Outback Steakhouse customer sues restaurant for $1.5M after face-plant over slippery mashed potatoes

For one Outback Steakhouse customer, the mashed potatoes came at an additional cost and were apparently best served on the floor.A Virginia woman has filed a $1.5 million lawsuit against the Australian-themed restaurant chain, claiming she slipped on mashed potatoes inside a restaurant and fell face-first onto the floor, suffering serious and permanent injuries.Tracy Renshaw, a resident of Loudoun County, VA, alleges that while enjoying a meal with her family in May of 2023, she stepped on a “slippery foreign substance” that appeared to be mashed potatoes, while on her way to the restroom.According to the lawsuit, the presence of the buttery, potato-like substance created a dangerous environment for patrons.

She further argued that the restaurant failed to warn customers of the hazards caused by the unsafe condition.Calling the event “unreasonably dangerous,” Renshaw claims to have suffered enormous pain both psychologically and physically and will continue to experience pain.She also claims that her working capacity has been impacted, and mounting hospital and doctor bills, some already incurred, and anticipates more in the future.The suit does not explicitly state the injuries Renshaw sustained or the amount of medical charges, but the restaurant has denied the allegations while the case is ongoing.

Outback argued that it was unaware of the hazardous condition, according to its response, and therefore had no obligation to post a warning about the alleged spill.It also disputed claims about the extent of Renshaw’s injuries and about her partial fault in the incident.The restaurant requested a dismissal, though this is not the first time a customer has sued for negligence.In October 2018, Desmond Jones and his family were celebrating a birthday at an Outback Steakhouse in Illinois when a glass mug full of water shattered on the table after the server reportedly placed it down.

The glass “severely cut Jones’s left index finger,” requiring him to un...