84-year-old Florida man sues Waffle House claiming window ads made him trip over curb
A Florida resident is pursuing legal action against the popular restaurant chain Waffle House following a trip and fall incident at a location in Bartow. Edward Bowlds, 84, filed a lawsuit against the company and its franchisee, East Coast Waffles, Inc., after an incident that occurred on April 17, 2025. The plaintiff alleges that the restaurant maintained unsafe conditions that directly led to his physical injuries.
The core of the legal complaint focuses on the visual environment of the restaurant’s exterior. According to the amended complaint obtained by PEOPLE, Bowlds parked his vehicle at the establishment and attempted to navigate a curb to enter the building. The lawsuit describes the curb as being abnormally high. The plaintiff claims the restaurant failed to provide a safe walking path from the parking lot to the entrance.
The lawsuit specifically highlights the presence of large advertisements posted in the restaurant windows. The complaint alleges these signs are clearly meant to attract the attention of customers. Bowlds claims these marketing materials served as a significant distraction. He argues the signs diverted his attention away from the ground while he approached the sidewalk.
In addition to the distracting signage, the complaint alleges that the curb itself was poorly maintained. The document states that the color of the curb blended into the color of the parking lot. This lack of visual contrast supposedly obscured the change in elevation for pedestrians. The plaintiff argues that the lack of warning paint created an unreasonably dangerous condition for customers.
As a result of the fall, Bowlds claims he suffered severe and permanent injuries. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $50,000 to cover various costs and impacts. These include hospital and medical treatment expenses, physical impairment, and mental anguish. The filing also mentions disfigurement and a loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. Dorothy Bowlds, the plaintiff’s wife, is also a named plaintiff citing a loss of companionship.
Waffle House and the franchisee have officially responded to the allegations by denying any negligence. In their answer to the complaint, the companies stated that they maintain the premises in a reasonably safe condition. The defense argues that any injuries resulted from the plaintiff’s own failure to use reasonable care for his own safety.
The restaurant chain further claims that the condition of the curb was open and obvious. Therefore, the company argues it had no duty to warn the plaintiff about the elevation change. The defense also challenged the demand for medical bills, labeling the costs as excessive and not related to the specific accident. The case continues as Bowlds has demanded a jury trial to resolve the dispute.
