A serious injury incident at a popular Florida resort has led to a legal battle that highlights the importance of property safety standards. On November 11, 2024, Myrna Carmona filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, against 5500-5600 Gulf Blvd. IG LLC. The case revolves around an alleged negligence incident at the Island Grand Beach Resort, which resulted in significant injuries to Carmona.
According to the complaint, Myrna Carmona was visiting the Island Grand Beach Resort on May 25, 2024, when she began feeling faint and was assisted into a wheelchair by resort security staff. The wheelchair, owned by the defendant company 5500-5600 Gulf Blvd. IG LLC (referred to as "Gulf Blvd. IG"), allegedly had an exposed sharp metal appendage that caused Carmona to suffer a severe laceration requiring emergency medical attention and sutures. Carmona asserts that she was lawfully on the premises as a patron and had not engaged in any behavior that contributed to her injury.
The lawsuit accuses Gulf Blvd. IG of negligence for failing to maintain their equipment in a safe condition and not warning patrons about potential hazards like the dangerous wheelchair. "GULF BLVD. IG knew, or in the exercise of reasonable care should have known of the unreasonably dangerous condition posed by the dangerous wheelchair," states the complaint. The plaintiff claims that this breach of duty resulted directly in her physical injuries and subsequent pain and suffering.
Carmona is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 for bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, aggravation of preexisting conditions, and medical expenses incurred due to her injuries from this incident. She demands judgment for these damages along with costs and interest against Gulf Blvd. IG LLC while also requesting a jury trial on all triable issues.
Representing Myrna Carmona is attorney Mitchell J. Panter from Panter, Panter & Sampedro P.A., based in Miami, Florida. The case is being presided over by Judge Ken Burke under Case Number: 24-004956-CI.