A homeless man in Saginaw, Michigan, has filed a lawsuit against a city contractor following an incident involving a porta-potty. Kevin Kolbe alleges that on August 13, 2025, workers from Fisher Contracting Co. used a forklift to lift the porta-potty while he was inside, splashing him with its contents. The lawsuit, filed on November 4 in the Saginaw County Circuit Court, claims battery, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Kolbe, 59, described the incident as a deeply humiliating experience. He stated that he had been living under a bridge near Ojibway Island at the time and urgently needed to use the restroom. According to Kolbe, when he entered the porta-potty, workers began to taunt him before one of them operated a forklift to lift the unit off the ground. He claims the porta-potty tipped back, splashing him with waste and chemicals inside.
In response to the allegations, Fisher Contracting Co. has publicly disputed Kolbe’s account. The company stated that the forklift operator believed the porta-potty was unoccupied and claimed that Kolbe was never lifted off the ground. In a Facebook post, the contractor expressed regret over the situation and emphasized their commitment to safety.
Kolbe’s lawyer, Kevin Kelly, underscored the importance of treating all individuals with dignity, regardless of their circumstances. “It’s like kicking someone while they’re down,” Kelly remarked, highlighting that whether or not the porta-potty was meant for private use does not justify the alleged mistreatment.
The incident has had a profound emotional impact on Kolbe. He noted that he struggled for over a week without a proper shower, leaving him feeling unclean and embarrassed. “I felt like an animal that had been defecated on,” he said, recalling the mental anguish he experienced following the event.
In February 2025, Kolbe faced another tragedy when his 19-year-old son passed away from a brain tumor. This loss compounded his struggles with homelessness and mental health, leading him to couch surf and occasionally sleep outdoors. He expressed a desire for people to recognize his humanity, saying, “Just because I was homeless, I was still a human being.”
The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and damages exceeding $25,000. Kolbe hopes that by speaking out, he can highlight the issue of how vulnerable individuals are often treated by others.
As the case unfolds, it raises critical questions about the treatment of homeless individuals in society and the responsibilities of businesses towards all community members. Kolbe stated, “You’ve got to treat people how you want to be treated.”
