A pedestrian's tragic encounter with a vehicle on private property has sparked a legal battle over alleged negligence. Lourdes Arena filed a complaint in the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, Florida, on January 14, 2025, against Lantana I Owner, LLC. The case centers around a car accident that occurred on January 16, 2023, at the Oceanside Lantana apartment complex, where Arena was struck by a vehicle while walking her dog.
The plaintiff, Lourdes Arena, is seeking damages from Lantana I Owner, LLC for negligence. Arena alleges that the defendant failed to maintain proper signage on their property, which led to the accident and her subsequent injuries. According to the complaint, there were no "Stop," "No Left-hand Turn," or "Do Not Enter" signs at the crosswalk where Arena was hit. This lack of signage allegedly allowed a driver to travel against traffic and strike Arena and her dog. Tragically, her canine companion—an emotional support animal—died as a result of the incident.
Arena claims she suffered severe bodily injuries due to this accident. The complaint details her injuries as including permanent scarring and disability, loss of enjoyment of life both past and future, ongoing pain and suffering, emotional trauma from witnessing her dog's death, and anticipated future medical care needs. She also mentions having undergone surgery as part of her treatment.
The lawsuit accuses Lantana I Owner of breaching their duty of care by not ensuring their property was safe for pedestrians like Arena. It argues that the absence of necessary traffic signs constitutes negligence under Palm Beach County Code. Furthermore, it criticizes the company for failing to adequately train or supervise staff responsible for maintaining safety standards on their premises.
Arena is demanding compensation exceeding $50,000 for damages exclusive of costs and interest. Her attorney Roberto D. Stanziale represents her in this matter as they seek justice for what they describe as preventable harm caused by negligence.
The case has been assigned Case ID: 502025CA000342XXXAMB.