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Woman claims she suffered horrific life-changing injuries at glamorous LA dinner with friends
A woman says a fire during dinner at a Los Angeles hibachi restaurant left her with second-degree burns and lasting scars, according to a lawsuit. Her claim raises questions about how the restaurant responded to the incident and the safety of theatrical cooking near diners.
The suit says a chef’s container of cooking oil caught fire on 5 September, setting his arm and neck alight before flames spread to the floor and Ciccone’s legs. She was taken to hospital, transferred to a specialist burn centre the next day, and remained there until 17 September; she also underwent surgery and skin grafts. The lawsuit names restaurant owner Lightstone Parent LLC and seeks damages; the company and restaurant were contacted for comment.
In short
- Angela Ciccone alleges a hibachi fire burned her legs.
- She says she needed surgery and skin grafts.
- Her lawsuit seeks damages from the restaurant’s owner.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The lawsuit, if its account is substantiated, supports the view that the restaurant may have failed to manage foreseeable risks from open-flame cooking or respond adequately once the fire began. Diners should be able to expect reasonable safety measures, and serious burns and lasting scars can justify seeking compensation and accountability.
The case against
The allegations have not been established in court, and the restaurant and owner have not yet given their account in the report. The fire may have resulted from an unforeseen accident despite reasonable precautions, so responsibility and any damages should depend on evidence about how it started, the safety measures in place and the response.
Explained simply
Hibachi restaurants prepare food on a hot cooking surface in front of diners, and some chefs use flames as part of the performance. Cooking oil can catch fire, so restaurants need measures to reduce the risk and respond if a fire spreads.
The lawsuit was brought by Ciccone against Lightstone Parent LLC, which owns the restaurant. It seeks damages over the injuries she says she suffered; the company and restaurant were contacted for comment. The case may examine how the fire started, how staff responded and what safety measures were in place.