In the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, plaintiff Jodi Schad has filed a lawsuit against defendant Robert Earl Berger. The case, with ID 24-001397-CI, was filed on March 27, 2024. The lawsuit is an action for personal injury and damages exceeding $50,000 arising from alleged tortious conduct involving a vessel believed to be owned by the defendant.
Represented by attorneys Jana Ranieri Cortina and Frank D. Butler, Schad alleges that on September 23, 2023, she was injured while aboard a pontoon boat owned and operated by Berger in Florida waters off St. Petersburg. According to the complaint, Berger insisted on returning to shore quickly and operated the vessel unsafely at high speeds despite sea conditions.
The plaintiff further alleges that Berger's negligence led to her falling and getting injured. She accuses him of failing to use due care in operating the vessel, observing navigational rules, employing proper lookout and navigational equipment, operating the vessel without due regard for sea conditions and at unreasonable speed.
Schad is seeking judgment for all damages against Berger for his alleged negligence as allowed by law. This includes costs associated with bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering (past and future), mental distress (past and future), disability (past and future), disfigurement (past and future), mental anguish (past and future), loss of capacity for enjoyment of life (past and future), hospitalization expenses (past and future), medical care costs (past and future), loss of ability to earn money, aggravation of any preexisting condition (past and future) as well as prejudgment interest. She also demands a trial by jury on all issues triable as of right by jury.