In a compelling legal dispute, a resident of St. Petersburg has filed a lawsuit against a major retail corporation, alleging negligence that resulted in significant personal injury. On January 10, 2025, Lillie Alexander lodged her complaint against Target Corporation in the Circuit Court of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Pinellas County, Florida.
The case revolves around an incident on July 1, 2023, when Alexander was shopping at a Target store located at 4450 Park Street in St. Petersburg. According to the complaint, while checking out, she accidentally struck her elbow against a fixture at the cashier’s station. The plaintiff asserts that this was due to Target's failure to maintain safe premises for its customers. "Defendant... owed a duty... to maintain the premises in a reasonable and safe manner," states the complaint.
Alexander claims that Target breached this duty by installing checkout fixtures that did not provide adequate space for customers to navigate safely. This alleged negligence led to her sustaining severe injuries including pain and suffering, disability, scarring and disfigurement, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. As noted in the filing, these injuries have also exacerbated pre-existing conditions and impacted her ability to earn money.
Following the incident, Alexander sought medical attention from various healthcare providers due to persistent pain in her right elbow and arm—her only functional arm since she is a left-arm amputee. Medical evaluations revealed tendinitis and lateral epicondylitis among other conditions. Her treatment included cortisone injections and physical therapy aimed at alleviating ongoing pain.
The plaintiff is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 from Target Corporation for these injuries and associated losses. She has demanded compensation through both economic means—covering past medical expenses totaling $2,992—and non-economic damages for pain and suffering as determined by an "enlightened conscience of the jury."
Represented by Spencer Jorgensen of Jorgensen Law P.A., Alexander demands trial by jury on all issues so triable. The case is being overseen by Judge Ken Burke under Case Number: 25-000104-CI.