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FLORIDA RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Tenant blames Gulfport apartment complex for fall on slippery stairs

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CLEARWATER — A tenant is suing property owners and operators of a Gulfport apartment complex, alleging negligence in maintaining its facility.

Kathleen Love filed a complaint Feb. 7 in Pinellas County Circuit Court against Seaside Villas Gulfport, LLC and McKinley Properties, Inc. alleging the defendants failed to maintain the stairs, stairways, sidewalks, and other walking surfaces of the apartment in a reasonably safe condition.

According to the complaint, on July, 24, 2015, Love had been swimming in the Seaside Villas pool, 3209 58th St. S., Gulfport, when it started raining. As she left the pool area, Love says she attempted to step on the first stair leading down to her unit when her foot slipped forward, causing her to fall down the stairs and on the ground. 

The suit says the stairs were not covered and open to the elements as it had been painted, causing a slippery surface. As a result, Love says she suffered bodily injuries, inconvenience and expense of hospitalization. 

The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to apply appropriate slip-resistant paint to the stairs used by tenants and visitors, failed to maintain the stairs walking surface in a manner that prevents them from becoming excessively slippery and unsafe for usage during rain and failed to close the stairs until such time as repairs could be make the stairs safe for usage.

Love seeks trial by jury, damages that exceed $15,000 and costs of action. She is represented by attorney Daniel J. Leeper of Leeper and Leeper in St. Petersburg.

Pinellas County Circuit Court case number 18CA000786

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