A lawsuit has been filed against a local restaurant following an alleged slip-and-fall incident that left the plaintiff with serious injuries. On October 24, 2024, Terence Dougherty filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, accusing Tequilas Mexican Grill & Cantina LLC of negligence related to unsafe conditions on their premises.
According to the details of the case, Dougherty claims that on November 6, 2022, he visited Tequilas Mexican Grill & Cantina located at 422 Cleveland St., Clearwater, FL. During his visit, it was raining outside and upon entering the bar area of the restaurant, he encountered a wet floor. Dougherty alleges that as he attempted to sit at the bar by sliding out a stool with a metal circular base known for being top-heavy, it slipped due to the wet surface causing him to fall and sustain severe injuries. The complaint states that Tequilas Mexican Grill & Cantina LLC had nondelegable duties to maintain their premises in a safe condition and warn patrons like Dougherty of any potential hazards they knew or should have known about.
The lawsuit outlines several specific accusations against Tequilas Mexican Grill & Cantina LLC. It claims that they failed to inspect and maintain dry floors especially during inclement weather conditions and neglected to place warning signs or barriers around wet areas. Furthermore, it criticizes their choice of bar stools which were prone to tipping over on slippery surfaces and asserts that they did not take reasonable preventative measures such as using mats or anti-slip treatments. Dougherty argues these oversights constitute negligence on part of the restaurant’s management.
Dougherty is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for various losses including personal injuries resulting in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement among others. He also demands compensation for medical expenses incurred from hospitalization and treatment along with loss of earnings both past and future due to this incident. The complaint emphasizes that these losses are permanent in nature thus justifying continuous compensation.
Representing Terence Dougherty in this legal battle is Irwin Ast from IRWIN AST P.A., based in Miami Florida alongside Leonard M Caracappa who is also partaking as counsel for Plaintiff. The case ID is 24-004672-CI but no judge has been named yet presiding over this matter involving Tequilas Mexican Grill & Cantina LLC accused under Florida statutes regarding premises liability.