The family of Nguyet Le, a 63-year-old Texas woman who was discovered dead inside an Arby's freezer in New Iberia, has taken legal action against Turbo Restaurants, LLC; Sun Holdings, Inc.; Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc.; Arby's, Inc.; and Inspire Brands, Inc.

According to our media partners at KATC, the family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking damages exceeding $1 million, alleging that a known defect in the freezer led to her untimely demise. The lawsuit, represented by attorney Paul Skrabanek, highlights the circumstances surrounding Le's tragic death and points to negligence on the part of the restaurant management.

Nguyet Le, a full-time general manager at an Arby's in Houston, was temporarily assigned to manage the New Iberia restaurant in February. On the morning of May 11, Le was dropped off at the Arby's in New Iberia to complete her pre-opening tasks. According to the lawsuit, evidence suggests that Le became locked inside the freezer, which had a broken door since at least August 2022, as reported by a former employee.

Investigation findings indicate that Nguyet Le fought desperately to escape her icy confinement. The investigating officer discovered blood inside the freezer door, leading to the conclusion that she had desperately beaten her hands in an attempt to attract attention or break free. Tragically, she eventually collapsed in a fetal position on the frozen floor, succumbing to hypothermia. It was her son, Nguyen Le, who discovered her lifeless body around 6:20 p.m. on the same day.

The lawsuit claims that a former employee informed Le's family that the freezer latch had been broken for months. Furthermore, during a visit to the location, the regional manager, Mr. Finster, was reportedly personally made aware of the problem. Allegedly, employees resorted to using a screwdriver to open and close the freezer, and a box of oil was used to prop the door open while the latch remained broken. The lawsuit contends that Turbo Restaurants had knowledge of the dangerous condition since at least August 2022 but displayed conscious indifference by failing to address the issue for nearly nine months.

Attorney Paul Skrabanek argues that Turbo Restaurants, franchise management company Sun Holdings, two corporate branches of Arby's, and Inspire Brands, the parent company of Arby's, are all responsible for Nguyet Le's tragic death. Seeking justice for their loss, the family is also requesting a temporary restraining order and an injunction to ensure the preservation of evidence, including the current state of the restaurant, any related communications or documentation, and access to independently document the scene.

The death of Nguyet Le in the Arby's freezer is a heartbreaking incident that has prompted her family to file a lawsuit seeking damages of over $1 million. Allegations of a known defect in the freezer door, negligence on the part of the restaurant management, and conscious indifference to repair the latch have raised serious concerns about the safety and responsibility of the parties involved. As legal proceedings continue, the family seeks justice and accountability for the tragic loss of their beloved mother.

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