A Florida man is taking legal action against Outback Steakhouse after a routine bathroom break allegedly turned into a painful and life-altering incident.
According to a lawsuit, Michael Green says a toilet “shattered” beneath him while he was dining at an Outback Steakhouse location in Ocala on March 26. The suit claims Green had stepped away from his table to use a handicapped stall when the toilet seat suddenly collapsed, sending him crashing to the floor.
Court documents allege the fall caused serious injuries, including what Green describes as a significant and permanent loss of bodily function and lasting scarring. The lawsuit, filed by Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys, is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.
Green is accusing the steakhouse chain of negligence, claiming the restaurant failed to properly secure the toilet to the floor or ensure it was safe for customer use.
Outback Steakhouse operates more than 1,000 locations worldwide, with roughly 670 restaurants across the United States. The Tampa-based chain, founded in 1988, is best known for its Australian-themed branding and its signature Bloomin’ Onion appetizer.
The lawsuit comes as the brand faces broader challenges. Like many national restaurant chains, Outback has closed multiple locations as part of a company-wide turnaround strategy. Several restaurants have recently shut down in Florida and Alabama, along with locations in Maryland, Louisiana, New York, and Wisconsin.
Outback Steakhouse is operated by Bloomin’ Brands, which confirmed the closures earlier this year. A company spokesperson previously said decisions were based on factors like sales performance, customer traffic, and the cost of improvements. Bloomin’ Brands also noted that employees affected by the closures were offered transfers when possible or severance if relocation wasn’t available.
As for Green’s lawsuit, the case adds to a growing list of unusual injury claims tied to public spaces — and raises questions about safety checks in restaurant restrooms. The company has not publicly commented on the specific allegations related to the Ocala incident.
How much does the person weigh, and did he “PLOP” or sit like a human being. Too many questions, not NEAR enough answers.