A woman has filed a lawsuit against a city, claiming negligence after sustaining serious injuries at a public park. Mariela Lechin filed the complaint in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on September 13, 2024, against the City of Boca Raton.
According to the complaint, Lechin was playing sand volleyball at Hillsboro El Rio Park South on October 28, 2020, when she dove for a ball and sliced her chest open on an exposed metal crank used for the volleyball net. The plaintiff alleges that the City of Boca Raton failed to properly maintain and inspect the premises to ensure it was free from dangerous conditions. "The incident was caused by the existence of exposed metal for which padding should have been protecting," states the complaint. Lechin argues that this lack of maintenance and failure to warn visitors about such hazards constitutes negligence.
Lechin's lawsuit claims that the City of Boca Raton breached its duty of care by not inspecting or maintaining the volleyball net and related structures adequately. The complaint further asserts that the city had actual or constructive knowledge of this dangerous condition due to its prolonged existence or regular occurrence on their property. As a result of this alleged negligence, Lechin sustained severe bodily injuries, including physical handicap, disfigurement, mental pain and suffering, loss of income, and loss of capacity for enjoyment of life. These injuries are described as permanent and continuing in nature.
The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 along with costs and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court. She also demands a trial by jury for all issues so triable by right.
Representing Mariela Lechin is Brandon L. Chase from Chase Justice | Injury Attorneys based in Miami, Florida. The Case Number is 502024CA008788XXXAMB Div: AH.