder of the urgent need for proactive measures to safeguard workers.
Regardless of the eventual court ruling, this tragedy has ignited crucial dialogues concerning corporate accountability and the importance of ensuring safe work environments.
Source: Legalreader