Belmont man loses suit against Laconia pub

A Belmont man who sued a Lake City restaurant for serving him too much alcohol and injuring himself has lost his suit.

Ronald Federico of 11 Spring Street in Belmont sued the Stonecoast Brewing Co. — which was on Main Street in Laconia — in 2002 after falling down and cutting his hand on his drinking glass. Federico blamed the eatery for having “hazardous conditions”” — a wrought iron bench with legs that extended out from underneath it – and for serving him and other patrons too much liquor.

The suit, filed in Belknap Superior Court, said the restaurant staff “encouraged” people to drink and blamed the establishment for serving drinks in “oversized glasses,” and serving “excessive amounts of alcohol in every drink.”

According to state law, a bar that serves someone who is drunk can be held responsible for damages caused by the person.

The suit was related to an incident that occurred on Nov. 13, 2002, when Federico was drinking at the pub. At some point during the evening, he fell over the legs of the wrought iron bench near a pool table while holding his drinking glass. The shattered glass damaged his right hand, including severing two tendons in his right hand. At one point, he had surgery to repair the tendons.

After the suit was filed, legal representatives of Federico, Stonecoast and Stonecoast's insurance company tried to mediate a settlement. Last August, the attempts failed and were terminated.

Federico’s medical bills totaled more than $25,000. At one point, his suit asked for $92,500 in total damages. The case that was decided last week focused solely on the medical costs.

On July 19, a jury found that Federico was 75 percent responsible for his injuries while Stonecoast was 25 percent responsible. Because the restaurants liability did not meet the necessary 50 percent legal threshold, Federico was not awarded any money.