Phila. daycare center employee sued for tossing 'toxic' liquid at woman's face

A woman who claims she sustained facial burns after an employee at a local daycare center threw a toxic liquid at her face has filed a personal injury lawsuit against the business and its owners.

In a complaint filed by Philadelphia attorney Lee S. Bender May 11 at the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, city resident Verlice Griffin claims Mad Tots Learning Center employee Teana Carter threw an unknown hot, toxic liquid substance at her face and upper body, causing Griffin to sustain serious burns and scarring.

The alleged incident happened back on Aug. 4, 2011, after Griffin went to Mad Tots Learning Center, located at 1932-34 Federal St. in South Philadelphia, to pick up a youngster.

The complaint does not explain the relationship between Griffin and the “youngster” she was picking up on the day of the altercation.

The lawsuit also does not seem to specify the nature of the incident, or why Carter allegedly attacked Griffin.

As a result of the incident, Griffin sustained “severe and grievous” injuries to her face, head, neck, chest and body, including scarring and burn injuries, the suit claims.

Griffin also sustained injuries to her muscles, tissues, bones and nerves, the lawsuit states, as well as shock to her nervous system.

The plaintiff also experienced pain, inconvenience, mental anguish, emotional pain, stress, distress, embarrassment, humiliation and a loss of life’s pleasures, according to the complaint.

Griffin has had to spend money on medical care to treat her injuries.

The lawsuit accuses the various defendants, which, in addition to the center and Carter includes Mad Tots owners Arnita Doamaral and James and Shareea Black, of negligence for failing to provide a safe environment for the plaintiff while inside the defendants’ premises; failing to protect Griffin after being notified of a prior disagreement/argument/altercation between Carter and the plaintiff; failing to prevent Carter from assaulting the plaintiff with a toxic substance; failing to properly supervise center employees; failing to hire competent employees; and failing to perform proper investigative and background checks on Mad Tots employees prior to hiring them.

The lawsuit also contains counts of assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and conversion.

For each of the four counts listed in the complaint, Griffin seeks judgment in excess of $50,000, plus interest, costs and attorney’s fees.

Griffin also seeks $50,000 in punitive damages.

 

The case ID number is 120500901.