In a dramatic turn of events, two residents of Ventura County have filed a lawsuit against a popular fast-food chain following an incident that left one of them injured. The complaint was filed by Danett Zuniga and Julie Archer on April 17, 2025, in the Superior Court of California, County of Ventura, targeting Wienerschnitzel #312 and its associated corporate entities.
The plaintiffs, Danett Zuniga and Julie Archer, allege that on May 15, 2023, while dining at Wienerschnitzel #312 located in Simi Valley, California, a water-logged portion of the ceiling collapsed onto Zuniga. This incident resulted in physical injuries to Zuniga including damage to her dental crown and molar. The complaint accuses the defendants—Wienerschnitzel #312; WIENERS 312 LLC; Galardi Group Franchise & Leasing LLC; Galardi Group Inc.; and additional unnamed parties—of negligence and negligent infliction of emotional distress. According to the plaintiffs' attorney Stephen M. Johnson from Berglund & Johnson Law Group, these entities failed to maintain safe premises and neglected to warn patrons about potential hazards.
Zuniga claims she has suffered significant physical injuries along with emotional distress due to the negligence of the defendants. Her mother, Julie Archer, who witnessed the incident firsthand, also claims emotional distress as a bystander. The lawsuit highlights how this traumatic event has led to ongoing medical expenses for Zuniga and impaired her ability to work. Both plaintiffs are seeking general damages for their suffering as well as compensation for medical expenses incurred due to the accident.
The plaintiffs are demanding a jury trial and seek various forms of relief from the court including compensation for medical costs both past and future, loss of earnings due to impaired earning capacity, property damage caused by the incident, interest on these amounts according to applicable laws such as Civil Code §§ 3287(a), 3288, 3291 among others. They also seek coverage for incidental expenses resulting from this unfortunate event.
Representing Zuniga and Archer is attorney Stephen M. Johnson from Berglund & Johnson Law Group based in Woodland Hills. The case has been assigned Case No: 2025 CLIP O04 22728 in Ventura Superior Court but no judge has been named yet.