Outback Steakhouse Lawsuit, Florida Man’s $50K Lawsuit After Handicap Stall “Shattered and Collapsed”
Michael Green filed a $50,000 lawsuit against Outback Steakhouse after a toilet in the handicap stall at the Ocala, Florida location allegedly shattered and collapsed beneath him on March 26, 2025, causing severe bodily injury. The lawsuit alleges the restaurant failed to properly secure the toilet to the floor.
What Is the Outback Steakhouse Lawsuit About?
The case centers on a premises liability claim following an incident at the Outback Steakhouse located at 3215 SW College Road in Ocala, Florida.
According to court filings, Green was dining at the restaurant when he used the restroom. While seated on the toilet in the handicap stall, the fixture suddenly shattered and collapsed, causing him to fall.
The lawsuit was filed December 9, 2025, in the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court for Marion County. Case number: 422025CA002775CAAXMX.
Green’s attorney is Brian William Rush with Dan Newlin & Partners, a personal injury law firm.
The Legal Claims Against Outback Steakhouse
Green’s lawsuit asserts multiple negligence claims under Florida premises liability law:
Failure to Maintain: The restaurant allegedly failed to properly maintain or inspect the toilet before the incident.
Improper Installation: The lawsuit claims Outback did not ensure the toilet was secured to the floor, creating an unstable and dangerous condition.
Failure to Warn: The complaint alleges the restaurant knew or should have known about the “unreasonably dangerous condition” but failed to warn patrons or take corrective action.
Creating Dangerous Conditions: The lawsuit states Outback created “an unreasonably dangerous condition to members of the public.”
Toilets are made from ceramic materials designed to withstand wear and tear. However, if a toilet isn’t installed correctly, undue pressure on specific areas can cause stress fractures that lead to catastrophic failure.
What Injuries Did Michael Green Suffer?
The lawsuit claims Green suffered severe consequences from the fall:
Physical Injuries:
- “Significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function”
- “Permanent and significant scarring”
- Severe bodily injury requiring medical treatment
Financial Damages:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages from inability to work
Quality of Life Impact:
- Pain and suffering
- “Loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life”
Green is seeking damages exceeding $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
Outback Steakhouse’s Response
As of December 31, 2025, Outback Steakhouse has not publicly commented on the lawsuit or admitted liability.
The company has not filed a formal response to the complaint in court records.
Outback Steakhouse is owned by Bloomin’ Brands, which operates over 1,000 locations globally.
Timeline of the Case
March 26, 2025: Incident occurs at Outback Steakhouse in Ocala, Florida
December 9, 2025: Michael Green files lawsuit in Marion County Circuit Court
December 2025-Present: Discovery phase begins; Outback has not yet responded publicly
The case is currently in early stages. No trial date has been set.
Understanding Premises Liability in Restaurant Cases
Florida law requires restaurants to maintain reasonably safe conditions for customers, who are considered “invitees” with the highest level of legal protection.
Restaurant Duties:
- Regular inspection of facilities
- Prompt repair of dangerous conditions
- Warning customers of known hazards
- Proper maintenance of restrooms and fixtures
What Plaintiffs Must Prove:
- The restaurant owed a duty of care
- The restaurant breached that duty (failed to maintain safe conditions)
- The breach directly caused the injury
- The plaintiff suffered actual damages
Key Factor: Notice The crucial element in premises liability cases is whether the business knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.
In restaurant bathroom cases, courts examine whether staff regularly inspected facilities and whether the hazard existed long enough that reasonable inspection would have discovered it.
Similar Restaurant Injury Cases
Dunkin’ Toilet Explosion (2022): A Florida man sued Dunkin’ after a toilet allegedly exploded at a location, covering him in waste and causing psychological trauma requiring intensive therapy.
Grady’s Restaurant (Florida): A woman slipped on a toilet paper roll and roller mechanism on the restroom floor. The jury found the restaurant liable because staff should have known about the hazard through regular inspections. The restaurant lost on appeal.
Red Lobster Restroom Fall (Florida): Agnes Doran slipped and fell in a Red Lobster restroom. The trial court initially granted summary judgment to Red Lobster, but the appellate court reversed, sending the case to trial.
These cases demonstrate that restaurants can be held liable for restroom accidents when they fail to maintain safe conditions or conduct reasonable inspections.
