A Pinellas County resident has filed a lawsuit against his landlord, alleging negligence after suffering injuries due to a hazardous condition in his rental property. Charles B. Wood initiated the complaint on July 8, 2024, in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, accusing Constance E. Noel, D.O., of failing to maintain a safe living environment.
According to the complaint, Wood was residing at a property located at 118 Highland Avenue in Dunedin, Florida, which is owned and leased by Noel. On July 12, 2020, Wood experienced a severe fall when his foot went through the defective shower floor of the rented dwelling. The plaintiff claims that Noel neglected her duty as a landlord by not adequately maintaining the premises and failing to warn him about the dangerous condition of the shower floor.
The lawsuit details several accusations against Noel. It asserts that she breached her duty of care by either creating or failing to repair and warn about the hazardous condition. Specifically, it alleges that "the shower floor in the rented dwelling was weak, damaged, not properly maintained, installed or was otherwise defective," leading to Wood's accident and subsequent injuries.
Wood contends that Noel should have known about the dangerous condition due to its prolonged existence or because she created it herself. As a result of this negligence, Wood claims he has suffered significant physical and emotional distress. The complaint states he endured "bodily injury, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish," among other damages such as loss of enjoyment of life and financial losses due to medical expenses and impaired earning capacity.
The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for these injuries and losses. He demands judgment against Noel along with a trial by jury to resolve the matter.
Representing Charles B. Wood is attorney Andrew Stinnette from Dunedin-based law firm Andrew Stinnette P.A. The case number is 24-003019-CI.