CLEARWATER — A Pinellas County man is suing a Clearwate property owner, alleging negligence and strict liability in allowing a dog to attack the plaintiff.
Derek Carson filed a complaint Dec. 21 in Pinellas County Circuit Court against Jennifer Lawson, alleging failure to keep pets/animals in a safe area to avoid harming others.
According to the complaint, on Sept. 14, 2017, Carson was preparing to leave Lawson's defendant's premises at 1051 Iroquois St., Clearwater, where he had been performing yard work. The suit says Carson was attacked by Lawson's dog when she unleashed her pet and it raced toward the plaintiff Carson.
Carson says he was bitten by the dog and tried to run away, causing him to to fall, striking his body on the ground and concrete driveway. The suit says Carson sustained a large laceration across the palm of his right hand from the bite from the dog.
The plaintiff alleges Lawson allowed her dog to suddenly, and without warning, viciously attack a private citizen who was lawfully on her property.
Carson seeks trial by jury, general damages, medical and incidental expenses in excess of $10,000, with damages for loss of income, earnings and impairment, costs of suit, and all other relief the court deems proper. He is represented by attorneys Peter A. Sartes and Peter L. Tragos of Tragos, Sartes & Tragos PLLC in Clearwater.
Pinellas County Circuit Court case number 17CC010220