A slip-and-fall incident at a movie theater has led to a significant legal battle. Matthew Frazier filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on August 30, 2024, against American Multi-Cinema, Inc. (AMC) and B&B Palm Harbor Holdings, LLC.
According to the court documents, on November 13, 2023, Frazier visited a property located at 37912 US HWY 19N in Palm Harbor, Pinellas County, Florida. This property was under the possession of AMC and owned by B&B Palm Harbor Holdings. Frazier alleges that while he was lawfully on the premises as a business invitee and after purchasing tickets for Theater 3, he suffered severe injuries due to hazardous conditions within the theater. Specifically, as Frazier was exiting after the film ended and navigating down dimly lit stairs, he slipped on wet steps where a piece of metal edging meant to prevent slips was missing. The fall resulted in injuries to his shoulder, head, neck, and lower back.
Frazier's companion attempted to call for help immediately after the fall but received no response. Eventually regaining his senses and aided by his companion, Frazier reported the incident to an individual who identified themselves as the manager. The manager assured him that they would investigate the area and complete a full report.
The complaint accuses both AMC and B&B of negligence for failing to maintain safe premises for visitors. It states that both defendants had a duty to ensure that their property was safe for visitors but failed in several respects: allowing hazardous conditions to exist; failing to clean or maintain the area properly; not inspecting or warning about potential dangers; and not correcting known issues promptly.
Frazier is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 plus interest, attorney fees, and costs from both defendants. He claims that due to their negligence, he has suffered significant physical injuries leading to pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life’s activities, medical expenses including hospitalization and nursing care treatment costs, loss of earnings capacity which are either permanent or ongoing.
Representing Matthew Frazier is Panormitis Koulianos from Law Office of Jocic & Koulianos P.A., based in Palm Harbor. The case has been assigned Case Number: 24-003927-ClI.