A jogger is taking legal action against a county government after a hazardous sidewalk condition caused him serious injury. Valentino Nucci filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on July 16, 2024, accusing Pinellas County of negligence.
According to the complaint, on June 25, 2023, Nucci was jogging westbound along a sidewalk near the intersection of Westbound Park Boulevard and Gulf Boulevard in Indian Shores when he encountered cracked concrete that had sunk and separated from the rest of the sidewalk. This unmarked and dangerous condition caused him to trip and fall, resulting in significant injuries. The plaintiff alleges that Pinellas County either knew or should have known about this hazardous condition as it existed for an extended period.
Nucci's lawsuit claims that he was lawfully using the public sidewalk at the time of his accident and that Pinellas County had specific duties to maintain its property safely. These duties included reasonably maintaining the sidewalk to prevent harm and warning users of any hidden dangers. The complaint states that there were no markings or warnings indicating the presence of such a dangerous condition.
The plaintiff accuses Pinellas County of several acts of negligence: failing to warn about an unsafe condition, failing to restrict access to a dangerous area, failing to maintain its premises adequately, failing to inspect for unsafe conditions reasonably, and failing to provide a safe environment free from unreasonably dangerous conditions. As a direct result of this alleged negligence, Nucci suffered severe and permanent injuries.
The injuries detailed in the complaint include bodily harm, medical expenses incurred while seeking treatment for his injuries, pain and suffering, loss of capacity to enjoy life normally, mental anguish, loss of income or diminished earning capacity, physical impairment, inconvenience, disfigurement and scarring, and aggravation of an existing disease or defect. Due to these extensive damages, Nucci is seeking a jury trial and judgment against Pinellas County for damages exceeding $50,000.
Representing Valentino Nucci are attorneys Michael L. Walker (FBN: 0796344), Joshua T. Walker (FBN: 0124281), and Thomas N. Eggleston (FBN: 1055224) from The Walker Law Group located at 750 — 94th Avenue N., Suite 213 in St. Petersburg, FL. The case has been assigned Case Number: 24-003149-CI.