A lawsuit has been filed in Pinellas County, Florida, alleging negligence on the part of a local business and city government after a woman suffered serious injuries from a fall. Michele Wilson, the plaintiff, initiated the complaint against COPA LLC and the City of St. Petersburg on October 1, 2024, in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
The case stems from an incident that occurred on December 2, 2023. According to the complaint, Michele Wilson was walking as an invitee in front of COPA LLC's restaurant located at 1047 Central Avenue when she tripped over a raised concrete slab on the sidewalk. This fall resulted in significant injuries to her neck, left eye, and left hand. Wilson alleges that both COPA LLC and the City of St. Petersburg failed in their duty to maintain safe premises for pedestrians.
Wilson's legal action is grounded in the Florida Tort Claims Act § 768.28. The complaint details how she provided notice of her injuries to both defendants as required by law back in January 2024 but received no resolution or acknowledgment within the stipulated six-month period. As such, her claim is considered denied by default under Section 768.20 of Florida Statutes.
The allegations against COPA LLC include negligence in maintaining their premises safely and failing to warn about potential hazards. The company is accused of having actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition yet taking no remedial action. Similarly, accusations against the City of St. Petersburg highlight its responsibility for maintaining public sidewalks safely and ensuring compliance with code requirements.
Michele Wilson seeks damages exceeding $50,000 from each defendant for medical expenses incurred due to her injuries, pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of earnings and earning capacity, physical handicap, and loss of enjoyment of life among other grievances. Her attorneys demand a jury trial to address these issues comprehensively.
Representing Michele Wilson are attorneys from Abrahamson & Uiterwyk Car Accident & Injury Lawyers based in Tampa. Tomas-Phillip Gacio is listed as one of her lawyers with additional involvement from Erik G. Abrahamson and Hendrik Uiterwyk among others at their firm. The case ID is 24-004395-CI.