Georgia Woman Sues Florida Bar Over Injuries From Falling Martini Shaker

A Georgia woman is taking legal action against a Florida bar after a cocktail-making mishap left her with a slew of injuries. Ruth Blake of Jackson County, Georgia, filed a lawsuit against The Tini Martini Bar at the Casablanca Inn, located in St. Augustine, Florida, following an incident where a martini shaker allegedly fell from a balcony and struck her on the head. The event, which occurred back on May 29, 2023, has prompted Blake to seek compensation, with claims of sustaining personal injuries due to the bar's negligence.

According to a report by FOX 5 Atlanta, Blake stated that the bar's practice of allowing patrons to shake their own cocktails might have directly led to her injuries. She believes that insufficient safety training for employees and the lack of physical safeguards were contributing factors. In her lawsuit, Blake cited "pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement and scarring, permanent injury, and physical impairment" resulting from the fateful encounter with the airborne shaker.

The case, which also implicates the inn where the bar is housed and its owner, was filed this past May, with Blake and her attorney seeking damages in excess of $50,000. This amount takes into account her accrued medical expenses, emotional distress, and a diminished capacity to enjoy life as she did pre-incident. They are not only asking for financial compensation but also "whatever other relief" Blake may be entitled to.

Elaborating on the incident, Blake recounted to Channel 2 Action News the dangers she faced due to the bar's oversight, mentioning "the bar failed to maintain safety measures to stop objects from falling from the second floor and creating a hazard to the public and failed to warn Blake of the danger of the area." The lawsuit represents not just a bid to recoup losses but also serves to shed light on what Blake perceives as a glaring oversight that could potentially harm others if not addressed.

While the legal process moves forward, the Tini Martini Bar and its affiliates have not yet responded publicly to the allegations.