CLEARWATER — A Pinellas County couple is suing a contractor and homeowner, alleging their negligence led to loss of consortium and injuries.
David Lugo Sanchez and Patricia Velasquez-Lugo filed a complaint Oct. 23 in Pinellas Circuit Court against Antonio Lopez and Nancy Dougher, alleging they failed to follow applicable safety guidelines and regulations.
According to the complaint, on Aug. 29, 2014, Sanchez was working as a helper for Lopez, an unlicensed contractor, when he was injured when the refrigerator/freezer on Dougher's property fell over and landed on the plaintiff's foot. The suit says this caused a serious injury that required surgery for Sanchez. He was further damaged, the lawsuit states, by the lack of Lopez's valid workers compensation policy, while his wife suffered the loss of her husband's services, consortium and the care and comfort of his society.
The plaintiffs allege the defendants failed to ensure that hired contractors had proper licensing, failed to properly supervise remodeling operations and failed to warn Sanchez of the known dangerous condition.
The plaintiffs seek trial by jury, damages in excess of $15,000, exclusive of interest and court costs. They are represented by attorney Raymond Sotomayor of Toledo Legal LLC in Tampa.
Pinellas Circuit Court case number 17-CA-6370