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A San Jose doctor accused of causing injuries after eating spicy food at a Los Gatos Thai restaurant has reached a confidential settlement ahead of a jury trial that will keep the restaurant’s signature dish on the menu.
A plate of spicy chicken meatballs got a South Bay doctor talkingThailand The restaurant fought the lawsuit for three years.San Jose Neurologist Harjaslin Walia alleges she suffered permanent injuries after eating excessively spicy food at the Coup de Thai restaurant in Los Gatos. The two sides recently reached a confidential settlement ahead of a scheduled jury trial, but the signature dish that sparked the lawsuit is expected to remain on the menu.
according tosan francisco The Chronicle reported on November 4 that Walia dined at the restaurant with friends in 2021 and ate a chicken appetizer called “dragon balls.” She alleged in a lawsuit filed in 2023 that the dishes caused chemical burns to her vocal cords, esophagus and the inside of her right nostril, causing permanent injuries, so she sued the restaurant and owner Tanacha Swangcheng.
There is also a dispute between the two parties whether the spiciness of this dish can be reduced. According to the complaint, Hulia told the waiter that he could not eat spicy food and asked to reduce the spicy level. The waiter said that the kitchen would cooperate. However, a restaurant supervisor previously told the media that chili had been added to the meatballs, making it impossible to make a lighter version of the dish.
Walia also alleged in the lawsuit that the restaurant failed to train staff to provide Thai milk tea or other milk-based beverages to relieve customers from adverse reactions to spicy flavors.
The complaint attributes the injuries to Thai bird’s-eye chili peppers, a small, spicy chili commonly used in Thai cuisine. However, Kelly Johnson-Arbor, a physician at the National Capital Poison Center in the United States, said that Thai chilies can irritate the mouth and throat, causing nausea and heartburn, but are not thought to be associated with permanent tissue damage.
A jury trial in the case was originally scheduled to begin on November 6, expected to last five to seven days, but the parties reached a settlement before the hearing. Walia’s lawyer, David Russell Shane, declined to disclose details of the agreement, citing confidentiality; Sherrill Trum, the restaurant’s attorney, said both parties have found a mutually acceptable solution. The settlement amount and other terms have not been made public, and the case regarding injuries and liability has not yet been determined by a court. Trum also said that “Dragon Ball” has always been a popular dish in the store and should not be removed from the shelves in the short term.
Summary FAQ
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The main controversy was that the doctor believed that after eating the signature dish “Dragon Ball”, the excessive spiciness caused chemical burns to his larynx, esophagus and internal nostrils. The restaurant did not admit the injuries or responsibility and the parties eventually settled.
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The case was originally scheduled to go to a jury trial on November 6, which was expected to last 5 to 7 days. However, both parties reached a confidential settlement before trial, so the court did not make a final determination on injuries and liability.
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Looks like not yet. The restaurant’s lawyer said that a solution acceptable to both parties had been found, and pointed out that “Dragon Ball” has always been a popular dish at the restaurant and should remain on the menu in the short term.
