A Clearwater resident has filed a lawsuit against a local apartment complex, alleging negligence that led to severe injuries. Danielle Graef lodged the complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on September 11, 2024, accusing West Shore District LLC of failing to maintain safe premises.
According to the court documents, Graef was a tenant at The District at Clearwater, an apartment complex owned and operated by West Shore District LLC. On March 31, 2022, while walking down a staircase on the property, she slipped and fell due to a liquid substance and damaged stairs. Graef asserts that this incident resulted in severe and permanent injuries. "At the aforementioned time and place," the complaint states, "Plaintiff was lawfully on the premises as an invitee and tenant."
The plaintiff claims that West Shore District LLC neglected its duty to maintain safe conditions at The District at Clearwater. Specifically, Graef alleges that the company failed to repair or maintain the damaged stairs properly, did not warn tenants about the hazardous condition, and neglected to conduct reasonable inspections. These actions are described as falling below reasonable care standards. The complaint lists several negligent acts: failing to clean up the liquid substance on the stairs, allowing dangerous conditions to persist for an unreasonable length of time, and not performing maintenance according to industry standards.
Graef is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for bodily injury, physical pain and suffering, disability, inconvenience, physical impairment, disfigurement and scarring, mental anguish, loss of earning capacity, permanent injury within a reasonable degree of medical probability, and medical expenses incurred in treating her injuries. She demands judgment against West Shore District LLC for general damages along with costs and interests.
Representing Danielle Graef is attorney Tyler Vaughn from Clark Hartpence Law based in St. Petersburg. The case is being overseen by Judge Ken Burke under Case Number 24-004074-CI.