A Florida resident has filed a lawsuit against a major home improvement retailer, alleging negligence that led to severe injuries. On September 30, 2024, Lloyd Alexander Ducey filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, against Lowe’s Home Centers, LLC and an unnamed individual referred to as John Doe.
The incident in question occurred on February 16, 2023, when Mr. Ducey visited Lowe's store located at 7301 Park Blvd. North in Pinellas Park to collect supplies for his employer, JTM Telecom, Inc. According to the complaint, upon arrival at the store with his colleagues around 8:30 a.m., they found their pre-purchased supplies loaded onto carts by Lowe's employees. The carts were reportedly overloaded and had malfunctioning wheels without protective guards. As Mr. Ducey attempted to maneuver one of these carts down an embankment near the store's exit, it malfunctioned and caused metal sheet panels to slide off and injure him severely.
Mr. Ducey's legal team argues that Lowe’s failed in its duty of care by providing defective equipment and not warning about potential hazards such as the hidden embankment outside the store. The complaint accuses Lowe’s of negligence in maintaining safe premises and equipment for customers, failing to supervise employees properly, and not adequately training staff on loading procedures or assisting customers safely.
The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $50,000 for Mr. Ducey's injuries which include significant pain and suffering, nerve damage, loss of functional ability, mental anguish, medical expenses, and lost wages due to his inability to work following the incident. Mr. Ducey is demanding a jury trial for all issues presented in this case.
Representing Mr. Ducey are attorneys Shirin M. Vesely and Micah R. Novey from Trenam Law Firm based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The case is being overseen by Judge Ken Burke under Case Number: 24-004368-CI.