A Dunkin’ Donuts customer was left with “long-term injuries” after a toilet exploded at a branch in Florida, according to a lawsuit filed against the popular US chain.
The complainant, named as Paul Kerouac, is seeking more than $100,000 (£78,000) in damages after the incident in Winter Park also left him covered in excrement.
Legal papers state that Mr Kerouac was told by the manager of the coffee and cake outlet that they were aware of a problem with the WC.
After the ordeal in January 2022, Mr Kerouac has reportedly required mental health care and counselling.
His counsel wrote: "As a direct result of (this Dunkin' location's) breach and/or multiple breaches of its duties and obligations to (Mr Kerouac), who was lawfully on (the store's) premises, (Mr Kerouac) unwittingly became the victim of the exploding toilet and of the aftermath which followed, and sustained damages, including long term injuries and emotional and mental distress.”
He is said to be seeking damages of more than $50,000 (£35,000) as well as a prejudgment interest, post judgement interest and costs of actions - all of which will add up to more than $100,000.
Dunkin’ Donuts has 30 locations in the UK, mostly in the north, but is a much larger entity across the pond and had an advert starring Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez during the 2023 Super Bowl. Since 2018 its branding has only been listed as Dunkin’, sans the Donuts.
Mr Kerouac’s misfortune is not the first instance that Dunkin’ Donuts has literally been in hot water with a woman winning a $3million lawsuit after being scolded by fresh coffee at a branch in Sugar Hill, Georgia.
Dunkin ’Donuts has been approached by the Evening Standard for further comment in relation to the Mr Kerouac case.
