On March 18, 2002 My family and friends family went to IHOP in Waldorf. We already had a problem because the place smelled like mold. My family used to visit IHOP frequently until this day.

We all ordered our food. I had ordered Biscuts and gravy. Well, the food came out and the woman was handing the food around so everyone's hands were full. Next thing we know, she places the hot plate of biscuts and gravy in front of our toddle (15months at the time), of course we tried to grab the plate real quick, but before we could he put his right hand in it, thinking it's his food. He starts screaming, the server walks away.

We were trying to get the gravy off of his hand. He burned his left hand trying to get it off himself. I ran to the bathroom and got a wet paper towel, the gravy just stuck to him. The server came over and we demanded the check and asked to speak to the manager. The manager then comes over and asked us what the problem is, so we told him what happened, not like he couldn't hear it. We also told him that we want to leave and get him to the hospital, because his hands were bubbling.

The manager kept us at bay for almost 30 minutes. We told him we were leaving and then we got up to walk out. All of the sudden he gives us our check. We didn't eat, and left everything on the table. We walked up to pay so we could finally leave. I asked him to write his name and the servers name down so I knew how to contact regarding his medical bills. He starts arguing with us, telling us our son had no business putting his hands in the food. I said 'excuse me' and he continues, 2 people were behind us, so I told him to let me pay my bill so I can get him to the hospital.

He then looks at the people behind us and tells them not to worry about their bill, and he was sorry for there inconvience. Really!! I just stood stunned, he then says, what the F*** is my problem, I told him to just let me pay my bill. After that he proceeded to call me a Bitch and told me to give him my F-ing bill. When I told him that he had it, he started up some more, so I said 'that's it' I'm through, and walked out.

My son had to see his regular doctor the next day and she was overwhelmed by what happened. Unfortunately, there isn't too much they can do for him because of his age and he's small. She could only give him a ointment to apply when he feel asleep. By Friday of that week, he ended up with an infection in the blister; they were starting to pop.

After trying to contact IHOP for a month, someone finally calls me and asks that I have his doctor send a fax of his situation. She also makes the comment, 'You need to understand that the server was only 17 and does not have children of her own.' They sent them one stating that he did recieve 2nd and 3rd degree burns to several of his fingers on both hands and would be scarred as a result. We didn't hear anything more, so I sent numerous e-mails to IHOP, finally we contacted by their insurance company a month and a half ago. The insurance man came to our home and took pictures of his scars.

We were told that they would contact us asap as to how they will settle this. I still haven't heard back. I just sent a e-mail telling IHOP that if this isn;'t resolved, I would turn this over to my attorney. I have given these jerks ample time to try to help the situation and the only response I get form them is, 'it's your son's fault' and 'sorry, but what do you want us to do?'. If I hear back, I will update this report as to what they want to do.

April
Waldorf, Maryland