Woman Stuck in Porta Potty: No One to Sue

Allen Ritchie • September 22, 2023
Two blue portable toilets are sitting in a grassy field.

First, the law part. If you get hurt, you generally sue the person responsible. In Alabama, if you are even 1% at fault, you get nothing. In every state, if you are 100% at fault, you get nothing.

So, members of the jury, I present our case.

The sounds of a woman screaming from inside a portable toilet drew quite a crowd. The door was locked, so they asked if she could release the latch. “No,” was the reply. Why? Her head was in the toilet. In fact, almost her whole body was in the toilet. She had dropped her Apple Watch and was trying to get it back.

Officials had to dismantle the toilet, and a strap was used to hoist the woman to safety.

According to AL.com, the Michigan State Police has issued a statement. “If you lose an item in an outhouse toilet, do not attempt to venture inside the containment area. Serious injury may occur.”

Why do I think their lawyer wrote that statement?

Now, to my knowledge, there are no lawsuits pending, and in my opinion, she is more likely to be sued by the portable toilet owner than she is to win a lawsuit against them. But what do you think? I guess there was no sign that said not to go into the bowl.

Discuss among yourselves.

The only thing everyone can agree on … this case skinks. Hey, I’m a father. I can make dad jokes.

If you suffer from any other accident – car, boat, on-the-job, slip and fall , nursing home abuse , etc. – you can talk to us at the Law Firm of Eiland and Ritchie (251) 666-1212. Remember that it is free. We want to help you.

Join us on Sunday night for a shortened  NBC 15 LawCall   show here in Mobile. We are taking a break during football season but will return to our 30-minute show in January. All this fall, we are putting aside a few extra hours Monday mornings to answer any of your legal questions. Just call our office.

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