HOUSTON – While using a Burger King toilet, Ebonie Hatch, a Katy local, claims the lights went out, causing her to fall over a wet floor sign as she was attempting to feel her way out of the restroom.
Seeking damages for her mental anguish and medical expenses, Hatch filed suit against Burger King on Jan. 9 in Harris County District Court.
According to the lawsuit, on Aug. 5 Hatch stopped at a gas station to fill up and use the restroom.
“(Hatch) entered the first stall, sat on the toilet, and immediately all the lights in the restroom turned off, rendering the restroom in complete darkness,” the suit states. “(Hatch) tried to physically feel her way through the restroom to exit, but fell over a wet floor sign and injured her hip before eventually making an exit from the restroom.”
Afterward, Hatch claims she spoke with a cashier at the adjacent gas station and learned Burger King owned the restroom. She then filled out an incident report and was “remorsefully” told by a Burger King employee that they were aware of “defective light sensor” in the restroom.
“As a result of (Burger King’s) negligent behavior … refusing to close the restroom to the public, (Hatch) sustained injuries in her lower back and right foot and accrued expensive medical bills,” the suit states.
Hatch is representing herself.
Case No. 2021-01231