A Florida woman is seeking justice after a vacation turned into a nightmare due to alleged negligence at a popular resort. Debbie Shaughnessy filed a complaint on November 25, 2024, in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Pinellas County, Florida, against Hideaway Sands Resort Owners' Association, Inc., accusing them of negligence that led to her injury.
The incident occurred on August 3, 2024, when Shaughnessy and her husband checked into the Hideaway Sands Resort located at 3804 Gulf Boulevard in Saint Pete Beach. According to the complaint, as Shaughnessy was retrieving items from her car parked in the resort's designated area, she slipped and fell due to a wet walkway. The lawsuit claims that this hazardous condition was created by Steve, a maintenance employee of the resort who had been spraying water onto the walkway without placing any warning signs for guests.
Shaughnessy's complaint outlines several points asserting that Hideaway Sands Resort either knew or should have known about the dangerous condition. It states that "the dangerous condition of the wet walkway existed for such a length of time that, in the exercise of ordinary care, its employees should have known of the condition." Furthermore, it accuses the resort of failing to adhere to industry standards by not placing rubber mats or scheduling cleaning during off-peak hours.
The plaintiff argues that Hideaway Sands Resort breached its duty to ensure guest safety by not providing adequate warnings or taking measures to prevent such accidents. This breach allegedly resulted in significant injuries for Shaughnessy. She is seeking damages for permanent physical injuries, medical expenses both past and future, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, aggravation of pre-existing conditions, inconvenience caused by her injuries, and costs associated with bringing this suit.
Represented by attorney James W. Holliday from Holliday Karatinos Law Firm PLLC based in Lutz, Florida, Shaughnessy has demanded a jury trial to resolve these issues. The case is identified under Case Number: 24-005181-CI and will be presided over by judges from the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court in Pinellas County.