A Clearwater woman has filed a lawsuit against a local funeral home, alleging negligence after suffering injuries on their property. On July 10, 2024, Lynne Stoeckicht filed a complaint in the Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, against S.E. Combined Services of Florida, LLC, doing business as Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home.
According to the complaint, Stoeckicht visited Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home on May 4, 2023. During her visit to pay tribute to a loved one at the cemetery located at 2860 Sunset Point Rd., she utilized a gazebo-type fixture on the property. The plaintiff asserts that she was an invitee on the defendant’s premises when she fell due to negligently maintained steps on the gazebo structure. The complaint states that Sylvan Abbey failed to paint or otherwise provide any warning of the dangerous condition of the step-down.
Stoeckicht claims that Sylvan Abbey had a non-delegable duty to maintain its premises safely and free from dangerous conditions while also warning visitors of any potential hazards not readily observable. The plaintiff alleges that Sylvan Abbey breached this duty by allowing a hazardous condition to exist and failing to warn invitees like herself about it. She further contends that this negligent condition was known or should have been known by Sylvan Abbey for a sufficient length of time before her accident.
As a result of her fall, Stoeckicht suffered bodily injury leading to pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, emotional distress, mental anguish, loss of capacity for enjoyment of life, aggravation of pre-existing injuries, expenses related to hospitalization and medical care, loss of earnings, and diminished earning capacity. These damages are described as either permanent or continuing with anticipated future losses.
Stoeckicht is seeking judgment against S.E. Combined Services of Florida for damages exceeding $50,000 along with costs and other relief deemed proper by the court. She has also demanded a trial by jury.
The case is being handled by attorneys Mark S. Roman (FBN 603831), John C. Austin (FBN 58848), and Miles H. Hickman (FBN 1002465) from Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers based in Clearwater.