What This Means for Restaurant Operators
This lawsuit arrives at a challenging time for Outback Steakhouse. The company recently closed 21 underperforming locations and announced a comprehensive turnaround strategy involving $50-75 million in investments to improve menu quality and remodel remaining locations.
Industry Implications:
- Increased scrutiny on restroom maintenance protocols
- Importance of regular fixture inspections
- Documentation of maintenance schedules
- Staff training on identifying potential hazards
Restaurant operators should ensure toilets and other fixtures are properly installed and secured, particularly in handicap-accessible stalls that may experience different usage patterns.
Defenses Outback Might Raise
Common Restaurant Defenses in Premises Liability Cases:
Lack of Notice: The restaurant may argue it wasn’t aware of any problem with the toilet and didn’t have reasonable time to discover the issue.
Comparative Negligence: Florida follows comparative fault rules. If the plaintiff contributed to the injury in any way, damages could be reduced proportionally.
Open and Obvious: The restaurant might claim any visible defect was obvious enough that a reasonable person would have noticed and avoided it (though this defense is difficult with hidden structural issues).
Assumption of Risk: The restaurant could argue the plaintiff voluntarily accepted risks inherent in using public restrooms.
How Restaurant Injury Cases Work in Florida
Statute of Limitations: Florida law generally provides four years from the injury date to file a premises liability lawsuit. Green filed within nine months, well within the deadline.
Burden of Proof: The plaintiff must prove by a preponderance of the evidence (more likely than not) that the restaurant’s negligence caused the injury.
Discovery Process: Both sides can request:
- Maintenance records for the toilet and restroom
- Inspection logs
- Prior incident reports
- Security camera footage
- Employee training materials
- Company policies on restroom maintenance
Expert Testimony: Cases may involve experts on:
- Proper toilet installation standards
- Building code compliance
- Medical injuries and permanent impairment
- Economic damages and lost earning capacity
Insurance Coverage
Most restaurant premises liability claims are covered by commercial general liability insurance policies.
Bloomin’ Brands likely carries substantial coverage given its size and nationwide operations. Insurance companies typically handle the defense and any settlement negotiations.
Green’s damages demand of $50,000+ will fall within most restaurants’ policy limits, though the final settlement or judgment amount could differ significantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really sue a restaurant for a toilet breaking?
Yes. Under premises liability law, restaurants must maintain safe conditions in all areas customers access, including restrooms. If a fixture fails due to improper installation or maintenance, the restaurant can be held liable.
Why did Michael Green wait nine months to file?
Many injury victims delay filing lawsuits while focusing on medical treatment and recovery. Some injuries don’t reveal their full extent immediately. Green may also have attempted to resolve the matter through insurance before filing suit.
Does Michael Green need to prove Outback knew about the problem?
Not necessarily. Florida law holds restaurants liable if they knew or “should have known” about dangerous conditions through reasonable inspection. Regular maintenance protocols should catch structural issues with fixtures.
What happens if the toilet manufacturer was at fault?
The lawsuit currently names only Outback Steakhouse of Florida, LLC. If the toilet had a manufacturing defect, Green could potentially add the manufacturer as a defendant through an amended complaint or separate product liability lawsuit.
Is $50,000 a lot for this type of injury?
The complaint states Green is seeking “damages in excess of $50,000.” This is Florida’s minimum for circuit court jurisdiction. Actual damages claimed could be substantially higher based on medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
What does “permanent loss of an important bodily function” mean?
This legal term refers to lasting impairment of physical abilities—for instance, mobility limitations, chronic pain, or other functional deficits that won’t fully resolve. The specific nature of Green’s injuries hasn’t been detailed publicly.
Will this case go to trial?
Most premises liability cases settle before trial. Given the potentially embarrassing nature of the incident and Outback’s current business struggles, the company may prefer to settle quietly. However, if the parties can’t agree on damages, the case could proceed to a jury trial.
Can other customers who experienced similar problems join the lawsuit?
This isn’t a class action lawsuit—it’s an individual claim. However, if other customers experienced toilet failures or near-misses at Outback locations, they could file separate lawsuits. Evidence of prior incidents would strengthen Green’s case by showing Outback had notice of potential problems.
What role does the handicap-accessible stall play?
