In a dramatic turn of events, a resident of Palm Beach County has filed a lawsuit against multiple entities following an incident at a local rodeo event. On January 2, 2025, Terri Engroba lodged a complaint in the Circuit Court of the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, accusing Double K Rodeo Productions, Inc., Rodeo Las Palmas Inc., Pronto Enterprises of Palm Beach, Inc., and the City of Belle Glade of negligence leading to her injury.
The lawsuit arises from an incident that occurred on July 4, 2023, during a rodeo held at 1799 S. Main Street in Belle Glade, Florida. The property where the event took place is owned by Pronto Enterprises of Palm Beach, Inc., while Rodeo Las Palmas Inc. was responsible for maintaining it. The rodeo itself was produced by Double K Rodeo Productions, Inc., under the auspices of the City of Belle Glade. According to Engroba's complaint, she attended the rodeo as a business invitee when she was struck by flying wood planks due to improperly secured fencing—a situation she claims could have been prevented had proper safety measures been observed.
Engroba alleges that each defendant failed in their respective duties to ensure the safety of attendees at the event. Specifically, Pronto Enterprises is accused of not maintaining safe premises and failing to warn about potential hazards like unsecured wood planks that could become dangerous projectiles. Similarly, the City of Belle Glade is charged with neglecting its duty to conduct the rodeo safely and adequately inform patrons about possible risks associated with attending such events.
Rodeo Las Palmas Inc.'s alleged negligence centers around their responsibility for constructing and maintaining secure fencing suitable for rodeos—something they purportedly failed to do. As for Double K Rodeo Productions, Engroba contends that despite their experience in organizing such events, they did not ensure that the venue was fit for purpose or alert guests to potential dangers posed by animals interacting with inadequate barriers.
The plaintiff seeks judgment against all defendants for damages exceeding $50,000 due to grievous bodily harm sustained from this incident. Her injuries include permanent damage and aggravation of pre-existing conditions resulting in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish as well as financial losses related to medical expenses and lost wages.
Representing Terri Engroba is attorney Charles E. Cartwright from Gonzalez & Cartwright P.A., based in Lake Worth, Florida. The case has been assigned Case Number: 502025CA000018XXXAMB Div: Al and will be presided over by judges within the jurisdiction of Palm Beach County's judicial circuit.