In a recent court filing, Jasmyne Hill, acting as the legal guardian of L.L., a minor, has lodged a negligence complaint against Tuckboy Ventures I, LLC, doing business as Fresh Start Coin Laundry. The complaint was filed in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in and for Pinellas County, Florida on May 22, 2024.
The lawsuit stems from an incident that occurred on August 16, 2022, when Hill and her family visited Fresh Start Coin Laundry located at 2922 Roosevelt Boulevard in Clearwater, Florida. According to the complaint, L.L., while lawfully on the premises as a business invitee or guest, slipped and fell due to a substantial amount of water on the floor. This water allegedly originated from a defective or malfunctioning washing machine. As a result of this fall, L.L. sustained serious personal injuries.
Hill's complaint asserts that Fresh Start Coin Laundry had a nondelegable duty to exercise reasonable care for the safety of its patrons. The lawsuit details multiple alleged acts of negligence by Fresh Start including failing to maintain the laundromat adequately to prevent water hazards, not warning customers about the dangerous condition, and not inspecting or correcting the issue promptly despite knowing or having reason to know about it.
The plaintiff's accusations are extensive. They include claims that Fresh Start negligently failed to have adequate staff assigned to inspect and maintain the premises for dangerous conditions and did not train employees properly in these tasks. Furthermore, Hill alleges that Fresh Start did not follow its own corporate policies regarding hazardous conditions and engaged in business practices that were unreasonable under the circumstances.
The lawsuit also highlights specific failures such as selecting flooring that did not provide a non-slip surface or properly dissipate liquids which made it slick like ice—conditions Fresh Start should have anticipated given their experience with spills occurring frequently in laundromats.
As per Hill’s claims: "On said date and at said place, Defendant breached its duty owed to Plaintiff by committing one or more of several negligent acts." These included failing to warn about or correct known dangers promptly and engaging in operational practices likely to create hazardous conditions for customers.
Hill is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 exclusive of costs, interest, and attorney fees. She demands judgment for pain and suffering endured by L.L., disability, disfigurement, permanent scarring, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life among other damages. The complaint emphasizes that these injuries are either permanent or continuing and will affect L.L.'s future quality of life.
Representing Hill is Lauren M. Pcholinski from Morgan & Morgan Tampa P.A., based in St. Petersburg. The case has been assigned Case Number 24-002251-CI under Judge Ken Burke's jurisdiction.