A malfunctioning vending machine has led to a lawsuit that could have significant implications for business safety standards. Lisa Scott, a resident of Pinellas County, Florida, filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County on November 24, 2025, against EVMAX, Inc., operating as Disston Plaza Bingo, along with Baker & Baker Vending, Inc., Helms Vending, LLC, and Michael Bolt. The case centers around an incident where Scott suffered injuries due to a vending machine malfunction at the bingo hall.
The lawsuit details how on January 14, 2022, Lisa Scott visited Disston Plaza Bingo as a business invitee. While using one of the vending machines operated by the defendants on the premises at 3455 49th St N in St. Petersburg, Florida, she experienced an unexpected malfunction. The machine dispensed multiple incorrect beverages and one fell onto her hand as she attempted to retrieve it from the bin below. This incident resulted in personal injuries including pain and suffering and mental anguish.
Scott’s complaint accuses EVMAX Inc., Baker & Baker Vending Inc., Helms Vending LLC, and Michael Bolt of negligence for failing to maintain safe conditions at their premises. She claims that these entities had knowledge or should have had knowledge of the hazardous condition posed by the malfunctioning vending machine but failed to act upon it. The allegations include negligent maintenance and inspection practices which created an unreasonably dangerous environment for patrons like Scott.
The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 exclusive of costs and interest from each defendant involved. Her demands include compensation for bodily injury leading to pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, scarring, mental anguish as well as financial losses related to medical care and loss of earnings capacity. Scott emphasizes that these injuries are either permanent or ongoing with future implications.
Represented by attorney Lauren M. Pcholinski from Morgan & Morgan Tampa P.A., Lisa Scott aims to hold these companies accountable through this legal action. The case has been assigned Case Number: 25-006642-CI.
Source: 25006642CI_Lisa_Scott_v_Evmax_Complaint_Pinellas_County_Florida.pdf
