Bess v. Waffle House, Inc.

Michele Spitzner Bess was performing her duties in the course of her employment for a Waffle House restaurant on March 6, 1998, when she was injured while placing meat into a lower freezer drawer. After she placed the meat in the drawer she stood up, striking her back on the open refrigerator door. As a result of the incident, Bess sustained a bruise and subsequently developed myofascial-pain syndrome and psychological infirmities, including depression, which, she claims, are directly related to this on-the-job injury.

Bess sued Waffle House, Inc., on November 9, 1998, seeking benefits and…