A Florida woman has taken legal action against a major retail chain, claiming negligence led to her serious injuries. Patricia Grassi filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County on December 20, 2024, accusing Michaels Stores, Inc. of failing to maintain safe premises at their Palm Harbor location.
According to the complaint, Grassi visited the Michaels store on November 15, 2024, as a business invitee. While entering the store, she tripped over a turned-up carpet near the entrance/exit, resulting in significant personal injuries. The lawsuit alleges that Michaels Stores, Inc., as a foreign profit corporation operating in Florida, had a duty to keep its premises safe and warn patrons of any potential hazards. However, Grassi claims that the company breached this duty by negligently maintaining the floor space and failing to address or warn about the dangerous condition posed by the turned-up carpet.
The complaint outlines several specific accusations against Michaels Stores. These include failing to maintain or adequately inspect the area near the entrance/exit for hazards, not warning Grassi about the danger of the turned-up carpet despite knowing or reasonably should have known about it, and not correcting this hazardous condition even though it was known or should have been known with reasonable care. Furthermore, Grassi accuses Michaels of inadequate staffing and training regarding inspecting and maintaining safe pathways within their stores.
As a result of these alleged negligent actions by Michaels Stores, Grassi sustained severe injuries that have caused her pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, permanent scarring, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, medical expenses for hospitalization and treatment, loss of earnings and earning capacity, and aggravation of pre-existing conditions. She asserts that these damages are either permanent or ongoing and will continue into the future.
Grassi is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 from Michaels Stores along with interest and costs associated with her case. She demands a jury trial for all issues triable by jury under Article 1 Section 21 of Florida's Constitution.
Representing Patricia Grassi is attorney Michael C. Bird from Morgan & Morgan Tampa P.A., located at 201 N. Franklin Street in Tampa. The case was electronically filed with Ken Burke serving as Clerk of Circuit Court for Pinellas County under Case Number: 24-005610-CI.