In a gripping legal battle, a resident of St. Petersburg has taken the City of St. Petersburg to court over allegations of negligence leading to a severe personal injury. Lorraine Stoneback filed her complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, on October 18, 2024, accusing the city of failing to maintain safe conditions on its sidewalks.
The lawsuit stems from an incident that occurred on April 15, 2023, when Stoneback tripped and fell due to an uneven sidewalk atop a drain at the intersection of 87th Avenue and 4th Street North in St. Petersburg. According to the complaint, Stoneback alleges that the City of St. Petersburg had a duty to ensure that public walkways were maintained and inspected regularly to prevent injuries to pedestrians like herself. The plaintiff claims that this duty was breached as the city permitted "aforesaid defective, dangerous condition" to persist without proper maintenance or warning.
Stoneback's legal team argues that the city's negligence directly resulted in her suffering permanent injuries accompanied by pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit also cites financial burdens such as medical expenses and loss of earnings as consequences of her fall. The complaint emphasizes that these losses are not only ongoing but will continue into the future.
The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for her injuries and related costs. In addition to monetary compensation, Stoneback demands a jury trial to address all issues raised in her complaint against the city.
Representing Lorraine Stoneback is attorney Debi F. Chalik from Chalik and Chalik P.A., based in Plantation, Florida. The case has been assigned Case Number: 24-004559-CI in front of Judge Ken Burke at the Pinellas County Circuit Court.