Incident Overview
Kelsey King, a Jacksonville resident, filed a civil lawsuit in Duval County Circuit Court. She sued Darden Concepts, Inc. and an unnamed employee, referred to as John Doe. The case involved an incident that occurred on January 2, 2023, at a Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen restaurant in Jacksonville. Darden Concepts allegedly owned or operated the premises at the time. King accused the restaurant and its staff of negligence that caused her to slip and fall inside the establishment.
Events Leading to the Legal Dispute
King claimed the restaurant failed to properly maintain the floors. According to her complaint, employees did not inspect for slip hazards or follow cleaning policies. A foreign substance on the floor allegedly created a danger. She said there were no warnings, and the staff ignored a foreseeable risk. The substance caused her to slip and fall. She blamed both the company and the employee on duty for failing to act reasonably.
Plaintiff’s Injuries and Their Impact
King suffered serious physical injuries. She experienced pain, disability, and permanent scarring. Her injuries limited her daily activities and caused disfigurement. She also dealt with mental anguish and a loss of life enjoyment. Her doctors confirmed the injuries were permanent. These physical and emotional effects continued into her future.
Claimed Damages
King sought more than $50,000 in damages. She claimed compensation for past and future medical treatment, nursing care, and hospital bills. She also cited emotional trauma and decreased quality of life. Her lawyers requested a jury trial to determine the value of her economic and non-economic losses.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Kelsey King
Counsel for Plaintiff: Edward L. Foster III | Nelson Enrique Sierra Jr. | Grant Reilly Gillenwater
Expert Witness for Plaintiff: Mark S. Frisk | John Hale | Christopher Roberts
Defendant(s): Darden Concepts, Inc. | Cheddar’s Casual Cafe Inc.
Counsel for Defendant(s): Nicholas Patrick Dareneau
Claims
Negligence
Darden Concepts, Inc. negligently maintained the floors at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen. This included failing to inspect for slip hazards and allowing improper cleaning procedures. They also failed to follow their own policies on floor maintenance and safety.
Failure to Warn
The Defendants negligently failed to warn Kelsey King of the dangerous substance on the floor. They either knew or should have known about this hazard, especially since such conditions allegedly occurred regularly at their premises.
Defense Position and Affirmative Defenses
Darden Concepts denied all claims. The company said it didn’t own or operate the restaurant at the time. It rejected any responsibility to maintain safety or issue warnings. The defense argued the complaint lacked legal support. They blamed King for her own fall. They suggested she acted carelessly or assumed the risk. Darden also cited third-party actions and claimed the hazard was obvious. They invoked Florida laws to reduce or limit liability.
Jury Verdict and Outcome of the Case
On April 9, 2025, the jury sided with Kelsey King. They found Cheddar’s Casual Cafe negligent and liable for her injuries. The jury awarded her a total of $1,647,378.58. This included $21,518.58 in past medical bills, $325,860 in future medical expenses, $100,000 for past non-economic losses, and $1.2 million for future pain, suffering, and related damages.