In a compelling legal confrontation, a Florida resident is taking on a well-known furniture company over allegations of negligence that resulted in severe personal injury. On October 3, 2024, Juan Hilario Nino filed a lawsuit against Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC in the Circuit Court of Pinellas County, Florida. The complaint stems from an incident where Nino claims to have sustained permanent injuries while working temporarily at one of the company's stores.
The case revolves around an accident that occurred on February 15, 2023, at Ashley Store located at 7900 U.S. Hwy 19N in Pinellas Park. According to the complaint, Nino was hired through a job placement agency and was engaged in moving a mattress when the dolly he was using slipped unexpectedly. This mishap allegedly caused him to suffer a serious shoulder injury after hearing a crackling sound as he attempted to stabilize the mattress. Nino asserts that Ashley Furniture Industries failed to provide safe equipment for its employees and neglected to consider safer alternatives for moving heavy items.
The plaintiff accuses Ashley Furniture Industries of multiple counts of negligence. He claims that the company did not adequately warn him about the potential risks associated with using their standard flat wood dollies, which were deemed unstable for moving heavy items like mattresses. Furthermore, Nino alleges that the company failed to provide necessary instructions or warnings on how to safely use or react if such equipment became unstable during use. The complaint also highlights the absence of safer alternative equipment options like convertible aluminum hand trucks or aluminum pallet dollies that could have mitigated the risk of injury.
Nino's legal counsel argues that these failures constitute a breach of reasonable care owed by Ashley Furniture Industries to its employees. As a result of this alleged negligence, Nino claims he has suffered permanent bodily injuries leading to ongoing physical pain and mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, diminished earning capacity, and substantial medical expenses expected to continue into the future.
In his lawsuit, Juan Hilario Nino seeks damages exceeding $50,000 from Ashley Furniture Industries. He is demanding compensation for his injuries along with court costs and has requested a trial by jury to resolve these issues.
Representing Juan Hilario Nino is attorney Jonathan I. Rotstein from the Law Office of Rotstein & Shiffman LLP based in Daytona Beach, Florida. The case has been assigned Case Number: 24-004429-CI.