For Second Time In 1 Month, Camden County Dunkin' Donuts Shop Sued

CLEMENTON, NJ — A Clementon man has filed a lawsuit against a Gloucester Township Dunkin' Donuts, claiming that an incident during an early 2021 visit to the doughnut shop continues to affect him, according to court papers obtained by Patch.

Joseph Panarello alleged that during his visit to the drive-thru at the Dunkin' Donuts at 1277 Bleckwood-Clementon Road towards the end of January 2021, an employee "failed to properly secure the cup and lid of the beverage," causing it to spill, causing "immediate and agonizing pain" to his thigh and groin area, his lawsuit claimed.

The incident has also caused Panarello "economic and non-economic damages," and has kept him from engaging his "normal business and affairs," the lawsuit further alleged.

Panarello's lawsuit is at least the second one that has been filed against that particular Dunkin' Donuts location.

Danielle Cilurso alleged in court paperwork filed last month that since her May 2020 fall at the 1277 Blackwood-Clementon Road location, she has experienced "arduous and prolonged medical treatment and tests," cannot "perform usual and normal activities" that she did prior to the fall and has spent "substantial sums of money" on her care, court documents stated.

Other lawsuits have recently been filed against Dunkin' Donuts throughout the Garden State, Patch has previously reported.

Samantha Picklo said she suffered second- and third-degree burns on her body when three coffees inside a cardboard drink holder being passed to her spilled onto her lap during a 2021 visit to the chain's location along U.S. Route 130 in Delran, Burlington County, according to a lawsuit.

Evan Arlington claimed that a store in Totoawa, Passaic County, was "negligent in the preparation, sale and service of the coffee … in that it was too hot" by causing second- and third-degree burns on Arlington's skin during a visit in August of 2021, a lawsuit stated.

Paul Haggerty alleged he was "served excessively hot coffee in a negligent and dangerous fashion" when he visited a Paramus, Bergen County, Dunkin Donuts store in September 2020. When the "hot" contents spilled, he was left "painfully and permanently injured," court documents said.

Representatives from Dunkin' Donuts did not immediately return Patch's request for comment.

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