A Virginia woman is seeking $1.5 million in damages from Outback Steakhouse after alleging that a slip-and-fall accident involving spilled mashed potatoes left her with serious, long-term injuries. The lawsuit, which was recently moved to federal court, centers on an incident that allegedly occurred in May 2023 at a location in Sterling, Virginia.
According to court filings obtained by CBS News, Tracy J. Renshaw says she was walking to the restaurant's restroom when she stepped on what appeared to be mashed potatoes left on the floor. The complaint alleges that the substance caused her to lose her footing and fall face-first onto the restaurant's hard surface.
Renshaw contends that the spill created an unsafe condition for customers and that no warning signs were posted to alert diners to the potential hazard.
While mashed potatoes may sound harmless, safety experts note that foods high in moisture and fat can become surprisingly slippery when spilled on smooth commercial flooring. In restaurants, grocery stores, and buffet settings, food-related slip hazards are a common source of injury claims.
Renshaw's complaint argues that Outback Steakhouse had a responsibility to maintain a safe environment and failed to do so. The lawsuit alleges that the chain "allowed a slippery foreign substance to remain on the floor" and failed to remove it within a reasonable time.
It further claims that the restaurant failed to properly inspect the area and failed to warn customers about the alleged hazard. Renshaw says the fall resulted in significant medical expenses, physical pain, emotional suffering, and a reduced ability to work.
Outback Steakhouse has pushed back against the allegations. In court filings, the company denied claims of negligence and challenged the assertion that a dangerous condition existed.
The restaurant also argued that any such condition would have been "open and obvious to the Plaintiff exercising ordinary care."
Additionally, the company raised defenses including contributory negligence and assumption of risk, which are legal arguments that could reduce or eliminate liability if a plaintiff is found to have contributed to an accident.
The case was initially filed in Loudoun County Circuit Court before being transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.
