Chelsea Clunk has filed a lawsuit against her former employer, a veterinary clinic, alleging negligence and violations of workers' compensation laws. The complaint was filed on January 8, 2025, in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida, naming Pinellas Animal Hospital/Bird Clinic, Inc. as the defendant.
According to the complaint, Chelsea Clunk was employed as a veterinary technician at Pinellas Animal Hospital. On June 18, 2020, while performing her duties, she sustained injuries from handling an aggressive animal. Despite reporting her injury and seeking medical attention, Clunk claims that the hospital insisted she return to work without considering her physical condition. This insistence allegedly led to further injury on March 17, 2022, necessitating emergency medical treatment. Clunk accuses the hospital of failing to provide a safe working environment and neglecting necessary safety protocols and training for employees. "Defendant breached its duty of care," states the complaint.
Clunk's lawsuit also alleges that Pinellas Animal Hospital violated Florida's workers' compensation laws by compelling her to resume work before receiving medical clearance from an authorized physician. This action is said to have jeopardized her health and safety and constitutes a willful disregard for her rights under Florida Statute §404.13(2)(a). The plaintiff asserts that these violations resulted in significant personal harm including bodily injury, mental anguish, loss of earnings capacity, and aggravation of pre-existing conditions.
The plaintiff seeks damages exceeding $50,000 plus interest and costs for each count alleged in the lawsuit: negligence, violation of workers' compensation laws, and negligent infliction of emotional distress. The latter claim emphasizes the emotional trauma Clunk experienced due to what she describes as intimidating and retaliatory conduct by the hospital's staff. She reports suffering from insomnia, anxiety, and depression as direct consequences of this behavior.
Representing Chelsea Clunk is attorney Ryan L. Hicks from Hughes Law based in Tampa, Florida. The case is identified with Case Number: 25-000090-CI in front of Ken Burke as Clerk of the Circuit Court for Pinellas County.