A Texas couple has filed a lawsuit after a seemingly harmless drink turned into a nightmare, sending them both to the burn unit. Abigael Hance-Briscoe and Dustin Johnson were enjoying a night out at Twisted Trick, a newly opened bar, when they ordered a “Flaming Pineapple” cocktail. What began as a fun experience quickly turned into a life-changing event when the drink, which came with a flaming lime garnish, exploded in their faces.
Johnson, familiar with tiki bar traditions, initially thought the fire would be a small, quick spectacle. He described it as a “cute” addition to the drink and expected a brief flash of flame before enjoying the cocktail. However, things took a disastrous turn when the bartender added more Everclear, a highly flammable liquor, to the drink. After the bartender used a torch to ignite the drink, the glass shattered, and the fire spread uncontrollably, igniting both Johnson and Hance-Briscoe.
Johnson recalled running out of the bar with his shirt, face, arms, beard, and chest hair on fire. Meanwhile, Hance-Briscoe was left to frantically roll on the ground to extinguish the flames engulfing her body. Someone eventually poured water on her to put out the fire, but the damage had already been done. When she woke up in the burn unit at Parkland Hospital, she was horrified to discover that her skin had been severely burned, and parts of her body, including her arm, had melted. Her bra had fused to her skin, requiring doctors to cut it off. She also sustained burns to her face, including her ear and part of her scalp. Medical personnel had to shave one side of her head to assess potential scalp injuries.
Johnson’s injuries were less severe but still serious enough to keep him hospitalized for several days. Hance-Briscoe, however, was not so fortunate. She spent seven weeks in the hospital, enduring multiple skin grafts and developing sepsis, a life-threatening complication. Her recovery has been slow, and she now faces physical therapy and reconstructive surgery. She has been left with lasting scars and uses a walker as a result of her sepsis.
In the lawsuit, the couple accuses Twisted Trick of negligence. They claim the bar failed to properly train its staff on the risks associated with flaming drinks and did not take the necessary precautions to ensure customer safety. The couple has been using a GoFundMe page to raise funds for their medical expenses, which are estimated to exceed $20,000.
In response, the former owners of Twisted Trick deny the allegations. They have called the incident a “pure accident” and argue that the couple failed to take the necessary precautions before consuming the drink. The bar’s legal team asserts that any damage the couple suffered could have been prevented had they exercised more caution and reasonable care.
The incident has had a significant impact on both Johnson and Hance-Briscoe, who are now seeking justice for the physical and emotional trauma they endured. Twisted Trick, which had only recently opened, has since closed its doors permanently following the incident. The lawsuit serves as a reminder of the dangers associated with flaming drinks and the importance of safety measures in bars and restaurants.
