Florida man suffered 'serious bodily injury' after toilet seat shattered beneath him at Outback Steakhouse as he slaps restaurant chain with lawsuit
Michael Green visited the restaurant in Ocala in March. He went to the restroom, and when he sat in the handicap stall, the toilet allegedly fell apart.
A man is suing an Outback Steakhouse in Florida after he suffered severe injuries while trying to use a toilet that 'shattered' beneath him.
Michael Green filed the complaint on December 9 in Marion County against Outback Steakhouse of Florida, LLC, following a visit on March 26 at the Australian-themed restaurant located at 3215 SW College Road in Ocala.
According to the lawsuit viewed by Ocala News, while Green was seated on the toilet in the handicap stall it 'suddenly shattered and collapsed beneath [him], causing him to fall.'
Green claimed that he sustained 'significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function and/or permanent and significant scarring', according to the complaint.
He also claimed that he continues to suffer from the incident, which led to a loss of wages and medical expenses.
His attorneys are arguing that the steakhouse was negligent and alleged they failed to 'ensure the toilet was secured to the floor'.
Green is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Outback Steakhouse's parent company, Bloomin' Brands, and Dan Newlin & Partners, the law firm representing Green, for comment.
Michael Green filed a lawsuit against Outback Steakhouse of Florida, LLC, for an excess of $50,000
Green claimed that a toilet he sat on while at the restaurant in March collapsed and caused him 'significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function and/or permanent and significant scarring' [Stock Image]
Bloomin’ Brands, which also owns Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, operates around 1,450 restaurants worldwide, more than 670 of them Outbacks.
For decades, the Australian-themed brand was the nation’s No. 1 steakhouse, outselling rivals like Texas Roadhouse and LongHorn.
But in the past few years, both chains have overtaken it, winning over price-sensitive diners with cheaper steaks, simpler menus and livelier atmospheres.
Several locations have quietly served their last Bloomin’ Onions in recent weeks, with parent company Bloomin’ Brands confirming a new round of shutdowns — including at least two restaurants in Florida, where the chain was founded in 1988.
Outback's Elizabeth Daly said the closures followed ‘a periodic review’ as part of the company’s ongoing turnaround plan.
‘We considered a variety of factors, including sales and traffic, trade areas, and potential investments to improve performance,’ she said, adding that affected staff would be offered jobs at nearby restaurants when possible.