The complaint specifically mentions the handicap stall. These stalls must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and building codes. Any failure to properly install or maintain fixtures in accessible restrooms could raise additional compliance issues.
Does Outback have to pay if they lose?
If Green prevails at trial or through settlement, Outback’s insurance company will likely pay the damages up to policy limits. Outback itself would only pay out-of-pocket if damages exceeded insurance coverage or if the insurer denied coverage for some reason.
What evidence will matter most in this case?
Key evidence includes maintenance records, inspection logs, building permits and installation documentation, prior incident reports, security footage (if available), expert testimony on proper installation, and medical records documenting Green’s injuries and treatment.
How common are restaurant toilet injury lawsuits?
Restroom slip-and-fall cases are relatively common, but catastrophic fixture failures like this are rarer. When they do occur, they often result in significant injuries and substantial liability for the property owner.
What Other Customers Should Know
If you’ve experienced a similar incident at any restaurant:
Document Everything:
- Take photos of the scene if possible
- Get contact information from witnesses
- Save receipts and any documentation
- Report the incident to management immediately
Seek Medical Attention:
- Get examined even if injuries seem minor
- Follow all treatment recommendations
- Keep records of all medical expenses
- Document how injuries affect daily life
Preserve Evidence:
- Don’t wash clothing worn during the incident
- Keep all medical bills and records
- Document lost wages
- Track ongoing symptoms and limitations
Consult an Attorney: Florida’s four-year statute of limitations gives you time, but evidence preservation is critical. Personal injury attorneys typically offer free consultations and work on contingency (no fee unless you win).
The Bigger Picture: Restaurant Safety Standards
This case highlights broader questions about restaurant maintenance and safety protocols:
Industry Standards:
- How frequently should fixtures be inspected?
- What training do staff receive on identifying hazards?
- Are maintenance logs properly maintained?
- Do chains have consistent safety standards across locations?
Public Health Concerns: Beyond legal liability, fixture failures in public restrooms create serious safety risks. A catastrophic toilet failure can cause:
- Severe lacerations from broken ceramic
- Impact injuries from falls
- Exposure to unsanitary conditions
- Psychological trauma
Building Code Compliance: Commercial restrooms must meet building codes and ADA standards. Proper installation requires:
- Correct mounting hardware
- Adequate floor support
- Regular inspections
- Prompt repairs of any defects
Current Status and Next Steps
The lawsuit remains in early stages. Expected developments:
Discovery (Current Phase): Both sides exchange documents, take depositions, and gather evidence about the incident, Green’s injuries, and Outback’s maintenance practices.
Potential Mediation: Courts often require mediation before trial. A neutral mediator helps parties negotiate settlement.
Settlement Negotiations: Given the facts and Outback’s current business challenges, settlement discussions will likely occur.
Trial (If No Settlement): If the case doesn’t settle, it will proceed to trial before a Marion County jury, likely in late 2026 or 2027.
Key Takeaways
- Michael Green filed a $50,000+ lawsuit after a toilet at Outback Steakhouse allegedly collapsed beneath him
- The incident occurred March 26, 2025, at the Ocala, Florida location
- Green claims severe injuries including permanent loss of bodily function
- The lawsuit alleges Outback failed to properly secure the toilet and maintain safe conditions
- Case number: 422025CA002775CAAXMX in Marion County Circuit Court
- The lawsuit comes as Outback struggles financially and closes underperforming locations
- Premises liability law requires restaurants to maintain safe conditions in all customer areas
- The case remains in early stages with no trial date set
How This Case Could Impact the Industry
Restaurant operators nationwide are watching this case. A significant plaintiff verdict could:
- Prompt enhanced maintenance protocols
- Lead to increased insurance premiums
- Result in more frequent fixture inspections
- Generate additional lawsuits from customers with similar experiences
- Influence building code enforcement
For diners, the case serves as a reminder that even routine activities like using a restaurant restroom carry potential risks when businesses fail to maintain their facilities properly.
The outcome will depend on whether Green can prove Outback knew or should have known about problems with the toilet installation and failed to take corrective action. With the case in early discovery, both sides are gathering evidence to support their positions.
As Outback Steakhouse attempts its multimillion-dollar turnaround, this lawsuit represents an unwanted distraction and potential liability at a critical juncture for the struggling chain.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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