Kathleen Hewko was visiting Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, from her home in New Jersey when she sustained a serious injury at Staters, a local sports bar. According to the federal lawsuit she filed on December 5tg, Hewko was dining at Starters with her husband and son on November 19, 2006. While visiting the restroom on that date, the toilet in the handicapped stall suddenly broke, leaving her stuck in the bowl for 20 minutes.

As if the embarrassment of the injury wasn’t enough, Hewko’s suit also states that she sustain injuries to her lower back and thigh during the fall. Additionally, a previous hip injury for which she had received prior treatment was made worse. The sports bars’ owners are being named as defendants in the lawsuit because they were allegedly aware of problems with that toilet seat before Hewko’s injuries. The suit also targets Kohler, the manufacturer of the defective seat.

Hewko is seeking $150,000 in compensation for her injuries. Her husband John has filed a separate $75,000 lawsuit. He claims that his wife’s injuries left him without her society, companionship, and assistance. Both defendants named in the suits have declined to comment.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a business’s negligence, contact Pennsylvania premises liability lawyers Lowenthal & Abrams by calling 610-667-7511.