Florida Man Sues Dunkin’ After Exploding Toilet Leads to Injury

A Florida man sued Dunkin’ after he visited the men’s room at the eatery in January 2023 and a toilet erupted, leaving him covered in debris, feces, and urine.

The customer has filed a negligence lawsuit against the coffee chain, claiming that he was injured by an exploding toilet at the eatery. According to The New York Post, Paul Kerouac is seeking $50,000 in damages after he claims to have suffered severe and long-term injuries due to the event. 

In his lawsuit, Kerouac alleged that he visited the men’s room at a Winter Park Dunkin’ outside of Orlando in January 2022. He also stated that sought help from Dunkin’s employees after the explosion. However, the employees informed him that they were aware of “problems with the toilet,” as prior incidents had occurred.

Florida man sues Dunkin’ Donuts over ‘traumatic’ toilet explosion https://t.co/h0emZKe2Aa pic.twitter.com/HKvDLIlVMA

— New York Post (@nypost) January 5, 2024

As reported by USA Today, the lawsuit reads, “As a direct result of Defendant’s breach and/or multiple breaches of its duties and obligations to Plaintiff, who was lawfully on Defendant’s premises, Plaintiff unwittingly became the victim of the exploding toilet and of the aftermath which followed, and sustained damages, including injuries and emotional and mental distress,” the lawsuit states.

Kerouac said as a result of the toilet explosion, he suffered “bodily injury and psychological damages” resulting in pain and suffering, disability, “permanent and significant emotional injury, mental anguish, loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life,” and expense of medical care and treatment.

The lawsuit claims that Dunkin’ was responsible for maintaining its premises, including the men’s room toilet. Kerouac asserts that Dunkin’ should have maintained the bathroom, and it should have been reasonably safe for use by customers. If it was not operating correctly, then Dunkin’ should have forewarned customers.

It also reads that Kerouac required mental health care and counseling as a result of the trauma he experienced that day. Kerouac is seeking $50,000 in damages and legal fees due to negligence.