A Florida man is suing a major steakhouse chain after a restroom at the restaurant “broke” while he was using it.
Michael Green said in the lawsuit that the incident occurred during a visit to an Outback Steakhouse in Ocala on March 26.
The lawsuit, filed by Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys, alleges Green left the table during the meal and used the handicap booth. That’s when the seat collapsed beneath him, causing him to fall to the ground.
Green’s lawsuit, seen Ocala NewsIt is claimed that as a result of his injuries, he suffered “severe and permanent loss of significant bodily functions and/or permanent and severe scarring”.
Now he is suing the Australian-themed steakhouse chain for more than $50,000. He also accused the company of negligence for failing to “ensure the toilet was secured to the floor”.
A man is suing Outback Steakhouse after a restroom at an Ocala restaurant allegedly collapsed under his feet (Getty Images)
Outback Steakhouse has more than 1,000 locations worldwide, including 670 in the United States, according to its quarterly report.
The Tampa-based company, founded in 1988, is known for its “blooming onions.” This fried dish consists of onions cut into flower-like shapes and is often served with the brand’s dipping sauce.
However, like many restaurant chains, the brand was forced to close several locations as part of a “turnaround plan.”
Two of the sites that have closed are in Alabama and the other two are in Florida. Stores in Maryland, Louisiana, New York and Wisconsin were also closed as part of the plan.
He claimed the company failed to check that the toilet was properly secured to the floor (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Outback Steakhouse is operated by parent company Bloomin’ Brands, which confirmed the news in a statement to USA Today.
“We considered a variety of factors, including sales and traffic, trading areas and potential investments to improve performance,” company spokesperson Elizabeth Daly wrote.
Amid this wave of closures, Bloomin’ Brands closed 41 “underperforming” restaurants in February.
If possible, employees at the eliminated locations will find jobs at nearby restaurants.
“Closing restaurants is never easy,” Bloomin’ Brands said in a statement at the time. “This is a business decision and has nothing to do with the staff or their services.
“Many team members will be offered the opportunity to move to open positions at another restaurant,” the statement continued. “Employees who do not do so will receive severance packages.”
independent Bloomin’ Brands and Dan Newlin injury attorney have been contacted.
