Woman Sues Joplin Olive Garden After Slip and Fall Injury

Lawsuit alleges restaurant failed to properly warn of and remedy a dangerous wet floor condition.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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A woman named Carol McCormick has filed a lawsuit against the Olive Garden restaurant in Joplin, Missouri, after she allegedly slipped and fell on a freshly mopped, wet floor at the establishment on July 2, 2022. The lawsuit claims the restaurant failed to properly warn customers about the dangerous condition or take steps to remedy it, leading to McCormick suffering injuries to her leg, knee, arm, elbow, shoulder, hand, back, neck, and hip.

Why it matters

Slip and fall incidents at businesses can lead to serious injuries and costly lawsuits. This case highlights the importance of restaurants and other public-facing businesses maintaining safe premises for customers and taking appropriate steps to address known hazards like wet floors.

The details

According to the lawsuit, on July 2, 2022, McCormick entered the Olive Garden restaurant in Joplin as a customer. An employee had recently mopped the tile floor in the lobby, leaving excessive amounts of water that made the floor slippery and unsafe. The lawsuit alleges the restaurant failed to warn customers about the dangerous condition, barricade the area, or properly dry the floor. As McCormick was walking across the lobby, she slipped on the wet floor and fell, suffering a range of injuries.

  • The incident occurred on July 2, 2022.
  • The lawsuit was filed on February 13, 2026.

The players

Carol McCormick

The plaintiff, a resident of Newton County, Missouri, who is suing Olive Garden after allegedly slipping and falling on a wet floor at the restaurant's Joplin location.

FCPT Restaurant Properties

The defendant, the owner and operator of the Olive Garden restaurant in Joplin, Missouri where the incident occurred.

Patrick Martucci

The attorney representing Carol McCormick in the lawsuit against Olive Garden.

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What they’re saying

“We must hold businesses accountable when they fail to maintain safe premises for customers.”

— Patrick Martucci, Attorney for Carol McCormick

What’s next

The judge will need to determine if Olive Garden is liable for McCormick's injuries and the appropriate amount of damages, if any, to award.

The takeaway

This case underscores the importance of restaurants and other public-facing businesses taking proactive steps to address known hazards and ensure the safety of their customers. Slip and fall incidents can lead to serious injuries and costly legal battles.