Is Saying Sorry Enough?
@whiteheather39 (24403)
United States
June 18, 2007 5:39am CST
Toddler Served Margarita in a Sippy Cup
I think there you have been a lot stronger repercussions from Applebees. Accidental or not alcohol and a 2 year old could be a death sentence. I don't think just saying sorry is enough. Do you?
ANTIOCH, Calif. (AP) - Kim Mayorga was confused when her 2-year-old started making funny faces and pushing away the apple juice he had ordered at Applebee's. The explanation came when she opened the lid of the sippy cup and was hit by the smell of tequila and Triple Sec.
The restaurant staff accidentally gave Julian Mayorga a margarita Monday. He grew drowsy and started vomiting a few hours later and was rushed to the hospital.
"I wasn't going to make a big deal about it," the mother told the Contra Costa Times on Thursday, "but then he got sick."
The apple juice and margarita mix were stored in identical plastic bottles, and the manager mistakenly grabbed the margarita container to pour the boy's drink, said Randy Tei, vice president for Apple Bay East Inc., which owns the franchise restaurant and nine other Applebee's in the San Francisco Bay area.
The Mayorgas will be reimbursed for their medical bills, and Tei said the franchise group's restaurants will no longer serve apple juice and margaritas in similar containers.
"We absolutely believe it was an honest mistake," Tei said.
The serving appeared to have been accidental, Antioch police Lt. Pat Welch said. Mayorga said her son is now doing fine.
She said the company has been very apologetic and offered free meals, but she added, "If they think I'm going back there, they're ridiculous."
http://story.news.ask.com//article/20070616/D8PPS7U85.html
11 people like this
17 responses
@mummymo (23706)
•
18 Jun 07
Scary, very, very scary! I always used to check any drink my kids got - just in case there was any foreign objects in it or it was 'off' but I know not everyone does! I do think that the way the drinks were stored was wrong and would make it very easy for any busy staff member to make a mistake! I think the member of staff apologising is probably enough from them but the company really has to address the issue of how drinks are stored! I am so pleased that the toddler is ok and it must have been a worrying time for the parents but I am not quite sure what else the company can do since they have apologised and paid for the medical bills? Maybe they could give some kind of compensation but if it were my child I would be happy to know that the system had been changed and no-one else would have the same thing happen to them! xxx
3 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
18 Jun 07
I dont think the server should held responsible and I am sure he/she was genuinely sorry but I think the management should be held responsible.
3 people like this
@mummymo (23706)
•
18 Jun 07
The company definitely should be held responsible, I am just not sure what they could do to make up for the mistake? A lawsuit is always an option but would that make a difference? I don't mean by this that nothing should be done just that whatever is should be appropriate - maybe some kind of work with a childrens charity or something? xxx
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
18 Jun 07
You know, we hear trumped up lawsuits, and ridiculous law suits, but when something suit worthy comes along, people refuse to sue. At least the chain is paying for the medical bills, and has changed some of their policy. I am just relieved that the baby did not get any more seriously ill. I agree with the mom that she should probably not go back to that restaurant. Applebee's is getting millions of dollars worth of bad publicity at this time, and I think it will cost them dearly. That is, until it fades from everyone's memory, like in two or three weeks. Sorry is not enough. Taking the step to pay the bills is a good start, though. Changing store policy is also a start. I wonder if this has happened before, and gone undetected?
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
18 Jun 07
Who knows? If it did happen before I bet they'll cover it up real good.
2 people like this
@Ravenladyj (22902)
• United States
18 Jun 07
OMG!!! I WOULD HAVE LOST IT..and then looked into suing the a$$ off them! That is BEYOND an "oops..sorry..honest mistake" its flatout dangerous carelessness IMO and no saying "sorry" and offering free meals etc ISNT even close to being enough..
thats just messed up on so many levels!! I'm absolutely shocked...
3 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
18 Jun 07
It makes you wonder what else is stored in plastic bottles. Drain cleaner on the bar sinks. I was not a fan of frivolous lawsuits but this definitely warrants a lawsuit.
2 people like this
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
18 Jun 07
Well it makes me irate this happened, it should have never happened. However, the restaurant did make an amends for this error by paying the medical bills, apologizing and correcting their mistake by changing the bottles. There really isn't much more they can do. I wouldn't blame her for never going back there again, don’t' think I could. But I would feel restitution was made, they just can't repair the trust.
3 people like this
@shambuca (2524)
• United States
18 Jun 07
I don't blamer her- I wouldn't go back there either. I am not that fond of Abblebees to begin with- I got very sick after eating on eof their salads.
What that poor kid went through- they should offer money to the family to start a college fund for him as a peace offering.... couldn't hurt... If it were me I would have called my lawyer already, how do you know this didn't cause brain damage in a child so young.
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
18 Jun 07
That's true shambuca. There could be further problems down the road for that child.
1 person likes this
@winky73 (1404)
• United States
18 Jun 07
I can understand that the mom would be upset.....but it was a accident.They are paying for the medical bills and offerd free meals and said they where sorry.As long as my kid was okay....that would be enough for me....since they are making changes so this hopefuly won't happen again.
3 people like this
@neon2000 (2756)
• Philippines
19 Jun 07
When sorry is not ehough? Mistakes is already done honest or not. What do you think if known and influential people are in thier feet?
@classy56 (2880)
• United States
19 Jun 07
i seen this on the news an i was thinking omg..an the mother wasnt going to make a big deal out of it! i would have been "madder than old wet hornet!..even with applebees saying im sorry,im affraid that wouldnt be enough for me..that could have kill that baby..i would get a lawyer an file lawsuit against them..
1 person likes this
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
18 Jun 07
Now thats scary. Number one I would never have filled the baby's cup, I would have brought a container of juice to the table for the mother to put in the baby's cup. I have been in the restaurant business and know it is best to bring the item to the table for the mother to handle it.
They do deserve more than a simple apology too....that was a very bad thing that happened, it could have been so much worse.
@sumofalltears (3988)
• United States
24 Jun 07
Thanks for the best response, I appreciate that...:}
@natash121 (219)
• Australia
18 Jun 07
disgusting!!!!!!!!! Sorry is definately not enough!!!!!!!!!
2 people like this
@cutefrend4ever (186)
• India
19 Jun 07
saying sorry is never enogh, but repentance really is. Repentance is hard work. he has done it, and we too have to do the work of accepting him and giving him the oppurtunity to serve to the best of his ability.
This is, i am sure, the way of god. we all have much to learn from it, beyond sorry
@djbizmonkey34 (633)
• United States
19 Jun 07
How could something like that happen? I think the place should be sued or something like that. I'm sure it has probably happened more than once.
