Chef Sues Gordon Ramsay at the London Over Severe Burger Injury

A German chef is suing the various operating and owning companies affiliated with Gordon Ramsay at the London in New York City. According to the claim, chef Markus Barthel was dining at the restaurant in March and while eating a hamburger "a sharp piece of ceramic or other material that had been concealed in the hamburger cut into" his mouth and tongue. Barthel claims that he bled a lot and that he required surgery. The suit claims the injury has left Barthel "sick, sore, lame, and disabled" and no longer capable of fulfilling his duties as a chef. Shouty chef Gordon Ramsay is not named in the suit, and it is important to note that per his licensing agreement he is not involved in the day-to-day operation of the restaurant.

Along with a negligence claim, Barthel is also suing on grounds of a strict products liability, alleging that the operators did not take the necessary steps to ensure that their burgers were sharp-object free. There is also a claim of breach of implied warranty, with Barthel alleging that he had the "reasonable expectation that the food served was safe for consumption in the restaurant." Barthel has not specified the amount of damages he is seeking.

Barthel's lawyer tells the New York Daily News that not only was his client sliced by an object in a hamburger, but the staff at Gordon Ramsay at the London apparently "snatched it up," leaving Barthel unable to show it as proof. At this point, there has been no official comment from the hotel or the restaurant.

News of the lawsuit follows other recent setbacks for the New York City restaurant. This Fall the restaurant lost its two Michelin stars, making it the first restaurant in Michelin history to go from two stars to zero for "quality issues." Below, the full lawsuit:

Gordon Ramsay at the London Lawsuit

· New York State Supreme Court and the County Clerk of New York [Official]
· German Chef Sues Gordon Ramsay [NYDN]
· All Gordon Ramsay Coverage on Eater [-E-]