An unexpected incident at a Florida restaurant has led to legal action, as a woman claims that a collapsing roof and falling air conditioning unit caused her serious injury. The woman, Dajah Stover, has filed a lawsuit against Flyers Wings and Grill in Orlando, alleging negligence on the part of the restaurant.

According to Stover’s detailed six-page lawsuit, the management at Flyers Wings and Grill was aware of the ceiling’s poor condition for several years but failed to take corrective measures. This negligence, she asserts, led to the roof’s collapse, an event she describes as potentially even more catastrophic than it was.

On Oct. 6, 2025, she was eating with her 1-year-old daughter at the central Florida establishment. It was about 3:30 p.m., according to a photo she posted on social media and then shared with area NBC affiliate WESH.

The lawsuit outlines that the ceiling gave way, and the air conditioning unit crashed down, striking Stover on the head and resulting in significant injuries. Fortunately, her child, who was with her at the time, was unharmed.

In an interview with a local television station, Stover recounted the moment of the incident, saying, “It felt like an earthquake or a sinkhole or something was coming. Everything just started coming down on me. I just saw so much blood pouring from my head.”

Emergency services quickly responded to the scene, discovering a “deep cut” on Stover’s head. She was subsequently transported to the hospital, where she received staples for her injury. In her lawsuit, Stover alleges that due to the restaurant’s “negligence and carelessness,” she has endured considerable pain and mental distress, which she fears will have lasting effects.

The legal document further claims that for approximately two years leading up to the incident in October 2025, Flyers Wings and Grill had been aware of the need for ceiling repairs or replacement but failed to act.

On Oct. 30, 2023, Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) “inspected Defendant’s premises and noted that the ceiling tiles were soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust or mold like substance throughout the establishment which is a violation of the US Food and Drug Administrations’ Food Code.” A photo of the inspection form, which was included in Stover’s complaint, also shows that the investigators found an “[a]ccumulation of black/green mold-like substance in the interior of the ice machine.”

About 10 months later, on Aug. 26, 2024, “a customer was injured when a piece of ceiling fell onto her head,” Stover’s complaint reads, noting that a bodily injury claim was “resolved” by the establishment before a lawsuit. Just about a week after this incident, the DBPR again inspected the premises and “issued another citation regarding ceiling tiles that were soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust or mold like substance.”

The following May, the restaurant was inspected again, with regulators finding “damaged and missing ceiling tiles.” The ice machine still allegedly had the accumulation of “black/green mold-like substance,” but it was “immediately cleaned.”

Then came the Oct. 6, 2025, incident involving Stover. DBPR cited the restaurant “with multiple violations of the US Food and Drug Administrations’ Food Code,” including “a repeat violation of a missing ceiling tile and multiple ceiling tiles and vents were soiled with accumulated food debris, grease, dust, or a mold-like substance.”

According to WESH, customers were making complaints about the establishment and demanding inspections all the way back in July 2018. The outlet said its reporter sought to speak with someone from the restaurant about Stover’s lawsuit, but to no avail. The restaurant’s ownership has not commented on the complaint.

Stover is seeking a jury trial and wants damages in excess of $50,000.

Above all, though, she is grateful her daughter was not hurt.

“That was like by the grace of God, you know, that she didn’t get hit,” Stover said.