A LAWSUIT was filed yesterday against Saipan Grand Hotel over a food poisoning incident during a wedding reception two years ago that left one person dead and several others hospitalized.
Joseph I. Benavente brought the lawsuit as the personal representative of the estate of Guillermo I. Benavente, who allegedly died of food poisoning.
The other plaintiffs are William Benavente, Ramon Sablan Basa, Josephine Camacho Cabrera, Manuel C. Sablan Jr., Norbert T. Cabrera, Alina Concepcion Cabrera, Frances Benavente, Gregorio P. Blas and Alicia B. Blas.
The plaintiffs, who are represented by attorney Eric S. Smith, sued Micro Pacific Development, Inc., owner of Saipan Grand Hotel, for alleged negligence.
Variety contacted Grand Hotel, but no one was available for comment.
Joseph Benavente asked the Superior Court to order the defendant to pay the estate of Guillermo Benavente general, special and punitive damages. He also demanded payment for medical and funeral expenses.
The nine co-plaintiffs sought punitive damages and damages for past medical expenses as well as for mental anguish and physical suffering.
Smith said the food poisoning occurred at the wedding reception for Ronald Nena and Elizabeth S. Taisacan at Grand Hotel’s Seaside Garden Restaurant on June 17, 2000.
Smith said the plaintiffs, except for William Benavente, were guests at the wedding reception where each consumed food prepared by the hotel’s employees and from off-site sources.
Grand Hotel catered the food and served them buffet style.
Following the consumption of the food, “plaintiffs became violently and critically ill, causing each and everyone of them to suffer severe stomach pain and body aches,” Smith alleged.
Guillermo Benavente got up from bed at 4 a.m. on June 18, 2000 to go to the bathroom because he was suffering from stomach cramps and diarrhea, Smith said. His wife later found him unconscious. He was pronounced dead at the Commonwealth Health Center due to food poisoning, Smith said.
He said William Benavente ate the left-over wedding reception food brought home by his mother at 10 p.m. on June 17.
