Orange County Restaurant Manager Suffers Brain Injuries in Brutal Assault

A 33-year-old manager of a pizza restaurant in Huntington Beach, identified as Garret Petersen, suffered traumatic brain injuries after being brutally beaten by two men after he refused to give them free slices of pizza. According to a KTLA news report, Huntington Beach Police Department confirmed two men were booked into jail in connection with the assault, which left Petersen with serious head injuries. Petersen’s friend said the two men jumped him and beat him unconscious because he refused to give them free pizza.

Officers found Petersen in the 300 block of Pacific Coast Highway just before 1 a.m. on March 12, 2017. Petersen managed Thunder Burgrz Pizza on Main Street. Family members said Petersen was in a medically induced coma and underwent surgery. One of the men, 21-year-old Bryce Anthony Mezich, was arrested on suspicion of assault with serious bodily injury and the other man, Austin Wright Callan, was booked on suspicion of fighting in public.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Garret Petersen who has been seriously injured in this horrific attack. We wish him the very best for a speedy and complete recovery. A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for Petersen’s medical bills and rehab expenses.

Living with Brain Injuries

According to the Brain Injury Association, each year in the United States, 52,000 people die and 280,000 are hospitalized as a result of brain injuries. Also, 2.2 million people are treated and released from emergency departments nationwide as a result of brain injuries. Brain injuries may range from mild to serious or even fatal. Even a mild injury such as a concussion could have life-altering consequences.

A major brain injury that requires surgery or sends the victim into a coma could result lifelong or permanent disabilities. Victims may need to undergo lengthy rehabilitation and may not be able to resume their normal lives even after such extensive treatment. Assaults are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries in the United States behind auto accidents, falls and struck-by accidents.

Liability Issues

If you have been injured in an assault, you may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault parties for the injuries, damages and losses you have sustained. The assailants, in addition to facing criminal charges, can also be held financially responsible for damages such as the victim’s medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of surgery, rehabilitation, permanent injuries, disabilities, lost future income and pain and suffering. Victims would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County brain injury lawyer who can help protect their legal rights and best interests.