Tori Spelling claims she suffered third degree burns at a restaurant.

The 'Beverly Hills, 90210' star is reportedly suing the Benihana restaurant chain after slipping and burning herself when she visited one of their branches in Encino, California.

In the lawsuit, she claims she was hospitalised after she fell onto the hibachi grills, receiving ''deep second and third degree burn injuries''.

The 42-year-old actress is suing for the medical bills as well as ''general damage'' the incident caused and a loss of earnings, gossip website TMZ reports.

An eyewitness at the restaurant said Tori tried to put on a brave face after the incident, which took place in April this year.

The source said at the time: ''She got up to leave and tripped, falling backwards on to a scorching hot grill. She shouted out in pain from a large burn on the back of her right arm.

''You could tell she was hurting, but she was trying to put on a brave face for the sake of her four young children who were quite obviously worried. Dean looked upset too, but you could tell they were doing their best to stay calm and not alarm the children.''

It is believed Tori was ordered by a doctor to have a skin graft in the days following the accident and has been left with a large red scar.