Woman sues club for $30k over wine spilled on designer handbag

A woman from New Jersey has sued a country club for US$30,000 after a waiter spilled wine on her pink Hermès handbag last year.

In a suit filed on 29 October at the Superior Court of New Jersey, Maryana Beyder said that the incident occurred back in September 2018 while she was dining at the Alpine County Club in Demarest with her husband.

Beyder is suing the club for negligence, claiming she suffered property damage to the tune of $30,000.

The waiter involved in the incident is not named in the lawsuit, however it is stated that he or she “acted in a negligent manner”.

The court documents stated: “The defendant had a duty to provide qualified and competent employees for its business and for the safety of its patrons.”

According to northjersey.com, Beyder had been trying to resolve the issue privately with the club for almost a year, but after discussions broke down she was forced to take legal action.

Beyder’s attorney, Alexandra Errico, told the news site: “Whoever the waiter was proceeded to pour red wine and didn’t stop. “Poured it all over her. Poured it all over her husband. And poured it all over a very expensive Hermès bag.”

Errico also told NBC News that Beyder knew that the spillage was an accident, but that she expects the club to cover the cost of damages incurred.

The pale pink bag, which has now been discontinued by Hermès, was bought as a 30th birthday present by her husband, and according to Errico, is now covered in large stains.